Posts that share the Xcalak keyword.

Acocote Wellness

Written by Rob Mukai on Oct. 31, 2015

Wellness services here at Acocote Eco Inn was always part of the plan but a few other details needed to be shored up before implementing this. First, we had to update our solar, fix the palapa roof, build a cistern, freshen up...

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Spooky Garbage During the Days of the Dead, by Leisa Mukai

Written by Rob Mukai on Nov. 02, 2015

It's a spooky time of year. Up north, Halloween just passed. Yesterday and today are the Days of the Dead here in Mexico. This season of the dead is spooky but not for the traditional reasons, which was well illustrated at...

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Getting Here - Through Xcalak

Written by Rob Mukai on Nov. 26, 2015

Update: Sept 22, 2023 - New signs up.

UPDATE: July 15, 2019 - Put up new signs again. Replaced some posts etc. that were falling apart.

UPDATE: June 14, 2017 - Just put in new signs. And added a couple. One right at the...

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2015 at Acocote Eco Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Dec. 30, 2015

Since we purchased Sandwood Villas and renamed it, Acocote Eco Inn, we have been very busy upgrading and renovating this Xcalak hotel to make it a cozy sanctuary on the beach for our guests. Here is a list in no particular...

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What is Wellness?

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 03, 2016

Wellness is often confused with health, for good reason. The dictionary considers the words “well” and “healthy” synonymous. My 1976 American Heritage Dictionary doesn't even include an entry or sub entry for this word that is...

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10 Things to bring for fly fishing in Xcalak, Mexico

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 04, 2016

You are finally making that salt water fly fishing "Trip of a lifetime" to Xcalak, Mexico. You have your flights and your hotel accommodations set. The last thing you want to do is forget something important while you are...

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Restaurant Review - Gringo Dave - Closed as of Mar 6, 2016

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 12, 2016

Located right at the entrance to town, Gringo Dave’s sign says International and Wild Seafood. That sounds kind of weird but it is surprisingly delicious. Gringo Dave’s is run by a Japanese man, Go Nakamura, He takes local...

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Leaky Palapa Supper Club - Closed for the season as of May 8, 2016

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 12, 2016

When I first started coming to Xcalak, going to eat at the Leaky Palapa was always the highlight (Unless you happen to catch a permit ;). Who would expect a fine dining establishment in this remote part of the world? But...

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Toby's Restaurant

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 20, 2016

Toby’s is in the middle of Xcalak town and serves fresh seafood and more traditional Mexican fare such as tacos and quesadilla as well. Toby’s also has complementary wifi for those that need to stay connected. Although he...

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Silvia's Restaurant

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 26, 2016

Silvia’s is right next to Toby’s on the main drag of Xcalak, but set back a few yards from the road. Silvia serves fresh seafood and Mexican dishes. All are made to order, so this is not fast food. During the lobster season you...

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The Repentance of a Water Glutton

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 26, 2016
                              “Water, water every where,
                               And all the boards shall shrink,
                               Water, water every where,
                              ...
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Restaurant review - Costa de Cocos

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 30, 2016

Located inside the Costa de Cocos resort, they brew their own craft beer and distill their own moonshine. The restaurant has Pizza, as well as other traditional dishes, like tacos and even chicken fingers. Their signature pizza...

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Mayan Grill at Tierra Maya

Written by Rob Mukai on Feb. 09, 2016

Update April 13, 2017: Added image of Mayan Grill Menu

Located in the Tierra Maya hotel. The restaurant is in a palapa roofed building with nice wooden furniture. With the Leaky Palapa closed, this is the upper end...

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Accidental Garden

Written by Leisa Mukai on Apr. 17, 2016

How did this tomato and pepper plant come to grow, here in Xcalak, in Mexico's Costa Maya? For those who know me, I can't grow anything that isn't a large acreage crop grown in rows. Even then, it's been 40 years since I was...

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A Cautionary Message

Written by Leisa Mukai on May. 28, 2016

All kinds of things wash up on the beach of our hotel in Xcalak, shoes, toys, kitchen utensils. plastic bottles, plastic bottles. Oh, and plastic bottles. At long last. a glass bottle washed up with a message in it. I've been...

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Baby Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Written by Leisa Mukai on Jun. 06, 2016

Baby anything is cute. A baby Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is really, really, cute. Six hardworking adults on a Monday morning were briefly overcome by the cuteness of this little bird. I was inspecting the flower garden when I...

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How to pronounce Xcalak

Written by Leisa Mukai on Jun. 17, 2016

So this is always a difficulty for people new to the Yucatan. Driving down from Cancun to Xcalak and our hotel, one sees numerous places with names that include multiple X’s. Places like Xel-ha, Xcaret, and Xahuayxol are...

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What groceries to buy when coming to Xcalak

Written by Rob Mukai on Jul. 07, 2016

Because our Xcalak hotel has full kitchens in each suite, many of our guests like to cook their own meals for at least some of their stay. One issue we have is that there are no grocery stores here in Xcalak. We have a few...

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Frequently Asked Questions Coming to Xcalak, Mexico

Written by Rob Mukai on Oct. 07, 2016

What is your check-in/checkout time?

Check-in time is anytime after 2:00 pm. Although we do request that you don’t arrive too late. And if you are planning to, please let us know in advance. Checkout time is 11:00...

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Reef Restoration in the Xcalak Reef National Park

Written by Rob Mukai on Nov. 11, 2016

Last week we went to a presentation for a reef restoration project that is happening in Xcalak. It is being conducted by a non-governmental organization (NGO) called Oceanus. The founders Gabriela and Miguel were on hand to...

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Leaky Palapa Restaurant - Updated Feb. 5, 2021

Written by Rob Mukai on Nov. 29, 2016

UPDATE: Linda and Marla decided not to come for the 2020/2021 season. As the land border between the US and Canada are restricted as well as the land border from the US to Mexico, they didn't think they could safely make it...

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2016 Updates and upgrades at Acocote Eco Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 29, 2017

So in year two we did a lot more improvements to the place. Hope you can come see them. Here is a list that is in no particular order.

  1. New Entry doors.

  2. Added 1500 watts of solar panel capacity

  3. Doubled...

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Quest for a Grand Slam - A Year Later

Written by Rob Mukai on May. 16, 2017

So today was nearly perfect. Absolutely epic, but not quite perfect. Came thiiiiis close.

Friend of the Inn Holden, invited me to go out with Capt. Victor to fish in Chetumal Bay. I had some time so of course I said...

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I just caught 52 permit and 600 bonefish in two days

Written by Rob Mukai on Jun. 08, 2017

Ok, sorry the title is a little click baity, but had an incredible experience over the last couple of days with Addiel Perez here in Xcalak. Addiel is a doctoral candidate at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur - Ecosur in...

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First Annual Silver Scales Xcalak Fly Fishing Tournament 2017

Written by Rob Mukai on Aug. 02, 2017

Overview

The first annual Xcalak Silver Scales Fly Fishing Tournament just ended last weekend and despite a relatively short timeline, was well attended and a big success. I have never participated in anything like...

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2017 at Acocote Eco Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 01, 2018

Here are some of the improvements we did in year 3. Hope you can some see them. Here is a list in no particular order.

1. DIY Solar Battery Room Fan
2. Two new beach loungers
3. Two new...
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Bonefish Tagging Research in Xcalak and Belize

Written by Rob Mukai on Feb. 27, 2018

February 24, 2018, Doctoral candidate Addiel Perez presented some of his findings from the work he has been doing tagging bonefish and permit in Belize and southern Mexico. He has also presented this to the Bonefish and...

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Giving Back - Costa Maya Beach Dog Rescue

Written by Rob Mukai on Apr. 15, 2018

Overview

What do you do when you see a problem that is heartbreaking but overwhelmingly huge. There are innumerable dogs here along the coast that for a host of reasons have been abused, abandoned, fallen ill, and are...

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Second Annual Silver Scales Xcalak Fly Fishing Tournament 2018

Written by Rob Mukai on Jul. 30, 2018

Overview

This was the second edition of the Silver Scales Xcalak Fly Fishing Tournament. To see the write up of the first tournament [click...

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Conservation - Reef Restoration Project with Oceanus AC

Written by Rob Mukai on Sep. 20, 2018

Background

We all know that our coral reefs around the globe are critical to our marine ecosystems. 25% of the biodiversity of the ocean lives in the coral reefs that only cover 1% of the ocean floor. They are in...

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Conservation - Reef Restoration Project with Oceanus AC Part II

Written by Rob Mukai on Dec. 02, 2018

This is the second installment of the Reef Restoration Project here in the north beach of Xcalak. You can read about the first part of the training...

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10 Pro Tips - Saltwater Fly Fishing from a Panga

Written by Rob Mukai on Dec. 13, 2018

Introduction

For a first-time saltwater angler, or even a more experienced angler, getting up on the front of the panga and having a school of large permit heading toward you is an un-nerving experience. Your fly is...

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2018 Improvements to the Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 02, 2019

Here are some of the new things we have added or improved at the Inn in 2018. In no particular order.

1. New Acocote Eco Inn Fishing Shirts
2. 2 new refrigerators
3. 1 new stove
...
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Rental Cars

Written by Rob Mukai on Feb. 18, 2019

Although it is possible to get to Xcalak via bus, the preferred method to get to Acocote Eco Inn from the airport is renting a car and driving down. This has a number of advantages. You can get to our [restaurants in...

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Day Trip to Mayan Ruins and Bacalar from Acocote Eco Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Apr. 01, 2019

This is a day-trip that you can make from the Inn. If you need a break from standing in the front of a boat, or to get out of the sun for a bit, this is a great way to spend a day. This is a full day excursion. A couple of...

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Xcalak Center for First Contact and Preventative Health

Written by Rob Mukai on Jun. 06, 2019

UPDATE: Unfortunately the clinic has closed.

I'm a little late to write about this but April 7, 2019, we got a new health center in Xcalak. The building has been sitting idle for quite a while, but we now have new...

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La Poza, Big Tarpon and Diving

Written by Rob Mukai on Jun. 08, 2019

This is one of those things. Living here in Xcalak over 4 years I hadn't been to the most famous dive spot here in the Xcalak National Reef Park. La Poza (the Well) dive site, under the right conditions, holds a large...

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Super Grand Slam!

Written by Rob Mukai on Nov. 16, 2019

We have been having some pretty spectacular days here in Xcalak lately. Low or no wind, and mostly bright blue bird skies, calm seas and tons of fish.

A couple of days ago, guest of the Inn Andy, invited me along for a...

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A Christmas Gift

Written by Rob Mukai on Dec. 30, 2019

Dr. Ryan Mickelson is a Pediatric Dentist from Durango, CO who came to Xcalak for a week of fly fishing over the holidays. On Christmas Eve 2019, Ryan held a free pediatric dental clinic for the kids of Xcalak. Although...

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2019 Improvements to the Inn

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 01, 2020

Here are the improvements we did for the Inn this year! In no particular order:

1. New hoodie fishing shirts with artwork by Elias at Tailers Art
2. New Battery bank
3. New cushions...
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DIY Saltwater Fly Fishing - Etiquette on the Xcalak flats

Written by Rob Mukai on Mar. 04, 2020

Here in Xcalak, Mexico, we have some of the most beautiful saltwater flats for fly fishing in the world. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. We have miles and miles of wade-able flats...

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Saltwater Fly Fishing - Etiquette on the Xcalak flats

Written by Rob Mukai on Mar. 28, 2020

Here is a different point of etiquette when saltwater fly fishing. This time when on a guided boat with a partner. This is a one point post, that hopefully will help you have a great day out on the flats.

So one of the...

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Fly Fishing for Triggers By Nick Denbow

Written by Rob Mukai on Apr. 20, 2020

Overview

This blog post stemmed from a conversation I had with friend of the Inn, Nick Denbow. He has been guiding here in the Costa Maya for 18 years. I have had a hell of a time trying to catch triggerfish here. We...

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Acocote Eco Inn - COVID-19 Safety Measures

Written by Rob Mukai on Aug. 26, 2020

As we welcome you back to our little corner of paradise, we are committed to providing a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols to eliminate COVID-19. Here are some of the additional measures we are taking to...

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New COVID-19 Restrictions for International Travel from the United States to Xcalak

Written by Rob Mukai on Jan. 17, 2021

LAST UPDATED Jan 13, 2022 UPDATE: As of Dec 6, 2021, the CDC announced that all travelers from outside the US returning will require a negative antigen test 1 day before getting on their flights. This is for vaccinated and...

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