Have Itch, Will Travel

Despite its beautiful beaches and party reputation ("Spring Break!"), I actively avoided Cancún and instead stayed a couple of nights on Isla Mujeres , about twenty minutes by ferry off the coast. It wasn't much different to the mainland though, and I should've figured that out when the ferry ride was flawless and speedy. Almost every time I was headed to paradise, it was fraught with difficulties. The gorgeous Playa Blanca off the coast of Cartagena took all of the better part of the day to get to, while the boat to San Blas was two days of straight sailing on my back or with eyes fixed on the horizon. Bocas del Toro required long bumpy bus rides on shitty roads and all it did was rain the days I stayed. Though the weather was perfect over the Corn Islands, I had no time to endure the days of travel over rough terrain and wetlands , and no money for the alternative flight. I opted to enjoy the Bay Islands instead but had to scrap that idea when the weather got...

The ruins of Chichen Ítza were ruined by the presence of souvenir vendors on the site. Apparently the land is owned by a private citizen who makes more than a few bucks by allowing these people to sell shit if they pay a kind of tax. So the place is littered with people trying to sell poor quality souvenirs who hassle you and get in the way of your otherwise perfect shots. If you visit Chichen Ítza (and you should) please boycott this practice by buying your souvenirs at a stall outside of the site. Apart from those annoying distractions, Chichen Ítza was really cool. Not only did it have a stunning main temple, sacrificial temple and massive ball court, but there were so many amazing details by brilliant Mayan design that you have to see and hear to believe. The main temple had a certain number of levels and lines built into its design that corresponded to the stars or moon cycle. Twice a year, during significant times of the agricultural season, the pair of serpents gliding down...

During my travels I had visited many gorgeous beaches of fine white sands, coconut trees gently swaying over calm turquoise waters, either fairly deserted, otherwise populated by friendly local folk. From the Caribbean coastline of Colombia to the islands of San Blas and Belize, I thought I had seen the most beautiful beaches in the world already. But then I arrived at Tulúm, on the Yucatán Peninsula of East Mexico. I really only wanted to visit the ruins because I was on a bit of a roll with ancient architecture and it happened to be on the way to Cancún. The ruins themselves were not spectacular after the likes of Tikal, which I had visited only shortly before, and the site was too clean and packed with tour groups compared to Tikal's wonderful peaceful jungle setting, that I would not have rated the place at all if not for one thing. It's location. Far out. Honest to god it was a surprise for me. I walked up the path, through the stone doorway and the incredible view ope...