This Guide includes our Top 10 Things to See on the Isle of Skye and useful advice to planning your trip!

Top 10 Things to See on the Isle of Skye

1. The Quiraing

The Quiraing offers views of some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland. It was formed by a massive landslip, which has created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and imposing rock pinnacles. The Quiraing walk is particularly popular with hikers and photographers, but I think EVERYONE should make time for this 2 hour walk and soak in this otherworldly landscape.

The Quiraing is part of the Trotternish ridge, the nothernmost peninsula of the Isle of Skye. If for any reason you choose not to do the hike, I strongly encourage you to at least walk from the parking lot to the Quiraing Lookout. It only takes about 5 minutes and the view is stunning!

2. The Fairy Glen

The Fairy Glen is like a miniature version of the Quiraing, where a tiny single track road winds around small round topped grassy hills with lochands. The landscape is very enchanting and picturesque. It’s best to explore these unusual land formations by following one of the trails, getting lost and taking in the views. You don’t need to hike very far. In fact, it’s not even a 5 minutes walk from the car park to immerse yourself in the landscape. It wasn’t busy when we visited but if the car park is full you can also park in Uig from where it takes about 30 min. to hike to the Fairy Glen. We absolutely loved it here!

3. Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls

Kilt Rock is a 90 meter rock formation resembling a pleated kilt, both in shape and colour. But arguably most people come here to watch the mesmerising Mealt waterfall plummeting from the top of the cliffs into the sea. The only other time I’ve ever seen this before was the McWay Falls along the Big Sur of California.

From the parking lot it’s just a few steps to this gorgeous look out point and during peak season there is usually a piper, adding to the dramatic atmosphere of this awesome place!

4. Brother’s Point

The Brothers point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a dramatic headland walk along the coast marking the easternmost point of Trotternish. It wasn’t the highlight of all the places we visited on the Isle of Skye but what I liked is that most people don’t bother with this hike. During peak season the Isle of Skye can attract big numbers of tourists and this walk allows you to get away and enjoy some of its beauty to yourself! It’s very beautiful and well worth the hike but if you find yourself strapped for time then I would give this one a miss, because the other highlights are simply unmissable!

It’s worth pointing out that some of the headland can be quite wet (even on a sunny day) and we both got wet feet so perhaps bring a spare pair of socks. Outside of summer I would probably skip this one altogether unless you are very confident that your footwear will keep you dry

Click here for directions!

5. The Old Man of Storr

Now this was probably my favourite and certainly the most jaw-dropping place we visited on the Isle of Skye. ‘The Old Man’ refers to one of the majestic rock pinnacles you hike up to from where you will experience 360 degrees views of some of Scotland’s finest landscapes. Hiking up to ‘The Old Man’ was a little steep. Instead I followed the trail path further along from where you get an incredible view of the rock pinnacles.

From the car park there are stone steps leading up to the top. I was surprised that a lot of people turned around at this point to get back down. One of the highlights for me was the actual walk past the pinnacles and further along, so if you’ve made it this far, just push yourself a little bit further.

This hike takes about 2 hours and here are the directions of how to get there. If it’s a misty or foggy day you may not see anything from the top (or bottom). But catch it on a clear, sunny day and you’ll be mesmerised by the beauty of this place!

6. Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools are located at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountain range from where a series of waterfalls creates beautiful rock pools with crystal clear spring water. The beauty of this place is undeniable but it was also the busiest place we visited on the island and the hike felt a little ‘crowded’ compared to everywhere else we’d been on the Isle of Skye.

The hike takes about an hour and the car park charges a whopping £5 GBP even for motorbikes. We managed to find off-road parking which I like to think was legal but it’s certainly difficult to park for free around here.

It’s worth mentioning that we had to wear our midge head nets during the majority of this hike. Midges generally like damp conditions and the water pools provide a perfect breathing ground for them. Although we hiked here on a rainy and windy day (they don’t usually like winds) we could not avoid them. So come prepared!

The ferry pools are definitely worth visiting, although between the midges and crowds of people it wasn’t my number one highlight. That said, the wild camping around here is simply awesome and that’s what really made it for us!

The walk to Coral Beach from the gravel car park is about 25 min. each way. However the car park is small and at the end of single track. This means it fills up quickly with nowhere else to park and you may need to turn around if you arrived here too late in the day during peak season. Luckily there is no issue parking a motorbike without taking up a car parking space!

Best wild camping spot

Once you pass the Fairy Pools continue towards Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe. It’s roughly a 10-15 min. drive and you’ll notice a few suitable and stunning wild camping spots along the way. We wild camped next to a river with stunning views of the mountains. But beware, it’s generally pretty bad in regards to midges out here. If you need a hot shower or laundry facilities then just head to the campsite.

The Fairy Pools are located 20 miles (35 minutes drive) from Portree.

7. Coral Beach

Coral Beach is the prettiest beach on the Isle of Skye and pretty unique as it’s made of crushed white corals. When the sun is out the beach looks tropical as does the turquoise coloured sea. Visiting when the tide is half in will give you the best opportunities to photograph Coral Beach from its best side. Right next to the beach is a small hill, known as ‘Ghrobain’. It only takes a few minutes to hike up it and be rewarded with stunning panoramic views. During low tide you can explore the small island called ‘Lampay’ via a coral causeway.

It is possible to wild camp on Coral Beach just behind the little hill, out of sight. However, you’ll have to be able to carry all the camping gear and supplies 3.6km each way as you can only get to this beach by foot. I think it’s one of the best wild camping spots on the isle of Skye!

Coral beach is located about 26 miles (45 minutes drive) from Portree.

8. Neist Point Lighthouse

On the most westerly tip of the Isle of Skye you’ll find the Neist Point Lighthouse. It’s a popular sunset point with stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and lighthouse itself. During the day it’s meant to be a good spot to spot dolphins. So if you bring a good picnic and some patience you might just get lucky! It’s also possible to wild camp out here but it does get very windy!

Neist Point Lighthouse is located about 31 miles (1 hour drive) from Portree.

9. Camasunary Bay

There is a lovely hike through the Cuillin Mountain range in the south of the Isle of Skye leading to Camasunary Bay. The southern part of the Isle of Skye is much quieter than the north. So if you want to enjoy a beautiful hike away from the crowds then this is it!

Whilst in this area it’s also worth checking out Elgol & Torrin. The winding single track roads are very scenic, passing a 16th century church & graveyard, a marble quarry. The hairpin road leads to an old port with beautifully restored croft-houses, some of which have been turned into AirBnB accommodation. From here you can book boat tours to visit the nearby Spar marble cave.

10. Camas Daraich

Camas Daraich is another beautiful white sand beach but much quieter than Coral Beach. The reason for that is that it’s located in the southern part of the Isle of Skye which many people don’t bother to visit. Perhaps that even makes it more unique and beautiful! It’s not too easy to reach and the hike takes about an hour with some steep hills and boggy terrain. But in return you might just have this awe inspiring beach all to yourself!

You can combine a hike to Camas Daraich with a hike to the Point of Sleat – the southernmost point in the Isle of Skye. The hike also provides nice views of the surrounding islands. But of course nothing beats setting eyes on Camas Daraich!

How to get to the Isle of Skye?

You can take a ferry to the isle of Skye, however you don’t have to! In fact you have 3 options to get there, so let’s take a look at them!

1. The Skybridge (cheapest option to reach Isle of Skye)

There is actually a free road bridge spanning the sea between the villages of Kyle of Lochalsh (mainland) and Kyleakin (Skye). It is 1.5 miles long. Since the toll charge was scrapped in 2014 it now provides the cheapest way to cross over to the Isle of Skye!

2. The original Glenelg-Skye Ferry (coolest option)

The MV Glenachulish is the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world! It runs annually from Easter to October, seven days a week, roughly every 20 min. between 10am and 6pm. The 550 metres crossing only takes 5 minutes, making it the shortest sea crossing to the isle of Skye!

Note: It’s not possible to pre-book this ferry!

3. The Skye Ferry

This is a much BIGGER ferry which runs all year round between Armadale and Mallaig. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and can be booked online (highly recommended in peak season!).

Note: You can pre-book your ferry here!

Bridge crossing vs Ferry to reach the Isle of Skye

Why pay for a ferry if the road bridge is free you might wonder? Well, in our case we were coming from the south having visited the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Morar Beach earlier that day. Taking the Skybridge would have meant a 2.5 hours (110 miles) detour, requiring us to backtrack to Fort Williams where we had stayed the previous night. So the ferry option from Armadale made much more sense for us. The other advantage with this ferry was also that it takes you to the south of the Isle of Skye. Knowing that we were leaving the island from Uig, which is in the north, this option saved us many unnecessary miles.

There is definitely something special about taking the turntable ferry, if you aren’t on a tight time schedule. It is also the shortest sea crossing. But which option makes most sense for you will largely depend which direction you will be coming from and if you are heading back to the mainland after your visit or continue island hopping. Just be aware that there the Skybridge and Skye Ferry are pretty far away from each other and plan accordingly.

I also cannot urge you enough to pre-book your ferry tickets during peak summer season. With a motorbike you might be lucky enough to still get onto a fully booked ferry. But with a car you may need to wait several days if you simply turn up on the day. So plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

Where to stay on the Isle of Skye?

Portree is the largest town on the isle of Skye and an excellent base to explore the island from! The most popular place to visit on the island can easily be reached on day trips. If you are wanting to spend time in the Cuillin mountain range you are better served finding accommodation in the southern part of the island. If a daytrip is enough though, then consider visiting the mountains after you take the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale and then base yourself in Portree to visit the rest of the island.

Fiona and I wild camped on the isle of Skye! There are fantastic wild camping spots near the Ferry Pools, Corral Beach and Neist Point. Looking for campsites with facilities? Here is a list of all campsites on the isle of Skye!

But if you are looking for a base to explore the island from then Portree is where you’ll want to be!

Where to eat on the Isle of Skye?

There are many restaurants in Portree, no matter if you are looking for gastro pubs, Fish & Chips by the harbour, gourmet burgers or oriental food. However, we also found that while riding around the island there were inexpensive food trucks serving decent food and we often relied on those. You might also want to check out The Oyster Shed, a seafood market, just half an hour away from Portree where you can taste delicious, fresh oysters.

For a list of fine dining options, including Michelin Star restaurants click here.

Are you ready to explore the Isle of Skye?

I hope this in-depth guide has provided you with some travel inspiration and useful information to plan your trip. The Isle of Skye is no hidden secret and attracts many visitors. To escape the crowds make sure you explore the south of the island also! The Isle of Skye is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland! We loved our visit and hope this blog post will ensure that you will too

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Isle of Skye appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

In addition we hope that this blogpost will provide you with even more travel inspiration and at least a few secret locations you haven’t already read about Here are our TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL & DEVON.

1. Wild camp in Dartmoor (One of my favourite things to do in Devon)

Not only is Dartmoor one of the best places to visit in Devon, but it also happens to be the ONLY place you are legally allowed to wild camp in England. And what a stunning place to take advantage of it! It’s a hikers paradise but don’t worry if hiking is not your thing. Simply driving through Dartmoor and experiencing all the free roaming wildlife already allows you to take in the landscape. And there are loads of shorter walks you can do. To find out more about where you can legally camp and read about my favourite hike to the mossy woods click here.

2. Check out Totnes’ alternative scene (Devon)

Totnes is an old market town with a thousand year old castle and Tudor houses in the historic centre. It has a buzzing highstreet of eco-supermarkets, coffee shops and vegan food places. It’s a pretty small town with a vibrant music and art scene. This New Age community even has its own currency – the Totnes Pound. I kid you not!

If you want to experience the bohemian vibe of Totnes, I recommend you to visit during market days – Friday and Saturdays. You can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, as well as antiques and cloths. We had a little wander around and enjoyed some top notch vegan food from one of the stands. On the way back to the bike we could even pick some fresh herbs grown by the community which you can help yourself to!

3. Enjoy traditional Cream Tea in Cockington (Devon)

The first thing you need to know is that cream teas in Devon and Cornwall are NOT the same! In Devon you put the cream on top of the scones, followed by the jam. If you do this in Cornwall you will genuinely offend people!

Seriously! Locals will come up to you and insist that the jam comes first. It happened to us countless times. The Queen likes it cream first and I couldn’t agree more! Furthermore I always find the cream tastes better in Devon as it has a much thicker consistency.

You can get cream tea around every corner in Devon and Cornwall. One of my all time favourite places to enjoy it is Cockington – a tiny village near Torquay with thatched roof houses. But you can of course enjoy cream teas in countless other scenic locations like St Michaels Mount.

4. Climb Trencrom Hill for unparalleled panoramic views (Cornwall)

Imagine a time long gone by before drones were the new norm. When places like Trencrom Hill were TRULY special! Trencrom Hill is an iron age hill fort and one of very few places where you can see the north and south coast of Cornwall at the same time. In addition you don’t need to be much of a hiker. From the car park it’s a mere 20 min. walk up the hill. Easy! In addition it’s really not touristy at all. So if you are looking to do something off the beaten track, then Trencrom is one of the best things to do in Cornwall. Click here for directions. It’s fairly close to St Ives too so easy to visit on the way!

5. Pick Mussels in Gwithian (Cornwall)

Eating seafood is one of the best things to do in Cornwall and Devon of course. But what about picking your own? Most seaside towns will cater for crabbing. Take a walk along the harbour and you are certain to see a place that will sell you a bucket, crab line, net and some bait. It’s a cheap and popular activity, so you’ll often spot families lining the harbour and catching crabs.

But what about mussels? I’m about to share my secret spot in Cornwall where you are guaranteed to find hundreds of mussels all year round. Gwithian beach overlooks St Ives and is a popular surfing spot. It’s essential that you visit during low-tide, when the rocks I will direct you to are fully exposed. You won’t find them during high-tide so you HAVE TO check the tide table! On Google Maps enter “Gillick Rock” and it’ll lead you straight to it. Fiona and I had picked a few dozen and cooked them up immediately on the beach – delicious!

6. Dine in a real castle (One of my favourite things to do in Cornwall)

This has got to be one of the most unique things to do in Cornwall! Carn Brea is a 14th century listed castle which is currently in private use as a restaurant. I first discovered it over 10 years ago when the restaurant was mainly run by the owner – a kind man from Jordan. It was definitely more rustic back then. There were fewer tables and the entire place was lit by candles. He has since passed away and the restaurant continues to be run by his family. There are more tables now which cater to slightly more guests and other lighting has been introduced alongside the candles. But it’s still very unique and I highly recommend it.

These days you can even visit the rooftop of the castle. Carn Brea has never been about fine dining. It’s always been about mediterranean food, quite average, at low prices. Although the prices have increased ever so slightly, the restaurant remains reasonably priced. You can literally eat a meal with a drink here for 25 GBP. Well worth it in my opinion. After all, you don’t get to dine in a castle every day!

7. Take a surf class in Perranporth (Cornwall)

Of course you can surf in Devon as well but I am a little biased as I moved from Devon to Cornwall specifically to surf. Newquay and Bude dominate the surf scene with Fistral Beach holding most international surf events taking place in Cornwall.

But when you are starting out you definitely want to avoid busy beach breaks. So one of my favourite places to surf has always been Perranporth – a wide flat beach with soft sand which stretches several miles. Check out Perranporth Surf School for more information!

8. Put your off-road skills to the test on the TET

The Great Western Trail is a part of the Trans European Trail (TET) which also runs through Devon & Cornwall. Any road legal vehicle which is insured and licensed is allowed to use it. If you are riding a motorcycle, then the trails are definitely more suitable for lighter two stroke dirt bikes. But if your off-road skills won’t let you down you can of course tackle it on bigger Adventure Bikes too. If you want to view and download the route click here. Fiona and I tried to take it on fully loaded on our Tiger 900 Rally Pro and boy was I out of my depth. Admittedly we didn’t make it far at all. But if you want to find out more about the route from someone who has actually ridden it then check out Julian’s photos and article.

If you are not quite ready to take it on alone and want to join a tour, it’s worth getting in touch with Big Bikes on Byways. Tim and Sean are awesome off-road riders and between them you will be travelling with a mechanic and a medic – pretty handy, right? Oh and they are also great human beings and you’ll definitely have a fun time out riding with them!

9. Taste award-winning ice cream and gin in Devon’s prettiest seaside town

Salcombe is unlike any other seaside town in Devon. Coming here provides a big contrast to some of the run-down towns dotted along the coastline that forgot to move with the times. This stunning little seaside town is lined with boutique shops, local art galleries and great seafood restaurants. It’s a popular sailing spot with some lovely stretches of golden sand beaches and award winning Devonshire ice cream from Salcombe Dairy! Don’t care much for ice cream? No worries – head to the Salcombe Gin Distillery instead

10. Discover the isles of Scilly

In order to reach the isles of Scilly you will need to jump on a plane or take a ferry from the mainland. They lie roughly 50 kilometres away from Land’s End in Cornwall. It’s possible to visit one of the five inhabited islands which are covered in heathland and fringed by sandy white beaches. What makes a visit particularly special is that the islands are completely unspoilt and compared to the mainland they don’t get crowded!

I’ve been wanting to visit this archipelago for a very long time. When I was a student living in Cornwall I could never afford to go, so I was excited to discover the islands with Fiona this summer. I was surprised that the prices for the ferry and Skybus have increased fourfold but we were still determined to go. Despite visiting in peak season the weather forecast was extremely rainy. So given the cost of the trip we didn’t splash out in the end. I hope we get to visit these islands one day as they are one of the most beautiful places you could possibly visit in Cornwall. Few people make it out to the isles of Scilly which make them a truly unique destination!

Book a ferry to the isles of Scilly

Book a Skybus to the isles of Scilly

Ready to explore Devon & Cornwall?

I hope this blogpost has provided you with some travel inspiration and perhaps highlighted a few destinations you haven’t already thought about. Questions? Feedback? Or simply want to share your favourite thing to do in Devon & Cornwall? Then please leave us a comment below. We are always happy to hear from you

Make sure you also check out my guides of the very best places to visit in Devon & Kernow!

The post 10 Awesome Things TO DO in CORNWALL & DEVON appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

1. ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT: Could it be Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Cornwall?

There is a beautiful rocky island with a medieval castle set on top of it in Penzance. You can walk to it during low tide across a man-made causeway of granite. The walk is particularly beautiful but it’s also possible to visit on high tide by boat. I’ve never visited the castle itself but I have walked to the island many times and had Cornish cream tea whilst soaking in the views!

The village consists of only a handful of shops. To access the subtropical gardens you’ll need to book a visit to the castle! Everyone I know who has visited really enjoyed their visit. But you don’t need to go inside the castle to enjoy a visit to St Michael’s Mount.

Top Tip

You should visit during low tide as the walk to the island is really beautiful! We also recommend that you check out the National Trust website as you may need to book in advance. There is no entrance fee! However visitor numbers are currently capped due to Covid!

2. PEDN VOUNDER BEACH: Most beautiful beach in Cornwall

I promise you that this beach will leave you speechless! You will genuinely NOT BELIEVE that you are seeing this in the U.K. If you are lucky enough to make it here on a sunny day during low tide you’ll see what I mean. Honestly, Pedn Vounder is like no other beach in the UK! It’s absolutely gorgeous to overlook from the coastal path. But you definitely need a good pair of trainers for the steep walk down to make it onto the beach!

If you don’t feel climbing down onto the beach, don’t worry. The beach is lovely but the views from the coastal line overlooking it are even better! Going for a hike and enjoying your picnic with this view alone is absolutely worth the visit.

When I lived in Cornwall Pedn was mostly known for being a nudist beach. These days it attracts a mixed crowd with nudist mostly found towards the far end. Just thought it was worth mentioning to avoid surprises

Top Tip

Remember this is a tidal beach. If you visit during high tide there might not be any beach visible. So plan your visit accordingly!

Your best bet is to park in the village of Treen. The car park charges 2 GBP for the day and the short hike to Pedn Vounder beach from there is gorgeous!

3. KYNANCE COVE: One of the best coastal walks in Cornwall!

There is no doubt that Kynance Cove is one of the most spectacular places to visit along the Cornish coastline! The colour of the turquoise sea, white sand beaches and dramatic rocks stacks are truly mesmerising.

We visited during high tide when most of the white sand beaches weren’t visible. So our pictures don’t do this magical place justice! During high tide you can still enjoy the dramatic coastline but most of the beaches completely disappear. However at low tide you can explore the towering rocks stacks and caves which make this place so unique. So I highly recommend that you check the tide table and get here as early as possible in the day to avoid the crowds!

Top Tip

You can pay 5 GBP for the National Trust car park at Kynance Cove or park for free at Lizard Point. The two mile coastal walk from Lizard – England’s most southerly point – to Kynance Cove is truly stunning! I highly recommend it if you have the time. If you are opting for the car park directly at Kynance cove though make sure to get here as early as you can. During busy summer months it can fill up rather quickly!

4. POLPERRO: Old Cornish Smugglers Village

Step back in time as you wander the cobbled streets of this idyllic old fishing village. Polperro is still a working fishing port and during high tide you might be able to spot boats unloading their catch. Needless to say that if you are looking for delicious locally caught seafood, then you are in the right place! Polperro has a small beach and natural pool but there are far more attractive options along the coast if you are looking for beach time.

The nicest thing to do in Polperro is to eat delicious fresh seafood overlooking the picturesque harbour and lose yourself in the narrow streets surrounding it. There are many charming cottages, art galleries and souvenir shops in town. Polperro has a strong art scene with a yearly art festival usually held in June. Other festivities include the Water Carnival and Furry Dance.

Top Tip

There is a huge car park located just outside the town from where you can follow the river right to the harbour of Polperro. If you want to avoid the pricey parking charges, keep going straight after the roundabout and you will find a legal parking spot alongside the road only 5 min. walk up the hill!

5. MINACK THEATRE: This incredible open-air theatre is perched on the cliffs of Cornwall

The Minack is a stunning open-air theatre nestled along the dramatic Cornish coastline overlooking the Atlantic ocean. It was built by Rowena Cade, her gardener and a few more helping hands by hand and a few sticks of dynamite in 1929. How incredible is that?

To build the theatre Rowena carried sacks of sand up the cliffs and mixed it with concrete. So it’s no surprise that it took most of her life to create the masterpiece you are looking at today. I visited this magical place many years ago. Unfortunately there were no entrance tickets available on the day when Fion and I visited recently! You can pre-book a visit to see the theatre here.

But of course the best way to enjoy it, is to watch an actual play! I only visited the theatre during the day and can confirm it’s well worth a visit but I would love to watch a performance here sometimes.

Know before you go

The views of the rugged coastline from Minack theatre are breathtaking. However, it is located in such a way that you won’t be able to see it from the coastal paths. It’s also located in a no-drone zone, so if you want to see it you’ll HAVE TO book a visit!

Top Tip

You can easily combine a visit to the Minack theatre with a visit to Pedn Vounder Beach as they are close to each other and the coastal walk is simply stunning!

6. LAND’S END: The most south-westerly point of mainland Cornwall

I remember the first time I visited Land’s End and just how disappointed I felt. The main attraction should be its natural beauty. But unfortunately your first impression is a tacky tourist complex. It feels like walking through a mini amusement park with the famous landmark at the edge of the cliffs. And for 15 GBP a professional photographer will take your picture here. BUT, BEFORE YOU WRITE IT OFF …

The surrounding coastline and cliff walks are absolutely stunning and hiking to Land’s End is truly spectacular! It’s a completely different experience to reach Land’s End point this way. And yes, you can totally bypass the entire tourist complex this way.

Fiona and I walked from Porthcurno all the way to Sennen. Even though it wasn’t a sunny day, it was still absolutely stunning and spectacular! It should take you roughly 2.5 – 3 hours to reach Land’s End from Porthcurno. It took us more like 4 hours though as we kept stopping for pictures every two seconds! We aren’t the fittest but I blame the gorgeous views mostly.

Oh yes, and there was a lovely little cafe along the way that was calling out for a Cream Tea! The walk from the ‘Land’s End’ signpost to Sennen only takes 30 min. and takes you past the shipwreck as well.

Top Tip

If you want to avoid queing and paying a photographer 15 GBP for a photo at the Land’s End signpost then visit before the gates open. We rode in on our motorbike around 7.30am. You can easily get inside using the gate to the right of the main entrance!

7. BEDRUTHAN STEPS: Most dramatic beach in Cornwall

This place reminds me a little of the 12 Apostles in Australia! Or Diamond beach in Nusa Penida. It’s certainly unlike any other place in Cornwall! Along the dramatic coastline giant rock stacks dominate the beach surrounded by wide golden sand beaches. It is completely unspoilt and best viewed from the cliff tops! At low tide the beach stretches for over a mile. And on high tide, you guessed it, there is no beach at all. The shape of the rock formations continue to change all the time due to the erosion caused by the waves!

Legend has it that the line of huge rocks were stepping stones of the Cornish giant named Bedruthan. In the 18th Century there also used to be a cliff top mine called Carnewas Mine which raised thousands of tons of iron ore. Staircases were cut into the rocks allowing the miners access to the beach. The steps are constantly undergoing work by the National Trust to make them safe to use by the public now. Due to recent cliff falls the beach is not currently accessible. But don’t worry, the view from the clifftops alone is so stunning, it will make the visit worthwhile!

Top Tip

Check the tide table again because Bedruthan is a tidal beach as well. As stunning as the coastline is at any given time, come here during low tide, and I promise you’ll be left speechless!

8. ST. IVES: Most beautiful seaside town in Cornwall

Fall in love with St.Ives as you wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets and soak in the unique vibe of its art and surf scene! It has many independent shops and beautiful fisherman’s cottages and the best way to explore this picturesque town is to get lost in its narrow lanes. One of my favourite features is that it is surrounded by several beautiful beaches. No matter if you want to surf or looking for a sheltered and quiet beach, there are plenty of them wrapped around this beautiful town to choose from.

And don’t miss out on the many delicious seafood restaurants in town. Just be cautious of the seagulls – they can be pretty vicious around here! If you are on a budget or just looking for a small bite to eat I recommend the Cornish Bakehouse. They sell an excellent cray, prawn and crab baguette for 5 GBP.

Top Tip

St.Ives can get super busy in the summer, especially during term holidays. The crowds can definitely kill some of its charm. It’s usually quieter around 10am and it can get pretty crowded from noon onwards. Also, if you aren’t staying in town then you might be better off catching the train in. Whereas it’s pretty easy to park your motorcycle, trying to find parking for a car here can be pretty frustrating!

9. CHAPEL PORTH: Learn about Cornwall’s past & heritage!

Cornwall has a strong heritage and you will more than likely spot the many tin mines dotted across the peninsula. I have always loved the coastal walk from Chapel Porth to the engine houses of Wheal Coates via St Agnes Beacon. The panoramic views are stunning and reach all across to Porthtowan and Portreath! And the tin mine and engine houses are really well preserved. There is so much local history to discover and I personally prefer learning about it outdoors rather than inside a museum!

The fastest way to get to the Wheal Coates Tin Mine is parking in the National Trust car park of Chapel Porth. The walk only takes about 20 minutes. However, my favourite way to reach this place is to park up at Porthtowan during low tide, walk across to Chapel Porth and make your way to the Wheal Coates Tin Mine. Watch out though and check when the tide comes back in so you don’t get caught out! Porthtowan itself has a beautiful beach and a lovely cafe located right on it.

Know before you go

Tin mines are scattered ALL OVER Cornwall and you don’t have to come to Chapel Porth just to see them. I personally just really like it here because the backdrop and coastal views are so special!

Top Tip

Cornwall is spoilt with gorgeous stretches of coastline. So if you don’t care much for tin mines and you are strapped for time then give this one a miss. But if you want to learn more about Cornwall’s culture and visit some places that aren’t already highlighted in every other travel blog then this is for you!

10. PORT ISAAC: Charming cornish fishing village

Port Isaac is a tiny, but very charming fishing village along the north coast. I particularly love the narrow, winding streets behind the harbour lined with white-washed cottages. Many of the traditional slate-fronted houses date back to the 18th century and are listed buildings. The harbour is still very much in use and you will be able to see fisherman unload their catch of crabs, fish and lobster. Needless to say there are excellent seafood restaurants in town. Sadly for us, due to Covid many of them were closed.

Know before you go

There isn’t an awful lot to do in town and there are far more beautiful beaches to explore. Port Isaac is perfect to explore by foot and feel like you got lost in time if you find yourself in this part of Cornwall. It’s quiet, unspoilt and rustic. But if you are stopping by for longer than just a bite to eat and quick stroll around town, then you should definitely hit the coastal trails. You can either hike towards Polzeath or Tintagel in the other direction and the views are simply stunning!

Port Isaac is not THE highlight of Cornwall and I wouldn’t specifically drive here if you aren’t in the area already. It made it onto this list because it’s very authentic and doesn’t get overrun by tourists. So if like us you are doing a roadtrip across all of Cornwall, this is a lovely little stop to incorporate. It provides a nice contrast to other picture-perfect, well maintained places like Polperro that get a little too busy with tourists in the peak season!

Top Tip

Port Isaac is a car-free village. You will need to park at the large car park and take a stroll into town. Just follow the steep hill leading down towards the harbour. Have fun going back up

Are you ready to visit Cornwall?

Hopefully this blogpost has given you some travel inspiration and perhaps even helped you plan your next roadtrip. Bear in mind that Cornwall gets pretty busy in the summer. And let’s face it … it’s the UK so there is no guaranteed sunshine if you come during peak summer months anyway.

My favourite time to visit is April or October when there are few tourists and hotel prices drop. Especially very busy places like St. Ives feel so much more magical during quieter times!!

Questions? Thoughts? Or simply want to share your favourite place in Cornwall? Please leave us a comment below – we always look forward to hearing from you

The post Top 10 Beautiful Places to Explore in Cornwall appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

Our ride through Devon was a trip down memory lane for me! I moved to Devon at the age of 16 but it’s been a very long time since I’ve last visited. I knew a lot of stunning places and couldn’t wait to show Fiona round my favourite spots. But as I used to live on the south coast I didn’t know the north coast well at all. This was about to change however!!

As part of our Land’s End to John O’Groats road trip, we made our way through the south coast of Devon. And once we reached Land’s End, we travelled back up the north coast. But we didn’t just stick to the coast! We also found some off-road adventure on the Trans European Trail (TET) and visited some National Parks too!

HERE ARE 5 PLACES YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS WHEN VISITING!!!

1. DARTMOOR: My favourite National Park in Devon

If you love hiking and nature then you’ll be spoilt for choice across the 386 square miles of moorlands. In addition, Dartmoor is the ONLY place in England where you can legally wild camp. You can hike across the tors, tackle steep hills, go fishing or take a dip in one of the many lakes. We were very excited about wild camping. However, there are many luxurious boutique hotels and cosy B&Bs inside the National Park.

Just driving through Dartmoor alone is absolutely stunning. But it’s obviously a hiker’s paradise! My absolute favourite hike was walking to the Wistman’s Mossy Woods. Anywhere you hike you will be sure to see free roaming ponies and horses, sheep, Highland Cows and other wildlife. You’ll often find sheep asleep on the road or crossing over so there is really no point driving fast and disturbing their piece. Fiona and I spent two nights wild camping and hiking across Darmoor and absolutely loved it!

2. SALCOMBE: the prettiest seaside town in Devon

Hands down the prettiest town in Devon! Salcombe is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the coastal views are simply stunning, as well as the surrounding countryside! The crystal blue waters make it a popular sailing spot and attract many tourists for kayaking or paddle boarding. Fiona and I enjoyed our time on the golden sand beaches of East Portlemouth which has a stunning view over the town. It’s impossible to miss as you’ll be looking right onto it when walking through Salcombe. The ferry ride will only set you back 2 GBP and takes only a couple of minutes to drop you at this dead-gorgeous beach! However, remember to bring a picnic as there are no facilities on the beach.

The town itself is lined with boutique shops, local art galleries and gift shops. There are some fantastic restaurants serving locally caught fresh seafood. We may have gone crazy on crab sandwiches which are very easy to find. Two more things you should try whilst in town are Salcombe Dairy Ice-cream and the award-winning Salcombe Gin. There is a distillery right in town if you fancy a tasting!

And don’t miss out on one of the most stunning coastal walks in Devon along the South West Coast Path to Start Point Lighthouse. For detailed directions click here.

Where to stay

Fiona and I camped at the Higher Rew just out of town, but there are many fancy boutique hotels and nice B&Bs located in Salcombe as well.

3. BLACKPOOL SANDS: my favourite beach in Devon

Blackpool Sands is a crescent-shaped beach made of pebbles located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by scented pines and my absolute favourite beach in Devon! It even has a cafe right on the beach serving local organic foods. The car park charges cars 7 GBP for the day but we could park our motorcycle here for free! If you are staying in the nearby town of Dartmouth you can also hike to Blackpool Sands. It takes around 2 hours and provides gorgeous views of the surrounding coast line.

The beach is pretty wide so although it can get pretty busy it doesn’t feel too crowded. In addition it is a blue-flag beach, which means it’s safe for swimming.

Are you a history buff? Then you might like to check out the next beach along too. A Sherman tank on Slapton Sands commemorates the tragedy of Exercise Tiger during World War Two in which 946 American servicemen lost their lives. German E-boats surprised the troops but sadly many lives were also lost in ‘friendly fire’.

4. CLOVELLY: this ancient fishing village is a true gem!

Clovelly is one of the most picturesque fishing villages I’ve ever visited. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it as you stroll down its cobbled street along flower-strewn cottages down to the harbour. There is strictly no car traffic which adds to its charm. Donkeys transport everything from groceries to furniture.

It’s pretty unique to spend the night in Clovelly. It’s a very popular tourist destination for day visits but most people leave by 5pm. Experiencing Clovelly in the evening, away from the crowds, is a truly unique experience and will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Fiona and I arrived here in the evening. We loved exploring the town which we had pretty much to ourselves and chatting to the locals.

After a perfect dinner we decided not to come back the next morning as we knew it wouldn’t be as special. First of all it would have been far more crowded the next day. Secondly, the Visitor Centre right next to the car park charges an entrance fee during the day. The entrance fee was definitely a bit of a surprise to us. I’m also not entirely sure if we would have been willing to pay it. In general, we avoid most attractions with an entrance fee. I am not sure if Clovelly would have had the same charm for us after paying the entrance fee on a busy day so I recommend visiting in the evening!

Clovelly’s Annual Festivals

Clovelly and the surrounding coastline were historically known for smuggling, piracy and shipwrecks. Its heritage is still very much reflected in various annual festivals like the “Lobster & Crab Feast” in September, “Hering Festival” in November, the “Seaweed Festival” in June and “Maritime Festival” in July.

Where to stay

There are only two hotels in town: the 400 year old New Inn and the C18th Red Lion on the quay. We didn’t stay in town but enjoyed delicious lobster and seafood for dinner at the New Inn. It’s a lovely traditional pub with a fabulous selection of cider which they make themselves. A double room at the New Inn will set you back 140 GBP.

Fiona and I found a friendly farmer just outside of town who was happy for us to pitch our tent in his field for the night!

5. VALLEY OF ROCKS

The Valley of Rocks is a fascinating valley running parallel to the dramatic coastline bordering Exmoor National Park on the north coast of Devon. Hike up the cliff tops for some truly stunning views of the unique coastline and mountain backdrops! You are almost certain to encounter free roaming goats wandering the rock faces. The best way to experience this rugged valley is to take in the views with a coastal hike. There is a popular circular route from the nearby town of Lynton to the Valley of Rocks. Click here for maps and directions or to find more challenging hikes in this breathtaking location.

Are you ready to explore Devon?

Hopefully this blog post has provided you with a useful overview of some of the highlights Devon has to offer. It has such a great mix of natural beauty, coastal walks, beaches and picturesque towns. No matter if you are heading to the north coast or south coast, there is an abundance of natural beauty to explore. Want to learn how to surf? Check out the Croyde Surf Academy. And if you are into off-road riding, do check out the Great Western Trail of the TET. But whatever you do, make time for some stunning hikes and plenty of stops for traditional Devon Cream Tea. And if you want to check out Devon’s alternative scene, then make sure to check out the historic market town of Totnes.

If you have any questions or simply want to tell us about YOUR favourite place in Devon then please leave us a comment below. We are always happy to hear from you

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1. Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

On the most eastern point of the Jurassic coast you will find the three famous chalk formations, called Old Harry Rocks. The only way to visit them is to hike. If you are looking for a short, easy hike of no more than half an hour I recommend parking at the Bankes Arms Inn Studland. And it’s also a very nice pub for lunch with a nice beer garden.

Although the viewpoint looking straight across the Old Harry Rocks is gorgeous, the highlight for me really was the coastal walk overlooking the dramatic white chalk cliffs. The hike from Old Harry Rocks to Swanage is simply gorgeous so if you have more time, pop on your hiking boots and start your hike in Swanage Bay instead. It’s about 10.5km (6.5 miles) so factor in about 3 hours round-trip with breaks.

2. Corfe Castle, Dorset

Corfe Castle is a cute little village in Dorset and the site of a ruined castle which sits on top of a hill. Driving into the historic village is really beautiful with stone houses lining the streets and the backdrop of the isle of Purbeck which the castle ruins stand on. Even without paying to go inside, it’s really lovely to drive through the village. The central point of this historic town is a little square with an old church, some independent shops, taverns and inns. If you have visited the Old Harry Rocks and heading further east, you will naturally pass it. It’s definitely worth a quick stop!

3. Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a pebble beach, particularly popular at low tide when it forms beautiful little rock pools. The beach itself is not the main draw (for me personally) so much as the surrounding countryside and coastal walks. There is a great big car park in Lulworth Cove and the tiny village has a few lovely Inns and restaurants serving seafood. It’s very cute and perfect for lunch! But the highlight, without a shadow of a doubt, is to hike across to Durdle Door!

4. DURDLE DOOR: Dorset’s most iconic and photographed landmark

The most popular destination in Dorset is this natural limestone arch which stands about 200 feet above sea level. There is a huge car park from where you can hike to it. It takes about 15-20 min. to reach the point from where you can overlook Durdle Door. The downhill path isn’t very steep but if you add the further 143 steps to reach the beach, it can be a little exhausting on the way back up. Don’t worry though – it’s worth every step! Durdle Door is absolutely gorgeous but on a hot summer’s day (especially during half term!) this place can get somewhat overrun with visitors, killing a little of its charm. So it definitely pays off to time your visit outside of school holidays and ideally mid week! Durdle Door is magnificent but so are the surrounding coastal walks so I wouldn’t rush your visit here!

5. Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach is a 29 kilometre (18 miles) long beach running from West Bay to the isle of Portland. It is up to 15 meters high and 200 meters wide. It looks especially unique from above as it runs parallel to the coast so bring your drone if you have one! Contrary to other beaches you don’t find any facilities here. No deckchairs, no pastel painted beach huts, no ice-cream stand. If you prefer wild, rugged and quieter places all to yourself then THIS IS IT! And if you happen to enjoy fishing then you are in for a treat. Bexington is a fantastic spot to catch mackerel!

The pebbles on Chesil beach around Portland are roughly the size of a potato. But around Bridport you’ll find smaller pea-sized pebbles. Legend has it that smugglers landing on the beach could judge their position just by picking up the pebbles and feel their size. These days, the pebble sizes might help you decide where your camping chair is less likely to topple over!

Chesil Beach is NOT great for swimming due to strong undercurrents. It’s best visited by people who like to get away from the crowds, appreciate rugged nature, a quiet fishing spot or explore the wildlife around!

Looking for a safer beach for swimming?

If you are looking for a beach more suited to swimming, try Westbay. West Bay is a little harbour village with two main beaches. East Beach is a sloping shingle beach with a gorgeous backdrop of the surrounding sandstone cliffs. The cliffs rise 50 meter vertically above the beach and from atop you can enjoy breathtaking views over Chesil Beach. West Bay is a smaller, quieter and more sheltered beach with shallow water. If you are looking for a good swimming beach and coastal walks for fossil hunting close to a town with facilities, then this is a good option!

Are you ready to explore Dorset?

We definitely found that Dorset had more to offer than expected! I’ll remember it mostly for stunning cliff walks overlooking the white chalk cliffs. And secondly for the absolutely fantastic views across the coastline riding down the A35 on our motorbike!

Any questions or simply want to share your thoughts on this blogpost? Please comment below. I’m always happy to hear from you

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The mountainous roads make it one of the most exciting countries to explore by motorbike. Guatemala’s striking features from stunning lakes, active volcanoes and ancient mayan pyramids coupled with its strong indigenous culture make it a number one destination if you like culture and natural beauty!

In this blogpost we are excited to share our most precious travel memories and places you simply can’t miss when visiting Guatemala. Oh and if you are still undecided if Guatemala is a place you want to visit, then we hope we can inspire you to make up your mind and go! Below is our YouTube video of Guatemala if you prefer a visual journey of our recommended highlights!

1. Discover Guatemala’s Mayan treasures in
TIKAL NATIONAL PARK

You cannot come to Guatemala without visiting Tikal. It is an ancient mayan city surrounded by lush jungle and inhabited by howler monkeys. Some temples and pyramids rise as much as 44 meters into the air, providing stunning views of the surrounding dense rainforest.

How do I get here?

Most people base themselves in Flores or El Remate and visit on day trips. We chose to stay in El Remate and absolutely loved this quiet little town right by the lake. Most restaurants face the lake and the sunset views are absolutely gorgeous!

If you can afford to splash out, then consider staying in one of the hotels inside Tikal. This will allow you to catch the sunrise and enjoy Tikal at quieter times! The hotels are basic but nice 3 star hotels but definitely on the pricey side. A stay here will set you back 100 USD per room in peak season but you can snap it up cheaper if you book in advance!

When to go?

Sunrise and late afternoon are usually the quietest times as most people arrive late morning from day trips. The entrance fee for sunrise is more expensive and only really makes sense if the weather is in your favour!

When we visited it was quite cloudy and a little rainy in the morning so we skipped sunrise. Our friend Tracy tried her luck on that same day though as she was staying at the Jungle Lodge Hotel. She loved her stay but didn’t manage to see the sunrise so it wasn’t quite worth the extra money. Nonetheless she appreciated that there were fewer people first thing in the morning!

2. SEMUC CHAMPEY:
Guatemala’s most beautiful natural site

The road to Semuc Champey is a pretty rough one. You’ll want some good off-road tyres and suspension for this long, bumpy and slow road. The 11km from Lanquín to Semuc Champey are particularly rough.

But once you make it, you’ll be awarded with so much natural beauty, that you won’t question for a second if the journey was worth it. In fact, you’ll be grateful that many tourists on a tight schedule tend to skip it. Because you’ll want to share this magnificent place with as few people as possible!

The most striking feature of Semuc Champey is the 300 meter long natural limestone bridge with a stepped series of pools. The flowing river running through it provides a perfect opportunity to cool off in the emerald-green waters and take in the stunning setting.

But my personal highlight was the short 30 min. hike through the jungle that will provide you with stunning panoramic views of the area. You are almost certain to encounter howler monkeys on this hike, adding to the ultimate jungle feel! The dense rainforest provides plenty of shade. But of course the best time to visit is early morning when temperatures tend to be lower!

How do I get here?

After visiting Tikal we wanted to ride from El Remate to San Agustín Lanquín, which is the perfect base to explore Semuc Champey. However, the journey is long and some parts of it are pretty rough, so it’s best to break up the 7 hour journey by spending a night in Cobán.

From Coban it’s an easy 1.5 hours ride on Highway 5 and then you turn off onto a pretty rough gravel road with a lot of turns. You should be able to cover the distance to Lanquín in about half an hour if you power through. But if you get stuck in traffic and want to take it slow, then it can easily take an hour.

The 11km from Lanquín to Semuc Champey are much harder and challenging. So if you aren’t a confident off-road rider it may make sense to stay in Lanquín and hop onto local transport. If you want to go all the way though, I would still recommend staying in Lanquín and visiting Semuc Champey as a day trip. Trust me, it will be much nicer if your motorbike isn’t fully loaded for the last part!

When to visit?

The best time is to visit Semuc Champey is from mid December to mid April outside of rain season when the Cahabon River is at its clearest!

The gates to Semuc Champey open from 8am to 4pm daily and the best way to avoid the crowds is to visit first thing in the morning!

Where to stay?

Lanquín is a pretty small town and the main street has a good choice of hotels. If you are on a budget, then check out El Hostal Lanquin. If you can stretch a little further though, we strongly recommended El Muro Pub & Hostel next door for its breathtaking views of the mountains from the main terrace.

We checked in for just one night but the view from the hammock was so breathtaking that we extended our stay for 3 nights just to relax here for a bit! We paid about 20 USD/night for our room here.

3. ANTIGUA: The former spanish colonial capital of Central America

Antigua will charm you with its beautifully restored colonial buildings and pastel facades. The backdrop of the surrounding volcanoes is simply stunning and on a clear day you might even be able to see spewing lava from one of the rooftops.

You are bound to fall in love with Antigua as you wander its cobbled streets, passing its many churches, plazas, markets and take in its vibrant atmosphere. If you want to explore life outside of the city, you will be greeted by Mayan communities, coffee plantations and volcanoes.

Do we need to say any more, or have you already marked Antigua on your list of places to go? You certainly won’t regret it! And what’s more, it’s the perfect base for one of the ultimate things anyone coming to Guatemala should explore: hiking volcano Acatenango!

How do I get here?

There are many direct flights straight into Guatemala’s largest airport ‘La Aurora International Airport‘ which is only 25 miles from Antigua.

If you are overlanding and coming from Tikal / Semuc Champey then Cobán usually makes for a good stop to break up the journey. From Cobán it’s a solid 5 hours ride into Antigua.

When to visit?

Antigua tends to have pleasant weather all year round. If you want to avoid the chance of rain, aim for Guatemala’s dry season which runs from November to April. But bear in mind that this is also the busiest time of the year. So if you want to avoid crowds you may prefer visiting in May for example.

There is no shortage of accommodation to suit any budget from boutique hotels right in the centre, to significantly cheaper AirBnB options within walking distance to it. We opted to stay in an AirBnB and walk into town. In the evenings it was always easy and cheap to pay for transport back home as well if we didn’t want to walk.

4. Hiking Acatenango Volcano: Guatemala’s most spectacular volcano experience

When meeting other travelers in Guatemala, there would always be the same questions that would come up. “Are you hiking Acatenango” or “Have you hiked Acatenango volcano yet”? I’ll be honest with you, Fiona and I aren’t the most passionate hikers out there and the five hours steep climb up was more than unappealing to us. But there was something magical about how everyone who did it spoke about it. Every single person would tell us that we couldn’t miss out on it and how it’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing. And it really was!

Hiking Acatenango was not just a huge highlight of our travels through Guatemala but it’s probably up there with one of my all time travel highlights. The sweat and hard work is really worth it. The views are nothing short of amazing! And how often can you look straight onto an active volcano that erupts every 5-10 min. spitting lava? Experiencing the noise of the eruption, seeing the stones thrown up in the air followed by gushing lava was honestly unreal! It was one of those unforgettable moments that I will forever cherish.

How do I get here?

You have to book a guided tour to hike up Acatenango and all of them tend to leave from Antigua. Pick up is usually arranged from your hotel or close to your AirBnB and leaves around 7am.

When to go?

It can get pretty cloudy and foggy when you hike up Acatenango and the visibility you get will probably impact your experience. We were super lucky and the weather couldn’t have been clearer. Hiking during Guatemala’s dry season (Nov – April) will improve your chances of good visibility!

5. Town-hopping around Guatemala’s LAKE ATITLAN

Lake Atilán was formed thousands of years ago by a volcanic eruption. Today it is the deepest lake in Central America with a depth of 340 meters. The surrounding dormant volcanoes provide a stunning backdrop, making it one of the most beautiful lakes to visit in Central America. There are several towns dotted along the 18km long and 8km wide lake, each with their own unique vibe!

Looking for a yoga retreat? Head to the hippie town of San Marco. Want to party? San Pedro is your best bet. If you are after a more cultural experience, then you’ll enjoy exploring Santiago Atitlán with its strong indigenous vibe. Looking for something quieter? Then try Santa Cruz La Laguna, San Juan or Jaibalito.

No matter if you are looking for some quiet downtime, a homestay to learn Spanish or joining a yoga & meditation retreat, Lake Atitlán is a magical place to do it! And you can easily town hop with frequent shuttles between the towns. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do on the lake! We loved exploring all the little villages.

How do I get here?

From Antigua it took us about 2.5 hours by motorbike to reach Panajachel. It was a pretty easy ride. At some point the road ended though and we had to take a dirt road instead with a river crossing. It was actually quite fun and after about 5 miles the dirt road joined the main tarmac road again. I believe there is a way to avoid the river crossing but it would have meant taking a big detour and missing the fun river crossing!

Our friend Tracy based herself at the quiet and super cute town of San Juan La Laguna instead. Her experience of getting there by motorbike was very different with a long ride through the mountains and many hairpin turns along the way!

If you are relying on public transport, don’t worry. Lake Atitlán is a popular tourist destination and there are shuttles from Antigua and other main cities!

Getting around

There are frequent and cheap connections by boat from morning to early evening.

We actually rented a boat with a couple of travellers we met in Panajachel for the day to get around. This worked out more expensive of course but we only started late morning and this option allowed us to get around quicker!

Where to stay?

We chose to ride to Panajachel as it’s an easy base from where you can explore all the other towns. This worked very well for us! We liked the town of San Marco but also felt that accommodation could be quite pricey over there. As for San Pedro, it wasn’t our cup of tea and very busy compared to the other towns! It’s good if you want to meet other people in hostels and party, but for a more relaxing time try San Juan, San Marco or even Panajachel.

Are you ready to explore Guatemala?

I hope we have been able to give you a glimpse of just how amazing and rewarding travelling through Guatemala can be! It certainly has left a big impression on us and is one of my favourite countries I had the pleasure of exploring. And as far as safety is concerned, we felt very safe throughout our travels and have experienced so much kindness from the locals we met!

Questions? Feedback? Or simply want to share your thoughts? We are always happy to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below

The post GUATEMALA: Top 5 Highlights You Have to See appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

But to our surprise there was only a single one. It has been set up by an American couple from Virginia in 2000 who fell in love with Guatemala. They quit their corporate jobs back home and purchased a piece of land in the area of Santa Maria de Jesus. They then transformed the former coffee plantation into a vineyard and even built a real chateau there!

But with no experience it wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. For the first 10 years of its existence it was very much an experimental vineyard. Many grape varieties were imported from abroad but didn’t grow well in the volcanic soil. Since 2007 the vineyard has been selling wine. The result? CHÂTEAU DEFAY offers 13 different wines, 6 whites, 5 reds and 2 roses.

What to expect?

The road to CHÂTEAU DEFAY leads you through the local village. You then follow a gravel road to the entrance but from there it gets pretty rough (but not for long). It definitely felt like proper off-road with our fully loaded motorbike! I’ve never done any off-road to visit a vineyard before and it was super fun. As we turned the corner at the bottom of the dirt road we saw the chateau and surrounding vineyards. The views were pretty amazing!

Once we parked our motorbike we made our way inside for the wine tasting. Next we took advantage of the beautiful terrace and enjoyed lunch from the restaurant with pretty awesome views! The restaurant aims to offer a European / Italien type of cuisine. It was a little pricey and average at best BUT this is to be expected when ordering European food in Central America. CHÂTEAU DEFAY definitely doesn’t offer fine cuisine, but that’s not why we came and that was totally fine by us!

How was the wine tasting experience?

Okay first of all I have to say that there was a lot of guesswork going on as we were relying on my spanish translation skills. So I probably missed a few bits. But we were surprised to learn that CHÂTEAU DEFAY hasn’t produced a single bottle of wine for roughly 10 years.

I was curious as to why and we were told that they had simply produced more bottles than they could sell so production was stopped. I know, pretty bizzare right? We also learned that as the quantity of wine was decreasing the price of it was rising. Nothing to do with grape variety or the year of the harvest!

A few years ago they wanted to start producing wine again but found that a lot of the vines were damaged. They have since been trying to recover them with a view of continuing to producing wine.

To summarise, it was the most bizzare wine tasting experience EVER !

Does CHÂTEAU DEFAY produce quality wine?

Honestly I didn’t rate it very highly. The better tasting wine was average at best! But that was okay for us. We didn’t come here to taste award-winning wine. We thought it was incredible that someone decided to start a vineyard in conditions most people would consider unsuitable.

Fiona doesn’t drink alcohol and I had to ride the motorcycle so only had small sips of all the varieties. We did actually end up buying a bottle of wine, because we thought it was a thoughtful gift for someone who was going to host us. But it wasn’t cheap (about 12 USD) and given that I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have bought any for myself after visiting the vineyard!

Is CHÂTEAU DEFAY worth visiting?

Yes, I think it’s a great little day trip from Antigua. It’s pretty unique. It’s also very beautiful. I liked the location which leads you through remote local villages if you make your way here independently. So if you like wine and want to visit CHÂTEAU DEFAY as a daytrip or when passing through I think it’s well worth it.

Just don’t be disappointed if you won’t see grapes on the vines or taste the best wine of your life. You can probably pick up a better bottle in the supermarket. But it’s a fun experience in my opinion nonetheless.

How to get here?

The vineyard is roughly 1 hour drive from Guatemala city or 30 min. from Antigua. We rode here on a fully loaded motorcycle from Antigua. The dirt road from the entrance to CHÂTEAU DEFAY was pretty rough. It was certainly my first off-road experience to access a vineyard and super fun.

Upon leaving we saw a bus dropping tourists off. So I’m pretty sure that tours (in Spanish at least) can be organised from Antigua. The bus stops nearer the entrance and you’ll need to walk down to CHÂTEAU DEFAY as the road is too rough and narrow for a bus to pass through. But the walk is short and very pretty!

Are you up for tasting wine in Central America’s only vineyard? It probably won’t compare to any wine tastings in South America but hope this blog post helped you decide if it’s worth a day trip

The post CHÂTEAU Defay: The ONLY Vineyard in Central America appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

This blogpost will hopefully put your mind at ease that anyone, regardless of your fitness level, can handle the hike. What the 2 day excursion entails and how best to prepare and which tour operator to choose.

Hiking volcano Acatenango is not only one of the most spectacular hikes you can do in Guatemala but is probably one of the ultimate travel highlights of Central America!

Why is a hike up Acatenango so special?

Hiking to the basecamp of Volcano Acatenango gives you a direct view over ‘Volcano de Fuego’ which is the most active volcano in Central America. It produces frequent tall ash plumes and you can see intense lava fountaining at night.

The hike will take you through four distinct ecosystems. First you’ll be passing farmland where local farmers harvest corn, flowers and snow peas. Next you’ll be ascending into an old-growth tropical cloud forest where you’ll experience a diversity of flora and fauna. The cloud forest also provides you with shade, which no doubt you’ll be appreciating at this point of the hike. Next you’ll enter sparse high-alpine forests from where you’ll be able to overlook six volcanoes in total and take in stunning panoramic views! The last stretch will take you through the mystical grey and black volcanic terrain.

Can you get Altitude sickness when hiking Acatenango?

Yes. At 3,976 metres (13,044 ft), it is not uncommon to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. So it’s advisable to spend a couple of days in Antigua, which sits at 1,533 metres (5,029 ft) to help you acclimatise. It also helps to keep hydrated throughout the hike!

In our group nobody was having any symptoms. Most people just experienced headaches. However, we did pass one person from another group who was suffering quite badly from altitude sickness.

Best time of the year to hike Acatenango

The best time is generally during dry season which runs from November to April. The views tend to be best in January and February, but the nights are usually also the coldest during this time.

We hiked in December and had blue sky, very sunny weather and gorgeous clear views! But it was also freezing cold at night with temperatures close to -5 degrees Celsius!

During rainy season the mornings are usually dry, midday it’s cloudy and it generally rains for a couple of hours in the afternoon and clears up again in the evening.

How fit do I need to be to hike Acatenango?

Initially Fiona and I decided that we would probably give this experience a pass. The reason? Our general health is pretty good but our fitness level isn’t great. We are also not keen hikers. So whereas we’ll happily walk for an hour or so to catch a nice panoramic view somewhere, you certainly won’t see us on multi-day hikes. When we hike it’s almost always in return for a rewarding view, not just for the love of hiking!

In Guatemala we met Tracy, an inspirational woman in her 50s who was on a solo motorcycle trip from Canada to Patagonia, like ourselves. Again, Tracy would describe her general health as good but wasn’t doing much to keep fit. In addition she likes to smoke and knock back a few beers every night. Why am I telling you all that?

Because between the three of us, none of us felt like we could do it. If three people as unfit as us could do it, then so you can you! Sure, it’s less painful if you have a decent fitness level. But please don’t skip this awesome experience if you can’t describe yourself as fit. If your general health is okay, you’ll probably make it up there, even if you’ll be towards the slower end of the group!

Is it possible to hire a porter to carry my luggage up?

Out of everyone in our group, I was particularly concerned if I would be able to make it to the basecamp. The reason being that I fractured my pelvis in four places during a motorcycle crash only a couple of years before. And although I recovered very well, I struggled with steep inclines about a year after the injury.

I hired a porter because I wasn’t sure if my injury would allow me to make it and I wanted the option of being able to turn back if my pelvis was going to give me any problems. I was very happy that not only did I make it up to the top without my pelvis giving me any issues, but it was the ultimate test that I had fully recovered from my injury.

The porter cost 10 USD and once we reached the top he handed me my bag and made his way back down, so I only had to carry my backpack down the next day!

Can anybody hire a porter?

As for Fiona and Tracy they decided to get a porter also. For no other reason then to make their hike easier. We were the only three people in our group who had porters. And yes I found it a little embarrassing, but ultimately it helped us get up there! So if you are unsure if you can make it, remember you have this option too. In our case, the porter received the full amount of money we paid the tour company for this service!

Can I hike Acatenango volcano by myself?

Yes, there are people who do this hike independently BUT unless you are a VERY EXPERIENCED hiker I wouldn’t recommend it and here is why:

1) Guided tours are very affordable, only around 20 USD
2) Hikers have died from hyperthermia before as temperatures can reach -7 degrees Celsius
3) It is possible to suffer from altitude sickness

I fully appreciate there is something very rewarding about undertaking this hike without a guide. But please don’t do it unless you are very experienced, are properly prepared and have the right equipment to withstand the freezing cold weather!

How can I book a tour to hike Acatenango Volcano?

Booking a tour to hike Volcano Acatenango is very easy, as there are many tour operators based in Antigua. You don’t really have to book far ahead either. We booked ours one day in advance!

The cost can vary a little depending on a few things:

1) Will the meals provided fill you up, or are there more of a snack?
2) Will you get a good view of Volcano de Fuego?
3) Depending on where your tour operators’ base camp is, you may need to walk further
4) How big is the group you will be hiking in?
5) Can you borrow hiking shoes / extra jackets for free or for a charge if needed?

My recommendation is to book directly with a tour operator from Antigua as it’s often MUCH CHEAPER than booking ahead online!

The best tour operator to hike Acatenango volcano

When we did our research, one company stood out from all the others. Not only does Soy Tours have 5 star reviews but they are also the ONLY tour operator that gives directly back to the local community. Of course we decided to book with them!

With Soy Tours you can expect:

– Experienced Guides
– Decent sized Meals
– Great basecamp with fantastic views
– Borrow hiking shoes / backpacks / extra coats free of charge

We paid about 20 USD for the entire two days excursion and additional 10 USD to hire a porter and carry up our backpack. So in total it worked out at 30 USD per person!

Rough schedule for hiking Acatenango Volcano

Day 1

7:30 am Pick up from your hotel / AirBnB
9:00 am Safety briefing + borrow what you need before leaving
10:00 am The hike starts

You’ll be hiking for about 5 hours which includes regular breaks. The group usually splits up so the faster hikers are at the front and the slower ones at the back. If you hike faster you tend to get longer breaks as this is usually where the group catches up

Acatenango Base Camp has an altitude of 2600 meters. Once you reach it you’ll be allocated a tent. Remember it’s warmer to share so we happily took a tent together with Tracy. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy the view and there will be an option to do a small 20-30 minutes hike to catch sunset from. By the time you get back, dinner is usually ready.

Day 2

4:00 am Hike to the summit of Volcano Acatenango for sunrise (optional)
4:45 am Arrival at the summit
5:00 am Sunrise
5:30 am Hike back down to the basecamp

After sunset you will be able to see the bright red lava spewing out of the volcano. We caught it on a superb day as ‘Volcan de Fuego’ erupted every 5-15 minutes. The only thing that made us go inside the tent eventually was the freezing cold!

Best preparation you can do to hike Acatenango

1. Bring a decent pair of hiking shoes

During the hike you’ll experience pretty lose ground. You’ll encounter everything from soft sand to small little stones. It’s nice to have proper boots that cover your ankles as your trainers would fill up with sand and stones. It’s also pretty chilly at basecamp and especially on top of the summit. A thick pair of sock and decent hiking shoes are highly recommended!

I didn’t have any, so borrowed a pair from Soy Tours. I reached the base camp fine but during the hike to the summit I got a couple of blisters. They were comfy, worn in shoes but the part that is supposed to support your heel was torn and the piece of plastic really irritated me after some time. The hike back down was so painful in these shoes that my group had to wait an entire hour for me to catch up with them. Ouch!

Top Tip: If you need to borrow shoes, ask to try them on a day in advance. You don’t want to be fighting for a pair of shoes with other people in the group on the day!

2. Layer Up

It gets pretty cold up there so I recommend you to layer up! We were very grateful that we had functional base layers for cold weather. We were able to borrow jackets (we took a couple each) but they are not the best quality ones. So we were very grateful for our warm merino wool mid layers underneath.

In short, chances are you’ll be cold so it’s better to bring a couple of layers too many if in doubt. And don’t forget to bring a nice pair of thick socks – you’ll be grateful for them later, trust me!

3. Carry enough Water with you

Your guide will recommend about 3 liters per person. This amount was perfect for us. In fact we had an additional hydrapak with 2 liters to share between Fiona and I so we had some water left over. This was lucky for Tracy who decided to quench the thirst of some dogs at basecamp and found herself thirsty on the hike back down. As we had more than enough we could donate some to her. From our experience the recommended 3 liters per person is a good amount!

4. Bring a proper camera, ideally with a good zoom

Yes, iPhone cameras are amazing these days but you can’t capture the erupting volcano and lava properly with it. Having a tripod to keep your camera steady and a zoom will help you get that perfect shot you are after!

5. Don’t turn down that walking stick

I don’t usually like hiking with a walking stick. But it was highly recommended to take one, so we didn’t turn them down. We could borrow them for 50 cents roughly and they sure came in handy. We found it particularly useful when hiking in deep gravel and while hiking down!

6. If you don’t have a good backpack with proper support, borrow one!

You’ll need to carry your own water, lunch and extra clothing that you’ll need at the summit. You’ll probably also want to carry your camera equipment. Having a good fitting backpack with good back support and ideally one with a hip belt to distribute the weight properly is essential. If you don’t have one, ask to borrow one!

7. Bring some snacks or sweets

As previously said the food quantities provided by Soy Tours were perfect. But when you are super exhausted there is nothing better than a good snack or chocolate bar to provide you with an energy boost and pick you up. So it’s worth bringing a couple of your favourite snacks along!

8. If you have a super light and warm sleeping bag, consider bringing it along

Once we arrived at base camp the tents, matts and sleeping bags were laid out for us already. But even with all our layers, the night was freezing cold. Temperatures were -5 degrees Celsius. I can’t tell you if the isomatts were insulated. And I doubt the sleeping bags were the best quality on the market. We didn’t carry camping gear at the time but we now have super light goose down sleeping bags and a very well insulated isomatt that I know keep us warm in -2 degrees Celsius. If I had to hike up again tomorrow, I’d take them with me.

It’s one more thing to carry of course and ONLY makes sense if you have a super light and very warm sleeping bag. If you don’t, just make do with whatever you are given. It’s only one night after all!

9. Pack a hat and gloves

Yes, you’ll need them as soon as you reach base camp. But especially on top of the summit where it’s even colder. I removed my gloves like most people to take photos and I couldn’t feel them after about 20 minutes. They were so cold they started hurting and took ages to warm up again!

As for the hat, you’ll need one too and we even slept in ours as we were so cold at night!

10. Pack as lightly as possible

You already have to carry a bunch of essential items like water, food and more layers. Any extra items should be carefully considered. A headlamp is definitely a useful thing to bring along. But we relied on our mobile torch and that was okay also.

Every ounce matters so the lighter you can pack, the better!

You won’t get much of a break back at basecamp, as you’ll be expected to start the descent back down almost immediately. This usually takes 2-3 hours. Sadly, my group had to wait an additional hour for my arrival. Although I was one of the first people to reach basecamp, hiking back down was a different story. My feet had a couple of blisters and were hurting real bad. Luckily, there was a sense of team spirit and nobody was upset having to wait for me!

You are usually expected to be back at your hotel around 1pm!

What if the weather isn’t great?

First of all you should know that it’s often very foggy as you climb Acatenango. It usually clears up, but as you probably noticed Fiona and I had exceptionally good weather with clear views all around us. Yep, we got pretty lucky! Just a few months before we hiked Acatenango our friends Andreas & Sabrina did the same hike with less favourable weather conditions. They created a beautiful dedicated video of their hike up Acatenango where you will be able to see what it’s like in foggier conditions and why the hike up is still absolutely worth it. Click here and scroll down to check out their YouTube video!

The Aftermath of Hiking Acatenango Volcano

After a long, hot shower we decided to go into town to celebrate with a glass of wine and good food. We had also pre-booked a massage, knowing what a treat it would be! We didn’t stay out long and collapsed exhausted into bed that night.

There was no way I could see myself jumping back onto the motorbike the next morning to continue towards Lake Atitlan. I was aching seriously bad and felt generally unwell. I can’t tell you how happy we felt when we were able to extend our stay for an additional two nights!

But it wasn’t until we reached Lake Atitlan and put our feet up for a few days that I can say we had truly recovered!

Are you ready to hike Acatenango Volcano?

We hope you found this guide useful. And if we can inspire at least one unfit person to give this hike a go, we will be very happy If you have any questions about hiking Acatenango or if you want to share your experience with us then please leave a comment below. As always, we would love to hear from you!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Acatenango VOLCANO appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

We spent 5 months riding our BMW F800 GS motorcycle across Mexico. We rode through the Sonoran desert, the Sierra Madre mountain range, beautiful colonial cities and explored the abundance of natural beauty the various regions of Mexico have to offer.

In this blogpost we will cover what we believe are the TOP 5 REGIONS TO EXPLORE IN MEXICO!

For more inspiration, also check out the TOP 20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO or watch our travels through Mexico on YouTube!

1. Baja California

In the north of Baja California, you will find the historic wine route ‘Ruta del Vino’. Further south the Sonoran desert awaits you, as well as endless white sand dunes. Then, as you ride down south on Highway 1, you can soak in the stunning ocean views and rugged coastline of Bahía Concepción. If you ride up into the mountains from here, then you’ll be able to enjoy the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range. In addition, you can also visit one of the oldest and best preserved missions in Mexico built by the Jesuits.

Continue south in order to visit the gorgeous beaches around ‘El Arco de los Cabos’. It is the most southern part of the peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the ‘Sea of Cortez’. Or if you want something completely off the grid, then check out the undeveloped beaches around Cabo Pulmo. And don’t forget that there is also excellent surf, an abundance of delicious fresh seafood and some exceptional snorkelling. And if you visit in season then you can even swim with whale sharks. Want to find out more? Check out our blogpost on:

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

Best region in Mexico for:

• Off-road riding
• Surfing
• Ultimate desert experience
• Beach hopping
• Seafood

Who will love this?

• Overlanders
• Surfers
• Foodies
• Wine Lovers

2. San Luis Potosí

This is certainly a less frequently visited region of Mexico. ‘La Huesteca Potosina’ is a particularly beautiful part of San Luis Potosí. In order to get here you need to make your way across the windy roads of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Then you will be greeted by tropical rainforests, stunning waterfalls, cenote-like sinkholes and caves. You’ll also find rivers with the most perfect shades of turquoise-blue. In short, a true piece of paradise!

Aside from the abundance of natural beauty, you can also step into the surreal world of Edward James and visit ‘Las Pozas‘. In the middle of the mountains surrounded by thick jungle he created a bunch of surrealistic structures. The sheer size of it, including natural pools and small waterfalls, were especially impressive. A bizarre kind of wonderland or pure madness? You’ll have to judge for yourself!

But the most rewarding part of coming here is just how undeveloped it is. In fact, there is not a single luxury hotel here. Instead it has a real ‘back-to-basics’ feel and the most wonderful camping sites. So we felt truly blessed to be able to discover this region of Mexico! Check out the blogpost below to find out more about this hidden gem!

LA HUESTECA POTOSINA: MEXICO’S BEST KEPT SECRET?

Best region in Mexico for:

• Windy roads
• Connecting with Mother Nature
• Budget-conscious travellers

Who will love this?

• Hikers
• Nature-lovers
• Overlanders
• Anyone who appreciates discovering beautiful, yet undeveloped destinations

3. Oaxaca

Oaxaca was my absolute favourite region of Mexico! I just love how diverse it is. Oaxaca City, for example, features some of the finest colonial architecture and has a thriving art scene. Getting lost in this vibrant and colourful city is simply amazing! This region of Mexico is also very rich in culture and traditions. And for all you foodies out there, take note! Oaxaca is the epicentre of Mexico’s food culture.

Oaxaca also has thousands of archaeological sites, allowing you to discover the ancient world of the Mayans. And if you are willing to take on the windy mountain roads of the Sierra Madre range and head south, then you’ll be blessed with a tropical coastline. In fact, some would even say Mexico’s best surf breaks! And if you are looking for a yoga retreat, spiritual healing classes or just want to chill, then check out Oaxaca’s Hippie Hangout: Mazunte!

OAXACA: TOP 5 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT

Best region in Mexico for:

• Exploring colonial architecture
• Indulging in Mexico’s rich food culture
• Learning about local culture & traditions
• Taking a surf class
• Yoga retreats / Spiritual journeys

Who will love this?

• Artists
• Foodies
• Surfers
• Free Spirits
• Beach Bums

4. Chiapas

Chiapas is one of the poorest regions of Mexico, but it is rich in every other way! Take its abundance of natural beauty for example. It has particularly beautiful waterfalls and is famous for its turquoise coloured waters. You’ll also be able to visit some of the most impressive Mayan ruins like Palenque. The city of San Cristobal de las Casas is another prime example of beautiful colonial architecture and also has a thriving art scene.

In fact, it was my favourite city we stayed in Mexico! And if you visit its many traditional markets, then you’ll be able to get a sense for its strong indigenous culture. You can also drive through the windy mountain roads and explore ‘Ruta del Cafe’. Check out our blogpost below if you want to find out more about staying at a coffee farm and everything else this region of Mexico offers!

CHIAPAS: TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Best region in Mexico for:

• Exploring colonial architecture
• Learn about culture & traditions
• Hiking
• Reconnecting with mother nature
• Visiting Mayan ruins
• Coffee plantations!

Who will love this?

• Hikers
• Artists
• Digital Nomads (San Cristobal de las Casas is a great base)
• Coffee Addicts
• Overlanders

5. Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula needs little introduction. It comprises the states of Yucatan, Campeche as well as Quintana Roo and is blessed with Caribbean waters and white sand beaches. It is the most visited part of Mexico as it features magical cenotes as well as some of the most iconic Mayan ruins. Due to its proximity to Cancun it can get pretty crowded with all-inclusive package holidays. So this may be no hidden gem but rest assured it absolutely worth visiting!

Besides, you can always get away from the crowds by visiting less popular cenotes, spot pink flamingos in one of the biosphere reserves and even snorkel with turtles. World class diving awaits you in Cozumel, as well as some cenotes. And if you want some downtime, then head to the car-free island of Holbox. Or perhaps you are looking for a chilled vibe with some fancy restaurants and hotel options, then you might want to hang out in Tulum. You can also find truly beautiful and quieter places on the peninsula, like Bacalar: The Lagoon of 7 colours.

TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

Best region in Mexico for:

• Experiencing cenotes
• Go diving or snorkelling
• Spot pink flamingos
• Nightlife

Who will love this?

• Divers
• Anyone who is after the perfect cenote experience
• Travellers who can stretch their budget a little
• Party People

Which region of Mexico will you choose?

We hope that our blogpost has been able to provide you with some useful information of what the most beautiful regions of Mexico have to offer. Please check out the individual blogposts on these regions in order to get a better overview and plan your itinerary. We have basically highlighted the best places to see in each of them. Still undecided?

Perhaps sharing our TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO will help you decide!

Questions? Comments? Feedback? We’d love to hear you from you

The post What is The Best Region of Mexico to Explore? appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

Unfortunately it also has several tourism mega-destinations like Cancun and Playa del Carmen attracting millions of tourists every year. So you are unlikely to find some truly hidden gems and will often share the most beautiful parts with many other visitors. If you want to explore other stunning parts of Mexico with far less tourists, check out my blog posts about Oaxaca, Chiapas and La Huasteca Potosina.

For us, the main draw for visiting the Yucatan Peninsula was what most people are after: the perfect cenote experience! No other part of Mexico allows you to cool off in pristine turquoise coloured fresh waters under a jungle framed sky in subterranean pools. Of course we wanted a piece of that too and were willing to go to great lengths to find the best cenotes around!

1. Hunting for Perfect Cenotes

So let’s dive straight into it, shall we? I’ve been dying to explore the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula for quite some time! But which one to visit when there are so many to choose from? The more I researched the more I realised there was no way we’d ever get round to seeing them all.

We had to be very selective! To tell the truth, they are all simply beautiful. And our favourite ones just so happened to be the ones we were lucky to have to ourselves or shared with very few people. Timing is everything!

If you want to know more about The Best Cenotes to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula and find out more our absolute favourite cenote experience, then check out our guide on:

Top 10 Cenotes to Explore in the Yucatan Peninsula

2. Visit Mayan Ruins

There are many pyramid temples scattered around the Yucatan Peninsula that will afford you a glimpse into the ancient Mayan culture and traditions. The Mayans had some of the most advanced and sophisticated mathematical systems in the world. The importance of astronomy and calendar calculation is still evident today! Mayan buildings were positioned to take advantage of solar and other celestial events. A guided tour will provide valuable insight about the Mayan architecture, traditional ball court games and even human sacrifices!

How unique are Mayan ruins to the Yucatan Peninsula?

Mayan temples are not just unique to the Yucatan Peninsula! In fact, you can find them all across Central America too. And even in other parts of Mexico we had already visited countless Mayan archaeological sites like Teotihuacán, Monte Alban and Palenque to name just a few! And we knew we would be visiting many more throughout our travels across central America.

The Mayan ruins we visited in the Yucatan Peninsula were amongst the most touristy and expensive! Generally speaking, we would pay 2-3 USD entrance fee. Within the Yucatan Peninsula the entrance fee was more around 20 USD (not to speak of extortionate parking costs) for places like Chichen Itza or Uxmal.

Did this taint our experience a little? For sure, it felt hugely commercial and overpriced! We don’t regret visiting them but just want you to know that, if you are on a budget, there are hundreds of other Mayan archaeological sites which you can visit at a fraction of the cost in other parts of Mexico and/or across Central America.

How can I visit less crowded Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula?

Crowds vary a lot depending if you are visiting on weekends or midweek and also which time of the year you are visiting. But generally speaking, some will always be more crowded than others. Chitzén Itchá, given its status, is always super crowded!

Less busy, but not less beautiful Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula include Calakmul and Ek Balam. Unfortunately they are also pretty far out from places like Cancun, Tulum or Merida where most people base themselves. Unless of course, you are driving in from Chiapas, as we did. Then you are in luck and they will be on your way

In case you were wondering …

To put things into perspective, below are a couple of other majestic ruins which can be visited for only 2-5 USD in other parts of Mexico. They weren’t less impressive and in fact we preferred them as they weren’t as commercial and crowded!

3. See Whale Sharks in Holbox Island

Holbox is a car-free island with white sand beaches and a bohemian feel to it. It’s much less crowded than other islands like ‘Isla de Mujeres’ which is easier to access from Cancun. It has dirt roads instead of paved roads, is much more undeveloped and has a rustic feel to it. We didn’t even realise that you can see Whale Sharks until we got there! We had previously dived with Whale Sharks in the Philippines but this time we were visiting during the wrong season.

However, Whale Sharks aside Holbox is totally worth visiting !! We had to park our motorbike at a safe parking spot near the ferry (Puerto de Chiquilá) and once on the island we literally walked everywhere. Although there is also the option of renting golf buggies or get around on bicycles!

Isla Holbox is part of Mexico’s largest ecological reserve and 75% of the island consists of jungle, wild mangroves and empty beaches. Depending on the season you can see many pink flamingos. Out of season you can take a little boat to get further out in order to spot them.

‘Downtown’ is made up of a few sandy streets and restaurants and shops with wooden facades. Most accommodations are congregated around the same area with many nice coffee shops and places to eat. There are definitely some up-market restaurants and boutique hotels BUT luckily, as of yet, no hotel chains. We loved the vibe and the week we spent on Holbox is just what we needed to recharge our batteries!

4. Cozumel: The Diving Paradise of the Yucatan Peninsula

‘Isla Cozumel’ is a world-class diving destination. The island is tourist friendly but certainly not overrun and much quieter than beaches around Cancun or ‘Playa de Mujeres’. Cozumel has some authentic neighbourhoods, features Mayan ruins and has a Caribbean vibe about it. Fiona and I were just about to go sailing and snorkelling around the Belize Barrier Reef for two weeks so we didn’t do any diving here. However, it’s renowned for its world-class reefs and a fantastic snorkelling or dive spot! So if you want to look into doing some snorkelling or diving you should definitely check it out.

5. Spot Pink Flamingos in Celestún Biosphere Reserve

Between the towns of Celestún and Maxcanu, you’ll find the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, which is part of a vast wetland corridor. The mangroves, dunes and low rainforests attract many species of birds, particularly pink flamingos. Surrounded by many pristine beaches with turquoise light blue waters this is a popular place to visit!

The Biosphere Reserve acts as a resting place for migrating flamingos. If you visit in season you’ll see literally thousands of them. When we visited (end of October) the chances of seeing flamingos was far greater at Río Lagartos. So we headed there instead!

6. Visit the sleepy fishing village of Río Lagartos

On the northern shore of the Yucatan Peninsula lies the sleepy fishing village of Río Lagartos. It boasts the densest population of flamingos in Mexico. We visited out of season and certainly didn’t see thousands, but we still enjoyed seeing small groups of them in the wild.

Río Lagartos is a bird watching and nature lovers’ paradise. It’s pretty quiet compared to other parts of the peninsula and some people just visit on day trips from nearby Merida. If you want to get away and fancy some peace and quiet you might want to stay longer. Fiona and I stopped here for a couple of nights.

The main activity is renting a boat (private or shared) and exploring the Biosphere Reserve. It boasts over 400 bird species but of course most people flock here to see pink flamingos. But you can also find pelicans, racoons and sometimes crocodiles. Sunrise tours generally see fewer boats!

What about nearby ‘Las Coloradas’?

Chances are, if you are coming to the Yucatan Peninsula you may have heard of the pink lakes. Or perhaps you have seen a surreal picture of it on social media. Imagine a stretch of white sand beach separated by turquoise blue waters to one side and the most intensely pink-coloured lake to the other. Naturally, this got our attention too.

First up, it’s not that easy to find. Secondly, when you find it you’ll be greeted by signs specifically telling you to KEEP OUT! Then you realise you’ll need to pay to see it and that actually this is not a natural phenomenon at all. The pink water is actually caused by a local man-made salt factory. As the water evaporates and the salinity levels get higher, the algae gives off a red pigment, turning the lakes bright pink.

With so many pictures of it going viral on social media, tours to see ‘Las Coloradas’ have become pretty expensive. It honestly didn’t seem worth it and neither of us were willing to pay for a tour to visit a man-made attraction hyped up by social media. If you do go, beware that the colours are most vivid around midday. If visiting in the afternoon you may need to photoshop the photos to get them to look anything like what you might have seen on social media. Personally, we would give Las Coloradas a miss – it wasn’t worth our time!

7. Swim with turtles in Akumal

Akumal is the number one destination if you want to swim with turtles. You can jump in with your own snorkels and look for them or book a guided tour. There is no charge to swim at Akumal beach but you will be charged for parking, toilets, life vests etc. Renting snorkels upon arrival will set you back around 20 USD. Tours from Playa Del Carmen or Tulum will often include a visit to see cenotes, lunch and snorkelling with the turtles. If you have your own transport, it’s very easy to find and leaving early will allow you to visit during quieter times!

The area where you can snorkel is clearly marked to help manage the amount of people in the water and reduce disturbance to the turtles. Please be a respectful visitor and only watch the turtles from a safe distance! Wearing a live vest also helps keeping the waters around you calm. The turtles will appreciate it and you’ll have better visibility too And the best news? You can see turtles here all year round !!!

8. Hang out in Tulum

Tulum is a pretty awesome place to hang out. It only has one problem: it’s become way too fancy which is driving up prices! And I have to say that although we had an absolute awesome time here, we were left wondering if it isn’t a little overrated.

So what to expect? Long stretches of white sand beach with turquoise water and Mayan ruins overlooking the stunning coastline. A vibrant nightlife with many nice restaurants and bars to choose from. Some very classy boutique hotels facing off directly to the beach. Some nice cenotes nearby as well. Sounds pretty good, right?

Staying anywhere along the beach is incredibly expensive. Certainly nothing for us budget travellers… Most people stay in town and then cycle to the beach! It takes about 20 min. We did actually leave our motorbike at our AirBnB and cycled in too. The main road along the beach is in very poor condition and there is a lot of traffic. Nonetheless it’s lined with boutique shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. Most places can be entered from the main road and then face off to the beach.

If you want to splash out …

Fiona and I treated ourselves to dinner at ‘Ahau Tulum’. The entrance alone is a piece of art and upon leaving there was a queue to take a picture in front of the heart opening wooden sculpture. We timed our visit perfectly for sunset!

I won’t lie we were a little surprised that 15% tip was automatically added to the bill. This is certainly unusual for Mexico but it wasn’t the only place in Tulum doing it. The food and service were exceptional though and it was a perfect date night!

Your Ultimate Guide to Authentic Tulum

Do you want to experience the best parts Tulum has to offer? Tuluminiña is a local travel guide focused on sustainable, conscious travelling. She is also a big advocate of female solo travelling! So no matter if you are looking for a private tour or secret tips of the area for independent travelling, she’s the best insider guide!

Fiona and I had the pleasure of sailing with Mariette aka Tuluminiña to the Blue Hole in Belize. Apart from being a beautiful human being, we loved her positive vibes and passion for environmentally friendly travelling!

Did you know? Tuluminiña is an expert on Tulum but also knows the best places to visit around the Yucatan Peninsula – don’t hesitate to contact her for tours or local travel tips!

Tulum is my happy place and I like to share this happiness with everyone who comes here!

Tuluminiña

9. Don’t miss the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

The Biosphere is a UNESCO Heritage Site and you can expect to see dolphins, crocodiles, turtles, rays and manatees. In their natural habitat of course! It is considered to be the top spot for wildlife watching, as well as snorkelling in preserved coral reefs. Surprisingly few visitors make it out here so it’s far from crowded!

The easiest way to visit is from Tulum as a day trip. You can either book an organised tour, or make your way independently. There are two access points: The old mayan fishing village of Punta Allen or Muyil. The tours offered at each of these access points differ.

Fiona and I were more interested in seeing the marine life (dolphins, turtles) and therefore chose the tour from Punta Allen!

10. Kayaking in Bacalar

At the most southern point of the Yucatan Peninsula, at the border to Belize we found a little paradise. We spent our last few days in Mexico in Bacalar. We heard it’s a beautiful and chilled place but it truly exceeded our expectations!

Often referred to as “The Lagoon of Seven Colours” Bacalar is known for its crystal clear waters and incredible shades of turquise-blue colours. The best way to appreciate its beauty is certainly to book a day trip on a catamaran! And otherwise, go kayaking, read a book and chill with the most beautiful views in this relaxing laid back village!

Out of all the places we have visited on the Yucatan Peninsula, this was probably the quietest and most beautiful of them all. The colours are simply unreal and neither of us could have wished for a more spectacular end to our trip in Mexico!

Are you ready to explore the Yucatan Peninsula?

We hope we’ve been able to provide some travel inspiration and highlight just how much beauty is hidden in this part of Mexico. Sure, it’s no hidden gem anymore but that doesn’t make it any less attractive to visiting. Looking for some more inspiration? Then check out our blog post below!

TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO

Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? We are are always happy to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

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