X'cacel (ish-ka-cel) is located about 15 minutes north of  Tulum, Quintana Roo.  It  was the relaxing beach at which we camped. Situated on the Caribbean coast it is a gateway to various activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, cave diving, four wheel motor bike riding and is close to Xel-ha (see below for a description).

Unfortunately, due to the closure of two similar camp sites in the last year, the numbers of people staying at this formerly secluded beach have sharply increased and therefore the magic of sleeping in a hammock at the edge of the ocean is lost when you have to share your showers with 50 elderly German women. None the less, the area itself was fantastic. After speaking to other people who had visited Tulum I was of the impression that there was nothing to do in the area. This however, could not be further from the truth.

We spent four nights at X'cacel and one in Playa del Carmen. This stay hardly gave enough time to enjoy the activities available. Although Cancun was only a couple of hours drive from Tulum we decided not to go there.  We opted for viewing the sunrise from our hammocks rather than from an expensive tourist hotel.

Whilst in Playa del Carmen we went to Senior Frogs which is a fun touristy restaurant where the waiters dance and lay-backs and tequila slammers are compulsory.

The team in cave mobile

Activities
Unfortunately, Andrew and I were unable to go scuba diving as we had hoped (due to colds). However, we were told that it was great. We did however snorkel at Xel-ha and went cave snorkeling at Tak bi Ha.

Xel-ha is a large marine reserve which is home to thousands of marine fish. It's like a theme park where the fish are the main attraction. There are various types and sizes of fish which are not afraid of people  and simply swim around oblivious to them. This was a great experience.

Tak bi Ha is part of one of the world's longest chartered underground cave systems. People are able to dive or snorkel in these deep dark caves. The visibility is astonishing and is up to 200 meters. This was a sensational feeling. Whilst being a little scary, it was exciting and yet extremely tranquil. We highly recommend this.