Mexico truly has something for everybody! Artists can explore the thriving art scenes of places like San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca City and San Cristobal de las Casas. Wine lovers can explore the ‘Ruta del Vino’ and foodies can feast on deliciously fresh seafood in Baja California. And then there is Oaxaca of course – the epicentre of Mexico’s food culture. But did you know that Mexico also offers world-class surf breaks, snorkelling and diving? And in addition to all of this, the abundance of natural beauty will leave hikers and nature-lovers truly spoilt for choice!

So no matter if you want to be completely off the grid and camp on remote beaches or party on rooftops, indulge in fine dining and relax in hot springs – Mexico won’t disappoint!

CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE MEXICO BY REGION or watch our travels through Mexico on YouTube for more travel inspiration!

1. Wine Tasting in Baja California

I’m an absolute wine lover! And despite the fact that Fiona doesn’t drink alcohol, I’ve managed to drag her to fourteen wine tastings across the world so far. It doesn’t matter if we are in Bali, Vietnam or Guatemala – if a country produces wine, then I want to taste it!

And what better welcome could we have expected after crossing the border into Mexico than to couchsurf with a local winemaker? It was pretty awesome! Jorge took us into work for a few days. We cleaned out barrels, checked all the sulphate levels, adjusted them accordingly and spent a lot of time in the actual vineyards. But the best part of it was tasting all the delicious wines of course and to make sure they were maturing well

You can explore ‘Ruta del Vino’ from Ensenada, or if you want to splash out, stay at one of the many vineyards.

2. Ride through the Sonoran Desert of Mexico

I’ve seen many deserts before but none quite like the Sonoran desert! Riding through it, surrounded by gigantic cacti, felt absolutely surreal! Surprisingly, despite the harsh climate the Sonoran desert has the most diverse vegetative growth of any desert in the world. Who would have thought?

To be honest, as we were riding through it I didn’t pay much attention to the diverse plant and animal life. The climate felt dry and harsh! But in reality, the types of plants growing here, not only survive but thrive in this environment!

There are two ways to experience the Sonoran desert. Ride south on Highway 1 and you’ll have a pretty decent asphalt road which only requires you to avoid a few potholes. Alternatively, take any of the dirt roads running in parallel to the highway. If off-road is your kind of thing, then you’ll be in heaven! We had an absolute blast riding through the Sonoran desert on our Adventure Bike.

CHECK OUT: TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

3. Swim with Whale Sharks in Mexico

Did you know that that there are many places in Mexico where you can snorkel or dive with Whale Sharks? They are the biggest fish in the ocean but don’t worry, they are very gentle and luckily don’t eat humans

If you want to swim with these gentle giants, then your best bet is Baja California or the Yucatan Peninsula. But pay attention to the time of the year as you can’t spot them all year round!

It is very easy to book tours to the Espiritu Santo Island National Park from La Paz. Punta Baja is a reputable tour operator with great reviews. Tours costs upwards of 100 USD.

For sure the nicest places in the Yucatan Peninsula to see the whale sharks from are Isla Holbox and Cozumel. However, this is down to personal preference (whale sharks aside these are two beautiful places to visit). To find out more check out the blogpost below!

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

4. Sunbathe on Balandra Beach

Mexico is blessed with turquoise coloured water and white sand beaches. The Yucatan Peninsula and Oaxaca coastline in particular boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. But surprisingly, one of our all time favourite beaches was Balandra Beach in Baja California.

I loved how undeveloped it is! There are no public toilets, no bars, no restaurants, no nothing! You can’t pay for sun loungers on the beach, so you better bring everything you need for a beach day, including food and water. Secondly, the water is so shallow that you can walk onto one of the surrounding beaches. It wasn’t crowded when we visited but we felt adventurous. So we packed a dry bag and walked 30 min. across the water onto the opposite beach, which we literally had all to ourselves.

Last but not least, the turquoise colours of the water are UNREAL! Depending on the tide and day of time you visit the beach can look a little different and during low tide the water is particularly shallow! There is also a beautiful hike (you’ll see the trail easily from the car park) which will award you with the most stunning views of the coastline!

5. Celebrate Independence Day in Mexico

San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful small city in Guanajuato, with immaculately maintained colonial-style buildings and colourful carved wooden doors. It has a thriving art scene and some of the best rooftop bars in Mexico overlooking the historic town.

Independence Day attracts locals from all other parts of Mexico for a huge two day celebration. It starts with “El Grito de Dolores” on 15th September with parades moving through the streets surrounding the historic centre. And it ends with fireworks outside of ‘Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel’, the Neo-gothic 17th century parish church. Celebrating Independence Day in this picturesque city was definitely a highlight of our travels through Mexico!

San Miguel de Allende celebrates festivities all throughout the year and is a very popular place to visit. It is absolutely beautiful and of course also worth visiting outside of festivities. If you want to find out more about San Miguel de Allende then click here!

6. Hike to Tamul Waterfalls

The regions of San Luis Potosí and Chiapas in Mexico have an abundance of natural beauty and boast countless stunning waterfalls, as well as rivers with turquoise blue waters. But Tamul waterfalls was my absolute favourite one!

It’s pretty spectacular and in order to get close to it most people visit by boat. The scenery is stunning and the gorge completely overgrown with vegetation. BUT if you are feeling adventurous and don’t mind a little bit of off-road you can make your way to it independently allowing you to have the waterfalls all to yourself!

Click here to find out more about ‘La Huasteca Potosina’ and how to reach Tamul Waterfall without a tour.

7. Visit the hot springs of Grutas Tolantongo

Amongst the Sierra Madre mountain range in Hidalgo you might find the perhaps most perfect natural infinity pools. Carved into the cliffside and overlooking the mountains the views are hard to beat!

Or why not take a dip in the volcanically-heated thermal river? It flows down in sections creating perfect little pools to relax in. It originates at the main grotto where the water temperature is at its hottest and follows the canyon floor where the water temperature naturally gets cooler.

Fancy a natural sauna perhaps? Then step through the waterfall at the main grotto to explore the cave system where the temperature rises quickly with each step you take. Check out our in-depth guide for more information below!

GRUTAS TOLANTONGO – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

8. Celebrate ‘Día de Muertos’ in Mexico

The ‘Day of the Dead’ is a hugely celebrated Mexican holiday on 2nd November each year. It involves friends and family gathering to pray and remembering those who have died. However, it is NOT a morbid or sad occasion at all! In fact, it’s a JOYOUS celebration of the lives of the deceased which is celebrated with food, drink and parties!

‘Dia de los Muertos’ is generally more celebrated in the south of Mexico. During the day you can expect colourful parades involving music, dance and traditional costumes and in the evening everyone heads to the cemeteries to light up the graves with candles. In the lead up to it locals will often create symbolic altars and public art work as well as decorating their loved one’s grave.

9. Taste Tequila in Tequila

I’m not a huge fan of Tequila but if there is one place in Mexico to have a proper tasting then it has to be in Tequila of course. It’s a colourful, cute little town and with live music as well as a tequila bar right in the historic centre, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Sure, it can get a little touristy with buses in the shape of tequila barrels taking tourists from one distillery to another. But you can easily escape the crowds by visiting the distilleries independently. Our favourite distillery tour was with Tequila 3 Mujeres. It’s just at the outskirts of the city, much less commercial and offers a much more personal tasting experience of quality tequila!

You can even sleep in a giant tequila barrel at the world’s only hotel located inside an actual tequila factory! Matices Hotel de Barricas was a little out of our budget though, so we stayed in a cheap AirBnB right in town instead. But if your budget can stretch this far you can sleep amongst the agave fields in pretty luxurious rooms with a fantastic restaurant and underground tequila bar nearby. They even offer horseback riding in the agave fields and you can tour their distillery also!

10. Explore Oaxaca City

Oaxaca City is one of my two favourite cities in Mexico. I just loved getting lost in its cobbled little streets and walking past all the colourful houses and fascinating architecture. However, it’s nothing like the picture-perfect and immaculately maintained colonial buildings one can find in San Miguel de Allende. In fact many buildings look somewhat neglected and crumbling. But exactly that made it so authentic and fascinating!

Almost half of Oaxaca’s population is indigenous, so it is extremely rich in tradition and cultures. In addition it has a thriving art scene! And to top it all off, it’s also a little food paradise. A trip to ‘Mercado 20 de Noviembre’ food market will allow you to taste all the traditional dishes of this region. My absolute favourite was Tlayudas with Oaxcacan cheese – yummy!

There are also so many amazing day trips you can go on from here which make Oaxaca City a fantastic base to explore one of the best regions in Mexico. To find out more read the blogpost below!

TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT IN OAXACA

11. Walk across ‘Hierve El Agua‘

Surrounded by beautiful mountains you will find a series of mineral springs and rock formations that are so beautiful they almost look unreal! The water which spills over the edge is very rich in minerals and has over time created a bunch of calcified waterfalls. The best way to see them is to go on a hike, which will also allow you to appreciate the true beauty of this place, as most tour buses just stop at Hierve el Agua for a quick photo opportunity!

To read the full guide on how to visit this amazing place click here!

12. Surf in Puerto Escondido

Oaxaca’s coastline has some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Mexico surrounded by lush green rainforest. But surprisingly, it doesn’t get anywhere near the visitor numbers that flock to the Yucatan Peninsula. So luckily you can enjoy these gorgeous beaches with fewer people!

The beaches around Puerto Escondido are particularly stunning and offer world-class surf breaks! Playa Zicatela is a 3.5km long beach and the best-known surfing spot in Oaxaca for experienced surfers. If you are just starting out, try a more sheltered beach like Playa Carrizalillo.

13. Fall in love with San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas was my favourite city in the whole of Mexico! It is set in a gorgeous valley surrounded by the central highlands of Chiapas. I instantly fell in love with its red tiled roofs, colourful houses and fascinating colonial architecture. Alongside a thriving art scene you’ll also find some of the finest coffee in Mexico. You’ll be able to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city from one of the many coffee shops and most even offer coffee tastings!

Check out the traditional markets, hike up to Cerro de Guadalupe to soak in the best view of the city or visit one of the many museums. San Cristobal de las Casas is such an awesome city that I have written a dedicated blogpost to tell you all there is to do, including best day trips. Want to know more? Check out the blogpost below!

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS: BEST CITY TO VISIT IN MEXICO

14. Stay on a coffee farm in Mexico

Did you know that Mexico is one of the biggest coffee producing countries in the world? ‘El Ruta del Café‘ is a windy mountain road in the Soconusco region of Chiapas surrounded by lush jungle and coffee plantations. There are several coffee farms you can visit and some even offer luxury accommodation.

If you want to know more about the Chiapas region of Mexico and what else there is to explore, then check out our blogpost below!

CHIAPAS: TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AND SEE

15. Relax on Holbox Island

Holbox is a car-free island with white sand beaches and a bohemian vibe. It is much quieter and much less developed than other islands around the Yucatan Peninsula. The town centre is cute and has a rustic feel to it with some nice coffee shops, bars and restaurants. But 75% of the island consists of jungle, mangroves and empty beaches, so it remains still largely unspoilt.

There is excellent snorkelling and you can spot flamingos straight from the beach also. Depending on the time of the year you can even swim with whale sharks or see planktons. If you are looking for a super chilled place to relax and not too crowded then you’ll like Holbox. There is also a number of luxury boutique hotels and nice restaurants if you want to treat yourself!

If you want to find out about other amazing places to visit within the Yucatan Peninsula, then check out the blogpost below!

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

16. Join a yoga retreat in Mexico’s Hippie Hangout: Mazunte

There is a cute, little beach town on the coastline of Oaxaca with unpaved roads and an awesome vibe! Here you’ll find the best coffee shops, juice bars, gluten-free and vegan food options. But no matter if you are looking for that perfect wood oven pizza or want to taste local Mexican food, Mazunte has it all!

If you are looking for a yoga, meditation or spiritual healing retreat, then there is probably no better place in Mexico to escape to. Many people arrive here for a couple of weeks but never leave. There is something quite magical about this place!

The internet is a little hit and miss out here so it’s probably not a great base for digital nomads. However, if you want to switch off and connect with your inner-self then this is as good as it gets! In addition, Mazunte is a fantastic base to explore the nearby coastline which features some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico!

17. Jump into a cenote

The Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its cenotes. In fact, there is no other place quite like it. And with over 6,000 cenotes to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice. There is no better way to cool off on a hot summer’s day then to jump into the turquoise coloured fresh waters of a cenote. Did you know that you can even snorkel and dive in some of them?

If you want to know more about where the best cenotes are, what the best time to visit is and how to avoid the crowds, then make sure to check out the blogpost below:

TOP 10 Cenotes to Explore in the YUCATAN PENINSULA!

18. Visit Mayan Ruins in Mexico

Visiting ancient pyramids and finding out about the mayan civilisation is probably one of the most important and fascinating things to do in Mexico! The Mayans had some of the most advanced and sophisticated mathematical systems in the world and entire cities were built based on this knowledge. But you can also learn a lot about mayan traditions and even human sacrifices.

There are thousands of mayan ruins and pyramids scattered across Mexico. If you want to know which are the most impressive Mayan temples to visit and why then click here!

19. Hang out in Tulum

Tulum has a vibrant seafront which is lined with boutique hotels, shops, restaurants and bars. Many face off to the beach so you’ll be spoilt for choice! Most people move between the seafront and the town which is about 20 min. away by bicycle. This is certainly the best way to get around as the main road along the seafront is usually one big traffic jam with nowhere to park.

In town you’ll find amazing coffee shops, book stores and more budget-friendly accommodation and eateries! Tulum is for sure my favourite place to base yourself to explore the Yucatan Peninsula and has a much better vibe than overcrowded hotels around Cancun or even Merida!

20. Sailing in Bacalar

‘The Lagoon of 7 Colours’ is located at the most southern point of the Yucatan Peninsula, at the border to Belize. As it’s a little further out it gets significantly less visitors and is still a largely unspoilt gem!

This is the PERFECT place to come to relax and unwind! Kayaking is one of the most popular activities here but if you really want to take in the mesmerising colours of the water, you have to book a day trip on a catamaran or sailing boat.

Bacalar was the perfect end to our amazing road trip through Mexico. I think that anyone who enjoys nature and appreciates getting away from the crowds will enjoy chilling here also!

Are you ready for Mexico?

I know … I know … we’ve made things more complicated for you, right? You’ve probably noticed by now that our recommendations are scattered across many different regions of Mexico and if you don’t have the luxury of time, then you might need to pick just one or two.

But fear not, as I’ve actually written a blogpost dedicated to solving this exact issue and providing you with an overview of the five most beautiful regions in Mexico. So after reading this, depending on if you love hiking, surfing, diving or history and architecture, you’ll hopefully be able to pick the right region for you – click below to find out more!

WHICH IS THE BEST REGION IN MEXICO TO VISIT?

Hopefully we’ve been able to provide some travel inspiration or at least make you aware of a few new things to explore in Mexico you didn’t already know about. Questions? Feedback? Or just want to share YOUR favourite place in Mexico? We’d love to hear from you

The post TOP 20 Amazing Things To Do in Mexico appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

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

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

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

1. Baja California

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

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

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

Best region in Mexico for:

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

Who will love this?

• Overlanders
• Surfers
• Foodies
• Wine Lovers

2. San Luis Potosí

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

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

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

LA HUESTECA POTOSINA: MEXICO’S BEST KEPT SECRET?

Best region in Mexico for:

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

Who will love this?

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

3. Oaxaca

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

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

OAXACA: TOP 5 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT

Best region in Mexico for:

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

Who will love this?

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

4. Chiapas

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

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

CHIAPAS: TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Best region in Mexico for:

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

Who will love this?

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

5. Yucatan Peninsula

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

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

TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

Best region in Mexico for:

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

Who will love this?

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

Which region of Mexico will you choose?

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Hunting for Perfect Cenotes

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

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

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

Top 10 Cenotes to Explore in the Yucatan Peninsula

2. Visit Mayan Ruins

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

How unique are Mayan ruins to the Yucatan Peninsula?

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

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

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

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

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

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

In case you were wondering …

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

3. See Whale Sharks in Holbox Island

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

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

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

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

4. Cozumel: The Diving Paradise of the Yucatan Peninsula

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

5. Spot Pink Flamingos in Celestún Biosphere Reserve

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

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

6. Visit the sleepy fishing village of Río Lagartos

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

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

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

What about nearby ‘Las Coloradas’?

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

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

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

7. Swim with turtles in Akumal

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

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

8. Hang out in Tulum

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

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

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

If you want to splash out …

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

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

Your Ultimate Guide to Authentic Tulum

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

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

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

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

Tuluminiña

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

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

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

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

10. Kayaking in Bacalar

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

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

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

Are you ready to explore the Yucatan Peninsula?

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

TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO

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

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.

We were ecstatic when we got accepted for the housesit! The property was an old colonial style mansion with a gorgeous roof terrace. The kitchen and living room alone were bigger than my flat back home. I couldn’t think of a nicer place to unwind!

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

First Impressions

We arrived into San Miguel de Allende way ahead of schedule. So we decided to stop for lunch at a restaurant which was located on the main street leading into the historic centre. A rather fancy Italian restaurant and certainly not our usual choice. But we were about to live rent free for 6 weeks and our budget definitely had room for a celebratory lunch

The restaurant was busy and full of ex pats to our surprise. The prices were certainly steep! Not too far off from what I’d expect to pay at my local Italian restaurant in London. What was going on? Were we still in Mexico? We had a long ride behind us and decided to stay put, but it was certainly very strange.

After lunch we rode to the house which was located in the popular neighbourhood of San Antonio. Our ‘new home’ was only 10 min. walk from the historic centre. To get to it we had to drive down tiny cobbled streets. Each side of the street was lined with the most beautiful, colourful colonial style houses. We instantly fell in love!

Exploring Town

Usually when we get to a place we want to visit, we unload the bike as quickly as possible, find a shower and go off exploring. But not this time! We were in absolutely no rush. The home owners left after giving us a tour of the house and we didn’t want to move.

The property felt more luxurious to us than a 5 star hotel! The ample space, the beautifully restored antique furniture, the Egyptian cotton sheets on our bed. And at long last we’d be able to wash all our motorcycle gear – what a treat! We started setting up home and watched the sunset from the roof terrace which overlooked the neo-gothic 17th century parish church ‘Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel’. It was magical!

A couple of days later we were finally ready to explore further afield than the corner store where we’d gotten some groceries, fresh fruits, tortillas and fresh chillies. It was time to explore the historic centre of San Miguel de Allende.

Main sights

The walk into town itself was simply breathtaking! Every building was beautifully restored, maintained and painted. I never got bored of walking into town because we always discovered some new beautiful details we hadn’t previously spotted. Eventually we made it to Jardin Allende which led us into the main square and right in front of ‘Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel’ – the postcard perfect landmark of this colonial town! It was pretty spectacular and I paused for a moment to remind myself how lucky we were to live here for six weeks.

There was a tourist information centre located right next to the square. We walked in to get a map of all the little cobbled streets around us. To our surprise the town was really small and it would barely take us two hours to visit all the main sights!

The historic centre of San Miguel de Allende is simply beautiful! It boasts immaculately maintained colonial buildings featuring Spanish Baroque architecture. In addition, you’ll find a thriving art scene. We met many artists during our stay and it’s easy to see why they are drawn to a place like San Miguel de Allende. One of the things we fell in love with were the many colourful wood carved doors!

San Miguel de Allende’s incredible culinary scene

There is no shortage of rooftop bars, top-notch restaurants and coffee shops scattered across town. Prepare to be spoilt for choice! Unlike other places in Mexico, going out for a meal in San Miguel de Allende doesn’t come cheap though. Given the amount of expats with high levels of disposable income prices may still be lower than going out in London but they are rocket high for Mexico!

Fiona and I considered it a treat to have access to a beautiful kitchen and after many months on the road being able to cook our own meals. So we didn’t actually go out to eat at all in our first 4 weeks. Then, towards the end of our stay, we started going out for leaving dinners with friends we’ve made and checking out quite a few rooftop bars. We had saved quite a bit of money staying in one spot and not moving for a month so decided to indulge in a little bit of fine dining. It was certainly a treat!

Best Day Trips

The Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco

Dating back to the 17th century, the church features Mexican Baroque mural work and is a designated World Heritage Site. Located only 14 km outside of San Miguel de Allende, the rural community of Atotonilco feels like worlds apart from San Miguel de Allende. The ride on gravel roads to reach it was short and fun.

Relax in thermal Hot Springs

Unknown to many people San Miguel de Allende was founded on the edge of an extinct volcano. There are many thermal hot springs you can visit with some offering a pretty luxurious spa stay. It’s certainly a very different experience than visiting the popular thermal spas of Grutas Tolantongo.

Fiona and I chose to visit the Mayan Baths. It’s an adult-only spa that requires reservations as entry is limited to only 45 visitors. I don’t like crowded places so we decided to pay a little extra for this upscale spa experience. We loved the underground thermal water pools, tunnels and candle-lit stone caves! The facilities, service and our massage all lived up to our expectations of a luxury spa stay. Unfortunately the food and drinks didn’t. But we enjoyed our stay overall nonetheless!

Wine tasting right outside San Miguel de Allende

Okay, I’ll be honest. It was nowhere near as special as exploring the old vine route in Baja California. But given it’s proximity to San Miguel de Allende we gave it a shot anyway and thought it made for a lovely visit.

We chose to visit Viñedo Dos Búhos. It’s a family run, organic vineyard set at the base of the Los Picachos mountains producing artisanal wines. We happened to be the only ones there when visiting (they seem to be more used to organised tours) and enjoyed this personal experience. I had a little wine tasting in the cute courtyard and it felt very relaxing and quiet if you want to get away from busy San Miguel de Allende.

Take a trip to Guanajuato

Gunajuato is another colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by beautiful mountains. You’ll be greeted by colourful houses, busy plazas, stunning architecture and if you ride in like us, you may just as well get lost in its confusing underground systems. With traffic redirected through the network of underground tunnels, Guanajuato is a great city to walk around and lose yourself in. It’s a lively city, which isn’t as perfectly maintained as San Miguel de Allende and doesn’t attract anywhere near as many ex pats, giving it a much more authentic feel of the true Mexico. We really enjoyed our day trip !

What I didn’t like about San Miguel de Allende

Okay, so you probably figured out by now that we were having a great time! Nonetheless it was impossible to turn a blind eye towards the negative footprint the large ex pat community has left on the city. With house prices sky rocketing they have become unaffordable to the locals. So have the many restaurants and rooftop bars, although you can still find local eateries where owners are struggling to keep up with the ever increasing rent.

Many of the high-end boutique hotels and restaurants may employ Mexican staff but the owners are often ex pats. There are many language schools, art classes and yoga studios dotted around town. All used by ex pats contributing directly into the pocket of other ex pats. See what I’m saying? All the benefits that come with increased tourism and popularity of San Miguel de Allende don’t appear to serve the locals, rather the ex pats. And many locals are having to move further out of town and commute into their city as rents start being unaffordable.

During our stay we met quite a few ex pats but we also made a lot of local friends that we had met via couchsurfing. So we really got to see both sides! One of our ex pat friends who had come to San Miguel de Allende to submerse herself into the art scene and paint was offered a job at a local art gallery. She turned down the job as the salary was extremely low given the cost of living in San Miguel de Allende. Still, her offer was three times higher than the salary of our friend Jonam who is a local and had worked at the same gallery for a few years already.

Learning Spanish in San Miguel de Allende

We also took Spanish lessons from a local teacher throughout our entire stay. Luckily the homeowner who we housesat for had a great contact for us! Our teacher asked us to pay her the same she gets paid by the language school to teach us for an hour every day: 5 USD each. Yet, if we had wanted to book Spanish lessons at her school we would have been paying 20 USD per hour each and 50 USD for a private class. That’s on par with what I used to pay in London. And it also shows that once again, locals salaries haven’t increased while prices continue to rise!

San Miguel de Allende was the perfect spot for our intensive Spanish course! It really gave us the head start and basis we needed to communicate with locals and keep improving our Spanish throughout our travels in central and South America.

Who is most likely to enjoy San Miguel de Allende

As an independent traveller looking for an authentic Mexico there is definitely a risk that you are going to be put off by the amount of ex pats living here. And you will probably be put off by the prices too. But if you stay a little out of town you can still find an AirBnB around 20 USD and if you stick to local taco stands San Miguel de Allende is still do-able on smaller budgets.

I think San Miguel de Allende is great if money is not an obstacle and you are looking for a base to take that art class, learn Spanish or join a yoga studio. Do you like a bit of fine dining and rooftop bars at night but you are willing to accept that no matter how beautiful San Miguel de Allende is, it has lost some of its authenticity? Or perhaps you love the feel of smaller cities like me and San Miguel de Allende might just offer you that perfect balance.

If you are nearby or considering a detour to visit, I recommend it 100%. We loved our stay here! But it was only after discovering places like Oaxaca City, San Chrístobal de las Casas or even Guanajuato that we had to admit that San Miguel de Allende is nowhere near as authentic. So it’s a bit of a trade off. Do you want picture perfect or somewhere a little rougher but more authentic?

Are you heading to San Miguel de Allende? Do you have any questions we can help with? Or have you been already and want to share your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment below

The post How Authentic is Picture Perfect San Miguel De Allende? 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.

There is no denying that Grutas Tolantongo is a place of divine natural beauty. But we definitely feel that pictures only tell part of the story. In actual fact it was quite different from how we may have imagined it from seeing it on social media previously.

So let us provide you with a more complete picture and share this honest, unfiltered review with you. Grutas Tolantongo is a stunning destination, which embraces Mexican culture but should not be confused with a luxury spa resort.

Here is everything you need to know before you go to make the most of your stay!

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

How to get there

Grutas Tolantongo is about 200km (125 miles) north of Mexico City. The drive takes around 3.5 hours and it’s definitely recommended to secure a hotel nearby and arrive nice and early in the morning to ensure you get the maximum amount of time to enjoy all that Grutas Tolantongo has to offer.

We found the drive, especially the closer we got, absolutely stunning. We saw the sun rise across the beautiful mountain range with breathtaking views of the valley on our way there.

The last stretch is a long and curvy serpentine gravel road until you reach the entrance. You don’t need a 4×4 and it’s not a challenging stretch of road for Adventure motorbikes either. We were fully loaded and enjoyed the ride.

When to visit Grutas Tolantongo?

First of all, forget about having this place to yourself as you may have seen it on social media posts before. Yes, it’s not as well known in other parts of the world but in Mexico it’s a very popular place to visit. Avoid any kind of national holidays or weekend if you want to share this place with fewer people.

Fiona and I visited Grutas Tolantongo as part of a bigger road trip. We were just coming from visiting San Luis Potosi and heading towards Mexico City. So it was very much a stop off on our way through and unfortunately for us this happened to fall on a busy weekend. Ouch!

Take our word for it how busy this place gets and pick a quieter time than we did!

You won’t be able to pre-book hotels

There are four hotels located inside the Grutas Tolantongo.

• “La Gruta” hotel: closest to caves, tunnel and river
• “Hidden Paradise” hotel: best for natural landscape and proximity to thermal pools
• “La Huerta” hotel: best for views of the river and surrounding mountains
• “Molanguito” hotel: recent addition to meet demands and probably the least exciting option

None of the hotels inside Grutas Tolantongo accept bookings !!!

If you want to reserve a room, you need to get here as early as possible, queue, cross your fingers and hope for the best. We found it very unrelaxing standing in line not knowing if we’d be able to get a room or not for quite some time.

Click here to find out more information about opening times, prices and other useful things to know.

Your best shot at securing a hotel room at Grutas Tolantongo

Fiona and I wanted to be here at 7am to increase our chances of securing a room. We were still quite a drive off and had to get up at 4.30am to make it happen. But imagine our surprise when we started passing big, huge tour buses heading in the same direction. We certainly started to get a feel for how busy this place would be. We got here early but we were far from being the only people here. After we got into the queue many more people kept arriving closer to the opening time.

If you want to secure a hotel room get here as early as possible! The Grutas Tolantongo water park opens at 6 am. Fiona and I arrived around 8am. But we still had to wait for a good hour to find out whether or not we could check into the hotel.

The hotels are in different locations. So while you queue at one hotel, you can’t really check for availability in the others. We queued for “Hidden Paradise” and around 9am we found out they had a room for us.

Check-in

Sometimes early check-ins are possible but certainly not on a busy day like ours. We were told to come back around 1-2pm. Meanwhile we could store our belongings at the office and enjoy the thermal waters. It was a mission carrying all our stuff as the parking space were we left our fully loaded motorbike was a little walk away from the hotel. But we were grateful they agreed to take in our belongings at least (which they looked like they dearly regretted once they realised how much stuff we had). Their office is tiny!

Grutas Tolantongo Thermal Pools

As we were staying in the “Hidden Paradise” hotel, we were located closest to the thermal pools. We were finally ready to experience the hot spring wonderland we had imagined! Picture a bunch of infinity pools carved into a natural cliffside overlooking the beautiful Sierra Madre mountain range.

I want to tell you that it took my breath away. But instead I was really surprised to see that amongst the stunning infinity pools people had pitched their tents. It was an eye sore to say the least.

Then we got into the water. Surprisingly it was lukewarm. I expected the water to be nice and hot. I should add that I’m a HUGE fan of thermal pools! But I’ve never visited thermal pools that were lukewarm. It was a warm, sunny day with bright blue sky. Nonetheless, I couldn’t see myself chilling in the pools for longer than 15-20 minutes.

Yes, we took beautiful pictures. But be under no illusion. The pools were busy! People kindly moved out of the way when we tried to take a picture though. So with a bit of patience we got some pretty awesome shots.

Getting around Grutas Tolantongo

The entire complex of the water park is huge. The main attractions are the thermal pools, the thermal river and the cave. But it can take around 45 min. walk one way along the river to get from the thermal pools to the cave. There are taxis, but we found them relatively expensive (in relation to the entrance fee anyway). And besides, we wanted to explore the place and were keen to get around by foot, taking in the pretty views.

Watch out for on-going construction works

The walk was indeed beautiful. But surprisingly we passed so many building sites. There is a huge drive to expand the water park and accommodate more visitors. So everything from new hotels to new man-made pools and even restaurants are being built. Watch out for the odd metal rods sticking out from the ground and make sure you don’t trip on any debris whilst walking around.

It’s also totally unrelaxing to use some of the facilities with the noise of building work going on in the background. Even the main thermal pools are being expanded and depending on where you are, you’ll hear the building work.

The thermal river of Grutas Tolantongo

After some walking we reached the volcanically-heated river which originates in the main grotto and follows the canyon floor. It flows down in sections creating perfect little pools to relax in. As the water is flowing down a slope you can hear the water flow from each pool to the next.

But something was taking away from the river and the natural beauty surrounding it. The entire stretch along the river was covered in tents, people barbequing, music blasting out of big speakers and it was so crowded that it felt like we were walking through a funfare.

It was like a little festival was going on with people pitching their tents right by the river. We continued towards the cave which was a further 20 min. walk.

The cave of Grutas Tolantongo

The closer you get to the cave, the hotter the water of the river gets. Finally, I thought … hoping the water would be warmer than the thermal pools.

As you get close to the cave, you’ll be required to lock all your belongings into a locker as you are not allowed to take anything with you inside the cave. So we followed the instructions and then proceeded to the cave where we were greeted by a queue leading into the cave.

The cave is located inside a cliff which is covered in vegetation with a stunning waterfall flowing right down it. It’s so beautiful to stand in front of it that we didn’t mind queuing for the cave at all. The cave is also the source of the water which flows directly down the river from it.

To enter the cave you need to walk through the waterfall. Despite all the thermal waters and hot temperature inside the cave, the water running down the cave as you enter is cold. But don’t worry, as soon as you enter it’ll get seriously hot so we actually appreciated this refreshing surprise.

The tunnel of Grutas Tolantongo

After entering the cave you can walk through a 40 meter long tunnel which features stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature rises significantly the further in you go. The warm water is about knee high with only one part that requires you to swim a few meters across (ropes provided). I almost didn’t make it to the very end of the cave as I felt so hot I thought I was going to faint. You can turn back at any time if you feel unwell though.

We really enjoyed visiting the cave despite it being quite busy. It’s absolutely beautiful and after feeling disappointed with the temperature of the water so far, I certainly appreciated what felt to me like entering a steaming, hot sauna.

Eating at Grutas Tolantongo

There is no food shortage here and there are many different places to eat. Some basic looking eateries and some proper restaurants, but essentially all serving more of less the same food. You can definitely find cheap enough places to eat if you are on a budget. Many families also BBQ all along the river so there is always a smell of freshly grilled meat in the air.

Nighttime at Grutas Tolantongo

After sunset and dinner we decided to go back to our hotel. The walls were super thin so we could hear every word the people next door were saying. Although we all had private rooms it still felt like a shared space. But what really bothered me is the ever louder blasting music coming from the various speakers around. Taste of music aside, the quality of sound the speakers were producing was terrible. Never mind that different music was being played on top of each other at full blast. We just wanted to relax in our room but it was impossible. I feared it would continue all through the night and I wasn’t looking forward to it. Then, completely out of the blue, all heaven broke loose. It started thundering and you could hear the windows being battered by torrential rain.

I immediately thought of the many poorly set up tents we saw throughout the day. I was pretty sure that many people would not be able to stay dry in these weather conditions. But almost instantly all music stopped and it was quiet and peaceful. I felt so relieved and it was so relaxing for the rest of the night. Yes I felt pretty bad for anyone camping that night, but I was too busy enjoying the outcome of the drastic change in weather, as that it would cause me a sleepless night.

If you like the idea of walking around, having some drinks and quesadillas to loud music, this might be just your ticket. But if you want to relax away from the noise you may prefer to find a hotel located outside of the resort.

Best time to take photos

The best time to take photos is to get up super early in the morning. Of course we had planned to be the first ones up and take some awesome shots before leaving. But it was miserable the next day! Really foggy, cold … there was no way the pictures would do the natural beauty and views any justice so we decided to have a lie in instead.

How much time to spend in Grutas Tolantongo?

The complex is pretty big so it definitely takes a day to check it all out, even if you pay for transport / taxis and don’t do it all by foot. For sure many families stay here for a week to camp out by the river, gather with friends and family and enjoy the thermal waters.

I was very happy with our one day visit. We saw everything and experienced all it had to offer. Even if it hadn’t been as crowded or noisy, I am not sure I would have stayed longer. The thermal waters just weren’t hot enough for my liking to spend another day here. If you arrive first thing in the morning then I think one day is enough.

So is it worth visiting?

Yes, but pick your time better than we did. Avoid weekends and holidays. Weigh up the options of queuing for a room to stay on-site vs booking a place within a short driving distance. It might be easier knowing you have a place to stay for sure and not losing time in the morning to queue and look for accommodation. We were lucky but it’s frustrating to not know if you can have a room for sure.

Also, despite the fact that not everything was to our liking I need to say that after our 4 months stay in Mexico we learned a lot about Mexican family life and entertainment. So a lot of it was down to cultural differences.

One person might think that the people managing Grutas Tolantongo don’t care about preserving its natural beauty. But others may embrace how liberally people can enjoy all the natural beauty around them. There is no denying the locals were all having a great time! And after all, this place is in Mexico, run in a way that is most likely to be enjoyable to Mexicans so I don’t believe it should change just to accommodate us tourists. Natural beauty aside this place will definitely give you a feel for the Mexican way of life.

Even though Fiona and I picked a super busy day to visit we are both grateful that we could experience it!

Are you ready to experience Grutas Tolantongo?

Hopefully this blogpost has helped you understand what you can expect from a visit to Grutas Tolantongo. The good, the bad and the ugly. Once again, we are happy we got to see this place and certainly don’t mean to put people off. We just felt this place is being really hyped up by social media and felt it would be worthwhile to write a transparent review, not just posting awesome pictures. Though we love the pictures too of course

The post GRUTAS TOLANTONGO: All you Need to Know Before You Go appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

And if you are looking for some awesome travel inspiration check out
TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO or watch our travels through Mexico on YouTube!

How to book the La Paz to Mazatlan Ferry Crossing ?

The two companies that operate this ferry crossing are Baja Ferries and TMC. Baja Ferries focuses mostly on passengers and is popular with overlanders. TMC is predominantly a cargo ferry. That said, you can go with either company as they ultimately both offer passenger and cargo crossings.

Both ferries travel overnight. TMC allows you to stay in your vehicle. Baja Ferry doesn’t but allows you to book a cabin. The cost is more or less the same. For Fiona and I, it wasn’t important which ferry we would travel on.

Can I book online?

In theory yes. However, it was not possible to buy tickets online at the time we tried to book. You can call the company directly and our Mexican Couchsurfing Host was luckily around to help with this. Despite his help we also didn’t succeed to book over the phone though. We therefore decided to arrive in La Paz two weeks before our intended departure in order to book the tickets in person, directly at the ticket booth.

What are the ferry operating times?

Both companies usually offer regular services throughout the year. However, during the time of our booking (August 2019) TMC had no departures at all for several weeks. We could therefore only travel with Baja Ferries.

Baja Ferries Ticket Office in La Paz

Upon arrival we were first told that Baja Ferries weren’t able to sell us a ticket either. We were so stressed at this point! We had committed to a house sit on the mainland and didn’t have the luxury of waiting around for a few weeks. After some more spanglish we understood they could only offer us a ticket for a cargo ship. That was fine with us. We just needed to get across! The lady at the counter then wanted a bunch of paperwork but wasn’t able to sell us an actual ticket still. Our place will be reserved she said – just like that! No ticket, no formal reservation of any kind. Fiona and I had very little trust in this process. So we decided to travel to the actual ticket booth at the ferry departure terminal and try our luck there!

Baja Ferries Ticket Booth at Terminal Pichilingue

If you type “Baja Ferries Pichilingue” into Google Maps it’ll take you to the La Paz to Mazatlan ferry crossing departure. This is also where you should in theory be able to buy your ticket in person. It’s roughly a 25 min. drive from La Paz downtown.

Upon arrival the situation was still pretty much the same. Provide a whole bunch of documents and just rock up on the day. No payment required in advance. I insisted on an email confirmation stating that we had a reservation at least. Luckily the lady behind the desk agreed to provide us with one. We felt a little better about that already.

Paperwork required to book the La Paz to Mazatlan ferry crossing

T.I.P. (Temporary Import Permit)

In order to get our paperwork sorted, we first visited the Banjercito (little booth next to the ticket counter). The T.I.P. is an essential document to travel across mainland Mexico. You will need it when entering and exiting. The idea is that you pay a deposit for your vehicle which you’ll get back once you exit the country again. Providing you haven’t illegally sold your motorcycle of course

The fee for preparing the T.I.P. is roughly 60 USD. The deposit will depend on the registration year of your vehicle.

The documents you’ll need to provide are:

1. Passport
2. Vehicle Registration & Title
3. Insurance (both for Mexico and USA where we purchased the bike)
4. Driver’s license
5. Mexico Tourist Card (you receive this at the border when first entering)

Note: It helps to have several copies of each document above. If you don’t, you’ll need to run back and forth to another little booth to get copies for a small fee.

Once you provide all necessary documents and pay (card or cash) you will receive your T.I.P. and a sticker for your windshield. I strongly advise you to check the documents for typos. Pay special attention to the VIN number, license plate, passport number and make sure everything matches. Typos are common and cause such a headache later if not immediately rectified. We learned that lesson at a later stage in Panama where it caused us huge issues later with our sailing trip to Colombia.

Ticket reservations are meaningless – don’t rely on them!

Once we obtained our T.I.P and showed our documents we finally received our e-mail confirmation for the La Paz to Mazatlan ferry crossing. Once again, they don’t normally send any kind of confirmation. We insisted on it for peace of mind. Little did we know, that it counted for nothing!

We now had two weeks to enjoy Baja California before our actual ferry departure. And we felt happy it was all taken care of. Off we went to explore Baja California Sur. You can read more about our favourite places below:

TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

We returned to La Paz the night before the ferry crossing. The ferry departure time was 5pm. However, we were told to arrive no later than 1pm to complete all necessary procedures before we could board the ferry.

The day of our La Paz to Mazatlan ferry crossing

So here we are. We arrived nice and early and proceeded to the very same ticket booth where we reserved our tickets. But surprisingly we were told that we couldn’t buy a ticket and that the ferry was sold out. We were furious!

Next we were told to go to another ticket booth where we might be able to obtain a last minute ticket. In case of cancellations or any left over space as they explained. So now we found ourselves in a tiny little booth filled with lots of other people wanting to take the ferry. There was no information how long we would need to wait or how many people may be able to travel. And there was no system to determine who arrived first. So we didn’t move and waited impatiently!

Last minute tickets … but not for us!

Around 4pm the people behind the desk started giving out tickets. But not to us. Just anyone else … including people who walked through the door only minutes before. We were outraged!

Someone later provided us with the following explanation: The ferry can only carry a certain amount of passengers. It is therefore in their interest to carry as many vehicles with the fewest amount of people (ideally one vehicle and the driver). In our case the transport of the motorcycle was cheaper than a car or van or truck and we were riding two up. In essence, we were taking up valuable passenger space and more money could be made selling tickets to single drivers of larger vehicles.

I can’t confirm if this is what happened. But it certainly felt like it. And without any other plausible explanation we accepted that this might be how Baja Ferries operates. By this time it was around 5pm. Tickets were now all sold out and we were told that around 7pm we could board another ferry going to Topolobampo. We checked our phones … Topolobampo was 280 miles and roughly a five hours ride north of Mazatlan. No way! We declined and demanded to be put on the next ferry to Mazatlan. But of course, we could not buy any tickets again. Imagine returning the next day to find yourself in the exact same situation.

We were so upset at this point that we just wanted to get out of Baja and reach the mainland at any cost. So reluctantly we accepted the ferry crossing to Topolobampo after all.

Going through customs

This part was very straight forward. We walked back to the parking lot and passed the main gates, proceeding in the “Nothing to Declare” line. They checked our passport, TIP and ensured the VIN matches the paperwork.

Weighing your vehicle

Okay so this part I was actually looking forward to. I knew our motorcycle weighed about 200kg. But with all the crash bars and luggage I was very curious to know what the scale would say. We paid and received a ticket in return. But no one had any interest in weighing the motorcycle. I insisted because we had two hours to spare and I wanted to know how heavy the bike is. No luck!

Finally … we could buy that damn ticket

Once you pass customs there is a little TMC office to your right. The exact same booth we previously queued for tickets. But only now, after passing customs and paying for not weighing our motorbike, were we actually able to buy our ferry tickets!

Boarding the ferry

We could board the ferry almost immediately despite being super early. Perhaps because motorcycles have to park at the very front. In any case I was pretty happy about that. The ferry staff then secured our motorcycle with straps. I will add though, that we bumped into some locals on GS Motorcycles that carried their own straps. They advised “it’s better” to secure the bikes properly and even helped us out with an extra strap.

Life on the ferry

We knew we had boarded a cargo ferry but I didn’t expect such a poor set up. There was a canteen which only served food at a specific time. No announcement was made and you could easily miss it and not be given any food. This happened to us but we managed to track down the chef (not like we had anything else to do). He kindly gave us a plate of leftovers. The food was extremely basic so we recommend you bring snacks!

Apart from the dining area, which was tiny with rather uncomfortable chairs, there is just one area for passengers. It’s quite small and consists of a few rows of seats. The room is pretty chilly, the tv is on non-stop and that is pretty much where you are expected to stay for the duration of your journey.

There are basic toilet facilities and you can go for a walk. But honestly, there isn’t much to explore. We were happy to have made friends with the chef and the other motorcyclists so we killed some time listening to each others travel stories.

Once we arrived, after a sleepless night, we had to ride five more hours to Mazatlan. In order to get there quickly we took the toll roads. The money added up quite quickly. Yet another unexpected expense! But then we arrived in Mazatlan where Mauro, our fantastic couchsurfing host, came to meet us. He took us out for some tacos and we headed to the beach. I’d love to tell you that the trouble of the ferry crossing was soon forgotten about. But honestly we still get worked up thinking about it today.

How can we avoid these problems with the La Paz to Mazatlan ferry crossing?

I honestly don’t know what we could have done differently or better to avoid the issues we had. Some people have a trouble-free experience. But we are one of many travellers that were not so lucky! The forums online are full of similar disappointments!

Understanding the process helps. Come prepared and understand that you can’t buy a ticket until you pass customs. And whatever you do, NEVER ASSUME it will be smooth sailing and bring that extra bit of time.

Sorry we don’t have a magic recipe to make the ferry crossing easier. But we hope this blogpost has helped to prepare you for some of the issues you may encounter nonetheless.

Last but not least: please share your experience with us! We’d love to know how the ferry crossing went for you. If you have any questions, tips or advice please comment below

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