KiteGlobeRia de Chelem
Ria de Chelem is a kiteboarding spot near Merida in Mexico, with shallow lagoon conditions and prevailing SE, S, SW wind, best ridden in February, March, April, May.
| Country | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Merida |
| Water type | Shallow lagoon |
| Launch | Lagoon |
| Best wind direction | SE, S, SW |
| Wind type | Thermal |
| Best months | February, March, April, May |
| Coordinates | 21.2640, -89.7415 |
About Ria de Chelem
The water at the Ria de Chelem is warm and shallow, about 1.5 m almost everywhere at the Ria. There are no waves, but as the wind picks up it can get a little bit choppy, not too much. The water is clean but it looks a little bit brown because of the seaweed in the bottom. There's almost no current at the Ria. There are some stakes (maybe 3 or 4) in the water but you can see them clearly.
When is the best time to kitesurf at Ria de Chelem?
The best time to kite Ria de Chelem is February, March, April, May, when the SE, S, SW wind is most reliable.
What are the wind and water conditions?
Ria de Chelem offers shallow lagoon conditions with SE, S, SW wind (Thermal wind), launching from lagoon.
How do I get to Ria de Chelem?
You can get to The Ria the Chelem by bus. If you are in Progreso (the nearest city with bus station) it should take about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the Ria the Chelem; if you are in Mérida (the capital city) it should take about 45 mins to 1 hour to get there. You can also contact the local Kiteschool "Yuckite" for transport service (info@yuckite.com, Cel. 9992790255). If you rent a car, it should take about 30 mins to get to the Ria de Chelem from Merida. The best way to get there is to take the highway that runs from Merida to Progreso, but before you get to Progreso you should take the turn to the right that takes you to the bridge that cross over the highway to Progreso; this road takes you directly to Chelem town.
Hazards at Ria de Chelem
Ships, Shells, Stakes.
View Ria de Chelem on the interactive map →Where can I take kite lessons near Ria de Chelem?
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Other kite spots near Ria de Chelem
Spot data last updated 2026-07-20 · part of the KiteGlobe database of 6,633 kiteboarding spots.