Après de longues tergiversations, et quelques messages sur le forum, on est quasi décidés sur le programme... Mais je ne résiste pas à vous demander votre avis ;-)
On compte louer une voiture, à priori chez Hertz car cela a l'air moins cher (??), réserver l'hôtel la 1ère nuit, et après... c'est l'aventure.
On a fait une liste de jolis hôtels où on pourrait s'arrêter... Mais on ne sait pas encore si on va réserver ou non... Bon, on a envie de confort car on va faire Cuba avant dans des conditions un peu plus backpackers !
Votre avis ?
Côté itinéraire, est-ce que c'est trop pour 8 jours ? Ou faisable ? Est-ce que vous rajouteriez/enlèveriez des sites ?
Côté location de voiture, des conseils ?
Côté hébergement, des expériences à partager, des endroits à recommander ? On avait aussi envie de passer 1 ou 2 nuits dans des haciendas, mais les prix sont impressionnants. Vous auriez une bonne adresse ? Il vaut mieux réserver à l'avance ou négocier sur place ?
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils, ils sont toujours en or :-)
Anahé
1er jour (11.11)
Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum-Chetumal (380 km)
Visite : Tulum
Hôtel : Chetumal Holiday Inn *****, 2 x 74.--
2ème jour (12.11)
Chetumal-Kohunlich-Palenque (520 km ???)
Visite : fouiles de Kohunlich
Hôtel : Palenque Mision ****, 2 x 72.--
je vous souhaite bien du courage
en jetant un coup d'oeil sur votre itinéraire il me semble que vous avez oublié
qu'au mexique les trajets en voiture sont tres differents qu'en europe
plus lents, plus stressants, plus dangereux pour les europeens que pour les mexicains
bien-sur
je vous conseille de faire moins d'etapes, et de prendre un peu plus de temps pour visiter
des lieux comme palenque, tulum ...
pour Agua azul, ce n'est pas la bonne saison, c'est la saison des pluies ici et l'eau n'est pas belle du tout
voila
bon voyage
Merci beaucoup pour ce conseil avisé :-)
Je crois qu'on va oublier agua azul. Par contre, faire moins d'étapes... J?imagine que tu veux dire moins de km. Mais si on veut descendre jusque Palenque, depuis Cacun on va bien devoir faire toute cette route, comment limiter les km ???
Crois-tu que nous devrions descendre moins au sud ?
Merci encore,
Anahé
Bonjour, Vous avez bien bossé. J'ai fait un circuit similaire mais dans l'autre sens en 2004, en poussant jusqu'à San Cristobal. Les avions en provenance d'Europe arrivent en général en fin d'après midi, est ce votre cas? Pour Tulum, ne faites qu'un court arrêt, vous verrez mille fois mieux ensuite, COBA serait meiux mais nécessite un détour d'au moins 2 heures. Le musée de Chetumal est intéressant et à côté de l'Holiday Inn. le 2ème jour c'est long mais y a peu d'autres solutions. Kounlich est sauvage et peu mis en valeur, nous y étions les seuls touristes et même pas de guide. Palenque, c'est superbe, le site et la ville également. L'hotel est correct sans plus, ne pas y manger... Agua Azul, c'est tres beau à partir de janvier. 2 nuits sur place c'est suffissant. Campeche c'est une ville fantôme, sans habitants, il n'y a pas de vie derrière les belles façades repeintes. Le stop y est obligatoire (autrement la route est infaisable) mais c'est pas la peine d'y arriver avant 16h OUI OUI pour une journée à Merida. Merida et Palenque 2 ambiances différentes, un autre monde par rapport à Cancun et Playa del carmen! Pour le dernier jour, il faut compter 2 heures entres Chichen et Cancun, donc vous avez largement le temps Pour les sites, à moins d'être archéologue ou spécialiste, on sature assez vite, et au bout de 3 sites, on a l'impression de voir les mêmes choses. Moi je préfère passer du temps en me promenant "nez au vent" dans les quartiers de Merida ou de Palenque. Votre projet tient bien la route. bravo! Beau et bon voyage.
Super, un tout grand merci pour les conseils ! Bon, j'ai un peu aménagé l'itinéraire en fonction des commentaires, cf version bis ci-dessous !
Pour répondre aux questions, on arrive le 11 au matin car on vient de cuba.
Quelques questions suite à vos commentaires: vous avez un chouette endroit pour dormir sur Palenque ?
Aussi, on hésitait à tirer sur San Cristobal de Las Casas, mais j'ai peur que cela se transforme en expédition... Votre avis ?
Et puis on part le 18 novembre à 19h... Vaut-il mieux rester sur Chichen la veille au soir et faire qq chose dans le coin le 18 au matin ou rentrer sur Cancun le 17 au soir et faire une journée à Cancun le 18 novembre ?
Me réjouis de vous lire encore, il y a plein de commentaires super intéressants, cela nous aide beaucoup :-) Et toutes les diées sont les bienvenues, que ce soit pour les sites ou l'hébergement.
Merci à tous,
anahé
1er jour (11.11 – arrivée Cancun 9.00)
Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum-Chetumal (380 km)
Visite : Tulum (rapide), musée de Chetumal (à côté de l'Holiday Inn)
Hôtel : Chetumal Holiday Inn *****, 2 x 74.--
2ème jour (12.11)
Chetumal-Kohunlich-Palenque (520 km ???)
Visite : fouilles de Kohunlich
Hôtel : Palenque Mision ****, 2 x 72.—( hôtel correct sans plus, ne pas y manger)
3ème jour (13.11)
Palenque (région)
Visites : Yaxchilan, Bonampak
Hôtel : Palenque Mision ****, 2 x 72.--
4ème jour (14.11)
Palenque-Campeche (355 km)
Visite : Palenque le matin, voyage l’après-midi (Campeche = ville fantôme, ne pas y arriver avant 16h)
Hôtel : Campeche Plaza ****, 2 x 54.—
Hacienda : Hua Yamon*****, 2 x 188.-
5ème jour (15.11)
Campeche-Uxmal-Merida (250 km)
Visite : Kabah, Uxmal, (hacienda Yaxcopoil)
Hôtel : Merida Villa Merceded *****, 2 x 88.—
Hacienda: Xcanatun *****, 2 x 203.-
Hacienda : Temoson*****, 2x188.-
Hacienda : Santa Rosa*****, 2 x 188.-
6ème jour (16.11)
Merida
Visite : journée à Merida
Hôtel : Merida Villa Merceded *****, 2 x 88.--
7ème jour (17.11)
Merida – Chichen Itza (210 km)
Visite : Chichen Itza
Hôtel : Chichen Itza Maya Land ****, 2 x 86.—
8ème jour (18.11 - Départ -19h00)
Chichen Itza – Cancun (2 h)
Ecriture des cartes postales ;-)
Beau programme.
Nous sommes allés à Campeche pendant l’été et nous avons trouvé ça superbe, il y avait pleins de mondes sur la place principale (il y avait des groupes de danseurs, chanteurs…)et le centre historique était fermer à la circulation. Mais je ne pense pas que ça continue l’hiver (dommage !!).
Pour votre hôtel le plaza n’est pas si terrible que ça (il ne mérite pas toutes ses étoiles), je vous conseil l’hôtel America (450 p).
Nous avons aussi visité le fort St Miguel, très bien, faire un tour le soir pour le coucher du soleil…l
Merci beaucoup Garbu, je prends note et hop on change d'hôtel !
En parlant d'hôtel, qui connait un lieu vraiment sympa où passer nos 2 nuits à Palenque ou alentours ? Tout à l'air bof, il y a quand même bien une belle adresse dans le coin, non ?!
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils :-)
Tout d'abord, il y a une chose très importante à savoir: il ne faut jamais rouler de nuit au Mexique, c'est une règle d'or; donc en tenir compte constamment dans tes trajets. Les routes sont constellées de topes, sortes de dos-d'âne géants, espèce de troncs d'arbres en béton qui te bousillent ta voiture en moins de deux si tu ne fais pas attention. Ils sont en principe aux abords et dans les villages, ou même en rase "campagne" s'il y a une habitation dans le coin.
Ensuite je peux t'indiquer un excellent hôtel à Palenque : Le Ciudad Real.
Voici une copie d'un mail que j'avais envoyé à un copain à ce sujet:
"A Palenque, par contre, nous avons beaucoup aimé l'hôtel Cuidad Real. Très agréable, très aéré, cocotiers, bananiers, une très jolie piscine — brûlante!! — en retrait, des iguanes d'un beau vert émeraude; il y a même un singe noir qui a traversé le restaurant — excellent (le restau pas le singe...)— et un petit perroquet vert qui s'était installé sur un des pliants qu'utilisent les serveurs pour poser les plats. En plus il n'est pas cher, bien qu'ayant quatre étoiles : 550 pesos sans le petit déjeuner, 750 avec. Si vous y allez, demandez les chambres entre 214 et 220 ou 314 et 320. Ce sont les mieux placées à notre avis. Celles du deuxième étage (200...) ont un plafond normal, celles du troisième (300...) un plafond mansardé très haut.
Au coucher du soleil, en plein centre-ville, au croisement de deux rues — peut-être 5 de Mayo et Cortez, je ne sais plus — il y a des milliers d'hirondelles qui viennent dormir sur les fils électriques. C'est extraordinaire de les voir arriver, et repartir le lendemain vers 6 heures.
La journée à Yaxchilan a été mon meilleur souvenir. "
Voilà. Sinon ton premier jour: faire Cancun Chetumal en une journée ne me paraît pas palpitant, et à vrai dire je n'en vois pas l'intérêt... Aller à Chetumal ne tient que si tu comptes vraiment faire la côte, les cénotes, la lagune de Bacalar, Tulum, Coba, etc.
Cela dit, je peux t'indiquer une autre excellente adresse à Tulum où nous sommes restés une semaine: les bungalows Los Lirios (http://www.loslirioshotel.com/). Superbes bungalows, très chers, mais incontestablement les mieux, immense chambre, terrasse avec hamac, climatisation. Bon resto. Réserver ceux donnant directement sur la mer et au premier étage.
Devant, la plage est immense et déserte, survolée par quelques pélicans et grandes aigrettes qui rasent les cocotiers, la mer tiède...
Si tu veux visiter les ruines de Tulum, il est à mon avis impératif d'y aller à l'ouverture à cause de la foule. Ça tourne vite aux marchands du Temple, un monde fou qui gâche tout.
Chetumal ne vaut pas le déplacement. Ensuite il y a une bonne journée de route pour arriver à Palenque avant la nuit, sans s'arrêter pour visiter, juste avaler un morceau à Escarcegas. Penser aussi aux contrôles militaires car Chetumal est frontalier avec le Bélize.
Sans être parano, il n'est pas recommandé de s'éloigner sur les petites routes secondaires en laissant sa voiture dans un coin désert. Nous n'avons eu aucun problème en trois semaines mais nous avons toujours été vigilants: rien de visible dans l'habitacle, aucun "signe extérieur de richesse" sur soi, etc.
A Palenque, tu ne comptes pas visiter les ruines? Elles sont extraordinaires et valent à elles seules le déplacement. Bonampak et surtout Yaxchilan sont incontournables.
Pour y aller, tu as deux solutions: soit seul mais ce n'est pas recommandé dans cette région frontalière du Guatemala, ou avec une agence de Palenque. C'est ce qu'on avait fait; départ à six heures du matin, retour en fin de journée (je n'ai pas sous la main le nom de l'agence mais je peux le retrouver; c'est il me semble Agence Maya turistica ou Turisticamaya) ; ceci pour te dire que tu ne peux rien faire d'autre ce jour-là.
Ça fait donc trois nuits à Palenque.
Ensuite personnellement je te conseille vivement le Chiapas et San Crstobal quitte à Faire l'impasse sur Chetumal au retour.
Une autre très bonne adresses, Hôtel Na-Bolom. Je te fais une autre copie du même mail à mon copain:
"Je te recommande l'hôtel du musée Na-Bolom où nous étions, et la chambre "Jatate" (où malheureusement nous n'étions pas...). Elle est grande, sur un balcon fleuri au-dessus du patio, je crois qu'elle a aussi un jacuzzi (700 pesos). Les dîners sont excellents, très copieux, avec légumes bios de leur jardin, pris à une table commune — ce qui est parfois pesant. En plus tu aides l'association qui elle-même aide les Lacandons. Tu peux aller voir leur site www.nabolom.org
Le cañon del Sumidero est vraiment à faire, il est splendide. Départ de Chiapa de Corzo."
Bon, comme je n'ai vraiment plus le temps aujourd'hui, je te mets la fin du mail qui te donnera quelques indications sur la suite:
"Campeche: trop chaud, trop humide, trop de monde. On a atterri à l'hôtel Del Mar parce qu'on ne trouvait plus de chambres avec climatisation (en fait, Alain et moi ne dormons jamais avec, ça fait trop de bruit, mais on la met jusqu'à ce qu'on s'endorme). L'hôtel est évidemment très bien, Alain et moi avons eu une chambre hollywoodienne avec vue sur la mer, celle de Victor et Loïc était très bien aussi. Restaurant excellent. Environ 1200 pesos, cher, donc.
Uxmal: très beau site perdu dans la jungle, trois hôtels et c'est tout, ce qui implique peu de concurrence et des prix chers. Nous étions à l'Hacienda Uxmal, beaucoup de charme, surtout notre chambre qui était tout au bout avec des fenêtres donnant directement sur la jungle. Elle aurait besoin d'un coup de jeune, les fenêtres, qui n'ont pas de carreaux, simplement des moustiquaires et des persiennes de bois, jointent assez mal. Résultat: quelques araignées de taille raisonnable dans la chambre, et comme tu sais, j'adore ça. Mais il y a une atmosphère particulière du fait qu'on est à la fois dehors et à l'intérieur.
On a d'ailleurs vu ce soir-là notre première tarentule au restau du Club Med (le restaurant de l'Hacienda est hors de prix!), sur un mur orange. Elle était assez relax et ne m'a donc pas trop épouvantée. Je crois que c'est la vélocité de ces petites bêtes qui me dérange. En rentrant à l'hôtel, sous les arcades, une deuxième nous attendait de pied ferme...
Le gérant du Club Med d'Uxmal est très sympa et le restaurant est meilleur et deux fois plus copieux pour le même prix que celui de Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza. Alain et moi y avons été à l'ouverture (8 heures) par l'entrée sud. Il n'y avait encore personne sur le site, ni sur la pyramide. C'était idéal. Après quelques heures, des milliers de personnes avaient tout envahi!
Nous avons donc dormi au Club Med. Les chambres étaient mignonnes, très bien pensées, très agréables. Par contre, sorti de la chambre, j'ai trouvé que c'était très refermé, que ça manquait d'air, et que la clientèle avait un côté "Club Med" que l'on n'aime pas.
Je pense que celui d'Uxmal est mieux, quoique sur le même modèle, avec encore une fois un gérant très présent, attentionné, très sympathique."
C'est un peu décousu, mais ça pourra quand même te donner des idées. N'hésite pas si tu as besoin d'autres renseignements.
Kashtin 🙂 🙂
P.S.: Hretz est bien plus cher qu'Autoescape. Contacte-les pour avoir un devis
Un grand merci Kashtin pour tous ces conseils... Il va falloir que je relise ça à tête reposée ce soir, il y a trop d'infos ;-)
Par contre un point m'a fait beaucoup refléchir. Apparemment, il n'y a pas grand chose à voir à la descente, entre Cancun /Chetumal/Palenque. Ou en tous cas ce n'est pas le plus beau. Alors je me demandais si on allait pas changer nos plans, et prendre un vol Cancun-Villahermosa, pour ne faire que la remontée Villahermosa/Palenque/Campeche/Merida/Cancun.... Qu'en pensez-vous ?
Mais ma joie a été de courte durée... Après recherches on peut louer une voiture à Villahermosa et la rendre à Cancun, mais c'est super cher :-(
Autoescape annonce Euro 270 la voiture une semaine auxquels s'ajoutent USD 260 de "frais d'abandon", pour ne pas la ramener à la ville d'origine... Ce qui fait méga cher... Quelqu'un aurait trouvé une compagnie qui propose ce genre de choses avec des frais d'abandon moins élevés ?
Bon, j'aurais plein d'autres questions pour toi Kashtin après ton long e-mail, je reviens ce soir. Mais si entre temps certains d'entre vous ont un avis sur ce nouvel itinéraire, je suis preneur !
(PS: quelle aventure la préparation de ce voyage, et on a pas encore quité l'Europe ;-) )
Je n'ai pas dit que ce n'était pas beau, au contraire, j'ai juste dit que si c'était pour le faire en une journée, et donc ne rien voir, ça ne valait pas le coup. La péninsule du Yucatan est plate, chaude et terriblement humide. Je trouve au contraire que la Riviera Maya a beaucoup de charme, du moins loin des villes et des usines à touristes, il y a de l'air et de l'eau...😉 Question payasage, il ne faut pas espérer grand-chose dans la péninsule proprement dite. Mais dès que tu arrives aux portes du Chiapas, c'est-à-dire à Palenque, c'est magnifique. La route Palenque San Cristobal (réputée pour avoir 300 topes sur 400 km...) est très belle, San Cristobal aussi, et la redescente sur Villahermosa sublime. Je ne parle pas du canyon del Sumidero, avec ses crocodiles, ses atèles et ses aigrettes entre autres, qui est sublime. Il vaut mieux le faire en bateau, départ de Chiapa de Corzo, où tu prends vraiment la dimension des falaises!
Bref, les plus belles choses de la péninsule sont les sites, les villes, et la côte... à moins que tu ne sois pas attirée par les mers tropicales, corail, sable blanc, cocotiers, etc.
La route parsemée de topes Chetumal Escarcegas est entièrement dans la forêt, mais pas la forêt tropicale de Yaxchilan, non, de petits arbres pas terribles... (A Yaxchilan, si tu y vas, tu entendras les singes hurleurs, tu en verras d'autres dans les arbres. C'est le bout du monde, il faut trois quarts d'heure de lancha sur le rio Usumacinta, fleuve frontière avec le Guatemala, pour atteindre le site gardé par une famille de Lacandons. Les arbres sont gigantesques, envahis par les lianes et les plantes épiphytes. On a aussi vu là-bas un agouti et un extraordinaire serpent vert fluo aux yeux bleu (inoffensif 🙂).
Autre chose: ne perds pas une journée à Cancun, ville touristico-touristique par excellence avec tout ce que ça implique. Nous on y a dormi parce que l'avion arrivait le soir et on filé dare-dare le lendemain matin pour Tulum.
Ton idée n'est pas mauvaise, mais les vols intérieurs sont il me semble très chers et les frais d'abandon pour la voiture aussi; je ne sais même pas si ça se fait d'ailleurs dans cette région; il y a très peu de voitures particulières sur les routes; et aussi il serait dommage de faire l'impasse sur Chichen (la grande pyramide est définitivement fermée pour cause d'accidents trop nombreux) et Uxmal.
Il y a une agence de location de voiture a Villahermosa « Dollar Rent A Car » il on un site Internet mais je n’ai pas de référence.
Il est possible de faire Villahermosa /canon del sumidero (en passent par tuxtla gutierez) 4h, dormir à Chiapas de corzo ( hôtel cieba), puis rejoindre St cristobal 1h (nouvelle autoroute), l’hôtel na bolom a de très bonnes références.
Puis redescendre sur palenque.
Je réitère la mise en garde Il NE FAUT CONDUIRE DE NUIT.
Merci pour tous ces conseils. Je n'ai pas eu le temps hier soir de m'y plonger plus que ça, mais je me mets dès que possible à la 4ème version de notre itinéraire ;-)
Merci à Kashtin pour tes précisions, je n'avais pas compris le sens du post précédent (concernant la descente).
On a laissé tombé l'idée de prendre l'avion pour Villahermosa pour des questions de coûts (billet avion + frais abandon voiture), donc je vais me concentrer sur la descente(profiter un peu plus !) et trouver de bonnes adresses.
Je reviens vous embêter dès que j'aurai eu le temps de relire en détail vos propositions, et je ne manquerai pas de vous tenir au courant de la suite (pour ceux qui suivent ces longues tergiversations ;-) )
Merci à tous, belle communauté que celle-ci :-)
Anahé
PS: ce qui me fait penser que je devrais mettre en ligne toutes les infos pratiques sur mes derniers voyages... Un projet à venir, donner autant que prendre ;-)
Je part avec ma copine pour le Mexique du 17 décembre 2012 au 7 janvier 2013. (voui je sais, je m'y prends pas en avance...) Après avoir longuement hésité…
Ça fait une éternité que je ne me suis pas impliqué sur/visité voyage forum, mais j'aimerais obtenir votre aide pour peaufiner mon itinéraire au Yucatan. Notez…
Nous souhaiterions partir en famille (3 enfants de 8 à 3 ans) en fin février 2008 pour le yucatan. Question 1 ; Pour le vol du retour, j'hésite à prendre le…
Nous projetons avec ma copine d'aller deux semaines fin janvier dans le Yucatan (au départ cela devait être le Costa rica mais le cout des billets d'avion est…
Je pars au Yucatan pour 2 semaines au mois de février. J'ai déjà réfléchi à mon itinéraire mais je me pose des questions notamment sur les temps de trajet (je…
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! :)