Mexico Archives - Eckart Mayer Photography

Playa del Carmen beach huts

Some of the first tourist accomodations in the nowadays busy city of Playa del Carmen were this kind of beach huts. Made from local natural resources, they blended nicely into the landscape with white sand and palmtrees. Some of them still exist today, alongside a lot of modern hotels and tourist resorts. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-14)

Brain coral

Anybody else who still remembers taking your SLR underwater back in the 90s or early 2000s? Wrapped in a special solid plastic bag was the most affordable way to do it. Whilst not as professional, and hard to operate, I still think it was worth the effort to capture some of the amazing scenery below the waterline. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-15)

Riviera Maya - 20 years ago

20 years ago, it was still relatively easy to find empty and natural dream spots on the Riviera Maya. Few visitors, endless sandy beaches, warm crystal clear water full of sealife, and lots of sunshine. With the continued "touristic development", nowadays many of these secret escapes are now part of hotel resorts. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-13)

Cenote jungle exit

Located within lush and dense tropical forest, this is how an entry or exit into a cenote may look like. Most of them though need to be accessed via stairs, going down from the collapsed roof of a cave. Feels a bit like "Indiana Jones"... (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-12)

A quiet place

Despite of the excellent location, this inviting place with shade and lounge chairs was completely empty. Located in an amazing tropical bay with warm water with lots of fish, I assume it didn't take long for someone to occupy this spot. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-07)

Orange cave

For me, one of the most fascinating activities in Yucatan is to explore some of the countless "cenotes". These underground caves filled with crystal-clear water are a paradise for divers and (some of them) also for snorcheling. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-11)

Tulum Mayan ruins and beach

This image even better shows the spectacular location of the archeological site of Tulum. Very special! And the white sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Caribbean invite for a swim after exploring pre-hispanic history. (Tulum, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-10)

Palmtree sky

Not much to say about this view... (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-08)

El Castillo Tulum

With its unique location, overlooking the Caribbean sea, the archeological site of Tulum is something really special. The contrast of the light grey coral structures with the sky and the blue to turqoise water and the tropical vegetation is just breathtaking. (Tulum, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-09)

Hacienda Yaxcopoil beauty

With the henequen boom in the late 1800s/early 1900s, large Haciendas emerged in the area of Merida, Yucatan. Business collapsed during the economic crisis in the 1920s, and even more with the invention of synthetic fibers. Some Haciendas have been renovated and turned into luxury hotels. Others are open for day visitors, definitely worth a trip. (Merida, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-01)

Ravages of time

Maintaining the ancient Haciendas iin the tropical climate is a never-ending battle against time, humidity and vegetation. This combination creates interesting photo opportunities. (Merida, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-05)

Hacienda Yaxcopoil arches

The typical henequen Hacienda consisted of the Grand Manor House, the machine house, and a chapel. Covered patios protected against sun and rain. Exploring these once busy agricultural venues feels like travelling back in time. (Merida, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-02)

Have a break

Cleaning and cutting plants belongs to the ongoing tasks in any of the renovated Haciendas. Seems like whoever is in charge of this just took a break (or "siesta") (Merida, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-03)

Aged wooden lounge chair

Whilst maybe not the most comfortable of its kind, this lounge chair definitely enjoys a prime location. Overlooking a beautiful tropical bay, and just 1m away from the warm and crystal clear waters of the Riviera Maya, its age really doesn't matter. (Riviera Maya, Mexico, November 2002 - Image ID 200211-MX-06)

Green patio benches

back