Reset search
MexicoMexico
Edit route

Mexico

January 2024
  • Lucy Prescott
A 21-day adventure by Lucy Read more
  • Lucy Prescott

List of countries

  • Mexico Mexico
Categories
Backpacking, Solo travel
  • 2.0kkilometers traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight-kilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Car-kilometers
  • Train-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
  • Motorboat-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Ferry-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Horse-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Cable car-kilometers
  • Helicopter-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 22footprints
  • 21days
  • 152photos
  • 0likes
FollowCalendarShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Oaxaca City

    Jan 17–19, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Oaxaca City: 17-19th Jan
    Day 1: We had a group orientation walk in the city centre. We went for lunch at the Mercado 20 de Noviembre food market and I tried a Tlayuda which is a traditional Oaxacan tortilla dish. Then we visited a chocolate factory and went mezcal tasting (I'm not a fan).

    Day 2: Beth and I went on a walking tour where we learnt about the history of the city and went to a photography exhibition of the Zapatista revolutionary movement. On the tour we tried horchata, visited an organic food market and ate tamales.

    In the evening we met up with Cathy. We watched a graduation celebration dancing down the street in classic Oaxacan style. Then we joined the crowds outside the cathedral to see what was going on. It turned out to be a concert based around a children's cartoon character, it was all rather bizarre so we headed off for a drink and dinner.

    Day 3: I visited the botanical gardens in the morning. The English tour was full so I hopped onto a Spanish one - it turned out several others had done the same. I followed the parts about the history of the city, having done the English walking tour the day before but mostly I just enjoyed looking at the garden and plants.

    In the afternoon I visited Barrio de Jalatlaco, a lovely neighbourhood with lots of street art and cafes. Back in the centre of town I walked upon some wedding celebrations before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the night bus.    Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca

    January 19, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The English tour was full so I hopped onto a Spanish one - it turned out several others had done the same. I followed the parts about the history of the city, having done the English walking tour the day before but mostly I just enjoyed looking at the garden and plants.Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    San Juan Chamula

    January 20, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    San Juan Chamula is an indigenous village 10km or so outside of San Cristobal in Chiapas. The village maintains pre-hispanic cultures and customs and is one of the most interesting and unusual places I have been.

    Our guide instructed us that no photos of people are allowed and photos inside of the church are forbidden, so apart from one photo of the outside of the church I will do my best to describe it all in words.

    We arrived at the top of a hill that drops down into the village. The day we arrived there were festivities happening with a fairground and stalls set up all around. The women of the village wear long black sheep's wool skirts (the temperatures are cool there) and then men wear the same as coats. Members of the village government wear white coats instead of black - the village is an autonomous state with no police or military.

    We first stopped by a graveyard where the crosses are in different colours depending on the age of the deceased (black for old age, white for the young and blue/green for others). We then walked down the hill to the jewel of the village, the church of San Juan Chamula.

    The outside of the church is a pretty white building decorated in banners, flowers and colourful carvings, nothing too out of the ordinary. It's once you step inside that you see the real magic of the place. The inside of the church is full of smoke from thousands of candles. There are no benches or seats, instead numerous rituals are being performed throughout the church. People, in what appears to be family groups, are sat on pine needles, with rows of candles on the floor infront of them. They are chanting or meditating or in one case about to perform the sacrifice of a chicken.

    Around the walls of the church are various statues and beautiful flowers. The whole thing is a real experience for the senses, the smells of pine leaves and smoke, the darkness lit by thousands of candles and the peace and spirituality of it all.

    As we left the church, musicians from outside began to play and move towards the entrance. Seemingly a part of the day's festivities.

    The whole visit felt like stepping into another world. Although they allow visitors and tourism, the locals did not look or interact with us. It felt like being in Dumbledore's pensieve, where we could experience their world but they couldn't see us. There was something comforting about that, that we weren't imposing or disrupting them in any way.    Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Parque National Cañon de Sumidero

    January 21, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    San Cristobal: 20th - 22nd January.

    Unfortunately I was feeling pretty ill with a cold whilst we were in San Cristobal so I didn't get to explore the city too much. From what I did see, I really liked the vibe. Lots of the streets are pedestrianised and there are lots of cafes, bakeries and good restaurants.

    On the Sunday I did manage to join the group for a morning boat ride down the Sumidero Canyon. This is part of a protected landscape with an abundance of birdlife - we saw herons, egrets, vultures, pelicans and my fave the kingfisher. We also saw spider monkeys and a number of crocodiles.

    The canyon walls reach up to 1000metres in parts. One section was an incredible formation resembling a Christmas tree, made up from calcium carbonate deposits that have been covered over by moss. During the rainy season this becomes a waterfall.

    There are problems with pollution and plastic was hugely visible despite regular clean up efforts.    Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Agua Azul y Palenque

    January 22, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Long drive from San Cristobal to Palenque. We stopped for breakfast at a lovely little spot with a great view across the valley.

    The roads were super windy and my head was completely blocked and full of pressure which was not a good combination. I arrived at Agua Azul waterfalls feeling pretty rough and skipped out on swimming.

    The temperature was a complete change to what we'd enjoyed so far with really high humidity. Luckily I was given a single room in Palenque so that I could rest up for the evening.    Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Mérida

    Jan 23–26, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Mérida: 23-26 Jan
    After a long travel day from Palenque, we hit the coast just in time for sunset. Unfortunately I'd missed visiting the ruins as I was feeling really unwell.

    The first morning in Mérida I went to see a doctor with Sabina as my head was full of pressure and I had vertigo. She did a slightly weird flush out of my ears, despite having looked in them and didn't see too much wax or anything else. I then picked up some antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines.

    I'd perked up a little so we stopped for Gorditas and sorbet. I wasn't feeling very adventures so just had a gordita with beans, it was similar to an arepa. I rested for the rest of the day but went for dinner with some of the group to Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca and had stuffed squash and Agua de Chaya con Piña to drink which is my new favourite juice.

    On the second day in Merida I was feeling more back to myself, albeit slightly spinny still. I joined Fede to do a free walking tour which was nice enough and then we had lunch at a vegan cafe with Monica and Cathy. I had a bagel with some unappetising looking vegan ham which turned out to be pretty tasty. I spent the afternoon by the hotel pool planning the next part of my trip.

    In the evening I went for Gorditas with Sabina, Fede and Monica. I felt more adventures so had a Gordita with Rajas (chillis, corn and sour cream) and Cochinita Pibil (slow roasted pork) which were super yummy. We then watched a concert in the park which had people dancing the Jarana - a traditional dance for the Yucatán which is also done whilst balancing a tray of drinks on their heads.    Read more

  • Lucy PrescottTravelerMexico

    Chichén Itzá

    January 26, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We left Merida bright and early (6.30am) to hit Chichen Itza before the heat and crowds. I took my turn at the back of the minivan which was cramped. We had bad covers of 80's rock ballards being played quietly through some speakers behind us, so every now and then burst into spontaneously signing along. It felt like the naughty school kids at the back of the bus (myself, Flutra, Cathy and Josie).

    At Chichen Itza we met our guide and he showed us around the ruins. We saw the pitch for a Mayan ball game that is apparently a mixture of all sports and the aim is to get the ball through a hoop high up on the long sides of the pitch. Rules to the game seem to vary depending on which Mayan site you are visiting. Here depictions of the two teams are carved into the stones around the pitch. They show two teams of 7. They are shown wearing protections, covering various body parts used to hit the ball - foot, hip, forearm etc. One of the team captains is holding the head of the other captain, whose remaining neck is spurting blood with snake heads. Reportedly the captain of the winning team would be sacrificed and the rest of his team and their families would move up a level in society, whilst the losing team would move down a level.

    We then saw the Temple of Kukulcán which is the most famous building at the site and a UNESCO world heritage site.

    After spending a couple of hours at the archeological site we left and went for a home cooked buffet not far away. This was the most delicious meal of the trip so far. We had Cochinita Pibil, chicken, refried beans, chaya, guacamole and much more.

    We stuffed ourselves within what felt like minutes and were soon on our way to the final stop of our tour through Mexico, Playa Del Carmen.    Read more

  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice