The island of St. Martin presents the typical Caribbean flair with its beautiful beaches and landscapes. For several centuries, it has combined it with a European cultural influence. The people who live here embody the colourful mix with their boundless friendliness and warmth. For this reason St. Martin is also known as ‘the friendly island’

In this post, I would like to introduce you to this unique island in the Caribbean and inspire you to spend your next holiday on St. Martin. As always, you’ll find a map at the end of this post in which I’ve marked all the best places to visit & most amazing photo spots for you.

Saint Martin & Sint Maarten – How two nations share a small Caribbean island…

The small Caribbean island of St. Martin lies around 250 kilometres east of the Greater Antilles island of Puerto Rico. It has been politically divided between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France since 1648. With an area of just under 88 square kilometres, St. Martin is the smallest inhabited island in the world that belongs to two different countries. Its southern part (Sint Maarten) is Dutch, with the capital Philipsburg – where many cruise ships dock. In the north is the part that belongs to the French overseas territory of Saint Martin. The capital here is Marigot. Both sides not only have their own capital, but also their own government, police force and currency. However, all locals and tourists are allowed to cross the border without showing their passports.

Saint Martin or Sint Maarten – which side of the island is the better one?

Both sides of the island offer different advantages:

On the Dutch side St. Maarten is the well-known Princess Juliana International Airport. Here, aeroplanes take off and land almost within touching distance over the popular Maho Beach, as if you could still jump in. If you’re looking for a lively nightlife during your holiday or want to indulge in some shopping, St. Maarten is the place for you. What’s more, the locals here speak very good English.

The French side Saint Martin awaits you with its many great restaurants, especially in Grand Case, the ‘gastronomic capital of St. Martin’. Although it is generally quieter here, the secluded beaches and lush nature also speak for themselves.

During your holiday on St. Martin, however, it hardly makes a difference which side you choose, as you can reach all the best sights and photo spots quickly with a rental car and there are no border controls. You can move around freely.

My St. Martin Travel Guide

How do you get to the island of St. Martin?

The quickest way to reach St. Martin is by plane. The most common flight connection is via Miami, but there are also direct flights with KLM from Amsterdam or Air France from Paris. Another option for your arrival in St. Martin would be to board one of the cruise ships that anchor in Philipsburg. However, these usually only stop on the island for one day.

When is the best time to visit St. Martin?

The climate on St. Martin is maritime and tropical. It is pleasantly warm all year round with daytime temperatures averaging 25 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit is between November and August, as there is less chance of rain during this time. In the rainy season, between September and October, there is a risk of tropical storms and hurricanes.

How many days for St. Martin in the Caribbean ?

A healthy alternation between adventure and relaxation makes your holiday perfect, and St. Martin is an ideal place for this – you should definitely plan 3 to 5 days. Fantastic beaches for swimming and walking, rainforest areas with great hiking trails and a wide range of sporting activities guarantee a varied holiday. You can also combine St. Martin with other Caribbean islands. More on this later.

Accommodation tip for St. Martin:

We stayed on the Dutch side in an amazingly affordable and modern apartment in Simpson Bay, called The Hills Residence – with its own kitchen, washing machine and pool on the roof of the building:

My favourite beaches on the Caribbean island of St. Martin:

Friars Bay Beach

This great, soft sandy beach is located in a bay, with plenty of space to relax without any crowds. It is usually not very busy. There are also no strong waves here, which makes Friars Bay Beach perfect for swimming.

Happy Bay Beach

If you follow a narrow path from Friars Bay Beach, you will find Happy Bay: a small, secluded and empty beach. It’s like a small version of Friars Bay Beach but even quieter. This is why some bathers like to use it for nude sun bathing.

Maho Beach

Of course, the most famous photo spot on the island of St. Martin should not be missed: Maho Beach is world-famous thanks to the aeroplanes that land and take off here just overhead. Especially in the afternoon, when most of the big planes land, you can expect an unforgettable spectacle. As you can imagine, this is also when the beach is at its most crowded – it’s hard to find a place to lie down and relax here, but you don’t come to this beach to do that. My tip: The Sunset Beach Bar offers a great view of the landing planes and the beach while you enjoy a cocktail. It even has an arrival & departure monitor at the bar to never miss a flight!

Cupecoy Beach

It’s my favourite beach and the perfect place on the Caribbean island of St. Martin to watch the sunset. The beach is less suitable for swimming due to the often strong waves and its rocks, but offers a great photo opportunity and is very quiet – you are usually alone here. A stone staircase leads from the cliffs to the beach (the exact location can be found on my St. Martin map, including the nearest car park). Once at the bottom, you can also find hidden caves at low tide. All you have to do is walk a few steps along the rock on the left-hand side. But be careful: please never do this when there are strong waves or at high tide – the caves are then almost completely under water. It is best to check the tides online before you go.

The most beautiful attractions & things to do in Sint Maarten – the Dutch side

Philipsburg – capital of the Dutch side

Here you can enjoy the colourful Caribbean flair of the island of Sint Maarten while strolling along the beach promenade with its numerous bars and beach clubs and enjoying a fantastic view of the bay. You will also find plenty of souvenir shops. Due to the cruise ships that dock here, there are many day visitors in Philipsburg. The beach is therefore usually very busy.

Fort Amsterdam

On both sides of the island of St. Martin, you can visit the ruins of their respective historic fortifications free of charge. Fort Amsterdam belongs to the Dutch side and was built in the 17th century. You can even admire some cannons inside the fortress wall. From the top, you have a marvelous view of Philipsburg. Hundreds of pelicans live around the fortress, and if you’re lucky you might see nests with chicks.

Snorkeling in the underwater sculpture garden

An absolute must do during your holiday on the Dutch side of St. Maarten is a boat trip to the underwater sculpture garden Under SXM in Little Bay. It consists of 300 statues of famous personalities or important historical moments on the island. The garden has created an artificial reef and is home to many tropical fish. You will also often come across turtles, rays or an octopus that lives here. You should definitely choose a day with clear weather and sunshine for this activity. We were here after a heavy downpour and in cloudy weather, so the water was still very churned up with sediment. This is why we had to dive to see anything at all. Normally, the water is crystal clear and you can spot all sculptures while snorkelling.

credits: undersxm.com

Rainforest Adventure on Sentry Hill

A chairlift takes you up to the highest peak on the Dutch side, at a height of 341 metres – Sentry Hill. The ride gives you a fantastic view over the island of St. Martin. At the top there is a small zipline course with four different routes, which also offer you a great panoramic view – we had a lot of fun! The viewing platform at the summit is also absolutely spectacular, from where you can enjoy a 360-degree view. Brave souls can take the 853 m zipline back down to the valley from up here – the Flying Dutchman is the steepest zipline in the world with a gradient of 42 percent. But of course, you can also take the chairlift back down to the bottom instead. There are various combined tickets with all options.

Restaurant tip at Sentry Hill

There is a great historic restaurant, called Emilio’s, at the valley station. It is dedicated to the founder of the nature park. Here you can expect fantastic cuisine and good wines in a historic setting. Although the prices are on the high side, it’s worth stopping off here, perhaps for a special occasion.

The most beautiful attractions & things to do in Saint Martin – the French side

Marigot – capital of the French side of St. Martin

Similar to Philipsburg, small shops await you here, but there is no beach promenade in Marigot. Instead, you will find a pretty harbour with a market and small local restaurants or snack bars (known as Lolo’s). Marigot is also an ideal starting point for tours to secluded beaches and is known for its iconic architecture and monuments.

Fort Louis – one of the best sights of St. Martin

The historic fortress on the French side of the island of St. Martin is located on a hill right in the centre of Marigot and therefore offers a wonderful view over the town and harbour. It was built in the 18th century to defend the harbour and its warehouses. Well-preserved cannons can still be seen here too while large green iguanas like to sunbathe on the sides of the ruins.

Grand Case

Grand Case is not only my favourite village on Saint Martin, but on the whole island. As already mentioned, it is known as the ‘Gastronomical Capital of St. Martin’. Grand Case Beach is home to the best restaurants on the island – one after the other – and there’s something for everyone: local and affordable Lolo‘s (small BBQ stands) or fine dining restaurants. Among them, you’ll also find great individual shops where you can admire special pieces and local artwork. 

My restaurant tips in Grand Case

The waterfront restaurants offer a fantastic view of the sunset, such as Korner SXM, which is a very cosy place to sip a wine & enjoy the views.

My absolute favourite restaurant however is Calmos Café – an open restaurant with a relaxed, cosy atmosphere and very friendly staff. Some of the tables are right by the water, and I’m still dreaming of the gratinated cheese gnocchi! You really must try this restaurant!

Must Visit Attraction in St. Martin: the small island of Pinel (Îlet de Pinel)

The visit of this tiny island off the north coast of St. Martin is a popular thing to do during a holiday on St. Martin. The island can be reached by kayak or water taxi (boat). It is a jewel with fine sand and illustrates the most beautiful postcards. You can take a relaxing stroll or go snorkelling in the shallow waters around the sheltered sand spit. A 10-minute walk takes you to the wild and rocky beach, which is exposed to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. There are two restaurants on Îlet de Pinel where you can enjoy Caribbean specialities. Shuttle boats run back and forth every 30 minutes.

→ My Tip: A perfect day trip is hopping on a Catamaran Tour which will bring you to Îlet de Pinel and other beautiful spots around St. Martin:

Hike to Pic Paradis – one of the best photo spots on St. Martin

At an altitude of 424 metres, Pic Paradis (Paradise Peak) is the highest point on St. Martin – in the middle of the densely overgrown green heart of the island. Nevertheless, the hike from the car park to the viewpoint at the summit only takes 10-15 minutes. You should still wear good shoes, as there is a lot of rubble on the path and it is very muddy after rain. Families of monkeys can often be seen on the ascent or the journey to the summit. The vervet monkeys are not originally native to St. Martin, but were brought to the island many years ago as pets. Apparently they liked it very much, because they have multiplied enormously. Today, hundreds of them live here and roam around freely.

Hiking enthusiasts can also start the ascent further down. You walk through the lush green of the rainforest and enjoy beautiful views – the hike to Pic Paradis from Loterie Farm takes around 2 hours.

Further excursion tips starting from St. Martin

Many travellers take a ferry from St. Martin to the mountainous neighbouring island of St. Barths or to the beach paradise of Anguilla. You can book both as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a hotel. Island hopping makes your Caribbean holiday even more exciting.

My map with the best attractions in St. Martin:

St. Martin, the beautiful Caribbean island with its very special flair, easily captured our hearts. We experienced a perfect mix of adventure, history and relaxation, accompanied by culinary delights that we won’t forget. 

As all the best attractions & photo spots on St. Martin are so close to each other, it is easy to make the most of your St. Martin holiday in the Caribbean within a couple of days. And believe me, you will feel at home surrounded by nature and the friendly locals of this island.

So, what are you waiting for? I hope my post with the best attractions in St. Martin will be helpful to plan your own holiday on the Caribbean Island.

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Oh Costa Rica… a paradise for adventure and nature lovers. I have rarely traveled to a country where the locals feel as connected to their homeland and nature as they do here! The people’s top priority is to preserve Costa Rica’s unique landscapes and wildlife. This makes Costa Rica a very special destination for me, which at the same time has an incredible wealth of different activities and sights to offer. In this article, I will tell you the best places to visit in Costa Rica & travel tips, including the most beautiful sights you should not miss during your Costa Rica vacation!

When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with a dry season, which is generally warm & sunny, and a rainy season with more humid days. However, the climate varies greatly depending on the location in the country. The highlands are significantly cooler, while both coastal regions can get very hot, especially during the dry season.

The dry season from November to April is particularly suitable for beach vacations and has the advantage that it hardly rains and there are almost no insects.

The rainy season from April to November also has its charms. Due to the rainfall, the waterfalls are particularly intense, the leaves are lush green and there are flowers everywhere. Even in the rainy season, it doesn’t usually rain all day, but there are mostyl some downpours which subside after a while. Only between August and October you may experience complete rainy days, which is why I would avoid these months.

How many days are ideal for your Costa Rica vacation?

In order to explore the diversity of the country and the best places in Costa Rica, I recommend you 10-14 days for your trip – this way your Costa Rica vacation won’t be hectic and you won’t miss any of the must see places! Further down in the article you will find a travel duration recommendation for each destination.

Is it safe to drive your own rental car in Costa Rica?

A rental car is essential for your Costa Rica trip, as there are hardly any train or bus connections across the country. However, you should definitely rent a sturdy SUV with four-wheel drive, as the roads in some remote regions are covered with deep potholes. You should therefore always allow enough time for longer journeys and avoid driving in the dark. But don’t worry, most of the roads are in good condition and safe to drive on. With a rental car, you are more flexible during your Costa Rica trip and can explore much more of the country than without your own car.

Some Packing Essentials for your Costa Rica vacation:

• At least one reusable water bottle – in many national parks, you are only allowed to bring this type of bottle to avoid plastic waste.
  → By the way, you can drink the tap water in Costa Rica in all inhabited areas! I usually have a very sensitive stomach, but had no problems in Costa Rica and drank tap water throughout the trip.
• a thin rain jacket & sweater – even though Costa Rica is a tropical warm destination, it can get chilly and wet in some places due to the altitude
• coral-friendly sunscreen – sunscreen is essential, especially at all beach destinations, but make sure it’s not harmful to corals!
• eco-friendly insect repellent – if you are traveling in the dry season, you will hardly need it, but for jungle tours it can prevent insect bites. Harmful chemical repellents are not allowed in the national parks and before swimming in waterfalls.
• Screenshots of your reservation confirmations – recently you have to reserve the entrance to almost all parks online in advance and show the confirmation email on site. Unfortunately, you often have no reception, which is why it saves a lot of time to save screenshots on your cell phone beforehand.
  If you book any guided tours the entrance is usually already taken care off so you don’t have to worry about it. Always check in the tour description if the Admission is included before booking a tour online.

The best places to visit & must see destinations in Costa Rica

The best way to explore Costa Rica is on a round trip through the country by car! You should definitely not miss these places & sights in Costa Rica:

My map with the best places to visit in Costa Rica:

San José – the capital of Costa Rica

Accommodation:

Grand Hotel Costa Rica by Hilton → Book your stay here!

Let’s start with San José – the capital of the country – which is usually the start and end point of a Costa Rica vacation due to the location of the international airport. However, San José is unfortunately not very beautiful and offers very few sights. But since we had our return flight to Germany in the morning and as it is the capital, we spent the last night in the → Grand Hotel Costa Rica. It is the best hotel in Costa Rica and is located on the main square with the National Theater – the only beautiful sight in the city. So are you missing out if you don’t include San José in your Costa Rica itinerary? In my opinion: No.

Corcovado National Park – The impressive wildlife of Costa Rica

Accommodation:

Corcovado Private Villas → Book your stay here!

Duration: two nights

After landing in the capital San José and entering Costa Rica, we booked a short onward flight directly from the domestic terminal of Juan Santamaria Airport to Puerto Jiménez. The terminal is just a few steps outside the international airport building. From here, we took a domestic flight in a tiny plane to the south-west of Costa Rica to the Osa Peninsula. It consists almost entirely of dense rainforest and beaches on the Pacific coast.

The peninsula is popular thanks to one of Costa Rica’s best places to visit: Corcovado National Park, which covers almost the entire peninsula. Here you will find the highest density of wildlife in Central America: 375 bird and 125 mammal species have their home here! This makes up 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. It’s the perfect place for nature and animal lovers.

Access to the national park in Sirena is only possible by boat from Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay and is strictly limited. It is therefore not possible to explore it on your own, but you must book a tour in advance. As these book up quickly, you should organize them at least 2 months before your travel date in order to get a place for your preferred day. Every guest is registered by name and checked. No food or plastic bottles may be brought into the Corcovado National Park. Only water in reusable bottles is permitted. This regulation was introduced to avoid waste and to prevent visitors from feeding the animals. But don’t worry, there is a restaurant for lunch in the park itself, which is usually included in all tours.

→ Here you can book the same Corcovado National Park tour from Puerto Jimenez!

→ Here you can find Corcovado National Park tours from Drake Bay!

After the inspection, we head into the rainforest on foot to look for animals. And it didn’t take long before we spotted families of monkeys, sloths, anteaters, colorful birds and even tapirs, crocodiles and much more. Our guide not only had a trained eye, but also a spotting scope for observing the animals – without him we would probably only have spotted a third of them! A guided tour definitely pays off in Corcovado National Park!

Uvita – a relaxed coastal town

Accommodation:

→ Here you will find the best accommodations in Uvita

Duration of trip: two nights

Uvita is one of the must see places in Costa Rica that we unfortunately had to skip due to lack of time, but which you should definitely not miss! The coastal town is also located in the south and is known for its great beaches, its proximity to Corcovado National Park and is popular for surfing and whale watching.

These are the best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica:

• Marino Ballena: a uniquely shaped stretch of beach in the Marino Ballena National Park in the shape of a whale’s tail fin
• Relaxing or surfing on the beautiful beaches: Playa Uvita, Playa Hermosa, Playa Chaman and Playa Colonia
• Whale watching between January and March or July and October to see humpback whales
• One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica: Nauyaca Waterfall – two waterfalls with a natural swimming pool
• Visit the Uvita waterfall, where you can swim as well
• A boat tour through the mangrove forest on the Sierpe River for wildlife spotting

→ My Activity Tips in Uvita:

Manuel Antonio – one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica

Accommodation:

→ Find the best hotels in Manuel Antonio here

Travel duration: one night

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the absolute must see places in Costa Rica! Here you will not only find beautiful beaches and blue water, but also dense green rainforest where you can marvel at Costa Rica’s wildlife. During a guided tour, you will discover numerous animals thanks to the experienced guides. As it is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, a full day is enough to explore the Manuel Antonio National Park and enjoy the beautiful beaches and snorkeling. The park really is a perfect mix of jungle, beach & coral reef.

→ These are the best tours for Manuel Antonio National Park

Opening hours & tickets:

• Manuel Antonio National Park is open from 7 am to 4 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
• The entrance fee of 18.08 USD has to be booked → online again! (However, I recommend booking a → guided tour, which already includes the entrance fee)
• It is forbidden to bring any food into the national park, but all non-alcoholic drinks are allowed.

Monteverde

Accommodation:

El Establo Mountain Hotel → Book your stay here!

Duration: two nights

Monteverde is 1,500m / 4,920 ft above sea level, which means the weather here is much cooler than at the coast. Nevertheless, the area is covered in dense tropical forest, while clouds hang in the mountains. This results in a rare vegetation that makes up only 1% of the world’s forests: the mystical cloud forest.

Monteverde Cloud Forest nature reserve

A tour through the cloud forest is an absolute highlight in Monteverde to experience the unique flora and fauna up close. Thanks to the dense clouds of mist, the forest has a mystical atmosphere. The red suspension bridge, which leads through the nature reserve, is characteristic and provides a great contrast to the surroundings. It reminds me of a small version of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Opening hours and tickets:

•  7 am – 4 pm
• → Book your ticket to the Monteverde Cloud Forest here! (At least two days in advance)
• Price: 26 US dollars for a day ticket

My hotel tip for Monteverde

By the way, you can see the cloud forest not only in the nature reserve. Our hotel, the → El Establo Mountain Hotel, is also located right next to the forest. The hotel’s private paths lead through the forest and the view from the rooms is fantastic! An absolute hotel recommendation from my side!

Other must see places in Monteverde, Costa Rica:

• Visit the Sloth Sanctuary in the Selvatora Adventure Park – this is where sloths live that have been rescued after accidents or other tragic circumstances, but unfortunately can no longer survive alone in the wild.
• Right next door is a butterfly garden with numerous colorful species that can be admired up close
• Zipline Park: A popular activity in Monteverde is a zipline tour through and over the tree tops of the cloud forests. There are various providers → this is our tour!
• Night tour: A night tour to observe animals is popular in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Most of the animals in the region are nocturnal and only come out of hiding after sunset.

Restaurant recommendations in Monteverde:

• Wine & Grill Monteverde: Here you can get the best steak as well as pasta & pizza with a breathtaking view of the sunset
• Taco Taco Monteverde: The best tacos and margaritas we tried in Costa Rica! An absolute recommendation, also for lunch

→ My Activity Tips in Monteverde:

The Rio Celeste – an absolute must see in Costa Rica

Accommodation:

Katira Treehouses → Book your stay here!

Travel duration: one night

The most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica can be found in Tenorio Volcano National Park: the Rio Celeste Waterfall!

The water of the Rio Celeste River has an intense turquoise blue color, which seems to be artificially colored. However, the color has a natural origin: just before the Rio Celeste waterfall, two rivers with different pH values flow together. The abrupt change creates a chemical process that changes the particle size of certain minerals, which are responsible for the deep blue color.

How do you get to the Rio Celeste waterfall?

The Rio Celeste waterfall is about a 30-minute hike from the entrance to Tenorio Volcano National Park. It is easy to moderate and easy to do. However, just before the waterfall, 250 steps lead 150 meters / 500 ft down to the waterfall. On the way back, these have to be climbed again, which is clearly the most strenuous part of the tour.

Above the stairs, another trail leads along the river to the exact spot where the Rio Celeste is formed by the mixing of two rivers. The characteristic blue color seems to simply appear out of nowhere here. It is an incredible natural spectacle that you should definitely not miss. The hike is a little more challenging in some places but definitely doable and takes around 30 minutes each way.

Opening hours and tickets

You must make an online reservation in advance for your visit. Be sure to book your desired slot a few days in advance, as Rio Celeste is one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica. For this reason, I recommend visiting during the first time slot or in the late afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds.

What you need to know before your visit to Rio Celeste in Costa Rica:

• Admission is available from 8am – 2pm (you can stay in the park until 4pm) and costs 12 US dollars per person.
• Attention: No food or plastic bottles are allowed in the national park. Drinking water may only be brought in reusable or glass bottles.
• → You can book your time slot in advance here
• Remember to prepare a screenshot of the reservation confirmation email to show to the guards on site. The internet connection at Rio Celeste is almost non-existent.

Tubing in the Rio Celeste

Unfortunately, bathing in the blue water is prohibited inside the national park. But as soon as you are outside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, you can cool off anywhere. One popular activity is tubing in the blue Rio Celeste! You swim along the current of the river on stable floating tubes. In some places this can get very fast and adventurous, which is why I was very grateful for my helmet and life jacket! A very fun activity that you shouldn’t miss on your Costa Rica vacation!

→ I have linked our tour here!

→ More activities at Rio Celeste:

La Fortuna

Accommodation:

→ These are the best accommodations in La Fortuna

Duration: two nights

La Fortuna is a cute tropical town that is popular for its waterfalls, hot springs and volcanic activity. There are also many great restaurants, chocolate stores, cafes, small stores, … The city is just great to browse and enjoy. Unfortunately, we were only in La Fortuna for a few hours ourselves, but I would recommend spending one or two nights there to enjoy the sights in the area.

The La Fortuna waterfall

A highlight in La Fortuna is the waterfall of the same name. You don’t need to make an online reservation in advance, but can purchase a ticket directly on site. Admission is not particularly cheap at USD 18, but it is worth it and the profit is used to maintain the park.

From the entrance, a path first leads to a viewing platform that overlooks the waterfall and, with a bit of luck, the Arenal volcano in the background. The trail then begins, about 600 steps and 20-30 minutes into the jungle. The trail is well developed and very picturesque as it leads under the canopy of the rainforest. Once you reach the waterfall, you can enjoy the view and swim in the natural pool. La Fortuna is a very popular waterfall, but if you walk a few steps downstream along the river, you will find quiet spots from which to take great photos.

Opening hours & tickets for La Fortuna waterfall:

• 7 am – 4 pm (The last admission to the waterfall is 4 pm, as it closes at 5 pm)
• Tip: If you want to enjoy La Fortuna waterfall in peace and quiet, I recommend visiting either early in the morning or in the afternoon. We were there ourselves at around 3:30 pm and were the last to leave. This allowed us to enjoy one of the most beautiful sights in Costa Rica all by ourselves for a while (until the guide asked us to leave ).

More travel tips for La Fortuna, Costa Rica:

• Arenal Volcano National Park – the most active volcano in the country should definitely be on your Costa Rica itinerary. The national park is ideal for hiking and enjoying great views.
• The El Salto rope swing – here you can jump from the surrounding rocks into the cool blue water on a swing. A welcome refreshment, which is very photogenic!
• The hot springs of La Fortuna – they arise naturally thanks to the volcanic activity in the region. Access to some hot springs is chargeable (Tabacon Hot Springs) while others are free to visit.
• Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges – on the three-kilometer trail, you cross several hanging bridges that lead through the jungle canopy. Here you can get very close to Costa Rica’s nature. The entrance fee is USD 26 per person.

→ My Activity Tips in La Fortuna:

The Poás volcano – a unique must see in Costa Rica

The Poás volcano is one of the six active volcanoes in Costa Rica. But that’s not all – it is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world with one of the world’s largest volcanic craters. In this crater is a turquoise blue crater lake, which can be seen during a visit to Poás Volcano National Park. The crater rim overlooks the solidified caldera with the lake as a splash of color in the middle. However, as the lake is located at an altitude of 2,574 m / 8,444 ft, it is often covered in clouds, which obstruct the view. These usually disappear after a short wait, but it can also happen that the view remains completely hidden (as was the case with us ). We stood patiently on the edge of the crater for two hours waiting for a lucky moment… but it didn’t happen. That’s just nature…

Extra Tip: To avoid the same fate, I recommend you check the webcam on the crater rim before your visit. This will give you a better idea of the weather situation. → I have linked the webcam of the Poás volcano here.

Opening hours & tickets:

• 8 am – 4 pm
• Price: 15 USD for tourists
• Tickets can only be accepted through the online booking system and are checked on site. Due to the lack of reception at the volcano, you should have a screenshot of the confirmation email ready. → You can book your ticket here!

Santa Teresa – relaxation on the Pacific coast

Accommodation:

→ Find the best hotels in Santa Teresa here!

Duration of trip: two nights

Santa Teresa is located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast. The region is the “Bali of Costa Rica” with boutique hotels, surfing camps, yoga studios and palm trees gently swaying in the wind on the beach. On Santa Teresa Street there are cute cafés, small stores, food tucks & co. that invite you to stroll around.

If you want to unwind for a few days, read a book on the beach and lose track of time, then Santa Teresa is the ideal beach destination in Costa Rica.

Puerto Viejo – the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

Accommodation:

→ Book the best hotels in Puerto Viejo

Travel duration: two to three days

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is also worth a visit and the ideal place for a beach vacation. In addition to white sandy beaches, you will also find one of the most unique beaches in Costa Rica here: Playa Negra has, as the name suggests, deep black sand, which looks very picturesque in combination with the green palm trees. Puerto Viejo is a very laid-back destination that invites you to relax and “do nothing”, but here are some …

The best places in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

… which you should not miss:

• Take part in a chocolate tour to experience first-hand how chocolate is grown and made
• Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center where injured wild animals are nursed back to health
• Enjoy Punta Uva – probably the most beautiful beach in the Puerto Viejo region
• Relax on Playa Negra – the black sand beach
• Visit the Cahuita National Park – entry is free and you can marvel at the rainforest, beach and coral reef

→ Book the best activities in Puerto Viejo here

I hope this article with my must see places and the best things to do in Costa Rica will help you plan your own Costa Rica vacation. Because as the locals like to say: Costa Rica is PURA VIDA – the pure life!

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask me in the comments or send me a message on Instagram. You can also find my Costa Rica story highlight there with lots of impressions from our trip!

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White beaches, lush jungle or magnificent old towns: Colombia is probably one of the most diverse and adventurous countries we have ever traveled to. In this post, I’ll reveal the best places to visit in Colombia, the most beautiful sights and give you useful travel tips for Colombia! 

As always, at the end of this post you will find a map with all the places mentioned in this post so that you travel well prepared to Colombia.  

How long should your trip to Colombia be?

The best places to visit in Colombia are very diverse and it is quite possible to spend several weeks in the country without getting bored. For a tour of the country I would recommend at least one week. Depending on how relaxed you want to make your travel plan and how much time you have available, this can of course be extended as you like.

What is the easiest way to travel to Colombia?

The best way to travel to Colombia is by plane via the nation’s capital Bogota. However, we personally opted for connecting flights via Miami directly to the first stop on our list: Medellin.

We also mostly flew within Colombia, as the various sights in the country are often far apart. For shorter distances, we decided to book a driver with a guide, as the routes would often have been too adventurous for us to simply use a rental car. This hold especially true in the coffee region in the heart of the country.

Is Colombia safe to travel?

When it comes to Colombia as a travel destination, most of us often think of drug gangs and street wars – especially in Medellin. Unfortunately, this reputation was true for the 1960s to early 2000s in Colombia. However, since 2016 the civil war between the government and the FARC has ended and a peace treaty has been signed. The country has developed a lot in recent years and even what used to be “Colombia’s most dangerous district” – Comuna 13 in Medellin – is now a hip bohemian district and tourist destination.

We felt comfortable and safe at all times and the locals were open and welcoming.

Of course, you should stow away your valuables in busy areas like the center of Bogota or Medellin to protect yourself from pickpockets. But this is probably hold true for every major city in the world.

Best Places to Visit When You Travel to Colombia – My Colombia Travel Tips

Medellin

The infamous city of Medellin should without a doubt be on your list of top things to do in Colombia! The city impressed us with its diversity of history, art and lifestyle.

Which sights in Medellin should you not miss?

• Walking through the historical center, Centro Historico de Medellin with the Centro Comercial Palacio Nacional is a must do for Medellin. 
• A ride on the Metro cable car to the highest part of the city, soaring over the legendary, colorful favelas.

• visiting Comuna 13: In total, Medellin has 16 municipalities. Comuna 13 is best known for the Narcos series and has historically been considered the most dangerous place in Colombia. The reason for this was the bloody street wars between rebels, which have shaped the area for years. In October 2002, the government put an end to the guerrillas in Comuna 13 and ensured peace through a large-scale military operation. Today the municipality is a hip artists’ quarter with impressive street art, shops and studios and has become a highlight for tourists.
• My Medellin travel tip: Visit the small shop “Cremas Doña Consuelo”. Here you can find a popular local snack, the homemade popsicles. The classic consists of frozen green mango with passion fruit, dip in lime juice with a pinch of salt. Super refreshing after exploring Comuna 13!

• Visit the idyllic and rural Rionegro region outside of Medellin. It is ideal for an unforgettable quad tour with great views or trails for hiking.

Hotel tip for Medellin:

Hotel Patio del Mundo – A small family run hotel with a great location and surrounded by lots of tropical greenery. You won’t even feel like you’re in the middle of a big city.

→ Book it here!

Restaurant tips for Medellin:

• Carmen – one of the top 50 restaurants in Latin America
• Oci – a hip and cool dinner location with a great atmosphere

Guatape

After your visit to Medellin, Guatape should definitely not be missing on your Colombia list with the best places to visit in Colombia.

La Piedra del Peñol

The region Guatape with the city of the same name is particularly known for one of the most famous sights in Colombia: the striking monolith “La Piedra del Peñol”.

The 200 meter high granite rock can be climbed on 720 steps. At the summit you can enjoy the best view of the artificial reservoir Peñol, which stretches across Guatape and uses turbines to provide more than 5% of Colombia’s total electricity supply.

A ticket to climb La Piedra del Peñol costs 20,000 Colombian pesos (around 4,50 USD) per person.

Travel tip for Guatape: A helicopter flight over Lake Peñol and around the iconic rock is an unforgettable experience with amazing views.

Guatape City

After climbing La Piedra del Peñol, be sure to stop by Guatape City for lunch. All the houses in the city have a colorful base that is characteristic of the city, which means that the Little Town has many colorful photo opportunities to offer.

We were lucky and found the best spot in Guatape City by accident: it offers a unique view of the granite rock La Piedra del Peñol. I marked the exact location on the map at the end of this post.

Hotel tip for Guatape and the surrounding area:

• Glamping Hotel Bosko with a sky pool and a view of the reservoir is a unique place to stay in bubble rooms. However, you can also just stop by for lunch to see the hotel and  enjoy the view.
  → Book it here!
• Cannúa Lodge is located right between Guatape and Medellin in the middle of the jungle on a hill. You sleep in luxurious eco tree houses and enjoy a unique view of the sunset. The hotel also has a great restaurant using ingredients from their own garden and local area.
  → Book it here!

The coffee region with the Vallee de Cocora (Cocora Valley)

The green heart of Colombia, where some of the best coffees in the world originates, is best reached with a 45-minute flight from Medellin to Pereira.

The region impresses with its dense green cloud forests and of course the lush plantations. Although it is the place in Colombia with the most rainfall per year, for me the Cocora Valley is the most beautiful place to visit in Colombia!

Cocora Valley

The heart of the region is Salento, a small, colorful town from which jeep tours to the Cocora Valley start. The valley is particularly well-known for the “Bosque de Palmas”, the forest of palm trees. In this cloud forest you will find the highest palm species in the world: the wax palms, which grow up to 60 meters high.

Entrance to the palm forest is only 6,000 Colombian pesos (1,35 USD) per person and you will pass several magical viewpoints on your hike – the second one on the trail is particularly impressive.

Let yourself be enchanted by the unique nature – it feels like a journey into a prehistoric time!

Salento

Back in Salento you should definitely stroll a little through the colorful and pretty town, where you will find numerous small shops and restaurants. Especially recommendable: The Bernabe restaurant, with delicious local dishes and fresh coffee from the region. It was one of the best restaurants we ate at in Colombia.

Coffee Plantations

A visit to the coffee plantations with a tasting is also a must-do in the region. You will find numerous small coffee producers just a few minutes’ drive from Salento. I can recommend the Ocaso Coffee House. Here the coffee is grown organically and in an environmentally friendly manner. You see how coffee grows and processed. After the tour you can taste test the different beans and preparation methods while enjoying a unique view over the valley.

Hotel tip for the coffee region:

Hacienda Bambusa – This unique hotel was the inspiration for the Disney film Encanto. It is charming small hotel, with a gorgeous courtyard and pool surrounded by lush nature.

→ Book it here!

Cartagena

Cartagena is probably the most beautiful city in Colombia which can be found on the north coast of the Landes on the Caribbean Sea.

The colonial style old town is particularly worth seeing. It is surrounded by the 16th century wall which offers a great view of the new part of the city called “little Miami”. I advise you to come here at sunset to enjoy the unique atmosphere and the view.

Strolling through the streets of the old town you will see numerous beautiful houses. One would like to photograph every corner of the city and linger in every cute cafe or restaurant.

Travel Tips for Cartagena:

• The bohemian Getsemani district, with street art, great restaurants and fewer tourists, is the hippest part of the city.
• A rum tasting should, without a doubt, be part of your visit to Cartagena. We loved the tasting at El Arsenal Cartagena where we had the chance to taste different local varieties.
• The rooftop terrace of the Movich Hotel offers the best view over Cartagena. In the late afternoon, the rooftop bar also welcome out of house guests, and you can enjoy the sunset with cool drinks and snacks. I would recommend a reservation, especially on weekends.

Hotel tip for Cartagena:

Casa San Agustin is my favorite hotel in Cartagena. It is located in a colonial-style building, which has been restored in its original style. There is a great pool in the courtyard and the breakfast was top notch!

→ Book it here!

Bar tip for Catagena:

Cartagena also has a lot to offer in the evening, from festivals in the streets to unique bars. I found the Alquímico Bar particularly interesting. On weekends you may even have to queue to get in, but the wait is well worth it: an astonishing cocktail bar awaits you in a stately villa that extends over several floors. The bar has already received several awards and offers great signature drinks!

My Latest Colombia Travel Highlights

On my recent trip to Colombia, I was finally able to explore some incredible destinations that I couldn’t include in my first guide. These updated travel tips feature new highlights that I was lucky to experience — plus a few dream spots that are next on my Colombia bucket list.

Isla Barú

Just off the coast of Cartagena, Isla Barú feels like paradise with its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after exploring the historic city and enjoy the Caribbean side of Colombia.

Bogotá

The capital truly surprised me with its mix of culture, history, and nature. From the fascinating Gold Museum to the colorful streets of La Candelaria and the breathtaking views from Monserrate hill, Bogotá has so much to offer beyond its bustling city life.

My Next Colombia Travel Plans

While I couldn’t fit everything into this trip, these incredible places are already on my list for the next adventure:

• Tayrona National Park – A spectacular blend of jungle hikes and Caribbean beaches.
  
• San Andrés & Providencia – Remote islands perfect for diving, snorkeling, and turquoise waters.
  
• Villa de Leyva – A charming colonial town with cobblestone streets and stunning surroundings.
  
• Leticia (Amazon Region) – Gateway to the Amazon, where river tours and pink dolphin sightings await.
  
• Caño Cristales – The famous “River of Five Colors,” best visited between June and November.

For me, Colombia was one of the most adventurous destinations we have traveled to this year. I was always surprised by the unique beauty and the variety of sights in Colombia. The country should, without a doubt, be on your Latin America travel list.

I hope my Colombia travel tips inspire you to plan your own trip to Colombia. Let me know if you have any questions about the country or the individual locations. You can easily leave a comment or send me a message on Instagram.

Map with the best places to visit in Colombia:

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Cabo San Lucas is the best known town in Baja California Sur at Mexico’s West Coast. It’s known for luxury resorts & it’s clubbing scene but also for it’s incredible wild life and landscape. Find out in this post what are the best things to do in Cabo and the surrounding area.

Find a map with the exact location of all mentioned places in this blog post below

1. Visit Lovers & Divorce Beach

How to get to Lovers & Divorce Beach?

These beaches are without any doubt the most beautiful but also the best known beaches in Cabo. You can only reach them by boat from the marina. It’s a shuttle service so you pay for both ways before the ride. At the marina you will find many companies which are offering the transfer and it’s not necessary to book the tickets in advance. All you have to do is walking along the marina – I promise you: You will get several offers for the transfer within a minute! Make sure you don’t pay more than 20 USD for two persons and for both ways. They usually ask you to pay the double but there’s room for bargaining.

In times of Covid and to avoid masses at the beach you’re now only allowed to spend a maximum of one hour at both beaches unfortunately. The last pick up from the beach is at 4 pm so make sure to plan the best time for your visit in advance.

Lovers Beach

Lovers and Divorce Beach are located right opposite of each other but offer very different conditions. Lovers Beach is very calm which makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. We actually planned to do that but within one hour we didn’t had enough time for it.

Divorce Beach

Divorce Beach offers the most amazing views at the rock formations and Mt. Solmar behind you but it’s not possible to swim here since the sea is extremely rough with high waves. At the Divorce Beach I would recommend you to walk right to the end of the beach to the rocks. If you climb up a bit you will have a nice view over the whole beach.

But no worries – you don’t have to decide for one option during your stay, you can simply walk between both beaches within a few minutes.

P.S. If you’re wondering about the name of the beaches – they are not related to couples and their relationship status They got these names due to the heavy contrast of the conditions at both sides even though they are so close to each other.

Divorce Beach seen from the water

2. Watch the sunset at Solmar Beach

The beautiful Solmar Beach is located close to Divorce Beach – but on the other side of Mount Solmar which makes it impossible to walk from one beach to the other. Solmar Beach has a rough sea too and amazing sunset views but other than Lovers & Divorce Beach you can reach it by foot. Make sure to park your car at the marina and walk the rest. Unfortunately it’s not possible to park right at the beach since it’s surrounded by hotels. To reach Solmar Beach you have to walk through one of these hotel complexes. We chose the Terrasol Beach Resort since it’s a complex with different apartment buildings that you can pass without having to walk through a lobby.
The sun will set at the right side of the beach which is amazing for pictures cause you’ll not only have the ocean as a background but also a rock with houses on top which looks a lot like Positano in Italy
Make sure to bring a blanket and some drinks to enjoy the most spectacular sunsets at Solmar Beach.

It’s a short but intense hike which reminds more of climbing the higher you get! So make sure to wear proper shoes. At the top you can enjoy the incredible views over Cabo San Lucas, the sea of Cortez, Divorce Beach and Solmar Beach right under you! If you walk around a bit you can find some amazing perspectives for photos

There is no entry fee for this hike but all hikers gives the guide a little tip at the end as a thank you for letting them in, explaining the area and showing the safest way up und down.

Click here to plan your stay in Cabo San Lucas

4. Hop on a Boat

If you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas you just can’t leave without doing a boat tour to see the beautiful rock formations from the water, to go snorkeling and if you’re here in the winter months even watch some whales! Located at the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) the area is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. There’s actually nothing you can’t see here: From sea lions and marlins to dolphins and the whales!

We did our tour with Dive Ninja Expeditions in Cabo and can absolutely recommend this company if you’re looking for a professional team which truly cares about its customers and the wildlife. We had a private boat tour in the morning and it’s been one of my favorite experiences in Cabo San Lucas!

First stop was the most impressive rock formation of Cabo: The Arch! It was naturally formed by the wind and sea and can only be seen from a boat! The closer you come to the arch the louder you will hear the sounds of the sea lions which relax on the surrounding rocks or jump into the water to catch some fish! There are so many of them and it’s absolutely cute to watch them

On the way to a calm snorkeling spot we cruised along the coast line and watched at least three to four groups of humpback whales! They migrate to the Sea of Cortez from mid November until mid April. If you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas during the peak season from December to March it’s almost guaranteed that you will see some of them jumping out of the water which is a truly impressive spectacle.

Due to Mexican Law it’s not allowed to swim or dive with these gentle giants but no worries – the sea of Cortez is so rich in Maritime Life that you have much more to see! We did a short snorkeling tour close to the coast to watch some corals and colorful fish but if you go a little deeper you can even see marlines, dolphins, mantas and everything else the ocean has to offer. The team of Dive Ninja Expeditions also offers amazing diving tours you shouldn’t miss if you have a diving license or planning to get one

5. Visit Todos Santos

The weather in the area of Cabo is mostly sunny throughout the whole year but during our visit at the end of January we got a bit unlucky with some rainy days. So we thought why not visiting the nearby town Todos Santos which one of my followers recommended us. It’s around one hour from Cabo San Lucas by car and known for its artesian shops and art galleries but also has some lovely little restaurants that are worth a visit.

The city is still not very touristy and much smaller, quieter and less modern than Cabo San Lucas. You can still feel the real Mexican culture in the historical center Todos Santos with many colorful houses and while strolling through the little boutiques and art galleries of locals.

For lunch we made a stop at a small restaurant run by a local family. They make the BEST fish and shrimp tacos I ever had! So make sure to visit “Tacos y Mariscos El Sinaloense” for a lunch break!

The colorful houses of Todos Santos

The best Shrimp & Fish Tacos

6. Visit La Paz & Balandra Beach

If you’re planning on a full day trip from Cabo San Lucas head north to the city of La Paz to spend a day at the incredible Balandra Beach around 2,5 hrs from Cabo San Lucas. I would even recommend to spend a night or two in La Paz since it’s a charming town with great restaurants, a beautiful promenade at the beach plus it’s a famous place to go on a whale shark snorkeling tour.

To be honest I’ve never heard of Balandra Beach before but once we arrived in Cabo I got countless messages from my Mexican followers telling me that I can’t leave the area without seeing Balandra Beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Due to Covid the entry is strictly limited so they only allow a 150 people per day at the main Balandra Beach. When we arrived around 11 am (the beach opens at 10 am) it’s been already full cause most people get in line with their car already at 8 or 9 am to make sure to get in.
But anyway we found a way to reach it: Following the street further there’s a little off-road parking lot where a path leads up to one of the hills surrounding Balandra Beach. I marked it in the map below! If you walk the way up and follow the path around the hill you can walk down to a hidden empty beach. We made a stop here  and had it all to ourselves! Since the water of this area is super shallow you can simply walk through it (or close to the rocks if you don’t wanna get wet) to reach the next beach which is already located in the beautiful Balandra Bay. The Balandra Beach itself is not really spectacular – BUT what makes it so special is the turquoise bay located between the mountains, surrounded mangrove forests and with calm turquoise blue and shallow water which looks impressive from above! If you wanna relax and enjoy the sun we even found the first beach more idyllic cause it was absolutely empty and didn’t had umbrellas and sun beds like the actual Balandra Beach has.

Find the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas & the surrounding

You may also be interested in

• My Hotel Review of the Sofitel Mexico City

• My Guide for a Roadtrip in Yucatan

Plan your stay in Cabo San Lucas

The Second Part of my Peru Travel Guide is about our time in the Andes: From the Titicaca Lake at the Bolivian border to the famous Machu Picchu!

Make sure you don’t miss my Peru Travel Guide Part I about our our trip to the Amazon jungle, the road trip along the west coast, all the way South to the oasis Huacachina and the colonial city Arequipa.

FROM THE TITICACA LAKE THROUGH THE ANDES

THE COLCA CANYON (1)

We drove up the mountains for several hundred meters on our way from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon. On the way we saw countless Alpacas jumping around.
After reaching the National Park we had to pay 70 Soles (approx. 19 Euro) per person to continue our driving. This high price is only for tourists and was increased at the beginning of 2019. But there was no way for us to skip this place since we really wanted to see it.

Countless fluffy alpacas

The Colca Canyon is known for the high chance to see Andean Condors with a range of 3 meters. The best time to see them is between 8.30 and 9.45 am. Accordingly this is also the time when most of the tourist busses arrive. Unfortunately we only arrived around 10 am but we still spotted two condors – which was quite impressive. The good thing about it was, that we had the crazy view all to ourselves because all the busses already left.

The scenery was simply incredible – it reminded me of a mix of Hawaii and a mountain scenery in Germany. There are several trails you can hike – from 30 mins till several days tracks.

On the way through the canyon you can also spot the best preserved Inca Terraces in Peru which were built for agriculture. Some farmers still use them even nowadays.

For the rest of the day we drove through the Andes on our way to the highest lake in the world…

THE TITICACA LAKE (2)

We arrive in Puno in the early evening – it’s the largest city located at the Titicaca Lake.
But we planned to stay at a very special place – the Uros Islands.
These are manmade islands which are built completely out of reed by the Uros. The tribe of the Uros is the only one which never got repressed by the Incas since they had huge reed boats to swim on the lake whenever there was danger. Over the time they started to built swimming islands with little huts on it.

The islands are the main tourist attraction of the Titicaca Lake but usually visitors just see them from a boat. We decided to spend two full days on the islands to see how the people live there and it was a wonderful experience.
One island usually hosts one family with several houses on it – they are like little huts made out of wood but inside we even had a shower and a huge bed. Another hut is for the kitchen and one more has a huge table inside for eating & sitting together.

The days on the lake were super sunny and warm but in the night the weather got extremely cold and of course there was no heater in our hut. But they prepared several blankets and bottles with hot water to warm our feet which made it really cozy.

The locals put a lot of work into their homes cause every 15 days they have to add a new layer of reed on the floor to prevent the island from sinking. Which means harvesting the reed firstly by boat, cutting and collecting it, bringing it to the island and spreading it in rows on the floor.

Traditional boats are made out of reed too but nowadays the families usually have a second motorboat to reach Puno or to collect the reed.

We stayed with the Waliski Family and our host family was super friendly. They cooked for us, showed us their traditions and we even helped them to add layers of fresh reed on a second island they are building at the moment.
It’s been a really authentic experience and we felt extremely peaceful during these two day – seeing nothing but the quiet lake and the mountains of the Andes behind it is so relaxing.

Cusco is already located in a height of 3500 m but we drove up to 4700 m to start the trek above the clouds.
The weather was clear and after arriving at around 6.15 am, and having a quick breakfast in the car, we started our way up to the famous mountain.

Due to the extreme height you can get dizzy quite fast and we needed to do several breaks during the walk up. Luckily our advanced guides helped us a lot by showing us the right breathing techniques & not pushing us to walk faster.
The way up is already breathtaking (Not just cause of the thin air ) – the views are extremely incredible. You see the mountain tops over the clouds, a glacier and snowy mountains in the back while many alpacas are strolling around the area.

After 2,5 hrs and reaching 5400 m above sea level we finally arrived to the famous Rainbow Mountain. Different layers of minerals have given the mountain the natural bright color. The sight of the mountain was still amazing with only a few other tourists since we started so early!

The longer we stayed, the more people reached the top and some groups were still on their way. The walkway which was empty during our way up was now packed with hikers. In this moment we were just really happy for our early pick up – otherwise we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to witness the peaceful beauty of the mountains.

MACHU PICCHU (5)

The train ride to aguas calientes

On our way back we directly drove to the train station of Inca Rails. There are only two companies which offer a train ride to Aguas Calientes: Inca Rails & Peru Rails. Both offer different price & comfort categories of their trains but the railway is always the same. It’s definitely the most picturesque train ride I ever did and you feel like an explorer driving along the river through the mountains and getting deeper and deeper in the jungle.

REACHING MACHU PICCHU FROM AGUAS CALIENTES

When we arrived in Aguas Calientes it was already quite late so we directly went to our hotel and go to bed to get enough sleep for the next day.

All Tickets for Machu Picchu are sold for a specific hour to enter the area – lately they invented a time limitation for visitor of three hours to visit the main attractions. You can check the availability for tickets on a specific date at this official website.
We booked a ticket for 7 am but to reach Machu Picchu you either have to walk up a mountain for around 2,5 hours or take a bus which approx. takes 25 mins.

It’s REALLY IMPORTANT to get your tickets in the bus office one day before ! (Unfortunately this wasn’t possible for us since the office was already closed when we arrived in the late evening)
There is a long queue for the buses –  but they depart every 2 mins so that’s not a problem. BUT the queue to get a bus ticket takes forever early in the morning – we waited 45 mins to get them! Be sure to bring enough cash since they don’t accept credit cards.

The Bus Station in Aguas Calientes

Of course it was pouring rain when we arrived to Machu Picchu. Which means it was almost completely covered in clouds. In the afternoon the weather got better and the sky cleared off to show us the incredible beauty of Machu Picchu!

WHAT TO DO IN MACHU PICCHU

Due to the rain and the tons of people in the morning we decided to do the hike to the temple of the sun first. The hike was quiet exhausting and slippery due to the rain but we had some amazing views on the way up. The temple itself is not really spectacular so you have to decide yourself if it’s worth the 1,5 – 2 h hike for you.

On the way up to the temple of the sun it was pouring rain !

Clouds hiding the view from the top…

The Inca Bridge is a MUST do! It used to be the connection way between Machu Picchu and the next city. The trail is right at the cliff which makes it quite dangerous. The idea of Incas was to block the way by removing some planks if they didn’t want someone to enter – this particular spot is called the Inca Bridge. Today you can walk to the bridge on the original way and the views will take your breath away. First you see the village with the surrounding mountains and later you overlook the deep valley with the wild river running through it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND:

• I would highly recommend to visit the village as a last resort before you plan to leave Machu Picchu since its a one way path through the ruins which leads directly outside of the area. Once you left the areal there is no way for you to go back inside. Not all visitors know about it and will maybe miss other spots they planned to see after the village…
• It is possible to hike up one of the mountains around Machu Picchu – but the access is strictly limited. You can buy it online together with your entry ticket. But keep in mind that the hike is extremely steep and can be very dangerous during rainy weather.
• Bring your own water & snacks to Machu Picchu but remember to take back everything you brought with you! There are no shops, restaurants, toilets or trashcans in the areal – you can only find them at the entry gate.
• It’s not necessary to visit Machu Picchu in the early morning. The weather is rainy most of the times in the morning and usually sunny in the afternoon. There were soo many people when we arrived in the morning but it got a little better in the afternoon. It’s enough to take a train from Cusco in the morning, go directly to Machu Picchu around 12am, stay during the afternoon and to take the last train back to Cusco the same day.

THE MYSTERY OF MACHU PICCHU

It’s still a secret WHY the Incas decided to build this village at this remote place in the middle of the jungle – but it’s known that the mountains, sun and the water have been incredible sacred for them and this place connects all of these elements.
The Spanisch invalids never found Machu Picchu but anyway the inhabitants had to leave the village all of a sudden for an unknown reason – this is one of the secrets of Machu Picchu.

Mr. Hiram Bingham discovered the place in 1908 after it has been covered by the jungle for over 500 years. You feel the magical energy of this mysterious place during your visit – it’s a moment I will never forget!

THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (6)

SALINAS DE MARAS

After sleeping a little longer on our last day in Cusco we decided to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas during midday.

Our first stop have been the Salinas de Maras. These are impressive salt mines in the middle of the Andes landscapes which have already been used be the Incas. Over the years they built more salt basins but the technique they use is still the same.
They lead mineral rich water from the mountains in shallow basins. The sun dries out the basins and only the salt will be left.

The brown-yellow-orange color of the Salinas makes a lovely contrast with the surrounding mountains and thanks to it’s stairs-like structure you can overlook the whole area.

MORAY

Later we visit the magical fields of Moray. They are perfectly circled and have a stairs-like structure.

It’s believed that the Incas probably used this place for agricultural researches: Every floor of the field has its own microclimate which effects the growth of different plants like potatoes, corn and other.
But for whatever they used this place it’s absolutely impressive to see the green circles from above.

CUSCO (3)

Cusco itself is a lovely city with an amazing market square (Plaza de Armas) in the middle of it. The cathedral, the museums and the many markets are so lovely to visit – even so it’s probably the most touristic city you will see in Peru.
If you’re looking for a nice place for dinner I can highly recommend the Restaurant Hanz which is right at the Plaza de Armas. We never had such a wonderful dinner for such a fair price in Peru !

And that’s how almost three weeks in Peru came to an end. On our way back from Cusco to Lima we did a stop in Paracas again (where we also stopped at the beginning of our Road trip) to enjoy some relaxing time before heading back to Germany.

South America has been on my bucket list for such a long time! Especially Peru with the dreamy landscapes and fascinating history has been a dream of mine.

Here is Part 1 of my Peru Travel Guide !

IS A ROAD TRIP IN PERU SAFE?

In May we decided to travel to Peru for a road trip to see as much from the country as possible in the 3 weeks. May is a great month to travel to Peru cause it’s the beginning of the dry season (November till April is rainy season) and there are still less tourists.
We got many questions about the safety to drive your own rental car in Peru but it was way better than we expected it to be. Of course there are several sharp curves while driving through the Andes but the streets are mostly in good conditions. We saw the night busses for tourists and some of them drove like crazy through the Andes so I felt much safer in our own car. Only in the bigger cities it gets a bit difficult, since the people drive like there are no rules! The only way of not getting stuck in the traffic is to adapt the driving style a litte and to honk if you want to drive. I was very lucky my husband was driving in this city chaos.

THE CAPITAL – LIMA

From Germany we took a flight to Miami for a connecting flight to Lima. We didn’t had any high expectations for the capital of Peru cause even our travel guide said that it’s not the prettiest city. But anyway we planned a full day to explore the city and to create our own impressions.

We stayed at the Double Tree Hilton from where we started our tour by walking. We passed a really beautiful olive garden with plenty of birds till we arrived at our first stop: Huaca Pucllana. It’s a pyramid from 650 AD built by a culture which lived many hundred years before the Incas, called the Lima Empire. Nowadays the pyramid is surrounded by many modern buildings in the middle of the city which makes a great contrast.

There are several tours in English or Spanish which are included in the Ticket ( 15 Soles / 4,50 Euro ). The whole complex is only made out of clay bricks but still in a really good condition due to the fact that it almost never rains at Perus West Coast. Only 20 mm of rain is falling from the sky each year! Therefore the sun is really intense – Peru is the country with the highest UV Index. So you should definitely bring sun glasses, sun blocker and even a sun hat when exploring the pyramid – otherwise you will get a sunburn real quick!

We continued our walk to a very pretty part of Lima called Miraflores which is located right at the coast line with many shops, restaurants etc. It has some of the best views to overlook the ocean with the city next to it. Especially the Park of Love and the spots nearby are worth a visit.

Just in time for sunset we took a taxi to Cerro San Cristobal – a hill over the city with an amazing overlook. With all the lights the view over Lima almost reminded me a bit of Los Angeles. The last shine of the sunset gave the whole city a magical purple glow.

After this full day of exploring Lima we have been positively surprised! Contrary to what we read in the travel guide, the city is definitely worth a visit and has some beautiful places!

THE JUNGLE CITY – IQUITOS

From Lima International Airport we took a flight to the city Iquitos. You can only reach it via plane or boat over the Amazon river since it’s located in the middle of the jungle.
During our 1,5 hrs flight it was impressive to see how the scenery was changing: From the barren desert landscape around Lima to the high Andes and finally we saw the jungle through the window with the 7800 km long Amazon river running through it.

Iquitos is a small city which got wealthy cause of natural rubber export after the Spanish conquest. Nowadays the city mainly lives from tourism and it’s the best spot in Peru for a jungle tour.

During our first day we were exploring the city and met a friendly guide by accident who showed us around a bit. The visit of the local market was a real experience but nothing for faint-hearted. The smell is really strong sometimes and you can not only find tropical fruits & tobacco leaves but also raw chicken meat laying in the sunshine or even bush meat, which sometimes still has the claws and fur on it. This meat is from wild jungle pigs and some kind of a huge rodents .

Through the market you reach the Belen river – a tributary of the Amazon river. It’s home for a whole little village with people living on stetted houses. They have electricity, fresh water and even a school and a swimming disco. During a boat drive through the river we saw countless children laughing, jumping into the water and swimming next to our boat. The people living here may don’t have much (at least from our point of view) but they live a happy life!

The most common reason to come to Iquitos is to do an Amazon jungle tour. You can stay one day up to one week in the bushes – depending on how much time you have and how deep you wanna go to the jungle.

Since we did this trip to Iquitos quite last minute we had only time for one day – our tour started in the morning and ended with the setting sun.
After picking us up from the hotel by car we were driving to a smaller city called Nauta which lies directly at a river which leads into the Amazon river from where we started the tour by boat.

The river was extremely wide with a strong current and all around us we were surrounded by the jungle. Since the rainy season is only ending in May, the river overflows its banks and spreads water into the jungle. So the trees are literally growing out of the water or mud, that’s why we couldn’t leave our boat but therefore could boat in between the trees.

After spotting countless colorful birds the first mammals we saw were some lazy sloths which were hanging in the tree tops to sleep.

Can you spot the sloth?

Probably the most special species living here are the pink dolphins which we saw quite often during our tour. They look quite different than the grey dolphins living in the ocean.
We even spot a group of some small grey dolphins swimming next to our boat – our guide told us that these grey dolphins come originally from the ocean and swam in the river to catch food.

We spotted many Monkeys playing in the trees above us and some of them even jumped on our boat to look for some food.

In the afternoon we were trying to catch some piranhas but they mostly just stole our lure and we only got lucky to catch two of them. Our boat driver took them home for dinner!

THE BEGINNING OF OUR ROAD TRIP – THE WEST COAST

From Lima we started our road trip on the Panamerica Sur down the coast to Paracas. The landscape is mostly dry and sparse – due to the dry and windy climate there is barely any plant growing. But the view over the ocean with some giant waves is incredible.

PARACAS

The Paracas National park is the most famous place to visit in the area which can be visited for 11 Soles (3 Euros) per person. You can drive with your own car or take a bus to explore it. There are several beaches, deserts, picturesque cliffs and thousands of sea birds, pelicans and even flamingos to see.

Another Must Do is a boat tour to the Islas Ballestas. From the Paracas Harbour the boats are starting several times daily. After around 30 mins by boat we were reaching the small islands. On the way you see the unique view on a drawing on the rocks which is similar to the Nazca lines. It is so huge that it only can be seen from the ocean and it’s still a secret why it’s there and who made it…

Arriving the Islas you will instantly notice the strong smell of Guano: it is the thick layer of bird poop on the rocks! Every four years they remove it from the islands to use it as a natural fertilizer for farming. When they removed the layer for the first time it has been 30 meters thick.

But of course the reason to visit the Islas Ballestas is not the Guano – it’s the millions of sea birds living here. They are sitting everywhere on the rocks and flying over our heads. Sea gulls, pelicans and even Galapagos penguins can be seen. Also sea lions living here – they are sleeping on the rocks to rest during the day. Some rocks are covered with so many thousands of birds that you can not see a single empty spot!

The whole tour takes around 1 hr 45 mins and can be booked almost everywhere. Since we booked it directly in our hotel we payed 30 USD per person including a private transfer to the harbor and the guided tour. But if you book it directly at the harbor you will pay way less.

THE VINERIES CLOSE TO ICA

Peru is famous for really good wine! From Paracas we drove to our next stop which is the wine region of Peru close to Ica. There are several vineries which can be visited but the most beautiful one is the Tacama vinery. It’s also the oldest vinery of South America and during our visit we felt like somewhere in the Toscana. There are different Tasting-Tours and the simple one only costs 15 Soles (4 Euro) including three different wines and Pisco. I can highly recommend a visit in the afternoon (the last tour starts 4 pm) cause you can enjoy a lovely dinner after your tour and see the most beautiful sunset over the vineyards – of course while enjoying one or tow nice glasses of wine 

A REAL OASIS IN THE DESERT – HUACACHINA

After visiting the vineyards we drove only 30 mins to Huacachina. It’s a special little city located in a natural oasis with only 100 inhabitants but way more tourists. Over the last years there have been many restaurants, camps and simple hotels settling down around the lake in the center.
The most famous activity in Huacachina is a desert tour. We booked a private Sand Boarding tour with Peruvian Sand Adventures. With our sand buggy we drove over the dunes deeper into the desert until we reached our first stop – a small dune for practicing our sand board skills. Right after we continued to some bigger dunes and it first has been a bit terrifying but in the end so much fun to slide down the sand. My highlight was the sunset in the desert – the sky was literally on fire !

The next morning we walked up the steep dunes around the oasis to overlook Huacachina. It’s unbelievably exhausting to walk up the sand but in the end we made it somehow  You should start the walk up in the morning cause starting at around 11 am the sun gets stronger and the sand under your feet really hot.
The view over the oasis and the desert is really unique and like nothing I’ve ever seen before – definitely worth the effort of the walk up 

THE MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES

Next stop on our road trip is Arequipa which is also called the „white city“. The drive from Huacachina takes around 10 hrs but on the way you directly pass the famous Nazca lines. Due to our limited time we didn’t take a flight to see all of them from above. But directly at the street is a tower located from which you can overlook three of the famous lines. What looks unspectacular from the ground looks like real art from this higher point of view: A salamander, a tree and the hands can be seen. Even after 1000 years in the ground the lines are still in great conditions and some of them are several 100 m long!

We continue our tour to Arequipa and just in time for sunset we spot a beautiful bay from the street and we simply have to stop to watch the giant waves rolling in with the red sky behind.
Thats the beautiful thing about Peru – die scenery is breathtaking and changes every few kilometers you’re driving.

THE WHITE CITY – AREQUIPA

We arrived to our hotel Katari at Plaza de Armas late in the evening and got straight to bed. The more surprised we were the next day when we looked out of our window to see the beautiful main square in front of us. Like in all colonial cities in Latin America the Plaza de Armas is a beautiful park in the historic center of the city with a cathedral behind it.
From our breakfast terrace we had a lovely view over the „white city“ with the volcanoes behind it.

Most of the buildings in the old town are made out of the white volcano rocks Sillar which gave Arequipa the nick name. For me it has been the prettiest city we’ve seen in Peru and the main square of Arequipa is even known as one of the most beautiful ones in Latin America!

Only a few minutes away from the Plaza de Armas lies the pretty monastery „Monasterio D Santa Catalina“ which got built in the 16. century.

It reminds me of a village with everything the nuns needed for their lives in the monastery since they were not allowed to leave it ever. The artful chapels, living rooms of the nuns and kitchens, the picturesque little streets and gardens full of flowers make you feel like stepping back in time. The entry fee is 30 Soles (10,50 Euros) but the areal is huge and you can really see a lot.

For lunch we made a stop at the cute little restaurant La Despensa with the BEST pizza, fresh paninis and homemade sweets – it’s a little secret spot and als nice for dinner. Make sure to give it a try when you’re in Arequipa!

After walking a bit through the old town in the afternoon we go back to the Katari Hotel at Plaza de Armas to enjoy the view from the terrace with a drink while waiting for sunset – the terrace is also open for people which don’t stay at the Katari. The sunset in Peru in May is quite early and starting around 5.30 pm.

The volcanos behind the cathedral are a dramatic contrast

As the sun was setting completely we visited the cathedral at the main square from the 16. century which was only opening 5-7pm on this day. It was destroyed several times cause of natural catastrophes but always got rebuilt with many impressive details!

Our road trip to explore the Yucatan peninsula has been unforgettable! This is my full Travel Guide with all the Cenotes we’ve seen, insider tips for Chichen Itza and so much more.

OUR YUCATAN PENINSULA ROAD TRIP

A little note since I got a few questions about it: Whenever I write about “Yucatan Road trip” in this Blogpost I always mean the Yucatan Peninsula which consists of Quintana Roo and Yucatan.

The Yucatan Peninsula has been on my bucket list for a really long time and in February we finally booked a flight from Miami to Cancun.

Of course we planned to visit Tulum, but we also wanted to stay flexible so we decided to rent a car during the whole week.

Since we landed late night and could only pick up our rental car the next morning we slept a night in a hotel not far from the airport.

TULUM – THE BOHO PARADISE

The next morning we finally started our trip to Tulum which took us a bit longer than one hour.
What I only realized during this trip was that Tulum is kinda “splitted” in two parts: Tulum city and the hotel area at the beach – both are connected by a street.
The hotel area is a street in the middle of the jungle, with zero phone connection and the beach behind it. Here you will find all the fancy Hotels, Restaurants, shops, etc. you may know from Instagram.

The city is where you find some cheaper Hotels & Hostels, amazing restaurants for a good price and regular grocery shops etc.

The Matcha Mama is a Must visit and has the most refreshing Smoothies

Our first hotel

For the first night we stayed at the Nômade which is located right at the beach. We couldn’t stay longer since the hotel was already booked out for the other nights when we booked our trip two months earlier.
I really loved the gypsy design, the amazing beach and the whole concept of this place – it was like a Boho Utopia.

A disappointing experience at the famous Azulik Hotel

After a relaxing day at the Nômade we booked a table for dinner at the famous AZULIK hotel – which was super disappointing !
The restaurant and especially the Bar area of course have been super crowded cause everyone wanted to get one of the famous pictures sitting in a net and overlooking the hotel – me included. If you book a Table at the Kin Toh Restaurant you get access to an area where you find a second net which is a less crowded and ideal to take photos.

Ridiculous prices…

Our idea was to have a romantic dinner in one of the nests, overlooking the jungle and sunset. But when we asked about it they told us that you only get access to them if you spend a MINIMUM of 1000,- USD! Thats probably the reason why only one of them has been reserved. This was the first frustrating moment for me – of course we didn’t want to spend this amount of money only for the two of us.
All areas around the tables were closed, watched by countless staff members so nobody could go in “for free”. But the biggest disappointment was that it’s forbidden to take any pictures with your camera – only phones are allowed. Which is an absolute No-Go for bad light conditions cause you can’t really edit the phone pics in Lightroom.

We still decided to give the food a try – the prices where quite expensive (especially by Mexican standards) but we already knew this before. A vegan meal was around 24 USD and 35 USD for a dish with meat.
This may sound like I’m a little over dramatic but I’m usually never complaining – but this experience has been very frustrating and a waste of a wonderful sunset.
So if you plan a trip to Tulum – Azulik is definitely NOT a must do.

Our Food at the Kin Toh

Tulum City for good food

There are so many amazing beach bars and sunset bars where you can enjoy your evening. And if you wanna have a really nice dinner for affordable prices go to Tulum city !

We had an amazing dinner at BURRITO AMOR and the best Tacos for lunch at a small place called HONORIO TAQUERIA.

RELAXING DAYS A LITTLE OUTSIDE OF TULUM – BEFORE WE CONTINUE OUR ROAD TRIP IN YUCATAN

The second hotel we stayed at was the modern O’TULUM. This place is located a little outside of Tulum city in a quiet area directly at the beach and away from all the bigger hotels. We really loved the relaxing atmosphere of this modern and small place.

VISITING THE RUINS OF TULUM DURING THE RIGHT TIME

The Mayan Ruins of Tulum are a Must Do during your visit! The regular opening hours are from 8am-5pm each day – but I would recommend you to go AFTER that. They reopen the park again at 5.15 pm which is not known by a lot of people so you will find the park almost empty during this time. The only minus is that you have to pay a higher entry fee during the evening. It’s 200 Pesos (10 USD) per Person – during the day you only pay 65 Pesos (3,50 USD). But it’s so worth the extra money cause you will have a completely different experience with only a few other visitors.

The magical thing about this archeological side is that it’s located right at the ocean. Seeing the Mayan ruins in a lush green surrounding and the blue ocean behind them makes an absolute impressive scenery.

Not a single person in sight!

The temple of the wind

The temple of the wind god is my favorite building of the Tulum ruins. Since we’ve been almost alone and met a friendly guard, he allowed us to cross some of the little fences to walk closer to the ruins and to get a better view – this would never be possible during the regular opening times.

THE ‘SWING’ CENOTE CALAVERA

After a relaxing noon at the O’Tulum we decided to visit one of the smaller but still famous Cenotes in the Tulum area. The Cenote Calavera is literally a hole in the ground filled with water. Someone put a string on the trees and made a swing in the water – cute for pictures but hurtful to sit on
When we arrived early in the afternoon the Cenote has been packed. People have been jumping in the water or went snorkeling. Additionally the light conditions to take photos are quite bad during this time of the day (the sun was shining directly in the water so it was completely overexposed on pictures) so we waited a bit. The Cenote is closing at 4.45 pm which means you will have the place all for yourself starting from 4.15/4.30 pm. And also the light will be much better for photos in the later afternoon.

Would you jump in?

It’s easy to jump from the edge into the water since it’s not high and the water deep enough. In the Cenote you will spot stalactites and bats hanging above you. The water is clear but not really good for snorkeling since it’s dark at most areas. But we saw a lot of divers with lamps coming in and out the whole time. The Cenote Calavera leads into a natural underground canal system which is all together 14 km (8,7 miles) long!

THE CENOTE DOS OJOS EARLY IN THE MORNING

For the next day we planned to see the Cenote Dos Ojos right at the opening hour 8am. But unfortunately the entrance was a little higher than expected. They only took cash and the next ATM was some miles away. So we needed 30 mins to find a cash machine nearby. So be sure to bring enough cash for your visit. The entry fee is 350 Pesos (18 USD) for an adult.

Dos Ojos means “two eyes” in English since the Cenote has two caves which can be entered all leading to the same underground cave. The first eye is smaller so I would recommend you to go there early to enjoy it – it will get full after 9.45 am.

COBÁ – MAYAN RUINS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE

After driving around 40 mins from Dos Ojos to the center of Yucatan we reached the village Cobá. It is famous for the Mayan ruins which are located in the middle of the lush jungle.
It used to be one of the largest Mayan cities in Yucatan around 600-900 AD.

The special thing about this place is that almost all buildings and ruins can be touched and explored. Only a few are closed to enter. This is quite unusual – in Tulum for example all ruins are widely enclosed.

The whole area is huge. Right after the first ruin area you have the possibility to rent a bicycle for around 3 USD or rent a bike-taxi for a little more. Of course you can also walk from spot to spot but it will take around 1-1,5 hrs. The bicycles are the best options to explore the jungle area.

One of the most famous places is the Nohoch Mul Pyramid which is 42 m (137 ft) high and can be climbed up to the top. This can be quite challenging in the hot midday heat and with the slippery steps. There is only one rope in the middle of the staircase to hold on if you wanna go down. But once you reach the top you can enjoy a fresh breeze and the amazing view over the jungle with the ruins.

For me Cobá was the most interesting archeological side we visited in Yucatan and is really worth a visit. Even so we came during the late morning it wasn’t super crowded due to the wide area of the side.

A nice lunch stop after visiting Cobá

If you’re looking for a nice lunch spot before or after your visit I can highly recommend the restaurant EL COCODRILO which had fresh delicious food for a really good price.

VALLADOLID DURING SUNSET – THE PRETTIEST CITY DURING OUR ROAD TRIP IN YUCATAN

In the late afternoon we reached the small city Valladolid with a beautiful main center park in the middle of the city.
The cathedral surrounded by palm trees, the colorful colonial style buildings and the music playing in the park are giving this place a special vibe. We really enjoyed to stroll around through the city during sunset. We found a cute Italian restaurant called ‘San Giovanni’ we can highly recommend for dinner. I really enjoyed eating a good pasta after the countless Tacos we had before

At the end we regret we didn’t spend the night in Valladolid but to take the 1 h 45 mins drive to the Yucatan capital.

YUCATANS CAPITAL – MÉRIDA

Mérida is also a really beautiful colonial city but way larger than Valladolid. With the same cute colorful houses and main park in the center.

For the next day we decided to visit the Museum of Mayan history which was interesting. But unfortunately only a few things were translated into English. So it wasn’t as informative as we thought it would be.

Exploring the colorful streets of Mérida has been my favorite thing to do. It even felt a bit like Havana.
Mérida even has the oldest cathedral in America – The ‘Cadedral de San Ildefonso’ built in 1598.

The best restaurant in Merida

The best restaurant in Mérida and even the No. 1 on Tripadvisor is a small Cuban restaurant called ‘La Cubanita’. The restaurant is run by a Cuban Family with a small daily changing menu with the most delicious dishes. Even in the afternoon the restaurant is really busy. You definitely have to come here for lunch during your trip!

If we come back to Yucatán another time we will skip Mérida eventually. Not because it’s not worth a visit but simply because it’s located quite far in the west. Valladolid is much closer to Tulum and at least as charming as Mérida.

Chichén Itzá

For the next morning my alarm woke us up at 5 am cause we wanted to go to the famous world wonder Chichén Itzá. This spot is on everyones list for Yucatán and thats why it’s always crowded!
The ticket counter opens at 8 am (which is 9 am Tulum time! Yucatán has two different time zones) and there will be already a loooong line during this time. Your only chance is to arrive at 7.15 am to be one of the first ones to get in!

That’s what we did and maybe had 20 other people before us. The area was still super empty when we reached the famous Mayan pyramid El Castillo.

How to find the Chichén Itzá pyramid empty

Once you see the pyramid quickly walk around it to the back side. Most people stop immediately as soon as they see the monument to take pics. But early in the morning there will be a harsh backlight from this perspective. On the other side of the pyramid you will have much better light conditions plus you will be almost alone for several minutes.

We first did all our pics and when we finished after maybe half an hour the meadow around the pyramid was already full of people and groups.
At 9 am all salesman start to open their souvenir stalls almost everywhere.

We walked to all the other sites in Chichén Itzá, which used to be one of the largest Mayan cities. We saw places like the Ball Ground, the Temple of Warriors and the Sacred Cenote. But the increasing temperature and amount of tourists made it more and more uncomfortable from minute to minute.
Chichén Itzá is on everyones list for a good reason! It’s an impressive feeling to see the ancient Mayan city but if you don’t come early it won’t be the same experience.

After our Mexico trip we found out that visitors can book a sunrise tour to Chichén Itzá with a limited number of participants. This must be a magical way to visit the Mayan site!

MAGICAL CENOTE SUYTUN

On our way back to the East Coast we made a stop at the Cenote Suytun which is close to Valladolid.
The special thing about this Cenote is that it’s underground. In the middle of the water is a platform with a hole above it which lets sunshine inside. Depending on the time of your visit there will be a strong or soft light ray shining in the cave.

When we came here in the afternoon (3.45 pm) we had the Cenote all to ourselves. But there’s a huge tour bus full of tourists which arrives daily around 4.15 pm so make sure to be here earlier.
The entrance fee is only 70 Pesos ( 3,60 USD ) and you can even swim here.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN FOR RELAXING BEACH DAYS AFTER OUR ROAD TRIP IN YUCATAN

For the last days of our trip we planned two nights in Playa del Carmen – a famous Beach destination in Mexico. We stayed at the Fairmont Mayakoba which is around 30 mins away from the city center. It’s located in a gated area (called Mayakoba) with several luxury resorts. We really loved the area which is a huge mangrove forest with the beach behind it.

In the evening we drove to the Playa del Carmen center with all the restaurants and bars – we didn’t like it to much. If you’re looking for a party place with bars & clubs to have fun you will love it here. But if you wanna enjoy a relaxing time with good quality food you will be super disappointed. That’s why we explored the Mayakoba area by bike and enjoyed some sunbathing at the beach for the rest of the time.

We will be back in Mexico for sure but next time we will skip Playa Del Carmen cause it’s simply not our vibe .
Also there are so many more Cenotes to explore and Mayan temples to see! One week is simply not enough to see everything but it was perfect for a first impression of Yucatan

CONTACT WITH THE LOCALS DURING OUR ROAD TRIP IN YUCATAN

Most of the Mexicans are super friendly – especially outside from the touristic places. Nevertheless you have to be a little careful. Cause some people will try to rip you off. In Cancun we called a taxi from the hotel to the rental car station – shortly before arriving I noticed that there was no taximeter so we had to pay 300 Pesos (15,50 USD) for a 5 Minute drive which is way more than the triple of the usual price. So make sure to ask about prices BEFORE you accept any service. Also keep an eye of the exchange rate locals are using. We felt like a lot of people in the Cancun & Playa del Carmen area tried to fool us. We also didn’t take any expensive stuff like handbags, laptops with us while walking in the city.
Beside this we felt safe all the time and met so many friendly people.

DON’T FORGET TO BRING THESE THINGS FOR YOU ROAD TRIP IN YUCATAN

Here are some tips which will really help you during your visit:

• As soon as you arrive in Mexico you should get some cash! Credit cards are no common payment methods especially if you’re not in touristic areas. Even most of the entry fees for Cenotes, Mayan sides etc. have to be payed in cash. We always got some cash from the ATM’s with our credit card since the withdrawal fees were mostly only about 30-50 Pesos. (1,50 – 2,50 USD), At the first ATM I was super shocked that I had to pay a fee of 30 $! But only until I realized that the symbol for Mexican Pesos is the same like for USD!
• Make sure to bring some charcoal tablets or other anti diarrhea medicine. It’s super easy to get a food poisoning during your stay. Especially the tap water should never be used as drinking water! I was sick one day from having Ice cubes made out of tap water in my glass!
• Most of Yucatan is a jungle so there will be many insects. That’s why it’s important to bring some mosquito repellent. But be careful! It’s not allowed to use any repellant or sun blocker right before entering Cenotes cause this contaminates the fresh water quickly!