We’ve had hot weather, dry, humid, cold, arid, and just downright blazing days in Mexico. We’ve been to the D.F., to Tabasco State, to Veracruz, to Chiapas… Finally, we’ve arrived at the beach. So this is why so many tourists flock here: the sand is soft and wide and the water aqua blue.

Coming from the smaller towns and less tourist-frequented areas, the Peninsula hardly feels like Mexico at all. We have to search a little deeper for the $2 lunches, but they’re still there, just a few steps off the visitor’s route. Budget accommodations are also harder to come by, but bargaining has gotten us a few sweet deals, and what we do find has a charisma all it’s own.

It’s hard not to feel like a successful beach bum when you sleep on a handmade bed and put your feet down on warm sand in the morning. The wind blows right through the walls and roof, and the sound of the surf wakes us up, surprisingly happily, early in the morning. Tiny resorts line the beach, but natural beauty seems unfazed by the relatively small group of sunseekers. It’s easy to buy cheap beers in town and just laze about in a hammock. At night we walk off the heat of the day up and down the sand, which seems to shine in the moonlight.

See some more pictures from out sandy suite in Tulum here.

We had to tear ourselves away from a Tulum. Next, spent a few days on Isla Mujeres, which was a nice detour to Cancun. Not off the beaten path by any stretch of the imagination, Isla Mujeres is a short ferry ride from Cancun ($2.50 from the actual ferry terminal, $15 from boats by the hotel zone). Finding Mexican food, especially cheap, isn’t the easiest; most restaurants are serving Italian fare (really?), and everything costs 3x what we’ve been paying.

But it’s a small island, and walking a few blocks from the centro starts showing better & cheaper choices. We spent our time walking on the coast and eating ceviche and grilled red snapper. Not sure if we would recommend Isla Mujeres, another night in Tulum might have been better. See more of Isla Mujeres on flickr.

Our secret island, Isla Holbox, provided an adventure as well. To start, the ferry is in the middle of nowhere. We thought it would be a quiet island of fishermen and, well, nothing… Turns out the French have discovered Holbox, and in force. Places to stay were much, much pricier that we expected, and we ended up paying about $45 a night. Initial struggle aside, the island was abundant with what we were looking for: days of absolutely nothing.

We walked on the sand, we found a lagoon which we could wade across at no more calves-deep. Lots of birds, fish, sun. Not a bad hideout for Semana Santa, only the wind could have cooperated a bit more. The best surprise came Tuesday night when the whole community turned out in the zocalo for an Easter carnival and nighttime festival. Delicious street sweets and friendly locals sold us completely on the island.

Some more of our experience on Isla Holbox here.

Now we’re retracing some of our steps out of Quintana Roo, the Yucatan and Campeche. It’s sad to leave this beautiful part of Mexico behind, but so thankful for the great experience. Living so simply and eating right in the home kitchens of locals is easily what has defined our time in Mexico. The shock and sound of Mexico City will be stunning now, we’re sure.