2 Shacks on the Beach...

Beyond Cancun has evolved from a colorful history and pioneering spirit reminiscent of great adventures legends are made from.

It was 1970 when two brothers by the name of Lubcke (Ernesto and Jaime) acquired some beachfront property about 10 km. north of Playa del Carmen.  At that time, Quintana Roo was merely a territory of Mexico.  It didn’t become a state 1976.

The brothers utilized the original two cabanas as an isolated fishing getaway and family vacation spot.  In those days, Playa del Carmen was an eight-hour car trip from their home in Merida.

They called their new beach hangout, Las Cabanas del Capitán Lafitte – after the famous scoundrel/pirate who hid out in the area during the early 1800’s.  Over time they built more cabanas and a dining room in order to accommodate their ever-growing family and circle of friends.

About that same time, the seeds of tourism began to sprout along the coast.  Cancun’s airport was built in 1972 followed quickly by the very first hotels within the “hotel zone”.  Adventure travelers and pioneering entrepreneurs soon began to filter into this “undiscovered” part of the world. 

In 1976, Arnold Bilgore arrived on the coast and immediately knew it was the place for him.  Mr. Bilgore’s idea was to operate a resort that was an alternative to the typical hotels in Cancun and the bungalows sprouting up around Playa del Carmen.  For a short while he called the resort Villa Aventura but soon after changed the name to KaiLuum – a play on Mayan words meaning “land of fish”.  He set up 14 tents and a restaurant on a piece of beach, which he rented from the Lubkes.  Thus began the cooperative effort that continues to this day.  

In 1980 the Cabanas Lafitte changed its’ name to La Posada del Capitán Lafitte.  At the same time, KaiLuum and Capitán Lafitte made arrangements to share expenses associated with a reservations office in the USA.  Originally located in San Diego and later moved to Evergreen, Colorado, the office was set up to facilitate reservations for American tourists.  In those days, there were no phones, faxes or computers in this part of the Yucatan peninsula.  Short wave radio transmissions were made to the Lubcke’s office in Merida according to a predetermined schedule and reservations were then relayed out to the beach.

More hotels and resorts sprung up around Playa del Carmen.  Many needed assistance in processing advance reservations and the US office began to represent a select few of them.  As the popularity of the area grew, so did the US office.  It later became a stand-alone business and today is known as the Turquoise Reef Group.  Beyond Cancun is the latest additon to the TRG family keeping pace with the continuing expansion that has exploded along the Yucatan peninsula.

The increasing popularity of Lafitte and KaiLuum encouraged a third Lubcke brother (Adolfo) to venture into the resort business.  In 1987 he constructed a dining room and 12 simple cabanas a couple kilometers north of the Playa del Carmen ferry dock.  He called it Shangri-la Caribe.  No one imagined that this Shangri-la, way out in the jungle, would end up within the city limits of Playa del Carmen one day!

September of 1988 brought Hurricane Gilbert, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.  All three resorts, along with every other coastal structure, were wrecked and uninhabitable.  They were quickly patched up and in limited operation by Christmas of that same year.  Mainly through word-of-mouth and personal recommendation these resorts have built and maintained a loyal clientele who return year after year.  From meager beginnings, each have prospered.  Shangri-la boomed to over 100 rooms and Capitán Lafitte to over 60.  A long journey from the original 2 shacks purchased in 1970!

Some of the names have changed over the years but the philosophy has remained constant; our focus has been and will continue to be the unique and special places on the Yucatan where you will find an authentic Mexico and Mayan experience.  We put a premium on service and experience and we think you'll find your Mexcio right here...Beyond Cancun!