Day 14: Tizimin to Rio Lagartos

January 12, 2026

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Our opinion of our basic accommodation in Tizimin evolved as we looked at it more closely over our stay. It was actually very clean and recently built or renovated, with nice floor tiles and fixtures.

Those floor tiles are costly at home, and not so easy to install.

The hot water heater was impressive, firstly because it existed. But it was also right sized for the one bathroom, and Made in Mexico to boot. Admittedly, the electrical connection would be totally illegal in Canada.

The fridge too was new, and the right size for the application.

In the square yesterday, when we were done with our little Styrofoam tray for the fries, we looked in vain for a trash barrel. I ended up guiltily leaving it on a bench, joining a big pile of other trash. The street too was filled with trash, as was the ramp leading up to our room. But in the morning, it had all miraculously disappeared. Maybe there was a method to the madness in the city!

The early morning streets were uncrowded, though that changed fairly quickly as the minutes went by.

We were out of town fairly quickly, and the ranching nature of the area became apparent.

It was amazing how quickly the jungle had faded away, and now we had open pasture land.

We got a clue about how that cleanup in Tizimin might have happened, in Loche, where a large team armed with string trimmers was attacking the arena area in the middle of town.

The road was a straight shot north. It quickly developed a headwind, which I guess was coming off the Gulf. There were several small windmills around, suggesting that the wind often blows here. Dodie was very much not in favour of this wind, but it will be a help on the return trip, if it still blows.

This looks like a manageable sized turbine for a farm.

About 5 km from Rio Largartos we came upon a crocodile farm. Apparently it is open for business, and the owners also rescue and resettle crocs into a nearby reserve.

As we entered Rio Lagartos town, we encountered Diego's sign. Diego's place is on the far edge of the malecon. There are lots of hotels and guide services along there, but we have decided that he (and his family) are the best. Diego is second in the line of Diego's in the Nunez family. Diego's father was named Diego and so is his son. All are or were guides in the business. Strangely, the 9 year old son of Deigo III is not named Diego. It may also be that we will go out tomorrow with Andrea, daughter of Diego II. Andrea's bird photos are all around the restaurant and guide office.

Our room at Diego's "Ria Maya" operation is large and clean, with a fridge and aircon, and we think, hot water. But one big plus is the window looking directly on to the water.

After leaving our bikes (unlocked, because there is no theft danger here) in the guide office, we set off into the town to buy some bananas, and also some more pain meds for me. After what happened in Germany, I am highly resistant to changing our plans just for some kind of medical reasons. So I am hanging in there until we circle back around to Coba, and the dentist can have a look. However, if we think there is some serious infection, we will soon be in easy reach of Merida.

The flamingo theme on balconies is common, for good reason. We expect to find flamingos tomorrow.

Not all the boats are for tours. There is a lot of fishing here.

How about this Spotted Eagle Ray, one of several brought in today.

I should be able to use this in the intro to some upcoming blog

A hole in the wall boat motor repair shop

As might be expected, today offered a lot of bird spotting opportunity. We did see at least 20 species. Of these ten were new for this year, bringing the yearly total to 93. And of the ten, two were "lifers". These were the Lesser Goldfinch and the Indigo Bunting. Very exciting were all the pelicans hanging out around our room. They are all Brown Pelicans, but their coloration varies.

Tomorrow we are up at 5 to go out on the water!

Today's ride: 55 km (34 miles)
Total: 429 km (266 miles)

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