Calakmul – Mayan Ruins
Calakmul was one of the largest and most powerful of all the Mayan cities. Together with its allies, it frequently battled with Tikal and its own allies from the middle of the 6th century onwards. The fighting lasted almost two centuries, and is now known as the Star Wars. Each city ruled over a great [...]
Coba – Mayan Ruins in Yucatan – Mexico
Not too far from the town of Tulum lies the remains of the Mayan city of Coba. Built mainly between 500 and 900 AD, Coba remained inhabited until somewhere around 1400, possibly even until the arrival of the Spanish. Its main pyramid, Nohoch Mul, at 42 metres tall, is the tallest in the Yucatan. Climbing [...]
Cenotes of Cuzama near Merida
A cenote is a sinkhole that contains water. Some are little more than a puddle, while others form complex underground water systems stretching over 100 metres into the earth. They exist in the Yucatan of Mexico, and were extremely important to the Mayan people who believed they were links to the underworld. For this reason, [...]
Swimming with Whale Sharks – Isla Holbox
This adventure rates up there with the best ever. I thought it was going to be incredible, but it exceeded all expectations that I had by a long long way. The mating turtles, manta-rays and dolphins while we were searching were cool, but to be in the water next to the gentle giant was something [...]
Tulum – Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan
Tulum, a former Mayan port city on the shores of the Mexican Caribbean, is one of the most popular archaeological sites for tourists to visit in Mesoamerica. Whilst the ruins themselves have nothing relatively unique to offer, their location above the turquoise waters, yellow sands and green palms gives them a special aura. Tulum was [...]
Isla Holbox – Mexico
Apart from its main drawcard, swimming with the whale sharks, Isla Holbox in the Yucatan of Mexico, has to offer an extremely chilled atmosphere perfect for anyone looking to rest and avoid the party times to be had in nearby Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Isla de Mujeres. Its sandy streets frequented almost exclusively only [...]
Mating Turtles at Isla Holbox – Mexico
On our way off Isla Holbox to see the whale sharks, we came across two giant turtles mating. Our guide told us that the process lasts 15 days! Wow, what a man! Apparently he doesn’t eat for the entire duration, but the female does. I’m not even sure how this is possible. Watch for more [...]
Chichen Itza – Mayan Ruins
Probably the most famous of the Mayan sites, Chichen Itza – meaning Mouth of the Well of the Itzaes, thanks to the large cenote it is built next too, is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Whilst Chichen Itza began as a purely Mayan city, it was eventually taken over by the [...]
Palenque – Mayan Ruins in Mexico
Wow! The ruins of Palenque surpassed any expectations I had gained from listening to reports, and reading information about them. Set deep in a mountainous jungle, the soaring peaks of the temples rise above its green mass of plantation. Howler monkeys yelp in the distance, and large birds swoop overhead. From the top of the [...]
San Cristobal de las Casas
We arrived in San Cristobal de las Casas in driving rain, that practically didn’t cease for the next 72 hours. The fringes of Hurricane Alex were causing torrential downpours across Mexico, and no doubt the areas closer to the eye were being hit exponentially harder. Luckily for us, the rain eventually cleared with no major [...]
