Allgemein EN – Page 12 – Kat´s Truth about Travelling

Punta Sur – Isla Mujeres

A view of the vast ocean and Cancún in the distance. Punta Sur is located at the opposite end of the island from where the ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres docks, and is therefore very quiet and not very busy. The views to the right and left of the island, as well as back to Cancún and the open sea, are fantastic and another reason why I like Isla Mujeres. However, it's not that easy to get there, as neither buses nor hitchhiking are that easy on Isla Mujeres, and it's a bit too far to walk. In addition, it can get quite hot in the sun during the day. Nevertheless, I was fortunate and was given a lift both ways. Go or not? Definitely go. Punta Sur is a truly beautiful and peaceful place that offers a wonderful view of the coast and the sea. Only the journey there and back might take a while – as I said, there aren't many vehicles on the road. Or you could hire something for the day 😉

Isla Mujeres

Beautiful wide sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water and an island that truly lives up to its reputation. Anyone who has read my other posts about places or cities in Quintana Roo (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, etc.) knows that I am not a fan of this part of Mexico. Simply because everything is super hyped, while it is insanely overrun with American tourists and therefore very expensive and doesn't really feel like Mexico. On top of that, I'm reeeeally picky when it comes to beaches, which are one of the main attractions of Quintana Roo because of its coastal location. So, to be honest, I expected Isla Mujeres, which is also very hyped, to disappoint me as well. Instead, Isla Mujeres surprised me immensely. The beaches here, the water and the whole island really are everything you're promised. Beautiful wide and long beaches with water that is transparent to the bottom and my beloved relaxed and chilled beach vibe 😊 Apart from that, Isla Mujeres is also so relaxed and simply cute. Sure, it's a bit touristy, but only moderately. And of course, I also walked through the streets a little away from the centre and found the island to be very relaxed and especially also relaxing. Go or not? Definitely yes. There are quite some things in Quintana Roo that, in my opinion, are not worth seeing, but Isla Mujeres is. A really beautiful little island 😊

Coco Bongo

Coco Bongo is a unique event that combines a party and a show in a way I have never seen or experienced before. And on top of that, as far as I know, the show is only available in Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Which, of course, gives the whole thing a special touch. The whole thing is a kind of mixture of partying and really dancing and celebrating, but at the same time it's also a kind of semi-musical with theatrical elements and artistic performances. It's... quite difficult to describe, but really cool, and I had a great time and felt thoroughly entertained. There's always something happening, and above all, it's always something new. You're transported by old hits from your youth and childhood, as well as new things, films, etc., and you basically get swept away. (For an impression, please watch the video 😊) Accordingly, it is also... expensive, to be honest. Nevertheless, I was happy to pay the admission fee (50 dollars at the time, definitely more today). And that really means something for a budget backpacker like me :D But Coco Bongo is also just such a unique experience, very special and simply different from anything I've seen before. I have no idea if there's anything comparable anywhere else. If there is and I find it, I'll add it here :D Coco Bongo, yes or no? It's so unique that you really have to go there if you're in Cancún or Playa del Carmen. Simply because you're treated to a great show and experience a truly unique evening that just sweeps you away and puts you right in the middle of it all and... To be honest, I just had a great time and really enjoyed myself 😊

Waterfall Las Nubes

Beautiful and elegant, enchanting and powerful. Las Nubes is a waterfall located pretty much in the middle of nowhere, a good day trip from San Cris. And by in the middle of nowhere, I mean you tell the bus driver where to drop you off and then walk a good distance further. And apart from an ecolodge – which I only found out about at the waterfall itself – there is almost nothing there. So the path to waterfall Las Nubes is not exactly easy - distancewise. Why I did go there anyway, even though it's just a waterfall? To be honest, I fell in love with the picture on Google. I had read about the waterfall online and found the view of it so beautiful that I had to try it. So I set off super early in the morning to make the round trip. A heads-up: the footpath to the waterfall is longer than you think. Much longer. I even considered turning back at some point because I felt like I wasn't getting any closer to it on Maps. When I finally got there, my efforts were rewarded, because yes, the waterfall is as beautiful as in the pictures. I would even say more beautiful 😊 It is simply an elegant beauty of nature with its water flowing down the landscape. Go or not? Definitely yes, but as beautiful as the waterfall is, Las Nubes is really far away. Meaning it's only worth it if you're really dedicated and, above all, if you really like beautiful waterfalls. I mean you could take a tour there, but I would always rather go there on my own than on a tour. I'm just a bit of an adventurer :D

Lagos de Montebello

The Lagos de Montebello are a very beautiful, very peaceful and very quiet place. They are a great place to go hiking, camping and just relax a little away from the hustle and bustle. I went there on a day trip because I also wanted to explore a waterfall (Las Nubes) that was supposedly ‘nearby’. I frankly completely underestimated how far it is from San Cris to the Lagos de Montebello and what a waste a day trip is, because it is simply really beautiful there. But since I had left all my stuff in San Cris and set off with only a little water, the clothes I was wearing, my camera and some food, I had no choice but to turn back. As far as I have researched, there are few to no hostels or hotels in the area, and it is not easy to get there if you just get off the bus somewhere. This means that you have to plan the whole thing a bit. But then I think it's worth it. Unfortunately, I at that moment didn't have much time, so I just walked briefly through the forest by the lake and to a viewpoint I had marked and had to leave shortly afterwards because otherwise I would have missed the last bus back to San Cris. Buses only run at certain intervals there and I wanted to be back before sunset. Go or not? My story admittedly sounds like a lot of fuss, which it was, but I also went there with the wrong mindset and completely wrong planning for the place. So, don't go to Lagos de Montebello on your own for a day trip, because that's complete nonsense. Instead, either take a tour or – and this is what I would do if I could turn back time – borrow a tent and a sleeping mat or something from somewhere, or find a hotel in the area and then drive there relaxed, go hiking there and take the time that the place deserves. Because the Lagos de Montebello are really beautiful. Especially for hiking and nature lovers 😊

Waterfall El Chiflón

Beautiful, pompous and, due to its size, quite difficult to capture on camera. Waterfall El Chiflón is located in Chiapas, the Mexican state with by far the most beautiful nature – except for the canyon in the north and the beaches in and around Puerto Escondido. Nevertheless, Chiapas is curiously the poorest state in Mexico. Waterfall El Chiflón can be reached by bus and on foot in a day trip (i.e. there and back) from San Cristóbal. The area directly around the waterfall has several small waterfalls (different structure than Agua Azul) that you pass as you walk along a path to the large waterfall at the end. Once you reach the top, you climb onto a kind of platform to admire the Chiflón in all its beauty and power. And the view from up here on the rest of the landscape is also really beautiful. The reason why the Chiflón is relatively difficult to photograph is because you can only see it completely from very close up, as there is always something in the way on the way up. But the view from the platform directly onto the thundering waterfall is really cool 😊 Go or not? Yes, el Chiflón is definitely worth a visit. As Chiapas has so many beautiful landscapes and waterfalls, I would say the following: I was more impressed by Agua Azul and Misol Ha (because, tbh, there's not much that beats Agua Azul), which is why I would prioritise those two (also because of their proximity to each other). At the same time, Chiflón is a really beautiful waterfall that is also well worth visiting. Meaning, if you only have time for one or the other, do Agua Azul and Misol Ha, but otherwise definitely el Chiflón as well.

Cliffjumping – Acapulco

Cliff jumpiiiing! :D Yes, I know it's not for people who are afraid of heights, but! to my personal disappointment – because I love cliff jumping – in Acapulco you don't jump off the cliff yourself, but watch professional cliff jumpers do it. So people who are afraid of heights can keep reading :D 😉 For all the adrenaline junkies like me, or those who would have loved to try it themselves, I know. I was disappointed too, but!!! when you see where they jump from and how high it is, you won't want to do it anymore. I promise. Because the heights are quite considerable and they jump into a kind of ‘crevice’ that is not particularly wide and where the waves can break pretty strong. Like someone who has just done it for fun somewhere or is not trained for the spot would almost certainly jump into his or her death. So it's actually better this way :D Right after my disappointment at not being able to jump myself, I wondered whether there was really any point in watching others cliff jump... Because, to be honest, I wasn't really convinced that it would be cool. But since I was in Acapulco anyway and had already seen the city and the beach and had become curious, I watched the whole spectacle. And I got proven wrong, because... The jumps were from different heights and the way they sailed down and jumped into this crevice... It really had something. :D Go or not? I would say it depends on you and what you’re interested in whether you would travel to Acapulco specifically for this cliff jumping show. Personally, I thought it was really cool. And if I had the time, I would recommend going. Because it's definitely something special 😊

Acapulco

City, beach, cliff jumping. Acapulco is a medium-sized city on the southern coast of Mexico and is known for its beach and high cliffs, from which you can watch professional cliff jumpers plunge into the depths every day. To be honest, Acapulco confused me a little, because I always associate beach places with a chilled and relaxed vibe. Acapulco, on the other hand, has a very urban vibe. Most of the beach is lined with tall buildings and skyscrapers, which emphasises this feeling. And even when I was in quieter areas, the atmosphere reminded me more of a city or metropolis (e.g. Monterrey or Mexico City) than for example Puerto Escondido (nicest beach vibe ever). Leaving the atmosphere aside, Acapulco has a very cute park, a city centre with some nicer and some less nice areas, a really beautiful and winding long sandy beach where you can take great photos, chill out and certainly do a few other activities and watch a cliff jumping show. And that's pretty much it. Acapulco is therefore more suitable for a day trip. I've heard that Acapulco is a good place to party, but when I asked around, I found out that they don't play much Latin American music, but rather techno/house/electro and stuff like that – not my thing at all – so I decided to leave that aside. :D Go or not? To be completely honest, I didn't particularly like Acapulco. I can't pinpoint one specific reason why, because the beach is really beautiful and the urban vibe and skyline make it totally different from other beaches in Mexico. And the cliff jumping was really cool – more on that in another post. But... on the one hand, I just didn't find the city very welcoming. And on the other hand, apart from the beach and the cliff jumping with the coastline, I didn't really find the city beautiful. So I would only recommend visiting Acapulco if you have time and are interested in either the beach or the cliff jumping. Otherwise, I don't think it's worth it.

Tepotzlan

Tepotzlan is a cute little village, or mini-town, very close to Mexico City. Basically a day trip. Cause I'm honestly not sure if it's easy to find accommodation in Tepotzlan. Definitely not hostels. I went to Tepotzlan because I had just finished a long and beautiful but also exhausting trip through northern Mexico and wanted to see something, but take it a little easier. And Tepotzlan is absolutely perfect for that! Tepotzlan is a totally cute and calm little quiet place with ruins on top of a mountain from which you have a great view. And that's exactly what I took advantage of. The path up is super easy to find (main attraction) and totally relaxed. It means you get some exercise and get out, but you can also relax because it’s fairly easy and because of the chilled atmosphere there. And the view is really cool too 😊 Go or not? If you have time, yes. Because Tepotzlan is... just really cute. Perfect for a quiet day with a bit of exercise, because it's so chilled out and, despite a few tourists, neither overcrowded nor exhausting. A very pleasant day trip from Mexico City.

León

León is a charming little town in Central Mexico, where I made a short stopover on my trip through Mexico. León has a cute and quaint centre and three churches and cathedrals, the largest and coolest of which is located outside the centre and among other things features colourful windows. Apart from that León has a bridge with love locks, a very beautiful and green promenade leading to the centre, and a few other nice sights. Since León is really not that big and everything you might want to see is located between the bus station and the centre, you can easily visit León on a day trip. Go or not? I ended up in León more by chance because it was simply on the way and I needed a cool stopover. Therefore, I would only visit León as such or if you have time to spare as a daytrip. It's quite cute, but it won't blow you away.