Bonjour! J'aimerais beaucoup parler a des gens qui ont fait le chipas car je souhaite m'y rendre au mois de Juillet. Est-ce que san cristobal est bourre de touristes? certains me disent que oui, d'autres que non = S
Est-ce prudent de s'aventurer hors de cette ville? (Je ne suis pas parano, mais avec tout ce quon entend dire, c'est dur de se faire une idee objective!!) Me conseillez-vous certains villages, lieu ou endroit a visiter? Je ne connais personne etant alles la-bas, j'aimerais des conseils sur un peu tout: visites, securite, ou se loger vraiment pas cher (quelqu'un y a deja fait du camping?)
Merci d'avance!
Il ne faut jamais arreter de rever 😉
Jacynthe
moi, j ai été a san cristobal au mois de nov et déc 2005
c est une ville a ne pas manquer et oui, il y a des touristes.
pas de probleme pour te prommener dans les environs.
moi qui était toute seul avec mon sac. j ai pas eu de probleme
Mexique (chiapas) et Guatémala.
pour te loger, j ai été au backpackers hostel pres de l'église Santo Domingo le prix je croit c est 40 pesos et tu peut mettre un tante sur le terrain avec toillet et douche et petit déjeuner fourni.
pour la visite:
le grand machémusée de l ambre (fermer de 2pm a 4pm pour la siesta)c est a san cristobal qui sont les départ pour aller a Bonampak (ruine maya)
et le Yaxchilan par agence c est a voiret village San Juan Chamula (interdit pour les photos)
c est une tres jolie ville, il y a beaucoup d'églises sont tres belles c est a voir
si plus info pas de probleme
@+ Regy
La Paix ce n'est pas quelque chose qui vient de l'extérieur. C'est quelque chose qui vient de l'intérieur.
moi aussi je suis allee dans le chiapas, mon coup de coeur au mexique. bien sure il y a des touristes mùais en se levant tot tu peux profiter de la ville et faire des photos sans eux.
a l'epoque il y avait effectivement des tentiosn (2000) je ne sais pas ce qu'il en est maintenant mais cela ne nous a pas empeches de visiter aux alentours;
a san christobal il ne faut pas manquer le marche.
san juan de chamula a une eglise avec une atmosphere vraiement speciale (attention a l'epoque interdit de faire des photos dans l'eglise).
sinon a partire de san christobla ily a des excursions dans les villages alentours (plusieures formules a velo, a cheval etc...). chaques village a une specialtiee et un costume different. un vrai regal!
salut jacynthe,
et bien tout pareil, tu ne pouvais pas faire meilleur choix, mais si tu as le temps, vas faire un tour au guaté.
Sinon, tu peux rajouter le canion del sumidero a visiter ( pour ceux qui y sont aller recement, y a t'il toujours cette partie, disons spéciale, au debut de la promenade, j'en dis pas plus, il faut laisser la surprise , parce que moi, ca a remis en cause a paquet de mes sales habitudes).
Sinon, il y a une posada dont je ne me souviens plus du nom, mais tres simple a trouver (je vais chercher dans mes carnets), a l'ambiance tres cooooool, pas cher (possibilite de mettre la tente egalement, sauf si y en a deja une...), cuisine ouverte, etc...(si ca se trouve, c'est la meme que regi)
A +
Le nom de la posada, j'ai toujours pas, c'est rue "real de guadalupe"
A propos de Yaxilan et Bonampak, Palenque est plus près que San Cristobal et me semble un meilleur point de départ. On m'a dit beaucoup de bien de Yaxilan, que je n'ai pas vu. Bonampak peut être décevant : les peintures murales des 3 salles sont très détériorées, on peut en voir des reproductions rénovées au musée d'anthropologie de la capitale.
Je regrette aussi de ne pas avoir fait d'excursion à cheval à partir de San Cristobal. La région est vallonneuse et cultivée ce qui donne de charmant paysage. San Cristobal est également une belle ville coloniale qui mérite d'y marcher au hasard si vous faites votre premier voyage en Amérique latine.
Je confirme : Palenque est un site magique à visiter !
Et pour le logement l'hôte Mayabell près du site et si c'est complet ( souvent !) les cabanas juste en face...
Et puis c'est vrai que le Guatemala est vraiment à voir !
je confirme egalement pour palenque mais j'ais egalement trouve agua azul inoubliable, et misol ha quand il y a de l'eau est un lieu de pique nic agreable.
par contre le canyon de sumideiro, j'ais trouve bof et chere, les vues du canyon d'en haut m'avaient l'aire plus interessante. mais peut etre etait ce un mauvais moment pour y aller en fin de journee.
bon voyage
Comme certains l'ont déjà dit, il faut juste se ballader au hasard des magnifiques rues pavée à San Cristobal pour capturer l'essence de la ville.. va en tout cas faire un tour au marché maya, très typique, avec fruits, légumes, .. des paysans des villages viennent acheter et vendre des biens. Sinon, c'est assez interessant d'aller voir le musée de la médecine maya, c'est un peu hors du centre en sortant de la ville depuis le marché maya, tu passes dans une zone plus pauvre, mais pas de problème (bon entre début 2004 et fin 2005 ils ont commencé à bétonner la route, ça fait un peu moins authentique par rapport à avant). Le musée de la médecine maya est surtout sympa si tu va passer par Chamula, parce que là tu peux visiter l'église (photos interdites) et voir cette médecine mise en pratique. Sinon pour les villages, c'est moins dangereux que ce que tout le monde dit. Effectivement, il y en a où tu ne peux pas aller. Mais Chamula, c'est le tourisme de masse, et cela change même la mentalité des gens.. je trouve assez triste d'ailleurs, mais ça vaut la peine d'aller voir l'église. Sinon, Zinacantan, c'est un super village et les gens sont plus ouvert, en plus beaucoup moins de touristes. Tu peux aussi aller au lacs de Montebello depuis San Cristobal. C'est une excursion d'une journée (enfin tu peux aussi faire ça seul et prendre le temps que tu veux) et tu passe par les grottes de San Cristobal, Amatenanguo del Valle (village de potiers) les ruines presque pas visitée de Tenam Puente (il y aura personne, ça change vraiment des grands sites et super vue sur la vallée, mais attention, les moustiques sont féroces). Sinon on risque de te proposer des excursions depuis San Cristobal pour visiter Palenque, Misol-Ha et Agua Azul en un jour. C'est vraiment trop peu. Mieux vaut aller à Palenque, consacrer une journée pour les ruines et ballade, une journée pour Agua Azul, Agua Clara, Misol Ha. Depuis Palenque, tu peux aussi aller à Yaxchilan et Bonampak. Ca vaut vraiment la peine. Yaxchilan c'est magique et si tu as de la chance tu rencontrera des singes hurleurs.. Bonampak, c'est une tstructure totalement différente, très interessant. Et c'est vrai que les fresques sont un peu déteinte, mais elles sont tellement vieille, et c'est les originiale.. je n'arrivais pas à m'en détacher.. Enfin, si tu as le temps, tu peux faire Tikal au Guatemala depuis Palenque.. il faut compter 3 jours, 2 jours de voyage et un jour pour visiter Tikal. Ca en vaut vrament vraiment la peine..
pour zinacatan un moment magique c'est la sortie de l'ecole. tous les enfants sont en costume, lesq garçons avec leurs petits ponchos et les filles leurs chales brodes. par contre en 2000 il etait interdit d'y faire des photos.
pour les lacs de montebello je ne sais pas c'est mon grand regret de ne pas y etre alle mais iletait precise qu'a l'epoque il etait dangeraux de s'y rendre. peut etre un jour retoyurenerais je dans le chiapas et je ne manquerais pas d'y aller cette fois.
petite precision a l'epoque il y avait reelement des problemes; lorsque nous sommes passes a chamula il y avait un rasseblement d'hommes sur la place, nous n'avions pas compris de quoi il sagissait. le lendemain dans les journeaux il y avait en gros plan une femme de chamula qui se tenait le visage ensangalte dans les mains. il y avait eu des emeute et une intevention muclee des forces de l'ordre; aussi oorsque l'on nous disait dange, on ne se le faisait pas redire!
bon voyage
Je rajoute deux ti lieux a visiter a scdlc :Le musee "na bolom", c'est une ancienne propiriete privee transformee en musee. On y apprend plein de chose sur l'histoire des lacondoniens, et sur l'histoire du chiapas en general. une boutique sympa : "taller lenateros". Un boutique associative dediee au papier dans toutes ces formes. L'ideal pour acheter un magnifique carnet de voyage frabriqué exclusivement avec des fleurs (perso, j'ai eu du mal a ecrire dessus tellementil est beau ce carnet).
A +
oui oui pour le canyon c'est toujours pareil et d'ailleurs bien déconcertant pour un début de visite et ce malgré tous leurs efforts pour nettoyer. Mais cela ne doit pas empêcher d'aller voir cet endroit. Le Chiapas est je pense une des plus belle région du mexique, il y a tellement de choses à voir là-bas et cela ne craint rien contrairement à ce que l'on veut nous faire croire. De toute façon, les zapatistes ne nous en veulent pas et en plus on ne les voit pas. La région est tellement dépaysante que ce serait dommage de passer par là sans y rester au moins quelques jours.
Cécile
Près de San Cristobal il y a aussi le "plus gros arbre au monde" ! Bon, comme les américains l'admettent ( cf une plaque informative au Yosemite park ), ce doit surement être le plus gros d'Amérique du nord. Il est situé à Tule, facilement accessible en bus, prévoir une demi-journée et vous serez revenu à San Cristobal. Je l'ai trouvé très impressionnant, mais je travaille dans ce domaine. Ca n'a rien de la forêt vierge, il est situé sur une plaza à côté d'une église. Reste que, pour certains, ce n'est pas sans intérêt.
Yvon LeD
Près de San Cristobal il y a aussi le "plus gros arbre au monde" ! Bon, comme les américains l'admettent ( cf une plaque informative au Yosemite park ), ce doit surement être le plus gros d'Amérique du nord. Il est situé à Tule, Hola Yvon.....Qué pasa contigo.... Tule cerca de Oaxaca pero legos de San Cristobal...
Que suerte....ninguno vera tu error....😏
oui effectivement l'abre est pres de oaxaca et non de san christobal c'est vrai qu'il est impressionant.
une petite anecdote:
nous arrivons a tulle, bien decides a trouver cet arbre! et la nous voyaons un arbre vraiment enorme nous nous aprochons pour le voire de pus pres et la les enfants nous font signes "pas celui la! pas celui la!"
et de nous montrer la direction ou se trouvait le fameux arbre;
effectivement notre arbre enorme avait l'air ridicule a cote de l'autre.
Maudite boisson !😊 Ca me revient : la petite italienne m'expliquant le trajet avec les yeux brillant d'enthousiasme était à San Cristobal, mais je partais le soir même vers Oaxaca...
Hola amigo del lago ! Su castellano es bastante mejor que miyo ! No estas luchando para el parco ?
Yvon
No estas luchando para el parco ?
Yvon
.....ils ne m, ont pas consulté et ils ont bien fait😉
J, ai bien peur qu, on se dirige tranquillement vers un nouveau Tremblant modèle Charest...😕
Sniff....
Tu veux parler de Tule (nom du pueblo) qui en fait se trouve sur la route de Mitla, autre site à voir aux alentours d'Oaxaca et petit pueblo bien tranquille et quasi sans touriste !
Il y a aussi les cascades Hierve el Agua dans le coin.
Quels bons souvenirs le Chiapas 😎😎😎
J'adhère complètement à ce que tout le monde t'a dit au sujet du Chiapas.
Il y a néanmoins un endroit dont personne ne t'a parlé. Ce qui ne m'étonne pas, je n'y ai vu que 3 touristes Mexicains ... C'est entre Palenque et San Christobal, le pueblo, c'est Ocosingo, le site, c'est Tonina.
Comment te parler de Tonina ????
C'est le plus merveilleux site que j'ai pu voir, même Palenque, El Tajin, Chitchen, Tulum, Coba, Monte Alban, le Macchu P etc .... ne m'ont pas fait un tel effet. Il est tout simplement WHAOU 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
Et, cerise sur le gateau ... PAS UN TOURISTE 😉😉😉 d'où une certaine hésitation à en parler sur VF, mais les super plans, c'est fait pour être partagé, non ? 😎
Il n'y a pas vraiment de structures pour accueillir les touristes dans le pueblo, néanmoins, tu peux facilement soit planter la tente, soit trouver une petite chambre. Si tu y vas seule, on va te regarder comme la "curiosité" de la journée !!! bien marrant en fait, tout le monde voudra venir te parler !!! j'ai souvenir d'une petite fille 4/5 ans, qui est revenue sur ses pas après être passée devant moi ... elle était scotchée 😮 trop mignonne !
Bref, depuis Ocosingo, pour aller sur le site, il te faut prendre le colectivo jusqu'au terminus après la base militaire, environ 20/30 mn. A l'entrée, tu as un musée splendide, que je te conseille de garder pour le retour.
Essayes d'y arrivée de bonne heure. Lorsque je m'y suis présentée, il n'y avait que 2 lignes de remplies sur le livre d'or, 1 Mexicain de Tuxtla et 1 classe de ... 32 élèves (aïe .. aïe.. aïe !!!) mais, non, le site était largement assez grand pour que nous ne fassions que connaissance sans nous gêner. J'ai même suivi attentivement les explications du prof (très intéressantes) mais vu que je dissipais les élèves, j'ai continué en les devançant.
A mon retour vers midi, j'ai croisé environ 200 élèves !! donc, de préférence, vas-y le matin !
N'hésites pas à prendre une grande bouteille d'eau à l'unique épicerie/bar/resto sur le chemin du site (après l'entrée), tu en auras besoin !!! Si il est toujours là, salut José, le "serveur" un jeunot de 19 ans maintenant qui t'en apprendra long sur les moeurs mexicaines (surtout concernant le mariage .. je te laisse la surprise !)
Tu peux monter jusqu'en haut du site, si tu n'as pas le vertige et aime la grimpette, les escaliers des capitoles de Chitchen et Coba (entre autres) sont de la rigolade à côté !! Prévois de bonnes chaussures.
J'arrête là avant de devenir trop longue, mais comme tu l'as deviné, Tonina, c'est pour moi LE SITE. A la sortie, vers le gardien, tu verras 1 ou 2 "papys" campesinos qui vendent des boissons, l'un d'entre eux est Jacques (je crois), ils t'en apprendont long sur l'origine du site et les différents peuples qui y ont vécu. Là encore, que des gens formidable !!!
Juste un détail, au retour, tu peux passer par Jatate, pour te baigner et donc te rafraîchir; L'eau vient d'un fleuve et est très agréable, si tu n'as pas pensé au maillot, pas de problème, ils se baignent tout habillé !
Voilà, si tu veux en savoir plus sur le site, n'hésite pas.
Dernière précision, je ne dénigre absolument pas les autres sites qui sont également des merveilles que j'ai également édorés et où je retournerai voir avec un immense plaisir. Notamment Yaxchilan, qui en vaut vraiment la peine (depuis Palenque effectivement c'est mieux car plus proche) et où là aussi, tu auras une chouettte grimpette ! (enfin au Guaté, je pense que la palme revient à Tikal, non ?)
bon voyage, et niveau sécurité, ben moi aussi j'étais seule et jamais je ne me suis sentie en danger 😎
Wow!! Merci pour toutes les réponses, c'est vraiment très gentil à vous tous!
Malheureusement, mon voyage au chiapas sera reporté car je me suis fait laisser tomber par ma compagnone de voyage. Je pars donc au costa rica avec ma soeur! (povre de moi :P)hehe!
Merci! Ca m'a vraiment donné le gout d'y aller, l'été d'apres, ki sait?
Jacynthe
Ben pourquoi tu n'y vas pas toute seule ??? Le Costa Rica (je ne connais pas donc loin de moi d'avoir une opinion) visiblement ne te tente pas, alors pourquoi ne pas te faire plaisir ???
Je ne comprends pas ?
Salut! La raison est simple, j'ai 17 ans et mes parents ne veulent pas que je parte seule! Mais ce n'est pas grave j'suis pas du genre à m'apitoyer sur mon sort, et le costa a l'air chouette! Quand je disais povre de moi, c'était plutot sarcastique...en voulant dire qu'être déchirée entre 2 pays d'amérique latine n'est pas un si grand probleme!
Merci pour ton aide, c'est très sympa!
Jacynthe
Ce qui ne m'étonne pas, je n'y ai vu que 3 touristes Mexicains ... C'est entre Palenque et San Christobal, le pueblo, c'est Ocosingo, le site, c'est Tonina.
Ce qu, il faut savoir....: Le 1er janvier 1994 la révolte zapatiste éclate au départ d'OCOSINGO et depuis Ocosingo demeure le coeur de la rébellion. Depuis ce jour, les excursions qui y étaient régulierement organisées au départ de SCLC ne se font plus. On se contente maintenant de Zinacantan et San Juan Chamula.....à la rigueur Montebello et Sumidero...
Mais le site est encore régulierement visité. On peut même y aller a pieds a travers la foret au départ du camping pas loin de là (super camping tenu par des américains).
Tonina n, a pas une tres longue histoire maya comparée à Palenque p.exemple( periode classique récente).Le site vaut surtout pour ses statues de morts et/ou de créatures fabuleuses. Pour les passionnés lire les ouvrages de Pierre Becquelin et Claude-françois Baudez qui ont bcp travaillé sur le site dans les années 70. De toute façon prétendre Tonina plus beau que Palenque, Uxmal etc......franchement faut le faire.....😏
Merci pour les auteurs et précisions sur le site 😉 c'est pas tombé dans l'oreille d'une sourde !
De toute façon prétendre Tonina plus beau que Palenque, Uxmal etc......franchement faut le faire.....😏
Je n'ai jamais rien prétendu de tel, relis mon message. Je ne suis pas à même de "porter un jugement" et ne le fais pas d'ailleurs. Je parle pour moi, uniquement pour moi, comme précisé !
Donc, franchement, faut le lire 😏
C'est le plus merveilleux site que j'ai pu voir, même Palenque, El Tajin, Chitchen, Tulum, Coba, Monte Alban, le Macchu P etc .... ne m'ont pas fait un tel effet. Il est tout simplement WHAOU ....
....effectivement faut lire et relire.....le plus merveilleux site 😄
Désolé mais tu ne trouveras personne sur ce forum qui osera prétendre que Tonina leur a fait ''plus d'effet'' que Palenque...
Tu dois avoir vu ou senti des choses que toi seule peut ressentir...
Chanceuse va....😏
C'est bien pour ça que j'hésitais à en parler sur VF. Tu ne fais que confirmer cette appréhension. Je garderai donc à l'avenir mes "vu ou senti des choses que toi seule peut ressentir... "
Et laisserai les Uxmal Lands à la hollywoodienne pour les autres !
Petit veinard, on ne se croisera pas 😇
Effectivement, la raison est simple ... Au moins, si plus tard tu veux y aller, tu araus un aperçut 😉
Et ce qui serait sympa, c'est qu'à ton retour du Costa, tu nous fasses part de ton expérience là-bas !
Ça me fera vraiment très plaisir!!! Je ne suis jamais vraiment revenue par écrit sur mes voyages auparavent, mais promis je vais le faire! Après tout on doit renvoyer l'aide reçu non? 🙂
Je te souhaite bien des voyages et bien des rêves dans le futur...c'est si bon!😉
Jacynthe
Merci 😉😉😉😉
Alors, n'oublies pas le carnet dans le sac et d'y noter les bonnes adresses et ressentis du jour ! c'est en le relisant qu'on en comprend toute la valeur, tellement de détails échappent à notre mémoire, du moins superficiellement !
A toi aussi pleins de rêves, et surtout, la chance de les vivre !
Moi je comprends très bien ce que tu as pu resentir. Je n'ai pas fait ce site ais comme tu en parle me donne envie d'y aller. Dans un autre genre plus touristique j'ai fait la ruta pu'uc et en effet même si tous les grands site sont merveilleux pour moi c'est ce qui m'a le plus marqué. Peut-être est-ce le fait d'être seul sur les site loin de la foule qui les rend encore plus grandiose. Pour moi Uxal et chichen itza c'était un peu comme disnez land, trop de touristes, trop de commerce, trop de tout. Par contre pouvoir aller sur des sites ou peu de touristes vont est quelque chose d'absolument merveilleux.
Cécile
je comprend egalement ce que vous voulez dire. en fait j'ai eu la chance de pouvoire me trouver sur pas mal de sites a l'ouverture a un moment ou il n'y avait personne et c'est la que j'ais le mieux resentis certaines choses. du coup c'est a uxmal que j'ais eu vraiment un coup de coeur, mais la route puuck j'ais bien aime pour son calme.
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I’m heading to Guatemala for 18 days in August with my 11-year-old and I’m wondering if renting a car makes sense—not so much because of the road conditions, but because I’d like to spend about 3 days in Livingston. Since it’s only accessible by boat, I’d have to leave the car in Río Dulce. Maybe possible at a hotel, but that means paying for a rental for 3 days without using it...
Same issue for Semuc Champey—it’s only reachable by 4x4, and I won’t be renting that type of vehicle.
Also, has anyone traveled from Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) to Cobán (to explore the caves and waterfalls in the area)?
According to Google Maps, it’s a 6-hour, 44-minute drive... so whether by car or minibus, it’s *really* long (same for Cobán-Flores later).
Are there any interesting stops along the way where I could spend a night? And if I’m not renting a car, is it possible to take two private shuttles for this route?
In 2024, I spent two months solo in El Salvador. While I’m still putting together my travel journal on Myatlas, here’s a quick recap.
It’s a country where it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
SAFETY:
For a long time, the country was considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of the "maras," ultra-violent gangs. But today, I think it’s the safest country in Latin America.
BUDGET:
For French tourists, the country is very affordable, especially in the less touristy regions.
TRANSPORT:
I got around everywhere by local bus.
Local buses go everywhere and run all the time. For me, it’s the best way to travel in El Salvador—you’re fully immersed, moving at the pace of the locals, and interacting with Salvadorans who are eager to connect with travelers.
I saw all sorts of things on those buses—I’ve got dozens of stories!
PEOPLE:
I’m used to traveling all over Latin America, and for me, Salvadorans are the warmest and most welcoming. Everywhere you go, people say, "Welcome to El Salvador!"
The connections and long conversations with locals were my favorite part of the trip.
TOURIST CROWDS:
The country isn’t well-known among European tourists, but Americans and Quebecers visit. Overall, it’s still pretty low-key, especially compared to other Central American countries. That said, tourism has been growing since security improved significantly.
WHAT I LOVED ❤️
-Suchitoto, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Central America.
-The volcanoes—there are so many! Santa Ana is the most touristy.
-The lakes—also plentiful. Coatepeque is the most famous, but there are lots of lagoons too.
-The mountainous regions, where the cooler weather is a nice break: La Palma, Perquín, Cerro El Pital, etc.
-The charming villages along the Ruta de las Flores, especially Nahuizalco with its nighttime atmosphere and food stalls. Juayúa and others are great too.
-The conversations with people who lived through the horrors of the civil war in Perquín and Cinquera. I met one of them by chance while waiting for a bus.
For surfers, El Salvador is a paradise, with world-famous beaches.
WHAT I LIKED LESS:
I loved almost everything, but I found the archaeological sites a bit underwhelming. Joyabaj de Cerén is billed as the "Pompeii of El Salvador," which is a stretch (though it *is* a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value).
I’ve been reading some really conflicting info about the best ways and advantages of exchanging euros for Mexican pesos. For those with recent experience, could you shed some light? Is exchanging at the airport currency exchange offices more worthwhile? Other advice suggests that withdrawing with an international bank card is the best option. Thanks for sharing your experiences on this!
Philippe
Hi,
We’re planning a trip to Mexico this summer (loop through Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche). We’re thinking of using public transport or possibly renting a car. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a lot of recommendations. Are these states safe for solo travelers? Are there any precautions we should take or areas to avoid?
Thanks,
Hi everyone, I’m planning to go to Panama in December and I’d like to know which city is closest to the Panama-Costa Rica border—and just across the border in Costa Rica—to buy the cheapest bus ticket? Just so I have proof of onward travel when I take my flight, thanks.
When planning a trip to Panama, you often hear about Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or even San Blas. Yet, there’s a region that remains relatively under the radar in travel guides: the Arco Seco.
Located on the Pacific coast, between the provinces of Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos, the Arco Seco enjoys a generally drier climate than the rest of the country. Even during the rainy season, you’ll often find more sunshine here than in other parts of Panama.
For travelers who love alternating between beaches, nature, hikes, and local discoveries, this region is definitely worth a detour.
A few ideas for visits:
• The beaches of La Ensenada, El Palmar, Punta Barco, and Coronado
• Surfing at El Palmar, one of the most well-known spots on the Pacific coast
• Kitesurfing at Punta Chame, which is highly reputed!
• El Valle de Antón, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, with its hikes, waterfalls, artisan market, and hot springs
• Various hikes offering stunning panoramas
• The waterfalls in the San Carlos and El Valle areas
• Golf at Vista Mar or Coronado
• Fishing villages where you can still buy freshly caught fish directly from local fishermen
What I particularly love about this region is that it lets you discover a more authentic and peaceful side of Panama while remaining easily accessible from Panama City.
I’ve been living in San Carlos for several years now, and I’m still discovering new places, trails, beaches, and hidden gems.
If anyone is planning a trip to this region and has questions, I’d be happy to share my favorite spots and personal recommendations.
I’m reaching out to tap into your knowledge and experiences, as my partner and I are heading to Guatemala and Belize for the entire month of February 2020, and we could really use some tips.
I was thinking of spending 20 days in Guatemala and 10 days in Belize, especially since our flight arrives in Guatemala City and departs from Belize.
We were considering hiring a driver-guide for part of our time in Guatemala. Which part do you think would be best? We’re choosing this country for all the culture and traditions it has to offer, so skipping a guide entirely would be a shame—but I can imagine it’d be tough to keep one for all 20 days.
So maybe a week or ten days. What kind of budget should we plan for? And most importantly, do you have any contacts for reliable driver-guides?
Thanks in advance for your valuable advice.
Marilyne
Hi there! We’ve decided to head to Panama this summer and would love to do a road trip with a rental car—there are four of us, and our kids are 20 and 23. Do you have any recommendations on must-see spots and things to avoid? Any great tips for accommodation, restaurants, or activities? Thanks so much for your help
Hello,
We’re heading to Playa del Carmen for two weeks in August with our 4-year-old child.
We’ve seen that you can visit places like Tulum or Cozumel on your own using colectivos. For Coba, we’re hesitant to go alone because we’d like to see the cenotes and the Mayan village.
But we’d prefer to find a French-speaking agency that guarantees small-group tours, especially for Sian Ka’an.
We’d rather avoid the "mimi tours" even though they’re recommended by a lot of people and the *Guide du Routard*, based on the reviews we’ve read.
I’m interested in the agency Muuch Ximbal, which seems to offer slightly different outings. There’s also H and L Tours or Delphine Fautré’s agency (though the last two don’t list excursion prices). We also found Promomaya, but apparently, they don’t have an on-site agency.
Do you have any tips or other agencies to recommend?
We’d also like to swim with dolphins but outside of the Xcaret and Xel-Há parks. Do you know of other ways to swim with them, maybe even in the open sea???
I’ve also seen that it’s possible to swim with whale sharks—is this doable with a 4-year-old who doesn’t like putting her head underwater yet? Have any of you done it? This excursion is quite expensive, and I’d be okay with swimming with them, but just sailing on a boat without being able to see them would be disappointing.
PS: Our Spanish isn’t very good.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
we’re traveling as a couple to Guatemala from Feb 8 to 22.
We’ve realized that given the distances, it feels a bit short.
So, we’ve decided to limit ourselves to:
- Antigua: 3 nights (from Feb 8 to 11), including the arrival day
- Lake Atitlán: from Feb 11 to 14 – 3 nights in San Juan La Laguna, including the morning trip from Antigua to Lake Atitlán
- Chichicastenango: from Feb 14 to 15 – 1 night to attend the Sunday market and visit the cemetery
We have 7 days left that we’re not sure how to organize to cover:
Flores – Tikal – El Remate, then head back to Guatemala City for our flight on Feb 22.
Actually, I have a few questions:
Do you think the time in Antigua and at the lake is enough?
We might do the Pacaya Volcano, which is accessible for beginners, and that’s it.
Should we spend a bit more time at these two spots: Antigua and the lake? If so, we’d have to skip the Chichicastenango market.
We’re also thinking of leaving Chichicastenango to head to Flores, then staying overnight in El Remate. Does that seem doable in one day?
We’ve noted that the trips are long, and since we don’t want to rush, we’ve reduced the number of accommodations. Even though we know we won’t see everything, we don’t want to miss the must-sees.
We’re also wondering if we’ve planned the route in the right direction, or if we should head straight to Tikal when we arrive.
Anyway, I know this is long, but we’re a bit lost.
Thanks so much for your help!
Annick
My partner and I would like to travel to Mexico during the Christmas holidays. We’re well aware that this is a peak tourist season, but it’s the only time of year when we can take a long trip (over two weeks) due to work commitments.
We’re looking to avoid overly touristy areas and travel independently (renting a car). We want to explore Mexico’s history, take our time, and enjoy nature and the sea.
I’ve never been to Mexico before, and I’m considering the following regions (not all of them, of course): Yucatán (outside Quintana Roo), Baja California, Oaxaca, or Chiapas.
I’ve more or less ruled out Chiapas for safety reasons (even though the nature there looks amazing), and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the other regions. From experience, I know that even in highly touristy areas, you can often find quieter spots with good planning and by avoiding the main hotspots. For example, we were in Thailand last year during the same period, and aside from 2-3 places, we had a very peaceful trip—sometimes even being the only Westerners around. Would the same be true for Yucatán or Baja California?
Do you have any recommendations for nice, less touristy spots? What are your thoughts on the regions I mentioned?
Thanks so much for your help, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi there,
We’ve had to change our plans, so we’re heading to Guatemala from October 16 to 25, 2025 (in just 6 days 😱 😊😕), with two kids aged 8 and 10. No time difference for us.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Morning: Arrival in Guatemala City at 9 AM. Drive to Antigua (1-hour shuttle) / Afternoon: Stroll around Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 2: Explore Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 3: Visit the area around Antigua OR hike a volcano (Acatenango?) / Night: Antigua
Day 4: Drive to Chichicastenango for the big market (how many hours?) / Afternoon: Iximche ruins? Or the hanging bridges at Atitlán Reserve? Or spend the day in Chichicastenango / Night: Panajachel
Day 5: A day by boat visiting villages around the lake and checking out local crafts (which villages to pick?), Night: Panajachel
Day 6: Drive to Flores with 1 stop? Should we go to Semuc Champey? (how many hours?), Night: ??
Day 7: Drive to Flores (how many hours?), Night: Flores
Day 8: Yaxha (1.5-hour drive each way with a driver), Night: Flores
Day 9: Day trip to Tikal, Night: Flores
Day 10:: Flight from Flores to Guatemala City, then departure at 4:30 PM
About hiking a volcano, I’ve read mixed reviews. Some say it’s easy, others say it’s tough.
Is there a kid-friendly hike where we could see lava from a volcano? Is it only visible at night? Do we *have* to sleep at the top and come down the next day?
I’ve heard of people doing it with 2-year-olds by carrying them, and others using horses—but I guess the horses don’t go all the way up? Seeing a real volcano would be amazing! I think it’d be a memorable experience for the kids. It’d be so cool to say, "We did that as a family!" But maybe it’s way too hard and a bad idea...
I’m struggling to find reliable info on travel times:
- How long is the drive from Antigua to Chichicastenango, please?
I’ve read shuttles leave at 7 AM and arrive at the market by 8:30 AM, but I’ve also seen people say it’s a 4-hour trip 😕.
Are the times on Google Maps reliable?
A blog mentioned visiting Chichicastenango’s market in the morning and Iximché in the afternoon. That seems like a lot of driving, especially after leaving Antigua in the morning. What should we do in the afternoon instead?
Days 6 and 7: The trip from Panajachel to Flores. Any advice on taking an overnight bus?
Should we go during the day with a stop at Semuc Champey? Or fly and spend the extra day somewhere else?
Day 8: Is a full day at Yaxha too much?
Thanks so much for your help—it’s *so* valuable with such short notice! 😅 😅 😅 THANK YOU
PS: If you have recommendations for private drivers, shuttle services, or any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it!
Hi, a friend will be in Panama at an all-inclusive resort and was wondering if it's worth visiting the Canal in a single day, and also which attractions shouldn't be missed.
Is it better to choose a package deal? What's the recommended mode of transport for this trip?
Thanks
We’re a retired couple in our 70s looking to spend six weeks in Costa Rica between mid-January and mid-March 2026. We’d like to stay in comfortable bungalows (2x3 weeks) and rent a car for the entire period. We enjoy light hiking and some beach time, but we also love relaxing on a shaded veranda, reading, and unwinding. Which places would suit these preferences? We have a lot of experience with this kind of stay in the French West Indies or Indian Ocean islands but have never been to Central America. Does anyone have good tips?
Hi there, after my trip to Nicaragua in January, I’m planning to visit Honduras and El Salvador during the same journey. Can anyone tell me where to cross the border from Nicaragua to Honduras by bus? Is it doable? Safe? And most importantly, what’s a good route to take and what’s worth seeing in Honduras in a safe way?
Is it better to travel with a group (through an agency) or is solo travel no problem?
P.S.: And for El Salvador, same question—what’s a good route and what’s generally worth seeing? Is it better to start in the south (El Salvador) and then head north to Honduras before continuing to Guatemala, or...?
I spent two months alone in Guatemala this summer, without a guide or agency, and I’d love to share a quick recap of my impressions.
● First off, it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
If you want a guide for excursions, you can easily find one through the many agencies in Antigua or Panajachel. In Flores, there are also plenty of agencies offering multi-day jungle treks.
● I got around by shuttle for part of the "classic" and more touristy route. To step off that path, I took "camionetas" (chicken buses) or minibuses.
For me, "camionetas" are the best way to get around Guatemala. They let you travel everywhere, fully immersed, at the local pace. They run all the time and are even an adventure in themselves.
Shuttles are direct, but local buses aren’t.
No matter how you travel, trips take a while because roads are often in bad shape, and in the mountains, you can’t overtake.
● As for safety, there’s nothing unusual compared to other Latin American countries. Just keep in mind it’s not Europe. As a solo woman, I try not to draw too much attention—though traveling alone already does that. Like in other countries, I was often asked where my kids and husband were, and I just gave whatever answer I felt like.
● Budget-wise, Guatemala isn’t too expensive for French tourists, but Antigua and Panajachel—two very touristy spots—are pricier.
● Guatemala is a small country but incredibly rich in culture and nature (volcanoes, mountains, beaches, etc.). You can easily spend several days (or even weeks) in each region.
● My top picks ❤️:
- The Mayan markets, especially the one in San Francisco El Alto
- The Ixil Triangle: Nebaj, Chajul, Acul
- The stunning landscapes around Todos Santos Cuchumatán
- Antigua, very touristy but beautiful
- Lake Atitlán, also touristy but gorgeous
I planned to climb Pacaya Volcano, but early in my trip, there was an earthquake in Antigua, and by the end, I wasn’t in the mood. Climbing Acatenango is more spectacular but also more challenging.
● Biggest highlights ❤️ ❤️:
- Tikal—it’s THE must-see site, an incredible mix of archaeology and nature!
- The Joyabaj Fair, which I hadn’t planned to visit but ended up spending a week at: Mayan ceremonies, equestrian parades, diverse dances, processions with Mayan priests, and especially the "palo volador"—the highlight of the festival!
● Small letdown 👎:
- Ranchitos del Quetzal, where I went hoping to spot the quetzal. I knew it wasn’t the right season, but I was still disappointed—I didn’t see any other birds either, and the hiking options were limited. It also took me a slight detour from Cobán.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
● If you’re interested, I kept a more detailed travel journal, and I’m working on another one just about the Joyabaj Fair:
We’re planning a 15-day family trip in February 2026 (with 3 teens). We’ll be visiting friends who live in Puebla. Initially, I was thinking of the Yucatán, but after reading up on it, I don’t think it’s the right fit for us (too crowded, too touristy).
So, we’re leaning toward something like this:
- Mexico City: 2 days (Teotihuacán + city)
- Puebla: 3 days
- Tehuacán: 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?)
- Oaxaca: 3 days (Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tours)
- Pacific Coast: 4 days (snorkeling, excursions)
Does this seem balanced? We’d like to end on the coast for some relaxation, ocean time, and fun for the kids. I’ve seen lots of excursions offered along the coast but can’t decide where to stay. Puerto Escondido? Huatulco? The beaches seem better for snorkeling in Huatulco, but I’ve read mixed things, and it’s farther away. What do you think?
For transportation, is this doable by bus? I’m struggling to find a decent bus between Tehuacán and Oaxaca (overnight schedules), and I’m not sure how to get around the coast. Also, how do we handle luggage between cities? We usually rent a car.
Finally, I’d love feedback on the Pacific Coast excursions—I get the feeling some are worth it and others aren’t. Is bioluminescence really magical? Are dolphin-watching tours ethical and not too "factory-like"? (We skipped them in Quebec and just watched whales from shore.) Can you see sea turtles up close?
Hi everyone,
There’s not much info out there on Nicaragua in general, which is why I posted my questions here on the forum... but didn’t get many answers since it’s tough to find any anyway.
It’s a stunning country, but my experience was mixed.
There are areas with very few tourists (which is exactly what we were looking for), but as a result, there’s almost no way to get around (unless you walk, and even that’s not easy or always possible) and no real tourist infrastructure.
Finding info is nearly impossible—there’s practically nothing, so it’s hard to know what you’ll find in a given place, whether it’s worth taking a 12-hour bus ride across the country, only to turn around 48 hours later.
The easy and pleasant spots: Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and the Pacific beaches, León, and the Corn Islands. These are the places mentioned in guidebooks (the rest is jungle to the east, not many roads south of the lake, and no boats on the lake either—except for the Rivas-Ometepe connection). Venturing off the beaten path is really tough.
The Caribbean coast: aside from the Corn Islands (which are very touristy but not easy to reach by ferry from Bluefields), or if you want to take a flight with La Costeña, book in advance—there are often very few seats! The rest isn’t particularly satisfying, especially Pearl Lagoon, where swimming isn’t possible due to unsafe water. Don’t expect a postcard-perfect setting. But everything’s worth it if you have the time...
Buses: there are plenty, and they’re super cheap—but be warned, they stop everywhere, take forever, and are loud (though kind of charming in a vintage way). Too many buses can ruin a trip.
Lodges: affordable on a small budget, except in Managua and along the entire Caribbean coast! For example, beaches like El Tránsito (which is gorgeous) charge at least $50 or $60 per night for a basic room. Good to know.
In Matagalpa, we tried to rent a motorcycle to get around—impossible. I asked everywhere, but there was no way. So we cut our stay short because once you’ve explored Selva Negra, there’s not much else to do (an 8-hour bus ride to see a waterfall? No thanks). These might seem like small details, but they really matter when you want to enjoy where you are and discover nice spots—you end up stuck.
Bring plenty of mosquito spray + oral antihistamines: mosquitoes and bites are a *serious* nuisance. (I got over 200 bites in one go during a trip to a humid tropical forest, even though I was covered and protected.)
All in all, it’s an adventurous, exploratory trip. The people are great, and we never felt unsafe (even though some travelers have had *really* bad experiences). I thought there’d be a carnival since it was the right time of year—nothing. No dancing, not festive at all (compared to Brazil, for example, it’s the complete opposite).
We saw animals, but no toucans, for example!
For a beautiful, pristine, and well-organized trip, everyone agrees—go to Costa Rica, but be prepared to pay a lot more. Nicaragua is something else entirely. For surfers, though, it’s amazing! Personally, I love watching fish in clear, calm waters, hiking in nature, and swimming—I think I picked the wrong destination, but I’m glad I got to experience this totally wild side of Central America! :-)
Here’s our itinerary for 15 days in Guatemala.
Does it seem logical in terms of distances to avoid overly long trips? If not, which stop should we cut?
- Antigua
- Atitlán
- Lanquín
- Río Dulce
- El Remate – Flores
- Guatemala City
Could you help me estimate the approximate travel time for these routes by tourist bus or shuttle?
- Atitlán – Lanquín
- Lanquín – Río Dulce
- Río Dulce – El Remate
- Flores – Guatemala City
Hi everyone,
I’m so happy 🙂 to be traveling again after 5 years without a trip. I’m heading back to Costa Rica for 18 days from December 12th to 30th with a friend. We’re doing San José-Sarapiquí (2 nights), then Sarapiquí-Tortuguero (3 nights), then from Tortuguero heading to the Cahuita and Puerto Viejo area. We’ll spend about ten days in that region, then make a 2-day stop somewhere before flying back out of San José.
From what I’ve read on this blog, Puerto Viejo seems like the "rasta," party-friendly spot, which is honestly the kind of place I tend to avoid—too touristy. I’m looking for places surrounded by beautiful nature. I’ve already spent several weeks in Drake Bay (in 2019 and 10 years before that) and loved it. My friend also wants to visit the Bri Bri.
Could you recommend some authentic spots in this southern Caribbean area? Your favorite places—whether it’s sights to see, accommodations, or even your favorite little restaurants 😛?
What’s the most authentic way to visit the Bri Bri? What’s your take on that?
And finally, what beautiful stop would you recommend before heading back to San José?
A huge thank you to everyone!
Have a great day,
Zineb
We’d like to do a tour to Yaxchilan and Bonampak from Palenque, but it seems there are tons of travel agencies offering this tour. We’ve also read about a lot of disappointments... any recommendations?
Hi,
I’m heading to Cancun next January and I’m looking for a rental car.
I’m overwhelmed by all these cheap offers from sites like Booking, Carigami, and others...
Some reviews mention extra insurance fees that had to be paid on the spot.
I’d love to hear about your experiences—what company did you use? Were you charged any additional costs?
A lot of ads redirect to Touracancun, but they don’t seem trustworthy to me.
Thanks for your feedback!
My son is finishing up a year of working holiday in Canada soon. His plan is to take a bus from Montreal to Florida on 10/26, stay there for a few days, then fly to Cancun, Mexico. From there, he doesn’t have a precise plan yet, except to head down to Panama if the security situation in the countries he’ll cross allows it. Then, in March 2026, he’ll take a flight to Martinique, where he’d like to either find a sailboat (as crew) for the return transatlantic crossing (option 1) or do a sailing internship that includes the crossing (option 2).
So my questions are:
- Will he be able to re-enter Mexico without an exit date or proof of a flight back to Belgium? Would being able to prove his return by sailboat with a specific date (option 2, the sailing internship) make things easier?
- Are there any countries to avoid between Mexico and Panama? He’s traveling backpacker-style on a small budget.
Hi everyone, absolute travel lovers after our 20 trips to the USA, we’ve decided to head to Mexico in February (flight already booked: Nice to Cancun on February 20th, returning on the evening of March 1st).
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things:
- **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island?
- **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend?
- **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car.
Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres.
Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour.
Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view).
Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera.
End the day at Playa Paraíso.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal.
Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal.
Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen.
Evening on 5th Avenue.
Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino).
Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min).
Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos.
Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport.
Return rental car. Return flight.
Back in 2002, we spent two weeks in Playa del Carmen. We did day trips to Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Xcaret.
We’re heading back at Christmas with our two daughters, aged 15 and 19. I’m sure it’s changed a lot with the booming tourism.
Flights are booked: Paris-Cancún on 19/12 (arriving at 8:20 PM) and Cancún-Paris on 01/01 at 1:30 PM. We’re still finalizing the itinerary because we want to explore but don’t want to switch hotels too often. We’ll be there for 13 nights and 12 days, so we’re choosing among:
- Playa del Carmen
- Cozumel
- Holbox
- Valladolid
- Tulum
- Mahahual
We won’t do everything, so any tips would be great! I’m also unsure if renting a car is the best option.
Hi, can you tell me if there’s a bus or shuttle from Alajuela to the Nicaragua border via Los Chiles? I’d like to avoid going through San José.
Thanks for your help!
A fantastic trip, dominated by the Altiplano, volcanoes, and especially the Mayan people!
Our route: Antigua – San Lucas de Toliman (Lake Atitlán) – Chichicastenango – Sayaxché – El Remate – Flores – Río Dulce – Livingston – Antigua
I won’t describe our trip in detail but will highlight a few points that go beyond the usual routes and really won us over.
In Antigua, it’s easy to take a chicken bus from the bus station next to the central market in the eastern part of the city to visit nearby villages. We went to Santa María de Jesús on a Sunday without seeing any other Westerners. We got lost in its colorful market, ate at a *comedor* with local dishes we didn’t find anywhere else, and were surrounded by incredibly welcoming Mayans.
Several villages around Lake Atitlán are well-covered by travelers and guides like *Routard* and *Lonely Planet*, but if you want to stay somewhere more authentic, I recommend San Lucas de Toliman (we stayed at *Casa Qatzil*—great place!). It’s in the southeast of the lake, with a market on Tuesdays and Fridays, a central square full of locals (more of those super-friendly Mayans!), and the option to visit other villages by *lancha* (boat) for the day. A walk toward the lake lets you pass by the washhouses, and there are hikes accessible by *pick-up* (shared transport), like the twin volcanoes Tolimán and Atitlán or Cerro del Oro (less challenging!). We loved visiting Santa Catarina Palopó—get lost in its maze of steep alleys, admiring the blue facades with their characteristic paintings. There are direct *chicken bus* connections to Chichicastenango in 1.5 hours. Cheap and convenient, though a bit bumpy!
Chichicastenango is famous for its market, described as the largest in Central America, on Thursdays and Sundays. A flood of tourists arrives between 10 AM and 1 PM, shuttled in by organized buses from Lake Atitlán and Antigua. But if you have time, stay overnight the day before and enjoy the market before 10 AM or in the afternoon. This little town (more of those welcoming Mayans!) is worth lingering in for a day or two to visit the cemetery, extraordinarily colorful and a site of Mayan rituals. Also take time to go to *Plaza Baktun*, a site considered sacred in Mayan culture where religious ceremonies take place around seven sculptures several meters tall.
The ruins of Aguateca are barely excavated (most structures are still covered in vegetation) and are only accessible by boat, traveling up a tributary of the Río de la Pasión to the sound of howler monkeys and birdsong (1.5 hours from Sayaxché). We felt like we got a sense of daily life in the ancient city—not just its religious dimension—with its ravine for sheltering women and children during attacks, its cliff, and defensive walls. Alone with our *lancha* driver, who acted as our guide in the barely cleared jungle, this site doesn’t overlap with Tikal at all—the vibe is completely different.
We stayed in El Remate instead of Flores to visit Yaxhá and Tikal, at *Posada Ixchel* (great place!). This quiet little town lets you stroll along the lake and hike in *Cerro Cahui*, a protected biotope leading to a viewpoint. Plus, it’s on the way to the sites, saving 45 minutes per trip.
Feel free to ask me questions about the places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
I’ve just got two tickets for my partner and me to spend 18 days starting from Oaxaca.
We arrive on the morning of 10/27 and leave on the afternoon of 11/13.
I’ve already booked a lodge for 7 nights about 20 km from Oaxaca.
The idea is to be nearby, especially for Día de los Muertos, which my partner has been dreaming about.
I’ve got a few questions:
- First, do you think renting a car is essential, or are the local bus networks (around Oaxaca) dense and reliable enough?
- Roughly how much do taxi rides cost?
- After our stay in Oaxaca (where the schedule is still flexible), I plan to head to the Pacific coast around Mazunte, with a goal of visiting a lagoon at night to swim in the bioluminescent algae and possibly witness turtle hatchings. But so far, I haven’t noted much else. Any suggestions for things to do/see around Mazunte, or along the route between Oaxaca and the Pacific coast?
Thanks in advance for your advice—I’ll definitely be back with more questions! :)
, parce que moi, ca a remis en cause a paquet de mes sales habitudes).
Sinon, il y a une posada dont je ne me souviens plus du nom, mais tres simple a trouver (je vais chercher dans mes carnets), a l'ambiance tres cooooool, pas cher (possibilite de mettre la tente egalement, sauf si y en a deja une...), cuisine ouverte, etc...(si ca se trouve, c'est la meme que regi)
A +
