After months of feverish anticipation and preparation it's time for the final details of our long journey into Mexico, a large country with much to offer to travelers willing to discover its true wonders.
After the first week in the magnificent Chiapas, the second part of our expedition traveling has developed in the Yucatan Peninsula, a land where the jungle meets the crystal clear Caribbean Sea, in a mixture of history and modernity.
Here are some notes, stories and travel tips.
TULUM
A first important tip: keep away from Cancun, because it's much more like a Las Vegas resort that is not a real Mexican town. As a basis for movement is much better instead of Playa del Carmen (absolutely the best hotel Barrio Latino), well connected to the airport in Cancun and all the other tourist destinations of the Riviera Maya.
Whoever steps in these parts can not visit the archaeological site of Tulum, the only Mayan settlement that stands on the beach instead of in the heart of the jungle.
After the first week in the magnificent Chiapas, the second part of our expedition traveling has developed in the Yucatan Peninsula, a land where the jungle meets the crystal clear Caribbean Sea, in a mixture of history and modernity.
Here are some notes, stories and travel tips.
TULUM
A first important tip: keep away from Cancun, because it's much more like a Las Vegas resort that is not a real Mexican town. As a basis for movement is much better instead of Playa del Carmen (absolutely the best hotel Barrio Latino), well connected to the airport in Cancun and all the other tourist destinations of the Riviera Maya.
Whoever steps in these parts can not visit the archaeological site of Tulum, the only Mayan settlement that stands on the beach instead of in the heart of the jungle.
Defense on three sides by towering walls and protected to the east from the cliffs overlooking the ocean, Tulum was clearly a port commercial. The richness of this activity is reflected in numerous sacred structures can still be visited.
A special feature of this Mayan city is the actual presence of a particular type of "inhabitants": dozens of iguanas have taken possession of the ruins! Reptiles look indifferent tourists from the temples and walls, the least disturbed by the constant coming and going of people.
Remaining inside the archaeological site is also possible to reach the white beach "tourism" where you can enjoy the magnificent tropical climate for a swim in the waves Caribbean ... Not bad against the heat of the day!
Before leaving the ruins of Tulum (or even before you enter) see if the square is in progress at the "Dance of the Voladores": This is an ancient ritual in which 4 "flying men" is launched from a rotating pole and a fifth is sitting at 20 m height by playing a flute. Really unusual and interesting.
For transport there is nothing easier: instead of expensive taxis, for only 35 pesos (2 €) you can walk with the Collective (a minivan), the stretch-Tulum Playa ... The only danger is that the air conditioning in some vehicles is kept to a polar
CENOTE
The limestone karst and the Riviera Maya makes a few tens of kilometers are Cenote, the large cavities more or less circular rock-cut and filled with fresh water. In some cases these "craters" are partially or completely underground, making possible the incredible diving in caves and cave systems.
For those who want to visit this natural beauty is just an embarrassment of choice: Simon and I opted for the "Cenote Dos Ojos," which means "Two Eyes":
CENOTE
The limestone karst and the Riviera Maya makes a few tens of kilometers are Cenote, the large cavities more or less circular rock-cut and filled with fresh water. In some cases these "craters" are partially or completely underground, making possible the incredible diving in caves and cave systems.
For those who want to visit this natural beauty is just an embarrassment of choice: Simon and I opted for the "Cenote Dos Ojos," which means "Two Eyes":
These two cavities side by side and almost completely underground, connected by a series of underwater tunnels, where you can take a refreshing swim, do snorkeling or diving tours with the cylinders. Reaching it was a bit tiring, not because of the collectivo from Playa (the cost is negligible, as always, but makes only stop on the main coastal road) and for the 2 km road to go inland in this area very lush. Hot, we just come dazzled by the reflections of the blue still waters ...
and in a moment we dip in the cool water with mask and snorkel.
The landscape unfolds before us is very much similar to what we usually see during our output rather than caving during a dive, but the best the journey is just discovering new things never seen it!
The landscape unfolds before us is very much similar to what we usually see during our output rather than caving during a dive, but the best the journey is just discovering new things never seen it!
We were still sighted, and with two bright torches fronts over the mask set we enter the "bat-cave", a large cave only partially flooded home to a large colony of bats ... but this is very similar to our caves.
Akumal YALKU
clear sea and beaches soups out there, but following different advice, we visited the lagoon / Nature Reserve Yalku. Unfortunately it seems that the only way to get there is through the seaside town of Akumal and then back north for about 2 km ... way to go in feet is very little, but during the warm way they meet many colorful animals ...
clear sea and beaches soups out there, but following different advice, we visited the lagoon / Nature Reserve Yalku. Unfortunately it seems that the only way to get there is through the seaside town of Akumal and then back north for about 2 km ... way to go in feet is very little, but during the warm way they meet many colorful animals ...
and however you can always stop to relax with a swim in the ocean.
A peculiarity of this area is for the presence of sea turtles (nesting in Akumal) and many crabs, so much so that the footprints of the latter stand out clearly on the white sand.
The best is yet to come, and just arrived at the reserve we are struck by how well maintained, much like a botanical garden rather than a nature reserve.
Putting the mask and you are immediately immersed in the water surrounded by dozens of colorful fish and other species, which revolve around the visitors at all afraid
During our snorkeling we vistomolte different species of animals, including a sample of fish parrot at least 80 cm in length. ISLA MUJERES
Our journey is now to the end ... but not before a visit to the peaceful Isla Mujeres in the Caribbean Sea in front of Cancun.
can be reached easily from Puerto Juarez in about 15 minutes by hydrofoil sailing.
Our journey is now to the end ... but not before a visit to the peaceful Isla Mujeres in the Caribbean Sea in front of Cancun.
can be reached easily from Puerto Juarez in about 15 minutes by hydrofoil sailing.
The small island, a flat shape and less than 10 km long, is very less chaotic than many resorts in the Riviera Maya, but it is no less beautiful and enjoyable.
For our night we chose the lovely Hotel Las Palmas, where faniglia Canadian who runs proved to be always polite, helpful and welcoming. Clearly
Who's Coming to Isla Mujeres does essentially three things: beaches + sun + sea, and the offer is not up to expectations:
For our night we chose the lovely Hotel Las Palmas, where faniglia Canadian who runs proved to be always polite, helpful and welcoming. Clearly
Who's Coming to Isla Mujeres does essentially three things: beaches + sun + sea, and the offer is not up to expectations:
But clearly it is not our style to go in 3 days' idleness, we organize a local dive center (again, you can haggle on the price) to make 2 dives with tanks. Before meeting our guide, witness the return of some fishermen just off the boat dallq networks have spread and they began to clean the fish on the beach: in particular a large specimen of "tiburon gato" cat shark
Our stay on the island, both on the beach, by boat, is always characterized by the seagulls and pelicans flying around that there
perhaps hoping to get something to eat.
renting a vehicle, a choice of:
- golf-cart for those who want to be very comfortable
- scooter for lovers of two wheels lazy
- 2 bicycle wheels for lovers of economic
can do literally around the island.
renting a vehicle, a choice of:
- golf-cart for those who want to be very comfortable
- scooter for lovers of two wheels lazy
- 2 bicycle wheels for lovers of economic
can do literally around the island.
Noteworthy is the sanctuary of the Tortugas, a center specializing in the preservation and protection of turtles in which you can come in direct contact with these elegant reptiles: the largest specimens
to those children. ..
all waiting to be released in open sea.
After a visit to the southern tip of the island
After a visit to the southern tip of the island
we take a last swim in the Caribbean: The sky is now a bit cloudy
but still can not ruin that our last day holiday in this wonderful country.
A TODOS HASTA Lueger, VIVA MEXICO!
A TODOS HASTA Lueger, VIVA MEXICO!