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

The post TOP 5 Beautiful Places You Have to Visit in Devon appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

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

The post DORSET JURASSIC COAST: Do not miss these amazing stops! appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

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.

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!

The post Yucatan Peninsula: Top 10 Places You Have to See appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

The freshwater in the cenotes is usually cold – perfect to cool off in the hot weather! And some also offer great snorkelling and diving opportunities. In fact, it’s very common to see fish in the crystal clear waters, if you are lucky even turtles, but certainly an abundance of stalagmites.

Cenotes are probably the first thing that pop into people’s mind when they think of Mexico. That was also the case for Fiona and I. But of course we discovered that they are only a small part of the natural wonders and beauty there is to explore in Mexico.

HERE IS A MAP OF SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR AND BEAUTIFUL CENOTES IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA – Keep on reading for our Top 10!

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

How many cenotes are there in the Yucatan Peninsula?

Well over 6,000. Say what? Yep, you’d be lucky to visit as much as 1% of them. Most people tend to visit just a few during their visit to the area. Fiona and I were determined to hunt for the most beautiful cenotes and see as many of them as we could! The truth is, they are all very beautiful, but after seeing a handful of them, the novelty factor wears off.

Don’t get me wrong. We never grew tired of them! Magical caves with pristine turquoise-blue waters and roots of strangler fig trees dangling from the rim of the cenote. Birds flying into and out of them, resting along the cave walls which are overgrown with vegetation. Fish swimming in the crystal clear waters. It feels like going back in time into a long forgotten lost world.

However, after we were lucky to experience some of them all to ourselves we kind of wanted to savour that special experience. Soon we accepted that we cannot see ALL of them and the desire to hunt for the next ten cenotes on our list wore off. But ONLY because we felt totally satisfied and over the moon at all the beautiful cenotes we already got to see!

What type of cenote are you after?

Did you know that there are many different kind of cenotes? Some are completely open, looking more like a lake. Some are literally hidden inside of caves. And others are engulfed by limestone walls overgrown with vegetation, allowing you to look up into the sky.

Miguel Colorado is a very large open cenote where you can rent kayaks, zip line above it and hike around it. It’s great for swimming and known for its abundance of wildlife surrounding it.

Cenote Ik Kil is very popular because its walls are almost entirely covered in vegetation, providing you with a real jungle feel!

Cenote Ponderosa (Jardin del Eden) is particularly popular with scuba divers as it has a collection of underwater caves, passages and crystal clear waters.

What is the best time to visit cenotes?

The lighting makes a big difference as it turns those crystal clear waters into magical shades of turquoise blue. This is more often the case if you visit in the afternoon and the light shines directly into the cave!

However, afternoons are often also the busiest times to visit and especially better known cenotes can get overrun with tour buses.

For us personally, the most enjoyable experiences were when we could avoid the crowds. And the best way of doing so is to visit first thing in the morning. The lighting might not be perfect, but the cenotes are still stunning!

How to avoid busy and overcrowded cenotes?

If you are looking at a map of cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, you might wonder which are the busy ones and which may be quieter.

1. Avoid cenotes located close to tourist hubs like Merida, Cancún and Playa Del Carmen.

2. Cenotes located around popular Mayan ruins are usually pretty busy, like Ik Kil which is very close to Chichen Itza.

3. The entrance fee is a good indication. Quieter cenotes usually have an entrance fee of 2-5 USD. Popular and busier ones can cost up to 20 USD to enter.

What are the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula?

Before we get into it, bear in mind that the most popular cenotes also attract the biggest crowds. So making your way around the most beautiful cenotes may not mean you’ll have the best cenote experience! You may enjoy yourself much more in a less popular cenote that you’ll happen to have to yourself or share with fewer people. And knowing how many cenotes there are around and that the majority of people often head to the most popular ones, you might even hunt for more remote, lesser known cenotes. There is a good chance that you’ll find many stunning alternatives that haven’t been hyped up by social media yet!

Perhaps pick a couple and plan to be there first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. Then look for some cenotes that you haven’t already heard of, which are a bit out of the way, perhaps even free to visit. It’s best to mix it up – don’t just chase the most popular ones! After all, it’s about relaxing and having fun!

Our absolute FAVOURITE CENOTE experience

If I had to choose only one of the many cenote experiences, it would be our visit to Los 3 cenotes de Cuzama.

What I loved was that it wasn’t just a dip in another cenote. I loved the experience of getting to the cenotes by horse on tracks built and used by the mayans. The three cenotes we visited were also extremely diverse! Some we could jump straight into. Others required us to climb down a ladder into an ancient tree, follow a hidden underground passage, through the most amazing caves until we reached the water. And the turquoise colours of the water was just unreal!!

‘Los 3 cenotes de Cuzama’ actually encompasses more than three cenotes. But in order to spread people out the three cenotes you’ll get to see may vary. As everyone is getting around by cart and horse, it’s easy to see if any carts are parked up in front of the cenotes. If it looks busy, you can skip and go to another one. This meant that we were either completely alone or only met people as we entered or exited the cenote despite visiting in the middle of the afternoon.

Renting a cart with guide and horse for up to 4 people costs 20 USD. So even when Fiona and I shared the cart alone we found this to be very reasonable. The tour itself took 3 hours. Beware, the ride is somewhat bumpy!

Ready to explore?

We hope you found this blogpost useful. Hopefully it has provided you with some valuable information to plan your trip and encouraged you to seek for some lesser known cenotes too!

Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? We are always happy to hear from you – please leave a comment below!

The post Best 10 Cenotes to Explore in the Yucatan Peninsula appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

In the centre of Chiapas you’ll find the vibrant city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. It features colonial architecture, a thriving art scene, a strong presence of indigenous culture and traditions, as well as some of the most fascinating landscapes.

Chiapas is a hikers paradise and if you are an independent traveller looking for an authentic Mexico far away from all inclusive luxury hotels – you’ll love it as much as we did!

For more inspiration check out TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO or watch our travels on YouTube!

1. Hang out in San Cristóbal de las Casas

I fell in love with San Cristóbal de las Casas almost instantly! After visiting Oaxaca city I was certain we had found the most authentic and beautiful city in Mexico. But then we found this little gem! So they are both competing for my favourite city in Mexico because I just can’t make up my mind. In short: DON’T MISS THIS!!

The city has a Spanish colonial layout. The buildings are very colourful and covered with red clay tiles. You’ll be able to see the pretty central highlands surrounding the city. Cobbled streets lead through vibrant plazas and old churches exposing fascinating architecture. You can’t escape the infectious vibe of the city, which is filled with artists and has a thriving art scene!

There is a large indigenous population living in Chiapas and the culture and traditions can still be seen and felt today. Especially if you head to one of the many local markets where many vendors still wear traditional handwoven clothing, typical for the area.

You will also hear music around every street corner. The streets are filled with so much life here! And perhaps one of the best ways to soak it all up is to simply sit outside one of the many coffee shops on the main pedestrian road ‘Real Guadalupe’ and soak it all up!

Due to the undeniable awesomeness of this city, I felt compelled to write a dedicated blog post about San Cristóbal de las Casas. Want to know where to catch the best views from and what day trips you can’t miss?

The Ultimate Guide to visiting San Cristóbal de las Casas

2. Stay at a coffee farm in Chiapas

Walking through San Cristóbal de las casas, you are instantly greeted by its many coffee shops, for you have just arrived in one of the biggest coffee producing countries in the world! The variety of coffee, including an extensive organic range, did take me by surprise. And almost every other coffee shop was offering coffee tastings. Sitting outside one of the many coffee shops is a great way to soak up the vibrant feel of this lively city! Cafe Yaxchilan offers personalised and unique day trips if you want to explore Chiapa’s coffee culture. But for independent travellers the best way to experience it is to ride down south along ‘Chiapa’s Coffee Route’.

Chiapa’s Coffee Route

‘El Ruta del Café’ is located in the Soconusco region of Chiapas. It’s about 200 miles south of San Cristobal de las Casas and the drive leads you through windy mountain roads and lush jungles. So bring some time with you and brace yourself for stunning views and delicious cups of coffees along the way!

If you want to take a journey through unforgettable flavours and lush landscapes you might even consider staying at a coffee farm to soak in the views! Not all coffee plantations are open to the public. But below we’ve listed 3 coffee farms that you can visit, and if your budget allows, even treat yourself to a luxurious stay.

3. Visit the Palenque Ruins

Nestled in the thick jungle of Chiapas you’ll find the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. Exploring the ruins surrounded by lush tropical jungle is simply amazing! Similar, but probably more beautiful than Monte Alban in Oaxaca, it was one of our favourite Mayan sites we visited! The Palenque Ruins receive far less tourists than other Mayan archaeological sites in neighbouring Yucatan. This makes them way less commercial – which is why we liked them so much! And surprisingly much less expensive! An absolute must-visit when passing through Chiapas. They can easily be visited when overlanding from Chiapas to Yucatan.

Yaxchilán Ruins on the Mexico-Gutemala border are also meant to be very beautiful. However, as they were really out of the way we did give them a miss!

4. Hike to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Chiapas

Okay, so if you have read my guide to La Huasteca Potosina: Mexico’s Best Kept Secret you already know my all time favourite waterfall in Mexico is Tamul. But little did we know that Chiapas would hold its own with breathtaking waterfalls and picture perfect turquoise-blue waters. The pictures we had seen were very promising! So off we went chasing for more fabulous waterfalls.

1. El Chiflón Waterfall

Our first waterfall we visited, is also one of the most popular in Chiapas as it can easily be visited as a day trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas. We were certainly not alone but I also didn’t find it too crowded. The walk along the river took less than an hour until we reached the waterfall. It was all very pretty: the drive, the hike, the waterfall. But it didn’t look anything like on the pictures we had seen. Instead of postcard perfect turquoise-blue pools of water, it sort of looked brown and muddy. We quickly figured out why …

2. Agua Azul

Or as we liked to call it … “Agua not so Azul” because once again during rainy season you miss out on the wonderful colours that make these waterfalls so magical! If you are planning on visiting the Mayan city of Palenque you can easily combine it with a visit to Cascadas Agua Azul. The Natural Park featuring the waterfalls is only 1.5 hrs drive from Palenque. And please DO NOT let our photographs put you off visiting … in the right seasons these are some of the most stunning waterfalls in the world! And yes, we were a little gutted that our schedule didn’t allow us to visit this region outside of rainy season …

3. Misol-Ha Waterfall

Again, really easy to combine en route if you are heading to Palenque. Don’t miss the stunning Misol-Ha Waterfall! You can actually walk right behind the waterfall along a dedicated pathway and swim in the pools. Fiona and I gave this one a miss due to time constraints though. We had arranged to meet a friend in Yucatan and had to juggle our time between chasing waterfalls in Chiapas or cenote hunting in Yucatan … tough call!

If you are looking for a day trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas check out El Aguacero waterfall and Sumidero Canyon. Click here to find out more!

5. Relax at Lagunas de Montebello National Park

Right on the Mexico-Guatemala border you’ll find a stunning National Park comprising around 60 different lakes. If you want to reconnect with Mother Nature you can base yourself around Tziscao Lake which has a beautiful camping site. From here you can explore other scenic lakes like Lago Pojoj and even rent little wooden boats to explore the lake! We were surprised to see day tours from San Cristóbal de las Casas as it’s a 3 hours drive one way. I cannot imagine anything more unrelaxing than spending 6 hours in a van to get a glimpse of one of the lakes. Lagunas de Montebello is best enjoyed if you have your own transport and can spend a couple of days around the lakes at least to unwind and soak in the panoramic views!

Who will enjoy a visit to Chiapas most?

Chiapas is a fabulous destination for nature lovers, hikers and those wanting to reconnect with Mother Nature! It’s likewise a fantastic destination if you want to learn more about the Mayan culture and learn more about its history. It will no doubt be more desirable to independent travellers, in particular overlanders. If you are looking for a tranquil, luxury get-away then perhaps one of the luxury farm stays with infinity pools might be just what you are after. But in general Chiapas will be most appreciated by adventure seekers. Having your own transport and not needing to rely on tour operators in San Cristóbal de las Casas will certainly be the most rewarding way to explore Chiapas!

It’s pretty cheap to visit (most of the waterfalls only charge a couple of dollars entrance) and definitely suitable if you are on a tight budget with many great camping opportunities!

We hope you found this blog post useful, no matter if you are looking for travel inspiration or planning your upcoming trip! What was your favourite place in Chiapas or where would you like to visit most? We are always happy to hear from you so leave us a comment below to let us know your thoughts

The post Chiapas: Top 5 Amazing Places to See appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

We fell in love with its red tiled roofs, wrought iron balconies and cobbled streets. The city features some of the most fascinating colonial architecture and beautiful facades painted in all sorts of different colours. You will find one of the largest indigenous populations here across all of Mexico and a thriving art scene.

If you want to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, simply walk down Real de Guadalupe. It’s the main pedestrian street lined with coffee shops and restaurants. The best way to experience this charming city is probably to sit outside one of its many coffee shops. You are likely to hear many musicians and various instruments as you walk around. We enjoyed getting lost in all its little streets and watch life go by in the main plaza!

Best views of San Cristóbal de las Casas

Want to know where to soak up the best views of the city? I’ll tell you but you’ll need to work for it a little bit.

Cerro de Guadalupe will cost you 79 steps to reach the church ‘Iglesia de la Guadalupe’ set on top of a hill. But in return it will reward you with an unparalleled panoramic view of the city! Views aside the chapel is certainly worth a visit.

Best churches to see in San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristóbal de las Casas has some beautiful churches scattered across town. Some of them date back to the 16th century, featuring stunning, imposing facades and baroque altarpieces.

Top churches to visit are:
Iglesia San Cristobal, Templo de San Francisco, Iglesia de Santa Lucia, Templo de Mexicano, Iglesia de la Merced, Templo de la Caridad

Best museums to visit in San Cristóbal de las Casas

Chiapas is so rich in history that it comes as no surprise that it has some fascinating museums. From traditional indigenous medicine, to traditional handwoven clothing to archaeological relics. If museums aren’t your thing however, than perhaps you’ll make an exception for the chocolate museum which has a beautiful open space balcony

Top museums to vist are:
Museo de la Medicina Maya, Museo del Cacao, Museo de los Altos de Chiapas, Museo del Ámbar de Chiapas, Museo de Sergio Arturo Castro Martínez, Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya

Best markets to visit in San Cristóbal de las Casas

Mercado Viejo, also known as ‘José Castillo Tielemans‘ market sells local produce and has many food stands. You’ll find everything from textiles, live turkeys to delicious tortillas in one place.

Santo Domingo Artisan Market sells souvenirs and is mostly known for selling locally produced textiles and amber jewellery.

Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías Ambar is where you want to go if you have a sweet tooth. Although you’ll find some savoury foods too, it’s mostly known for selling traditional Mexican sweets.

Best coffee shops in San Cristóbal de las Casas

Is there such a thing as the best coffee shop in a city that has no shortage of world-class coffee? Mexico is one of the biggest coffee producing countries in the world and Chiapas is the heart of its coffee culture.

Most coffee shops can be found along Real de Guadalupe. Many even offer coffee tastings! To my surprise, and as someone that only drinks coffee in the morning, these tend to start around 6pm. Sitting outside one of the coffee shops is such a wonderful way to soak up all the colours and energy of this vibrant city. So whenever you feel like you just want to stop for a moment and soak it all in, find a coffee shop and do just that. And that will be the best coffee shop for you in that moment. Because you simply cannot go wrong ordering a cup of coffee in San Cristóbal de las Casas!

Did you know that Chiapas has many wonderful coffee plantations in the south? If you want to read more about those than check out our Ultimate Guide to Top Places to visit in Chiapas as we reveal the best coffee farms to visit and stay at.

If you don’t have enough time to explore the ‘Ruta del Cafe’ in the south of Chiapas you can organise a day trip with a local coffee farmer directly from San Cristóbal de las Casas. The place to go is Cafe Yaxchilan where you can book a unique and personal experience!

Best Day Trips

El Aguacero Waterfall

Two and a half hours south of San Cristóbal de las Casas and 700 steps down into the canyon you’ll find a beautiful waterfall. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views and a small piece of paradise. There is a hidden cave system behind the waterfall if you feel like exploring further.

Sumidero Canyon

A similar distance in the same direction you will be able to explore Sumidero Canyon. A day trip isn’t enough time to visit both places though. The Sumidero Canyon is an expansive canyon along the river which can only be accessed by boat and requires you to book a tour! The canyon tours last about 2 hours and cost around 12 USD. As part of the incredible views expect to see waterfalls, caves and some wildlife. Spider monkeys and crocodiles can often be spotted here.

El Chiflón Waterfalls

Located about 2.5 hours southeast of San Cristóbal de las Casas you can take a beautiful hike along the river to hike up to this stunning waterfall! There are several beautiful overlooks providing breathtaking panoramic views. As it is one of the most popular of all waterfalls to visit in Chiapas, it can also get busier than most other places.

Apart from being an awesome city …

San Cristóbal de las Casas is the perfect base to explore all that Chiapas has to offer! Make sure you check out Top 5 Places to see in Chiapas so you don’t miss out on one of the most rewarding regions to explore in Mexico! We truly loved our time in Chiapas. We are confident you will too!

Are you planning your trip to San Cristóbal de las Casas? Do you have any questions about anything we haven’t covered in this blog post? Or perhaps you want to add anything we may have missed? We are always happy to hear from you so please do leave us a comment below

The post San Cristóbal de las Casas: How to Make the Most of Your Stay! appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

Oaxaca truly has it all! And the best part? It’s nowhere near as busy and overrun with tourists as Yucatan. It also attracts a different kind of traveller. There are much fewer tourists on 2 weeks vacations here and it’s a far cry from the all-inclusive holidays offered in other regions of Mexico. Most travellers we met spend a good few weeks or months in Oaxaca. And it always features as a highlight of any overland travel across Mexico!

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

1. Oaxaca City

A special welcome to Oaxaca

Oaxaca City decided to welcome us in a very special way. Flash Floods! We often get caught up in torrential rain. No surprise there. But within minutes the streets were flooded. The current of the water put a lot of pressure on our fully loaded motorbike. It was pretty scary! Eventually the water was so high that it covered the exhaust. There was no stopping now!

It felt like we were floating on the motorbike. I was very conscious that if I dropped the bike it would be submerged in water, including our electronics. Some minutes later we had to leave the tarmac for a dirt road. It wasn’t flooded as badly but the water had made it slick and muddy. The dirt road led us to our hotel.

We finally stopped the bike, feeling relieved and happy. And within thirty minutes all the water in the city had disappeared, as though nothing ever happened!

Oaxaca’s myths and legends

Our host felt terribly guilty that we got caught up in flash floods. He was a student and only checks people in late afternoon. This pushed our arrival time back significantly. He was super sweet and concerned. We reassured him that everything was fine but he insisted that we join his ‘Nocturnal walk of urban legends’ in the evening. We had no clue what is was but happily accepted his kind offer.

It turned out to be a pretty awesome tour through Oaxaca city that not only took us around all the main sights but taught us about the many myths and legends. We even learned about the plants shamans use to rid people of bad aura.

I’m not saying you MUST go on a guided walking tour. In fact, Fiona and I aren’t big fans of guided tours at all. But this by chance experience was a great introduction into the many traditions and superstitions of the local people of Oaxaca.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre Food Market

Oaxaca is truly a little food heaven! No other place in Mexico has such traditional and colourful food markets. And ‘Mercado 20 de Noviembre’ is the best place to start. We were lucky enough for our host José to show us around, educate us about local specialities and take our taste buds on a journey!

Oaxaca Moles, Entomatadas, Tamales, Memelitas, Enfrijolades … We tried to buy lots of small portions to try as many dishes as possible. Eventually we were all full! But Jose insisted we couldn’t leave without trying Tlayudas. A large tortilla flatbread, topped with refried beans, tomato, avocado, your choice of meat and of course the most important of all: delicious tangy Oaxacan cheese.

We were totally stuffed at this point but decided to share one nontheless. It was simply delicious and I probably had one Tlayuda every day throughout our stay in Oaxaca. They are not easily found in other parts of Mexico and it’s actually my favourite Mexican food if I had to pick only one dish!

The best way to explore Oaxaca city

As much as we appreciated our kind host showing us around, we had the best time when we decided to explore Oaxaca City the next day by getting lost in it. In the daylight we could take in all the impressive architecture, vibrant colours and infectious vibe of the city.

We’d seen other beautiful colonial towns and cities in Mexico but none of them felt as authentic as Oaxaca City! The colonial houses have not been refurbished to look picture perfect for tourists and some parts of town looked pretty neglected. But that’s exactly what made it feel so authentic. San Miguel de Allende felt like Disneyland in contrast!

We passed a lot of people playing instruments and making music together as we walked around Oaxaca city. None of it felt touristy. There is no one going round collecting money. It rather feels like a bunch of friends getting together to play. The vibe of the city is really incredible!

2. Hierve el Agua

Getting here

This incredibly beautiful place can be reached by 1.5 hours drive (42 miles) from Oaxaca City and makes for a perfect day trip! I have to tell you that locals strongly advised AGAINST driving here by yourself. The reason being frequent roadblocks. Many tourists experience issues in this particular part of Mexico!

We do genuinely take such advice very seriously and we also know that many tourists have run into difficulties here. But I was reluctant to join an organised bus tour and we knew that we’d be having to deal with roadblocks throughout Oaxaca and Chiapas. Luckily, we had no issues at all!

The last part of the ride was a narrow, windy dirt road. It was fun riding our Adventure Bike here and the views were truly spectacular!

Get here early if you want to avoid the crowds

We heard it can get pretty busy so we set off super early in the morning. And much to our delight we got here before all the tour buses arrived and people started queuing just to take a picture. It is moments like these when I am most grateful for being an overlander!

Hierve el Agua is breath-taking but can feel very touristy when it’s busy. We hung out here for about 10 min. Although it wasn’t busy people behind us started taking pictures shortly after we got here. So we left soon after to hike and explore the area!

Go for a hike

Most people go for a hike to see the calcified waterfalls. Don’t let the name mislead you though. You won’t see actual waterfalls! The water that continuously spills over the mountain’s edge, is rich in minerals, creating what appears to be a cascading waterfall.

If you go on a hike you’ll be able to get a view of “cascade de sal” (salt waterfalls), “cascadas petrificadas” (petrified waterfalls) and “cascadas pétreas” (rock waterfalls). The hike offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain range!

I highly recommend it because “just” visiting the main site “cascada chica” can feel very touristy. Once you park up, you pass many restaurants and tourist shops on the short way to it. If you aren’t here first thing in the morning, you’ll probably have to queue to take a picture. But the area is truly beautiful and going for a hike allows you to get away from the crowds completely. It’s certainly more than a stunning photo op. So make sure you bring some water and allow at least 3 hours for your visit!

It may not always look like the pictures on social media

Fiona and I got very lucky. We visited on a warm sunny day with bright blue sky. The water had a green colour and the whole setting looked picture perfect. We got here so early that we ended up with awesome shots (visiting mid October).

We met a couple of travellers some time later in Guatemala. They were heading to Mexico and immediately pinned Hierve el Agua on their travel map. They got there late January on a pretty dull day. There was no water at all in the pools and the place kind of seemed to have lost its magic.

I honestly don’t know the best time of year to visit but when you look at people’s pictures you realise it doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes you can see very vibrant colours and other times it just looks grey. Just something to be aware of to avoid disappointment!

Don’t miss this on your way back to Oaxaca City

There is a cute, little town called Santa Maria de Tule which makes a great stop on your way back. Most organised tours stop here for Arbol de Tule: the widest tree in the world. It is located inside a gated churchyard. You can see it for free but if you want to touch it, you’ll need to pay a fee to get passed the gate. The gate is very short and you’ll have an unrestricted view even if you don’t pay though. So we didn’t feel the need to.

Was it my highlight of Oaxaca? Not really. But I did think this was a nice stop on our way back. As it’s quite a touristy place there are many food stands. We had a couple of delicious Tlayudas here!

3. Ruins of Monte Alban

Monte Alban is a pre-Columbian archaeological site which served as the capital of the Zapotec civilisation from around 500 BC to 800 AD. It is located only 6 miles from Oaxaca city and makes for a great day trip!

Monte Alban features ruins of the great plazas, pyramids, underground passages and a court for the famous mesomerican ball game: tlachatli. It also offers outstanding views of the surrounding valley. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mesoamerica and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Monte Alban receives significantly less tourists than other archaeological sites in Yucatan for example. It doesn’t have that commercial feel about it! The entrance isn’t lined with tourists stands. It’s not crowded like other sites and we really enjoyed walking around, exploring the ruins and taking in the views. You can’t miss a visit to Monte Alban if you make it to Oaxaca!

4. Mazunte: Oaxaca’s Hippie Hangout

Fiona and I rode many hours through the Sierra Madre mountain range of Oaxaca. It was a long, beautiful but also exhausting ride. Our first stop was going to be Mazunte. Many people had recommended stopping here. We heard it was cute, had a great vibe and is located right by the beach. It sounded like the perfect spot for us!

As we got closer we realised Mazunte was even smaller than we had imagined. There were no tarmac roads once we left the mountains. The main road was a dirt road with coffee shops, restaurants and little boutique shops on each side. But somehow we felt totally out of place.

What to expect

Mazunte is a hippie hang out. It attracts travellers looking for soul searching, yoga and meditation retreats. We even saw spiritual healing classes on offer. Nearly everyone walks around barefoot and there is a distinct vibe to this place. Rolling in on our BMW Adventure Bike didn’t attract a warm welcome. At least that’s how I felt! There is a strong sense of community here and we were sticking out like a sore thumb, especially fully geared in our heavy Adventure Boots.

You can definitely tell apart people that are ‘permanently’ living here. And I’m not sure how welcome tourists are that are ‘just passing by’. To my surprise Mazunte felt a little snobbish! This was certainly not one of the most welcoming places we had visited. So why did I feel like I wanted to stay?

Something about Mazunte just draws you in

As soon as we arrived we checked into one of the many AirBnBs around, had a much needed shower and swapped our heavy motorbike gear for some beachwear. Right outside our AirBnB was a little French bakery. Not something we had come across before throughout our four months travels through Mexico. I couldn’t resist of course and to my surprise the coffee and pastry were outstanding! I was delighted – breakfast for the next few days was sorted and I was looking forward to it!

No shortage of healthy, organic foods

As we started walking around we couldn’t help but be surprised by all the healthy, organic and delicious eateries here. Exotic smoothies, buddha bowls, gluten free food, vegetarian restaurants … but luckily you can still find Tlayudas and other Oaxacan specialities among all this fancyness!

Next, we walked to to the beach. There are a couple of bars / coffee shops that extend their terrace right onto the beach. We stopped for a drink and were excited about exploring the Oaxacan coastline in the coming days. On the way back we had the best wood oven pizza we had in a looooong time. (And yes, we had a few of those during our stay). After sunset, Mazunte lights up and is just such a cute place to go out for food or have a drink.

Honestly, I could see how people pass by and never leave

It’s such a relaxing place that I could have easily stayed for a month or two to unwind. The only thing you should be aware of is that internet down here is very hit and miss. So if you are a digital nomad that requires a stable internet connection, you’ll probably struggle. If you want to switch off completely and disconnect for a while on the contrary, Mazunte is the perfect place to do it!

Don’t Miss Sunset at Punta Cometa

Punta Cometa is Oaxaca’s southernmost point with stunning views of the surrounding coastline. The sunsets from up here are simply magical! It’s easily accessible by foot from Mazunte. The short hike only took us around 25 min.

Most people gather approximately around the same point, but you can definitely spread out or watch the sunset from the beach if you want to get away from the crowds. You should definitely make time to visit if you are staying in Mazunte or passing through.

5. Puerto Escondido – Oaxaca’s stunning coastline!

Exploring the coastline by bike and beach hopping was so much fun! The stretch around Puerto Escondido in particular is a little surfer’s paradise but equally perfect if you just want to chill on the beach!

My Top 3 Beaches in Oaxaca

Playa Carrizalillo was my all time favourite beach in Oaxaca! In order to get to it you’ll need to walk down 160 concrete steps. The view from the top is simply breath-taking, overlooking the lush coastline. The steps will lead you to a sheltered beach with consistent swell to catch some small to medium sized waves. There are a few beach bars next to swaying coconut palm trees and this place just has the most relaxed vibe. There is a surf school and/or surfboard rental as well. I fell in love with this place instantly!

Puerto Angelito is the next beach up featuring a small idyllic cove where you’ll find fishing boats, beach bars and much calmer waters. It’s definitely better for swimming and snorkelling. What I liked in particular was that this beach attracted more locals, not just tourists!

Playa Mazanillo is the the next beach along but you can actually walk to it from Puerto Angelito. It’s only separated by a rocky outcrop. Again, it’s very safe for swimming and the calm waters make it a great snorkelling stop. I can’t comment on how good the snorkelling is but we found a beautiful bar at the end of the beach with comfy lounge chairs and spent a perfect afternoon on the beach. It wasn’t crowded at all and in fact very quiet but we have heard it can get pretty busy at weekends!

The ultimate surfing paradise of Oaxaca

Playa Zicatela is the best-known surfing spot in Oaxaca and perhaps even the whole of Mexico. The beach is 3.5km long but can be unsafe for beginner surfers or swimmers due to the strong currents. I have to say I much preferred the smaller sheltered beaches, and even for surfing Playa Carizalillo had more appeal to me. But if you are an experienced surfer or just want that endless walk on the beach then Playa Zicatela is worth checking out. Just be aware it can get pretty windy up here!

Are you ready to fall in love with Oaxaca?

Leaving Oaxaca was as troublesome as arriving during flash floods. It had been raining for days and the dirt roads were very slick and muddy, especially on a heavy and fully-loaded adventure bike. But of course we were totally fine with this excuse to extend our stay before the long ride back through the mountains.

Oaxaca is such an incredible place to visit and hopefully we have been able to provide you with a taste of what it has to offer and why a visit to Oaxaca is so much more rewarding than tourist hotspots like Baja California or Yucatan.

Have you been to Oaxaca? Has it had the same effect on you? Or are you still planning your trip to come and visit? If you have any questions just let us know. We’d love to hear from you and share any tips as always

The post OAXACA: Top 5 Places You Seriously Have to See appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

The ride itself through the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range is simply spectacular, revealing some of Mexico’s most breathtaking scenery! With so much beauty to explore, a trip to La Huasteca Potosina can be very rewarding. Let us share our absolute favourite places we got to explore and make sure you don’t miss out on Mexico’s perhaps best kept secret!

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

Puente de Dios

Puente de Dios was our first stunning stop during our road trip through La Huasteca Potosina. We based ourselves in the town of Tamasopo. A very small town, with basic accommodation and plenty of restaurants – the perfect base to explore the surroundings. From here you can visit the ‘Cascada de Tamasopo‘ waterfalls which are located only 2 miles from the town. With so many beautiful waterfalls to choose from and an ever growing shortlist of which to visit, Fiona and I did skip those. Instead, we had a good rest after our long ride through the mountains and early in the morning we set off for Puente de Dios.

How to get here?

Puente de Dios is located only 2 miles from the town of Tamasopo. After paying a small parking and entrance fee you need to walk down around 300 steps through a lush jungle path. At the end of this walk you’ll reach the picturesque Puente de Dios (Bridge of God). It’s a natural pool surrounded by beautiful waterfalls flowing directly into it. The walls from the surrounding rock formations are almost entirely covered in vegetation and the water has a deep blue colour. If you come here in the afternoon, the water will have the most magnificent colours, turning into a lighter turquoise but it’s also the busiest time to visit. There is a river flowing right through Puente de Dios too which can create a strong current.

You can either jump into it as Fiona did, or simply lower yourself into the water from some rocks. It can definitely be a little slippery so water shoes are nice to have but not essential. There is some rope you can grab in case you struggle with the current or want to have a rest in the water too. Once you made it into the pool you can swim through a cave leading to another waterpool on the other side also.

The best way to enjoy Puente de Dios is to soak in the views once you’ve jumped into it. The water is refreshingly cold but it’s definitely a great cool off before walking back up to the car park.

Watch out for this!

As you get closer to the entrance many locals will try to wave you down and offer you parking for roughly 1 USD. The parking can be quite far from the entrance so I would ignore it and drive all the way right up to it. In addition every parking lot will try to rent you a life vest (required to go for a swim). But then you have to hike with it, so just get it directly from the rental place directly in front of Puente de Dios. The entrance fee with life vest rental was about 2 USD.

Tamul Waterfalls

Tamul is considered the most spectacular waterfall in La Huasteca Potosina. The turquoise coloured water plunges 105m into the pristine Río Santa Maria. It is set in a jaw-dropping canyon surrounded by thick forest. The walls of the canyon are covered almost entirely in vegetation.

To visit the Tamul Waterfalls we based ourselves in the town of Tanchachín. We stayed at a lovely little hotel called ‘Cascada Huasteca‘ with secure parking, a pool to cool off and restaurant. You can book an organised tour to the waterfalls from any hotel in town. It includes pick-up, boat rental, paddling up to the waterfalls and drop-off. This is certainly the easiest but also the most touristy option.

How to get the waterfalls all to yourself?

If you type Tamul Waterfall into Google Maps it will actually lead you to a great hiking spot where you are likely to have the waterfalls all to yourself. The dirt road leading to the parking spot is maybe 20-30 min. ride from the town. At some point you have to pay a small fee (less than 1 USD) as you’ll be crossing private property. Never in my life have I paid to ride down such a terrible dirt road before. But do it – it’s totally worth it!

When you see the little wooden bridge towards the end, you’ve made it. We were the only ones parked up here and paid a small fee (2 USD) to enter. If you don’t feel like riding over all the boulders just before the bridge, you can also park your car up just before. The walk to the entrance will be less than 5 min. You might prefer this option if you aren’t driving a 4×4 or Adventure Motorcycle.

From here it’s a stunning 1 km hike to the waterfall. It takes less than 30 min. and you can’t really get lost. Just follow the sound of the water! Your first viewing point will be the top of the waterfalls. If you have a death wish, like Fiona, you can walk right along the top of the waterfall. Personally I think the view from the wooden viewing platform is just fine :-). Once you’ve taken in the stunning views you can cool off in a little natural pool. It is located on top of the waterfalls. But don’t worry! It is completely safe and separated from the current running into the waterfall.

How to get to the bottom of Tamul Waterfall?

If you have some energy left and don’t mind climbing down some dodgy ladders, you are in for a treat! There is a little path leading away from the natural pool and eventually a set of ladders that allow you to get to the bottom of the waterfall. Standing right underneath it, with the canyon walls rising up to both sides covered in thick vegetation is truly breathtaking.

Fiona and I didn’t take the boat trip because we had such a great time exploring the waterfalls by foot. We felt truly bless to have it all to ourselves! But that’s not to say the boat trip isn’t as well nice. You get to paddle upstream towards the river and the views from the canyon will no doubt be beautiful too. Everyone we spoke to enjoyed the boat trip. So it just depends if you are feeling adventurous and want to get away from the crowds.

Sotano de las Golondrinas

Sotano de las Golondrinas, also known as ‘Cave of Swallows’ is one of the most impressive limestone sinkholes in the world. At 372m it offers the highest freefall drop in the world. But the majority of people come here to witness the spectacle which unfolds every day at dusk and dawn.

Thousands of white-collared swifts live in nests along the wall of the cave. Around sunrise (6 am) they literally shoot out of the cave in a very chaotic and erratic way before they disperse. This entire process takes about 20 minutes.

Before sunset the birds gather in groups and circle above the cave before dive-bombing back into the cave to avoid predators. You can hear them drop into the cave, so fast it’s difficult to follow with your eyes.

The opening of the cave is about 62 meters wide. The deeper you go the wider it gets. At the bottom the cave is around 303 meters wide, the equivalent of 3 football fields. You don’t need to be a passionate bird watcher to enjoy a visit to Sotana de las Golondrinas. It is one of the top places to visit in La Huasteca Potosina and anyone who likes nature will enjoy their visit!

How to get here?

Once again Google Maps will lead you right to the entrance of Sotano de las Golondrinas. You can park right outside the entrance and pay a small fee (2 USD) to enter. You then have to walk down hundreds of steps to reach the cave but it only takes about 20 minutes to reach it.

Morning visits are busier as you can see more birds at once. Whereas at sunset the entire process is split over 2 hours so most people just watch for about 20-30 min. and leave. We arrived before all the tours arrived and there was only about 6 people sitting around the cave. So if you want to avoid the crowds arrive here around 4.15pm. Tours usually get here closer to 5pm.

Las Pozas

Las Pozas are a bunch of surrealistic structures scattered across a subtropical rainforest in the mountains of La Huasteca Potosina. They were created by Edward James, a british poet and art collector who used to rub shoulders with Dalí and Picasso. He moved to Xilitla in the 1950s and transformed a coffee plantation into a bizarre land of surrealistic structures surrounded by waterfalls and natural pools.

What to expect when visiting Las Pozas?

Getting lost in Las Pozas is super fun. You can’t help but wonder what went through Edward James’ mind when creating this. Many structures are unfinished concrete blocks. Some feel very imaginative and surrealistic, others don’t seem to make any sense at all. The structures wouldn’t have been half as interesting if it hadn’t been for the wonderful jungle setting. I kept wondering how much fun it would be to attend an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed tea party here.

Unlike other places we discovered in Huasteca Potosina, the Edward James’ garden are a man-made tourist attraction. They are also much more expensive than the usual 2 USD entrance fee we paid to visit waterfalls or caves. We spent about 90 minutes walking around and by the time we were leaving many tour groups had arrived. I’m sure I wouldn’t have enjoyed our visit as much in the afternoon. Our friends who visited recently mentioned they could only visit with a guide. Again, I’m not sure how much I would have enjoyed Las Pozas as a guided tour. Half the fun is getting lost in it all!

How long do I need to visit Huasteca Potosina?

It will depend if you have your own transport or if you are dependent on taking individual tours, generally offered from the main city: Ciudad Valles. If you have you have your own transport you can usually see the above mentioned places in a matter of 4-5 days. But bear in mind that Huasteca Potosina also has many more places of natural beauty. You could easily spent a month here hiking and chasing waterfalls. There are also many inexpensive campsites you can easily find on iOverlander.

For more stunning waterfalls check out: Cascadas de Micos, Cascadas de Minas Viejas, Cascada el Salto, Cascada El Meco. The Tamasopo Waterfall is fairly small but offers beautiful views and swimming opportunities with rope swings.

Best time to visit

It’s best to visit in winter when temperatures aren’t as hot and there are generally less tourists around!

Avoid June – August due to the rainy season. The colours of the water aren’t usually as beautiful during this time and the roads can get very muddy and challenging to ride. Fiona and I visited in rainy season but were super lucky with the weather. We had a whole week of sunshine! But we also cut our visit short as the weather changed. I’m sure we would have spent more time in Huasteca Potosina if we had visited during winter!

Another busy period to avoid is Semana Santa (Holy Week) around Easter as it can get very crowded.

What are you waiting for?

La Huasteca Potosina is in our opinion one of the most beautiful, least visited and by far most underrated place to visit in Mexico! If you like exploring places of natural beauty that are completely off the grid and not overcrowded then visit La Huasteca Potosina.

You won’t find fancy hotels around like you would in Tulum or other places in Yucatan. But that’s also the beauty of it! Who knows how long it will stay like this until boutique hotels start popping up and the entrance fees multiply? Visit this hidden gem while it it’s still under the radar!

Have you visited Huasteca Potosina? Or do you have questions about your upcoming trip? Let us know your thoughts or share any questions you might have. We are always happy to hear from you

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