Our next stop Tuxtla Gutiérrez,  is a working (coffee) city so why come here? For a boat trip in the Sumidero Canyon. The river flows between 800 meter high straight walls with crocodiles vultures, monkeys and awesome views!  

The road from Palenque to San Christobal is very windy and adventurous - some parts of the roads have completely disappeared  during the rain season. It offers great views though and has very high mountains. We visited two waterfalls misol ha (where you can walk behind the waterfall) and the aqua azul cascades which are strikingly blue if you are lucky - which we were.

Next to cows there is a strange phenomenon here people/children try to stop you with a rope over the road to sell bananas and such. The solution: buy bananas at the first "stop" and show them at each “roadblock” - they taste great as well.  The Mexicans have also other ways to let you drive slower: every mile or so there is a  “topes”, road bumps sometimes huge and you really want to pass those very slowly.

San Christobal itself is a tourist joint. All of a sudden we found ourselves in a situation were everywhere people try to sell you something - which is not great stuff.  The Domingo church is somewhat special, with gold paint and an ancient feeling. The rest of the city just ok - but nothing overly special. There are much more interesting colonial cities in latin america.
Our hotel (Bo) however was fun and had a very special design  and an oases in the bustling city. 

From Campeche we followed the Costa Verde and it is really true: the ocean here is jade green and very pretty. 

Far hidden in the jungle on a couple of hills you will find the Palenque temple complex. Again the difference with the other temples couldn't be greater. Luckily our hotel is very close by (maybe we have chosen our hotels for location?!) Being in the midst of the Mexican jungle however things are very warm though. Luckily the hotel has airco. Here too very nice and friendly people - as we have met everywhere here in Mexico. 

Via the temple complex of Edzna, yes the Mayas were very busy: there are hundreds of temples here in Mexico. We try only to pick the most interesting ones. And yes what we have seen so far they are all very different in style. OK some have some same kind of buildings like a palace or a soccer field, but in style, set up and feeling they are very different indeed. Edzna was no exception in the fact that we were the only tourists around this time of year. Which makes things so more relaxing and special.   

Campeche is a (Unesco certified) colonial walled city. It has very bright colours, which reminded me of Miami beach - but just a bit friendlier. The new sea front is not so great however. But overall this town has great character. The cathedral  is one of the oldest in south america and calle 59 is very nice. The strikingly blue sky and the bright sun and colours of the houses make it a special place.

Via the old colonial town of Merida we drove to the Uxmal temple complex, where we have booked a hotel on the premises, which is very nice. Again when we walk around we are the only ones.  Well that is with the usual lizards and  iguanas. Again we climbed right to the top which gave a terrific view of the surroundings. A dip in the cold pool and a dinner with a sun set view of the temple - it is getting a bit boring isn't it?

We follow our journey through Yucatan by biking through the jungle and  and climbing up the Coba temple. The Mayas had a pretty good feeling about beautiful spots! Next Chichen Itza - wow this is a huge pyramid! and luckily there are not a lot of people around. We are lucky to come half February: the weather is great, no rain and almost no tourists. We stay right next to the complex in a pretty lodge so we can dive in the pool after a sweaty expedition. With great food and Mexican wine we end our day.