Yucatan, Mexico, March 2012

Another take at capturing the magic of cave diving in Yucatan.

Mexico - info sheet

Visum	Belgian citizens, among others, automatically get a three months visum upon entry. No departure tax.
Transport	• Shared mini-bus from Cancun airport to Tulum pueblo (53 USD/person): 2h • Taxi from Tulum pueblo to the beach (50 Pesos) • Taxi within Tulum pueblo (20 Pesos) • ADO AC bus from Tulum, via Playa Del Carmen, to Cancun airport (168 Pesos/person): 2h.
Time	Cancun winter time = Munich winter time — 7 hours
Weather	Air temperature: 30°C warm & nice. Fresh water temperature: 24°C (in the cenotes).
Currency	1 EURO = 16 Pesos , 1 USD = 12 Pesos
Language	English is spoken. But knowing a bit of Spanish is recommended when you don't know your way around.

Yucatan, Mexico, March 2008

For a quick peek behind the scenes of my first movie project and a more profound look into Yucatan's fabulous underworld, just follow this link into darkness and revelation...

Yucatan, Mexico, March 2006

In March 1997, when I first stepped off the bus in a sleepy little town known as Tulum, I knew nothing about Yucatan's hidden underworld.

But as soon as I did, I was spellbound and remained until September 1998, working as a dive instructor and cavern guide for Aktun dive center, to earn my keep and be able to submerge into darkness as often as possible.

Ever since, Mexico for me is Tulum, its endless beach and its sacred cenotes. I can still feel the blazing Caribbean sun, see the Mayas going about their business, taste the fajitas, caldo de pollo, mole, quesadillas, guacamole, frijoles, naranjadas, dos equis, ...

I can still hear the stillness of the caves. And whenever I remember, I want to gear up, strap on some double tanks, route the long hose, check the primary light & back-ups, clip on some reels, jump in a cenote's refreshing waters, perform a bubble check, tie-off, do some jumps & close some gaps, dive through restrictions, turn around according to the rule of thirds, and experience the always magnificent return to the blessing of light...


Despite all these fond memories, or maybe exactly because of them, it took more than five years before I returned for a short two weeks holiday. Tulum by then had finally awakened and lost its drowsy charm. Tourism had arrived. But, while relatively popular above ground, its underworld luckily remained unvisited by most, a privilege for the few that dare leave the daylight behind.

After that short re-reconnaissance trip in April 2004 I knew I had to go back for more...

travel blog

Yucatan, Mexico, April 2004

Inside five very different cenotes between Tulum & Coba.

Mexico - info sheet

Visum	Belgian citizens, among others, automatically get a three months visum upon entry. No departure tax. Nor immigration control when leaving. Which strangely means I got an IN stamp but no OUT stamp!
Transport	• Shuttle mini-bus from Cancun airport to Tulum pueblo (35 USD/person): 2h • Taxi from Tulum pueblo to the beach (30-35 Pesos): about 4km • MAYAB stop bus from Tulum to Playa Del Carmen (20 Pesos/person) • ADO direct AC bus from Tulum to Playa Del Carmen (31 Pesos/person): 1h. Remark that the ADO bus does not stop in the tourist bus terminal on 5th avenue (= the shopping street), but several blocks away from it! • Direct AC bus from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun airport (65 Pesos/person): 1h. Leaves from the tourist bus terminal located on 5th avenue - close to the Playa-Cozumel ferry terminal.
Time	Cancun time = Copenhagen summer time — 7 hours
Weather	Air temperature: 30°C hot and humid. Partially overcast and relatively windy, with an occasional thunderstorm. Nights are usually cool during the winter months but were abnormally so now too. Fresh water temperature: 24°C (in the cenotes).
Currency	1 USD = 10.5 Pesos
Language	English is spoken. But knowing a bit of Spanish is recommended when you don't know your way around.