Travel Journal Archives - Page 3 of 3

Week 3 – San Cristobal to Cancun

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you.

We came to San Cristobal for a beautiful waterfall in Mexico. The pictures of this waterfall looked amazing. I love a good waterfall (who doesn’t) so not stopping here was not an option. We took another night bus from Puerto Escondido to San Cristobal. This ADO bus company is the most common with travellers and to be fair they aren’t too bad. The seats recline well and a wide enough for you and your bag. I feel your lap is the safest place for your bag with valuables in it. I know I am super paranoid about being robbed but it’s happened before. It’s a horrible experience, therefore, being extra cautious can never be wrong.

Arriving in San Cristobal

The beautiful water in Mexico gushing over a rock face at a great pace — The Third Level at El Chiflon

After, the bus we headed straight through the streets to our hostel. This hostel was very dirty but cheap. We only had to endure this for two nights. I didn’t shower it was that gross in the bathrooms. Anyway, we woke up early the next morning to set off to explore “El Chiflon‘. The beautiful waterfall was still three hours away. The journey was one ADO bus followed by a colectivo. We arrived at midday expecting this place to be packed but it wasn’t to our surprise. Also, the small number of people at the falls were mainly locals enjoying their day.

Hiking Up to The Magnificent Waterfall

Okay. This wasn’t that easy. This beautiful waterfall in Mexico has five different sections each with a unique structure. Also, each level was so beautiful, the crystal clear water followed freely over each drop. The third drop is by far the best and biggest but I would still venture on higher than this drop. The hike got tougher or I am unfit. I vote for the latter. But trust me the other two waterfalls are still amazing. If you check back you get a great view across the valley. This was worth the trip. This place is my highlight so far. This waterfall was nature showing off and I am here for it. I am a nature over the urban jungle any day of the week. So to be finally exploring nature again feels so good. I feel alive when exploring beautiful nature.

About San Cristobal

Waterfall falling over the rocks — Me and El Chiflon

After our two nights in the questionable hostel, we left here on another night bus. We opted to go straight to Cancun in one journey. This meant we had 24 hours on a bus. Why so long?

Well, apparently the direct routeto Cancun is not safe. Therefore, the bus has to take a big detour. Looking back on this decision we should have split the journey up. We were on the bus for 10 hours when my friend got sick. We then had to split up the journey to Cancun. We got off the bus at a nice town which turns out has lots to do it.

If you have been to San Cristobal, you will know. Somehow I managed to escape the plague that comes with visiting this town. The water here is bad. So, in hindsight maybe it was a good job I didn’t shower. It was yet another eventful night bus. Yet, another thing to throw a spanner in the works. How many more of these spanners are going to come our way?

Remember you can check out past and future entries to my travel journal by clicking here!

Week 2 – Puerto Escondido to San Cristobal

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you.

This week I was on the road again visiting a beautiful surf town in Mexico. This was the perfect opportunity to get re-acquainted with night buses. This is a great way to travel as a budget traveller because you save money on a night of accommodation. However, at what cost to your sleep? Personally, I am used to broken-up sleep. Therefore, this was a small sacrifice for me. Yet, for those who may struggle to sleep in a moving vehicle, it can lead to the next day being a write-off.

This is the joy of travelling by road.

Oh, the joy is definitely sarcasm because this journey was anything but joyful. The trip was only meant to be a simple 10-hour overnight bus from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.

What Happened When Visiting a Surf Town in Mexico?

AU second class bus at the bus terminal — ADO Bus

Well. We got stuck at the side of the road. Stuck in a standstill traffic jam somewhere between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido. Why? A truck overturned and blocked the road in both directions. Road accidents happen, I understand that. However, I was not prepared for it. Really not prepared for a 10-hour night bus to turn into an 18-hour bus ride. Yes, the bus did not move for way over 5 hours.

Not only were we stuck at the side of the road, it was pitch black outside. This made the situation worse because of stories about buses getting held up at gunpoint in Mexico. I tried my best to sleep through it and just hoped we would be on the move soon.

However, during this time I run out of water and food. The journey become tedious wait once the sun came up. I felt safer being surrounded by daylight rather than the dark of night.

Due to the fact we were running this late the bus drivers looked to make up time. Therefore from the. moment we got on the move again it was a crazy ride from there on in. The speed we were going at to overtake was at some points terrifying. The only good thing was that they did allow a food stop which couldn’t have been a moment too soon. I needed water and snacks! And a toilet stop because the bus toilet was full and disgusting.

Arriving in the Rugged Puerto Escondido

Golden sand and the sea with a surfer standing watching the waves — Zicatela Beach, Puerto Escondido

We arrived very late but in one piece. I was so glad to be off that bus. I have done long bus rides before but this is definitely the worst. So, I am no stranger to being on the road for a long time. However, I have always prepared enough food and water. So, this one did feel like torture. I was excited to finally be out of the cities and explore the beaches. A shower and a hunt for food were very much welcomed.

The next day I explored the beaches along this Pacific coastline. I was happy to feel sand in my toes and the sea lapping over my feet. There is just something about the beach that makes me feel so grounded. The sun was out in full force with the temperature gauge hitting 39 degrees. It was crazy hot and humid. The humidity was very high, you even sweated when sitting still. I had never experienced anything like it.

So, in Puerto Escondido, I enjoyed beach days. I would bake in the sun and then cool off in the sea. You couldn’t do much else but that suited me perfectly after a jam-packed first week in Mexico. It was nice to catch up on sleep and relax. This is a piece of paradise in Mexico.

I Did Do One Activity Here

my turtle in a coconut ready for release when visiting a surf town in Mexico — Turtle Release in Puerto Escondido

The activity I chose to do was the turtle release. I had read good things about this company online so I thought I would check it out. In the evening everyone heads to the beach and pays to release one of these turtles. I got the feeling that money mattered more to them. One good thing is that they didn’t let you touch the turtles because this isn’t healthy for them. Also, there were no birds in the sky to sky-bomb the turtles. Therefore, my little turtle got a clean run to the ocean. Let’s hope he is the 1 in 100 that survives his journey.

After Relaxing and Sweating Non-Stop

Visiting a surf town in Mexico ended with one last morning walk along the main beach in Puerto Escondido. This walk was great at first but once leaving the beach a dog ran towards us. It jumped up at my friend and attempted to bite her. The dog left a mark and some bruises. Luckily, she got it off before it could puncture the skin. Another little thing going wrong. We left the beach by another night bus. We were heading to San Cristobal.

Now, the little things going wrong started to add up. Let’s see what else Mexico can throw at us.

Check out my travel journal entries here!

Tag: Travel Journal

Beautiful Waterfall in Mexico