9 Jan 12 Cancun, El Mirador Dos 14m

[dave holmgren]

Ya, I know, I suck...

Trip report:
Was on a 24 hr airline layover there, had scoped out the kite scene on an earlier trip, so brought my 3B travel board and 14m Bandit 4. Went out on the 8th in the afternoon, but it was super light, only kiter there, barely stayed upwind. Almost didn't get outta bed on Monday morning to go again, GLAD I did. When Windfinder shows 10-14 at the airport in the morning, it's ON.

It seems the best time to kite there is normally early, so don't party too heavily if you're there to ride. Got there around 10 AM and there were about 6-7 (later- 9-10) guys on the water, all locals, super friendly crew. Mine was the biggest kite and board, most were on 10-12 meter kites and normal size boards- and well powered. Glad for the big depower range and throttle on the B4. Launch is pretty tight, palms and small structures abound. Wind tends to be mostly blowing from the water, with a little side shore, and direction is pretty consistent every time I've checked it. Water is clean, shallow pretty far out, warm (duh), and pretty flat, because of the barrier reef a few miles out, very few rocks or obstructions. Locals said manta rays aren't a problem there, so I violated one of my primary rules and kited an unfamiliar site without booties. (OK, I forgot 'em.) Worked out fine, I'm not going to bother with them next time either. At this beach, your stuff is safe from crackheads, it's not- (unlike San Juan) but I still kept my money and ID in my shorts.

How to get there:
FIRST- you DON'T need a car. It's only a less than $10 cab ride- NEGOTIATE THE PRICE FIRST from the hotels, but take the bus and save money for bebidas.
You'll see "El Mirador Dos" (there's no sign, but everyone seems to know it) immediately after you pass Wet N Wild waterpark on the way from the airport to the hotel strip, so the waterpark is a great landmark to use when you're on the bus. Take the bus (but keep 5-10 bucks for a taxi back to the hotel strip in case you get tired of waiting for a bus...) You MAY have to change buses if you don't find an airport bus, but I'm told that's not a big issue. Most drivers speak enough English to help you out. Tell the driver: El Mirador Dos when you get on. The bus is 8 pesos, 50 centavos (about 70c US) give the driver pesos or a one dollar bill, you'll get change in pesos. The buses are pretty dang clean (again, NOT like San Juan) because it's either people going to/from work at the hotels or tourists. You don't even really have to be at a bus stop, the drivers will dive for the curb if you wave as long as they're not already full.
There are other spots to kite (the surfing beaches on the North side of the peninsula), but this one is easy-squeezy to get to, and you're MUCH more likely to have other kiters to play with here.

Overall, it ain't Cabarete, but it's super easy to get to (for a foreign destination), safe, and there are other things to do besides kite if the winds are badgered. I had fun.