Chelem

Chelem is a fishing village in the Yucatan state of Mexico. Chelem is on a stretch of land between the Gulf of Mexico coastal and a tidal area called La Ria. Its population is approximately 5,000 people and is located a few kilometers west (about a 10 minute drive) of Progreso, a port city of 40,000 people and a 30 minute drive from Merida, the capital of the Yucatan with approximately 800,000 people.

Casa Kaana is less than 1/2 mile from the village center (centro). You can walk or bike to the mercado (market) to buy fruits, vegetables and meat. The mercado also has a variety of cocina economicas (lunch counters) where you can eat many local specialties. Centro also has several tortillerias, panaderias (bread and pastry shops), coffee shops, hardware stores, convenience stores, cerve frios (beer shops) and restaurants.

There are numerous restaurants offering a wide variety of tasty food including Yucatecan fare, Italian, Texas Barbeque, burger joints, pizzerias (several) numerous taco stands with local mexican specialties,). There are several local coffee shops and excellent breakfast options. Chelem also has lots of mini marts to get groceries and supplies. There is a liquor store and an ATM as a local Oxxo.

Further away, but just a 10-15 minute car ride to Progreso, are the main grocery stores: Bodega Aurera and a Soriana both near the entrance to the city of Progreso from the merida road. Super Aki, another grocery store is at Calle 80 (between 29 & 31) in Progreso.