The flavor of old Mexico can be felt as travelers pass village furniture makers selling their wares along the highway and local Maya at the topes (speed bumps) extending bags of peeled fruit, tamales and banana chips. Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 90+ kilometers south of Tulum, is a town to remember for its size, non-touristy feel, and one of few gas stations until the Chetumal/ Escarcega highway approximately 150 kilometers farther south. Continuing down highway 307, just on the other side of the village of Limones is the highway to Mahahual and Xcalak, two evolving sea side towns that specialize in off-the-beaten-path vacations. Lots of fishing, snorkeling and diving going on down there in lesser known but spactacular locations.

  Not on the coast but farther down highway 307 is Laguna Bacalar also called Lake of the seven colors by the ancient Maya. From the air Laguna Bacalar looks like a turquoise ribbon winding through the jungle. There is a fishing tournament every August. Windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, sailing and bird watching are among the most popular activities on the laguna. The state capital city of Chetumal, founded in 1898, is also the home of the Museo de la Cultura Maya (the Mayan Cultural Museum) and an alternate access point for Laguna Bacalar. The pueblo of Bacalar is next to the lagoon and sees few tourists. In 1545 Gaspar Pacheco founded the town as Salamanca de Bacalar, derived from the Mayan works Bak Halal, Place surrounded by reeds.
 The Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar was built in 1729 to protect the pueblo from pirates (top photo and canon). During the War of the Caste it was used as a point of defense against Maya who besieged the village, massacred the local population and left the fort in ruins. Since then it has been restored and now has a museum.