The first of the recommendations to visit Mexico What we want to give you is about transport.
If you want to make a route through Mexico, more or less like ours, it is best to consider entering through Mexico City and leaving through Cancun, allowing us to make a route in a straight line, without having to return to the starting point, earning a lot weather.
The second of the recommendations Mexico refers to health and is that if there is something important in any trip, it is to make it safe. For that nothing better than having the best travel insurance for Mexico.
We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we carry a totally adequate insurance to the needs that we will have on the trip.
The hiring process is very easy and intuitive and also, just for being a reader of Street Travelers, you have a 5% discount.
More recommendations to visit Mexico
After having clear the route through Mexico What we wanted to do, we planned to move in the first part of the trip that included Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara, by bus.
There are several companies of buses in Mexico, but for this area we have chosen the ones that have the best opinions and that are considered first class. For the first part of the trip we opted for the ETN company that allows you to book tickets online.
For the Chiapas area, for the displacement of Tuxla Gutierrez to San Cristóbal de las Casas, from there to Palenque and then to Campeche, we will make the routes with ADO Autobuses, of the same category as the previous one, but that circulates through the area of Chiapas
To go from Zacatecas to Guadalajara, we had two options, ETN or Omnibus. After valuing both, we decided on the last one since it offered us a wide range of schedules that fit better with the planning of the day.
From this moment of the route, in Campeche, we have chosen to rent a car in Mexico, to travel the rest of the route, which includes Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Make some of the 10 best excursions in Riviera Maya and complete the list of the 10 places to see in Riviera Maya.
You have to keep in mind that while in the ETN company you can book and pay through their website the tickets of any of the routes they make, the ADO company only allows you to make the reservation, having to pay at the ticket window.
Taking into account that these are canceled if you are going to pay them with less than two hours before the departure of the bus, we recommend you go to any of the stations where it operates to pay and collect all the reservations you have made and thus be able to go with the most fair time on the day of the trips.
Central Station. ETN from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende
Tips on possible bus routes in Mexico
How to go from Mexico City to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán:
If you are looking for the cheapest way to go from Mexico City to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán We advise you to follow the following steps:
- Buses to Teotihuacán leave from the Central Bus Station of Mexico City, where you can arrive by subway after several transfers from the city center. Taking into account the time and price of this transport, for less than 3 euros we advise you to use UBER, which will leave you at the station in approximately 15 minutes from the city center, depending on traffic.
- Once in the lobby of the Central Station you must turn left and continue until the end, to reach the ticket offices of Teotihuacán buses.
The price of the ticket from Mexico City to Teotihuacán is 50 pesos per person per trip. Buses leave from section 8, platform 7, take 1 hour and depart every 15-20 minutes.
Keep in mind that the return is every 10-15 minutes approximately, from gate 2 and 3 of the archaeological site.
Another option, if you do not want to make this visit for free, a great option with which you can also learn much more is this balloon ride over Teotihuacán, which also includes a visit to the archaeological site or this one that includes Teotihuacán, Basilica de Guadalupe and Tlatelolco.
Teotihuacan
How to get from Mexico City to Puebla:
- Although there are a variety of companies how to get from Mexico City to Puebla, we recommend ADO, one of the safest and most comfortable.
- The best station to catch the bus is the TAPO Station. To get there from the city center, the fastest way is to take an UBER, which for approximately 3 euros, will leave you there.
- You have to take into account that from the Central Station of Mexico City buses also leave for Puebla, but you will have to cross part of the city to face the road to Puebla, so your trip will last practically 45 minutes more depending on the traffic.
- Once at the station, you must follow the indications and once you access the terminal, turn right where you will find the ADO ticket offices.
- ADO has Mexico City to Puebla buses practically every 20-30 minutes so you will not have problems or need to book early. Although if your trip is going to be one day, to see the places to visit in Puebla, we advise you to leave first thing in the morning, since the trip is about 2:30 hours.
- Although ADO has online sales service, they do not accept foreign cards. But they do have a ticket reservation system, with which you secure the place, although you must be at the ticket office two hours before to confirm them, if you do not lose them or days before going to any of the ADO ticket offices and confirm the ticket at the time of payment.
- Being the route from Mexico City to Puebla a journey with multiple schedules, we recommend you to take the tickets directly there, both in the outbound and in the back in Puebla.
- The price of the tickets varies according to the hour, although it is usually between 180 and 220 pesos per person and route.
- The exit of ADO buses to Puebla is through hall 1, at TAPO Station.
- The buses are first class, very comfortable and direct from Mexico City to Puebla.
Puebla
How to go from San Miguel de Allende to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco:
There are several ways to go from San Miguel de Allende to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco:
- Taxi: price of 200 MXN per way. The disadvantage is that in Atotonilco it is not easy to find taxis, so if you want to make a round trip, it is best to agree on a price for both routes plus the wait, which will not be more than an hour.
- UBER: 180 MXN per way. As with the taxi, the UBER service for the reverse route is not easy to find.
- Local bus "Atotonilco". You can take it on Calle La Luz and on the way back stay at any of the stops that it makes throughout the city. The price is 10 MXN per person and route.
Sanctuary of Atotonilco
Which bus company to use in Mexico:
In our case, as explained above, all the journeys between Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara have been made with ETN, one of the safest companies, with first class buses.
In addition to being able to make the advance purchase through their website and be able to choose the seats, their first class buses are incredibly equipped for a trip of these characteristics, in which the travel time is about 4:30 hours.
WiFi on board, reclining seats, cafeteria service, breakfast, television, bathroom ... Much better than the first of a plane!
ETN buses. How to get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende
How to get from Guanajuato to Zacatecas:
There are several companies that we can call safe for go from Guanajuato to ZacatecasAfter our experience, we recommend ETN, Ómnibus or Primera Plus.
In our case, the decision only went through a schedule issue, choosing ETN, which was the only one that allowed us to arrive at Zacatecas at noon, in order to have a day and a half in the city, as we have had so far in San Miguel Allende as in Guanajuato.
As for the rest of the trips we bought the tickets through the internet, although what initially puzzled us is that if we bought the ticket making a multi-destination, with Guanajuato origin and Zacatecas destination, the earliest departure time was at 8 in the morning and the arrival in Zacatecas at 6pm, making a 5-hour stopover in León.
On the contrary, if we bought the tickets separately, that is, making two routes, Guanajuato-León and León-Zacatecas, the system allowed us to take the first bus at 7 in the morning, arriving at León at 8 and being able to link perfectly with the second at 9 in the morning, so we arrived in Zacatecas at 1 noon, thus earning 5 hours to visit some of the tourist places of Zacatecas.
As we did not understand the reason for not appearing this option on their website, we called by phone and they told us that although they did not know the reason why this option could not be chosen on their website, it was totally correct and viable to buy the tickets separately and We could do this combination.
This is why we recommend you look at this type of options if the schedules do not fit you, since sometimes, buying tickets separately on journeys with a stopover is much more beneficial than not opting directly for the multi-destination.
Zacatecas
How to get from Zacatecas to Guadalajara:
As in previous journeys of this trip to Mexico for free, the transfer from Zacatecas to Guadalajara can be done with several companies. In this case we have chosen Bus only for a schedule issue, since this company allowed us to leave at 8 in the morning, thus arriving at 1 noon in Guadalajara, something that will allow us to enjoy practically the afternoon today for complete, in addition to tomorrow.
After the experience also and comparing it with ETN, we have to say that we have liked the buses of the latter, only for a matter of space, since the seats are somewhat wider, something that in long trips is appreciated. And although Omnibus also has a cafeteria service, plugs, seat recliners and Wi-Fi, they are not as comfortable as ETN.
How to go to Tonalá from Guadalajara:
There are several ways to go to Tonalá from Guadalajara:
- Taxi: From the center of Guadalajara to Tonalá for a price of approximately 250 pesos. To make the return you will not have problems since in Tonalá it is easy to find taxis.
- UBER: the price of the trip is 170 pesos.
- Bus: You can go to Tonalá from Guadalajara with the 275D bus for 20 pesos per person per trip or the TUR bus for 30 pesos per person. Both are caught in the corner of Madero with Avenida 16 de Septiembre.
- Tour Tapatío (tourist bus): With this tour, which leaves from the Rotunda Jaliscenses Ilustres, in the historic center of Guadalajara you can make several trips around the city, including Tonalá, Tlaquepaque, Zapopan and the historic center of the city. city.
The price is 140 pesos per person on weekends and 130 during the week and you can ride as many times as you want throughout the day.
Tapatío tour (tourist bus)
How to get from Guadalajara to San Cristóbal de las Casas México:
After assessing the different options we had, the fastest option for go to San Cristobal de las Casas Mexico From Guadalajara, you have been choosing to fly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and from there take an ADO bus at the same airport with which to go to San Cristóbal de las Casas México.
The ADO bus journey from Tuxtla Gutierrez airport to San Cristóbal de las Casas is approximately one hour and a quarter, they connect with all arriving flights and the price is 240 pesos per person per route.
It is best to buy the tickets when you arrive at the same airport, the ticket office is at the same exit and so if you have any delay have no problems.
We have made the flight with Volaris Aerobus, a Mexican airline, with which we have booked in addition to the ticket, the plus package, since we carry checked luggage of 15 kilos in addition to a small handbag.
Recommendations for renting a car in Mexico
As we have said on several occasions, renting a car to tour the colonial cities, which has been the first part of our trip to Mexico for free, is neither necessary nor recommended.
Given that the distances between cities are quite large and that it is much more comfortable to make these transfers by public transport, as we have done for Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara, we believe that the best option In this case, it is to opt for the bus.
To tour the area of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan, things change a bit, since public transport does not reach many of the points of interest of the Mayan Route, or when they do the schedules are not very wide. That's why we recommend you rent a car in Mexico for this area.
We leave you a series of recommendations to visit Mexico by car:
- Check the car well at the time of collection. Better to know that you do not carry anything strange inside or that you have any blow not marked on the form, then take a surprise.
- Take pictures of the state of the car both at the time of collection and delivery. These are essential for any claim.
- We had already read that in Mexico it is very common “relet”Your car by the agency if someone offers more money. In this way when you arrive at the agency, it either has no car or is of a lower category.
Although it may sound impossible or reportable this happens. We booked with Europcar and from what we saw they were the only 5 agencies that respected reservations at Campeche airport.
We were very lucky! We saw several couples who had run out of cars without being able to do anything ...
- Before going on the road, try to be clear about the route and check beforehand what the roads are like. You can do this directly in the accommodations, it is a quick thing that will allow you to go quieter and travel on the most appropriate roads.
- On some routes, such as the one from Campeche to Calakmul, there are no gas or provision services, so it is worth taking something in the trunk, just in case.
- We have mostly bought at Oxxo supermarkets, which you can find in most villages and the truth is that they have everything at super tight prices.
In addition there are many that open 24 hours and in all you can find coffee to go for 20 pesos.
First purchases at Oxxo
- In Mexico, the badenes are very common, many of them without signaling, so it is best to go quietly and respect the traffic rules.
- There are even roads where there are many cracks and drivers who know them are doing "eses"on the road to dodge them. It is also something to keep in mind to avoid shocks when you see that a car seems to circulate in your lane in the opposite direction, when you are only avoiding a piece of road in poor condition.
- Most of the roads you will travel are in very good condition, do not worry. Of course, most are straight roads, so attention is often lost. Do not say goodbye.
- In many sections the gas stations do not shine for their presence, keep this in mind and try to take the full tank in these sections or better yet, never go out on the road with little gasoline.
- It should be borne in mind that in the PEMEX gas stations, which are the majority of the country, you cannot pay with an international card, you have to do it in cash.
- Although it seems obvious, try not to leave valuables in sight.
- Try to avoid driving at night. Not so much because of the danger, but because of the drivers who go without lights, the people who cross… etc. During the day everything looks clearer and therefore is safer.
- Despite what they tell you, driving in Mexico is not dangerous. You can do it perfectly, yes, do it with common sense, as in any other place and taking into account some recommendations such as those we give you in this section.
- In Mexico it is incredible how pedestrian crossings are respected, in addition to crossings, by drivers. Try to be like them and drive with caution. In addition, something that has caught our attention is that the horn is not usually touched.
Rent a car in Mexico
One of the most controversial issues when you start preparing a trip through Mexico is undoubtedly safety.
Before our trip, when we started preparing the itinerary, we read many things, from kidnappings to armed robberies. While this is not pleasant and at all it seduces you to travel, after we had a similar experience on our trip to Guatemala and Honduras, we decided to travel without becoming an obsession.
By this we do not mean much less that we have not been careful and have taken precautions, but none that we would not have taken anywhere else in the world.
With this and always after our experience, we can only emphasize that traveling to Mexico is totally safe for a traveler, following the most tourist routes.
We leave you this post in which we talk more widely about security in Mexico
Money in Mexico
Another of the recommendations to visit Mexico It's about the currency exchange or how to get money.
There are several options to get money in Mexico and / or make currency exchange:
- Exchange Agency: in the same airport you will find several exchange agencies. Keep in mind that they usually have commission and also, the change is not especially the most suitable for the traveler, so if you need money from the beginning and this is the option you choose, it is best to change the right thing and then, in The city, make a second change.
- Remove from the ATM: before go from the airport to Mexico CityYou probably need some cash. The option we recommend is always the ATM. At the airport of Mexico, at the exit, you will find several of them.
They are safe and will make the change of the day, so it is a very good option to get money in Mexico.
You should take into account that, for example, that of BBVA, has a commission of 25 pesos, a little more than one euro, but to this is added the commission that your bank applies, so it is best to be clear about what this commission is for Then don't take any surprise.
To avoid paying commissions and always having the current change, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
Bancomer ATMs in Mexico City
Souvenirs in Mexico
We imagine that at some point in the trip you will want to take some memory of your time in Mexico. After our experience, we leave you a reference of the places where we have found the best pieces:
- Coyoacán and San Ángel in Mexico City: Especially if you want to buy handmade catrinas
- San Miguel de Allende: the perfect place to buy the famous tree of Life. Here we find the best pieces for 2000 pesos the small ones. The same (exact), we wanted to sell them in Valladolid for 6000 pesos.
- Tlaquepaque in Guadalajara: numerous handmade craft stores.
- Tonalá: in the Handicraft Market innumerable articles, but of inferior quality (most)
- San Cristóbal de las Casas: many handicraft shops, with hundreds of possibilities, although most of the same items can be seen.
- In all the other places we visited, we did not find pieces that called our attention, in addition to the prices, as we approached Yucatan and Quitana Roo tripled by the same items.
Tlaquepaque Stores
SIM card Mexico. Internet connection in Mexico
In general, we have to say that a SIM card in Mexico, to be able to be connected, it is much more expensive than it may initially seem and what it is in other countries, especially in Asia, such as the trip to Bali for free that we did practically 15 days ago.
The price of a free SIM card in Mexico with Telcel is 150 pesos (only the card), which you must then recharge with different packages, of days and megabytes.
We choose the option that offers more data, which includes 4Gb plus unlimited calls both local and to the United States and Canada and unlimited messages also to Mexico United States and Canada, for 500 pesos.
This package is valid for 21 days and can be recharged whenever you want, taking into account that you can only do it when the data package is finished.
Celular Express Store in Mexico City
Another option is to choose to buy one Holafly SIM card being in Spain, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, saving you all the time of the negotiations and making the whole process to have internet in Mexico much more comfortable, fast and easy.
In this case, with the Holafly SIM you will have several Gb to surf the Internet (depending on the option you choose), they will send it to you for free at home, you will keep your WhatsApp number and you will have assistance service in Spanish. You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader
More information on the Holafly post, the best prepaid SIM card for travel
Tips for staying in Mexico
Although in general we can say that still traveling on dates something conflicting, since our trip included Christmas, New Year's Eve and Reyes, we had no problems making reservations for accommodation in Mexico 5-6 months in advance.
Although as always, there is an exception that confirms the rule and that has been in the area of Tulum and Holbox, where almost 70% of the accommodation was reserved for those dates.
For this reason, we recommend that if you are traveling on dates that include holidays, keep it in mind and book early if you want to have more options to choose from.
We leave you the post in which we make a brief review of all the places to sleep in Mexico and each of the places to sleep in Mexico, in which we have stayed, in addition to the one we have written about the best hotel in Holbox, the Holbox Dream Beachfront Hotel By Xperience Hotels.
Beach Club of the Holbox Dream Beachfront Hotel
Recommendations for Mexico City and surroundings
The first of the recommendations to visit Mexico It's about transportation to go from the airport to Mexico City.
There are different options for go from the airport to Mexico City. In our case and especially due to the time we arrived, we have chosen to choose the most comfortable and fast way that is the private transfer that will take us from the airport to the center of Mexico.
* Metro: 500 meters from Terminal 1 is the metro station of Line 5, crossing the parking lot. For go from the airport to Mexico City You have to go first to Oceania Station. Once there, you will have to change to line 1 and arrive at Pino Suárez Station, where you must change to line 2 to get to El Zócalo Station, located in the center of Mexico City, in the Plaza'o del Plinth.
* Metrobus: For go from the airport to Mexico City, another option is the bus, also called Metrobus.
You must take Line 4, which will take you to the San Lázaro Metro Station, the Paseo de la Reforma and Bellas Artes, in the city center.
The stop is at Terminal 1, at gate 7 and at Terminal 2, at gate 2.
The schedule is from Monday to Saturday, from 4:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.
* Taxi: Once at the Arrivals Terminal, you can hire an authorized taxi to go from the airport to Mexico City. At the box office they assign you a taxi and you just have to leave to deliver the ticket and get on.
The authorized companies are: Comfort, New Image, Porto Taxi, Site 300 and Yellow Cab.
* Uber: This is another of the most comfortable and cheapest options to go from the airport to the city center. You just have to download the application on your mobile, do the search and choose a driver.
If you want a discount of 5 euros on your first trip, just put this code ofwnb6
* Private transport: The most comfortable option is undoubtedly that of the private transfer that will allow you go from the airport to Mexico City in about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Transportation to Teotihuacán:
Buses to visit the Teotihuacán pyramids from Mexico City depart from the Central del Norte bus station, which you can reach with the yellow metro line.
As soon as you arrive at the station you must enter the lobby, turn left and at the end you will see the ticket offices of the Teotihuacanos company, which in about an hour will leave you in Teotihuacán.
The price of the ticket is 44 pesos and the buses leave every little time, approximately 30 minutes.
The bus will leave you at Gate 1 of Teotihuacán a few steps from the box office.
To return to Mexico D.F you can return to Door 1, where the bus left you or leave through Door 3, where it also stops.
We recommend you return to Gate 1, as it is the start of the tour and thus avoid surprises in case you miss the stop.
Another comfortable and safe option, if you do not want to make this visit for free, with which you can also know much better the history of the place, is to book this excursion to Teotihuacán at dawn with a guide in Spanish or this Balloon ride over Teotihuacán, which also includes the visit to the archaeological site.
Panoramic Teotihuacán
Transportation to Puebla:
Buses from Mexico D.F to Puebla leave from TAPO (bus station), where you can get there by subway. The journey is approximately 2 and a half hours, depending on traffic and the price is X pesos per person.
Once in Puebla, at the same CAPU station you can purchase tickets for safe taxis that will take you to the center of Puebla for x pesos in about 20 minutes.
You can also go to the center of Puebla by bus, but counting the price of the taxi and if you come only for one day, it is worth taking a taxi.
Another option is to make the visit by booking this excursion to Puebla and Cholula, a very comfortable and safe way to get to know these two incredible places in one day.
It is quite common to relate the visit to Puebla with Cholula from Mexico City. After our experience, and although Cholula is only 30 minutes from Puebla, we believe that to be able to visit these two locations with tranquility and above all, to be able to enjoy them, it is necessary to use at least 2 days. Being the best to stay in Puebla.
In our case, after considering several options, we ended up deciding to visit only Puebla from Mexico City and leave Cholula for an upcoming visit.
Tips for traveling to Chiapas
One of the most recommended excursions in Chiapas is the Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa del Corzo Tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Considered by many as the star tour of this area of Mexico, the excursion to the Sumidero Canyon, to which a brief visit to Chiapa del Corzo is normally added, is without any doubt one of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
There are several ways to do it, among them for free, although this if you add the prices, in the end it can even cost you more than doing it with an agency, since the prices of the latter are quite adjusted.
- We hire you directly at the Hotel Posada El Zaguán and it will be with the company Chiapas Extreme Tours.
- The total price of the tour is 300 pesos per person and includes transportation, come to the hotel, entrance and boat to the Sumidero Canyon, transportation to Chiapa del Corzo and transportation back to San Cristóbal de las Casas.
- The start time of the tour is at 9 am and ends at approximately 2:30 pm in Sancris.
- The navigation through the Sumidero Canyon is approximately 2 hours and is done in a small boat, which also includes a guide.
- If it is sunny, wear a protective hat and hat, as there are few shadows during the tour.
Sumidero Canyon
How to get to San Juan Chamula from San Cristóbal de las Casas:
There are several options to go to San Juan Chamula from San Cristóbal de las Casas, one of the most magical places in Mexico:
- Public Transportation: From the San Cristóbal de las Casas Market, in the San Juan Chamula Bus Terminal, buses leave to the town that leave you in the church area for 10 pesos in about 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic. To return you can take it again at the same point.
- Taxi: You can take it anywhere in San Cristóbal de las Casas for 80-100 pesos each way. To return you can take a taxi again in the Plaza Mayor, where the Temple of San Juan is located.
- Organized tour: 100% of the agencies have this tour, which also includes a visit to nearby Zinacat. The price is about 150 pesos, depending on the agency, it lasts approximately 4 hours, leaving in the morning and returning to San Cristóbal de las Casas at noon.
San Juan Chamula from San Cristóbal de las Casas
Tips for visiting the Temple of San Juan in San Juan Chamula:
San Juan Chamula is without a doubt, known in Chiapas and in the world, for being the place that houses the Church of San Juan Bautista, the only one in the world where you can see some unique religious practices, which we warn you, do not They will leave you indifferent.
To visit the Temple of San Juan, several things must be taken into account. We recommend you to have the maximum education and respect, in addition to understanding that as tourists, we are guests to the place and this is not made so that we feel comfortable. That is why we should also try not to judge what we see, since we are mere spectators.
- Esta terminantemente prohibido hacer fotografías dentro de la iglesia, ni siquiera enfocando a algún lugar en el que no haya gente. Del mismo modo, no se pueden hacer fotos a las diferentes procesiones que pueden tener lugar o a los mayordomos, que son las personas que acompañan a los santos durante el periodo de un año.
- Esta prohibición es estricta. Si te la saltas puedes tener problemas. Tenlo en cuenta antes de sacar tu cámara o móvil. Es preferible tener una experiencia inolvidable, pero que esta no sea por algo que has hecho mal.
- Desde el momento en el que llegues a San Juan Chamula, si quieres disfrutar de la experiencia, te recomendamos tener la mente abierta, sin predisposición a juzgar lo que veas. Te adelantamos que en el interior de la iglesia verás sacrificios animales, por lo que quizás prefieras no entrar o tener una imagen más panorámica quedándote en la entrada, sin llegar a acercarte a los fieles y ver las imágenes de manera más explícita.
- Pese a que cuando adquieras tu entrada te dirán que en el pueblo y en el exterior de la iglesia puedes hacer fotos panorámicas, creemos que es preferible pedir permiso antes de tomar ninguna foto en el exterior a las personas que estén a tu alrededor, por si se sienten incómodas.
- Si quieres llevarte un recuerdo en forma de fotografía, siempre puedes comprar una postal.
- Como comentábamos, en la iglesia, verás imágenes en cierta manera impactantes para nuestra cultura. Intenta no juzgar. Únicamente dedícate a mirar y abrir tu mente. Te aseguramos que es una experiencia única.
- Si has llegado hasta San Juan Chamula por libre, te recomendamos tener una primera toma de contacto en el interior de la iglesia sin guía, después salir a buscar un guía, normalmente están en la misma puerta, y después quedarte en el interior, mezclándote con los fieles para poder acercarte a las explicaciones que te hayan hecho.
San Juan Chamula
Cómo ir al recinto arqueológico de Palenque:
Hay varias formas de ir a Palenque en Chiapas desde San Cristóbal de las Casas, otro de los lugares que visitar en México imprescindibles.
- Colectivo: Puedes cogerlo en la rotonda maya, justo frente a la estación de autobuses de Palenque. El precio es de 28 pesos por persona.
- Taxi: Puedes cogerlo en la parada de la estación de autobuses. El precio es de 100 pesos por trayecto.
- Tour: En cualquier agencia o en tu mismo alojamiento puedes contratar un tour en el que se incluye transporte de ida y vuelta y entradas por 350 pesos. Para nosotros el problema de esta opción es el poco tiempo que tienes para visitar el recinto arqueológico de Palenque, que no suele ser más de 2-3 horas.
Rotonda Maya en Palenque
Cómo ir a Yaxchilán y Bonampak desde Palenque:
Aunque son dos visitas que se podrían hacer por libre, en caso de contar con transporte propio, después de nuestra experiencia te aconsejamos contratar un tour a Yaxchilán y Bonampak desde Palenque, para ir más tranquilos y sobre todo, aprovechar más el tiempo, ya que para hacer ambas visitas deberíais salir muy pronto y las carreteras no están muy bien señalizadas, además de que el 95% del trayecto transcurre entre la selva y no hay cobertura móvil.
Este tour a Yaxchilán y Bonampak se puede contratar con la mayoría de agencias de Palenque y además es una excursión que también suelen ofrecer los hoteles, como intermediarios.
El precio suele ser de 1000-1200 pesos por persona e incluye:
- Transporte a Yaxhilán y Bonampak desde Palenque.
- Barca a Yaxchilán
- Desayuno y comida
- Entradas a ambos recintos arqueológicos.
- El servicio de guía en las ruinas no está incluido y se puede contratar en el mismo lugar por 150 pesos por persona.
Tour a Yaxchilán y Bonampak
Recomendaciones Campeche
Cómo ir de Campeche a Edzná:
- Transporte público: Llegar a Edzná en transporte público no es algo imposible, pero tampoco fácil. Hay pequeñas combis que se cogen en la calle Chihuahua y que pasan cada 30 minutos, pero por lo que nos dicen, no te dejan en la puerta del recinto arqueológico de Edzná y no tienen un horario fijo.
- Transporte privado: Nosotros lo contratamos directamente con la agencia que hay al lado del Hotel Francis Drake, por 350 pesos por persona e incluye transporte de ida y vuelta más espera de 2 horas (tiempo negociable) para la visita. En nuestro caso, al tener que recoger el coche en el aeropuerto, a 6 kilómetros de Campeche, nos dejará directamente allí.
- Tour con agencia: Todas las agencias de la ciudad hacen este tour para visitar Edzná en Campeche. Por lo que pudimos ver, los precios rondan los 850 pesos por persona e incluyen transporte y guía en el yacimiento.
- Coche de alquiler: la forma para visitar Edzná en Campeche que nosotros hubiésemos elegido en caso de tener ya el coche. Aunque podríamos haber adelantado la hora de recogida a esta mañana, eso nos hubiese supuesto llegar a Edzná más tarde, cuando ya hay más gente y to lose la posibilidad de pasar la tarde completa en Campeche, por lo que hemos preferido hacerlo de la forma que comentamos anteriormente.
Visitar Edzná en Campeche
Consejos para viajar a Yucatán
Aunque no es algo generalizado, es importante tener en cuenta que en algunos lugares alejados, como por ejemplo Río Lagartos, no hay cajeros automáticos en los que poder sacar dinero ni bancos, por lo que es conveniente llevar siempre algo de efectivo, al menos para salir del paso.
Incluso hay lugares pequeños en los que sí hay cajero automático, pero en temporada alta se suelen quedar sin dinero en poco tiempo.
Tour Río Lagartos Yucatán
Si quieres ver flamencos en libertad, en Yucatán tienes dos posibilidades de hacerlo.
- El Tour Celestún en Yucatán
- El Tour Río Lagartos en Yucatán
Después de nuestra experiencia haciendo ambos, no podemos más que recomendar que el que se puede hacer en Celestún como el más interesante. Es en este donde podrás ver los flamencos mucho más de cerca, además de adentrarte en la zona de manglares en barca, que es también una experiencia única.
Tour Celestún Yucatán
Si bien también es cierto que Río Lagartos es una zona muy interesante, en la que además de ver flamencos, segíun la época desde más lejos y algo más dispersos, también podrás visitas Las Coloradas, unas salinas en la que destacan sus aguas rosas, muy famosas desde que empezaron a publicarse fotos en redes sociales.
Las Coloradas
Una de las cosas que estamos seguros harás en esta zona del país es visitar Chichén Itzá en Yucatán.
Si quieres visitar el recinto arqueológico tranquilo, te aconsejamos venir a primera hora de la mañana, en el horario de apertura para poder disfrutar durante un par de horas, hasta que llegan los grupos organizados, prácticamente en soledad.
Visitar Chichén Itzá en Yucatán
La mayoría de viajeros únicamente conocen o visitan un cenote en esta zona, normalmente el cenote Ik Kil, ubicado muy cerca de Chichén Itzá.
Si tienes tiempo, otra de las recomendaciones para visitar México que queremos darte es que dediques un día completo a visitar algunos de los mejores cenotes de Valladolid.
Te aseguramos que no te arrepentirás, ya que son algunas de las formaciones naturales más impresionantes del mundo.
Cenote Agua Dulce
Entre Quintana Roo y Yucatán hay un cambio horario de una hora, algo a tener muy en cuenta tanto para las visitas como para las llegadas a los alojamientos.
Recomendaciones para viajar a Quintana Roo
Si buscas un lugar especial en Tulum en el que pasar unos días de relax, te recomendamos optar por Xpuha o Playa Paraíso, en esta última puedes alojarte en Tulum pueblo e ir en moto o coche ya que está muy cerca o la zona de Xcacel, aunque esta es una playa virgen, por lo que no hay alojamiento ni servicios y debes alojarte en los alrededores.
Playa Paraíso
Estas tres son para nosotros las mejores playas de Tulum, sin lugar a dudas.
Xpuha, una de las mejores playas de Tulum
Otra de las recomendaciones para México, es algo que tiene que ver con visitar las ruinas de Tulum, uno de los lugares más impresionantes del país y del mundo.
Tal y como pasa en Chichén Itzá, te aconsejamos ir al yacimiento a primera hora de la mañana, cuando abren a las 8 para evitar así a los grupos organizados y poder hacer la visita prácticamente en soledad.
Visitar las ruinas de Tulum
Aunque este es un consejo general, hay que poner especial cuidado en el momento de visitar las ruinas de Cobá.
En la mayoría de yacimientos arqueológicos encontraréis que hay estructuras a las que se puede subir. Teniendo en cuenta que la experiencia es única y que las vistas desde arriba suelen ser impresionantes, no podemos más que recomendar que lo hagáis, aunque siempre teniendo muchísimo cuidado, ya que en la mayoría de ocasiones los escalones son bastante desiguales y si ha llovido, bastante resbaladizos.
Es importante tomarse el ascenso y descenso con tranquilidad, para evitar cualquier sorpresa desagradable.
Gran Pirámide de Cobá
Consejos para viajar a Holbox
Lo primero a tener en cuenta es que no se puede llegar a Holbox en coche, ya que en esta isla está prohibido el acceso a vehículos a motor. Para poder acceder deberás llegar a Chiquilá en coche o transporte público y desde allí, tomar un ferry hasta Holbox por 140 pesos por persona y trayecto de aproximadamente 30 minutos.
Puedes encontrar información ampliada en el post Como ir a Holbox.
"La niña de las Estrellas". Ruta de los murales en Holbox
Si quieres tener mucha más información y consejos para viajar a Holbox no te pierdas el post sobre Qué ver y hacer en Holbox donde hablamos sobre los lugares a visitar, cosas que hacer, recomendaciones y restaurantes recomendados en la isla.
Punta Cocos. Que ver y hacer en Holbox
Recomendaciones para visitar recintos arqueológicos de México
En este apartado queremos hacer un breve resumen, tanto de recomendaciones como de datos prácticos, interesantes para visitar los diferentes yacimientos arqueológicos que visitamos a lo largo de nuestro viaje a México.
- En todos los yacimientos arqueológicos encontrarás parking en el que poder dejar el coche justo en la zona de la entrada. En líneas generales el parking es gratuito.
- El horario suele ser de 8 de la mañana a 5 de la tarde. Conviene consultar las páginas de los diferentes recintos para asegurarse de los horarios.
- En la gran mayoría encontrarás baños y servicio de máquina de aguas o refrescos, aunque hay algunos, como Calakmul, en el que no existe el servicio de bebidas o comidas.
- Algo a tener en cuenta es que en ninguno de ellos, exceptuando Cobá y Chichén Itzá, podrás encontrar en el interior servicio de bebidas o comidas.
Merece la pena tenerlo en cuenta para llevar agua o comida en caso de que sea una visita larga.
- A tener en cuenta también los tiempos de cada una de las visitas, para poder organizar bien el itinerario del día. En esta guía práctica, en cada uno de los días que visitamos los diferentes recintos arqueológicos, puedes encontrar las recomendaciones de cada uno de ellos, como horarios, precios y tipo de servicios de los que disponen.
- Excepto Chichén Itzá o Uxmal, en la mayoría de recintos arqueológicos no se puede pagar con tarjeta de crédito, por lo que conviene tener efectivo, ya que suelen estar alejados de los pueblos y no en todos hay lugares en los que sacar dinero.
Uxmal
No podemos finalizar esta serie de recomendaciones para visitar México sin dar las gracias a todas las fuentes de información de las que hemos tomado consejos, recomendaciones y mucha experiencia, para poder disfrutar al máximo de nuestro viaje a México por libre.
Muchas gracias a Viajeropedia Travel.com por conseguirnos los vuelos a unos precios increíbles.
Muchas gracias a Viajes y Fotografía por toda la información de México D.F y alrededores, fuiste la primera fuente de información que nos hizo estar más seguros de dónde estábamos viajando.
Muchas gracias El Mundo Ok por tu sección de Campeche, gracias a ella organizamos los dos días que pasamos en la ciudad.
Muchas gracias a Sandra Salvadó, de El camino más corto al Mundo Maya, ya que además de darnos muchísimas ideas para el viaje a México por libre, ha sido un auténtico placer disfrutar de toda la información y la fotografía.
Y como no, muchísimas gracias a Alan por todos sus vídeos que como siempre, nos ayudaron a organizar el viaje y acercarnos de una manera única a uno de los países más increíbles del mundo.
Y como no, muchísimas gracias a todos y cada uno de los lectores que tanto de manera pública como privada nos dieron muchísimos consejos y recomendaciones a través de la publicación de Facebook que hicimos, ayudándonos muchísimo a acabar de programar el itinerario del viaje.
Y por supuesto, muchas gracias a todos los seguidores que a través de los stories de Instagram, nos ayudaron día a día a ir organizando las visitas con increíble y múltiples consejos.
