Orientation -- About 45 minutes south of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a few kilometers past the town of Limones at a place called El Cafetal (there's a gas station before the turnoff), you reach the clearly marked turnoff for Mahahual and Xcalak. It's 50km (31 miles) on a good paved road to the coast at Mahahual. The turnoff for the new road to Xcalak comes 2km (1 1/4 miles) before you reach Mahahual, at a military checkpoint. Xcalak is 55km (34 miles) to the south, less than an hour's drive.

Information, Please -- Good, up-to-date information about the Costa Maya is still scarce, though you can get decent overviews at www.mahahual.com and www.xcalak.info. For the latest goings-on, sign up for the detailed and gossipy newsletter from Mayan Beach Garden in Mahahual.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.