This morning we were up very early as we are going to the Mexican Gulf at Progreso. We leave the hotel at 7am and walk to the bus station. A 20 minute walk at this time of the day is absolutely fine. We locate the bus station, purchase return tickets and walk straight on to a bus. We even get seats near the front! We were expecting a chicken bus but actually it’s quite a nice air con one. We settle back in our seats and enjoy the 55 minute journey to the coast. We have arrived in Progreso and already the heat is quite intense. We pass the first item of interest - a tall lighthouse. It’s been built quite a long way from the sea shore...making us wonder whether it is of much use ... read more

Today we travel to Mérida. There are no passing taxis outside our hotel so our host summons one. We say our goodbyes and arrive at the ADO bus terminal in good time. Today they check in the luggage but don’t bother to weigh it. We pick up some sandwiches, a bottle of water and, joy, a cup of vanilla coffee! The cash machine has been fixed so we make a withdrawal, then settle ourselves by the big fan that we discovered yesterday. Our bus has arrived and we make a prompt departure at 8am. Always a good start. We are due to arrive at 4.30pm. I booked the second row of seats as the front ones offer less legroom and I’m pleased to see we have a Dutch couple in front of us - they are ... read more

Today is the ‘Day of the Revolution’. I guess we should have known that this would be an important day since every town and city we have visited so far has had a very important street named ‘20 November’! We set off towards the town square. We can hear a brass band playing just beyond. There is a long procession of school kids marching in the road, a brass band and finally some people in traditional Mexican dress on horseback, in fact, the first we have seen wearing sombreros! After the parade has finished, we make our way to the colectivo station. We get into a mini bus bound for the ruins but get off at the EcoPark. It’s a bit of a mini zoo but it takes in animals and, where possible, reintroduces them to ... read more

This morning we are a bit late getting going. We were very tired after yesterday’s journey and then there was a lot of noise in the hotel making for a disturbed nights sleep. We drop our laundry off and buy provisions for a picnic lunch at the waterfalls. The area we are visiting today is called Roberto Barrios - a jungle area with waterfalls and swimming holes. We are told that the waterfall area is recently developed and that there will be no vendors there for food or drink, so we need to go prepared. We set off in search of picnic food, and then a colectivo to take us there. After a bit of searching we find the right place. There are several colectivo places in town but different roads serve their own particular destinations. ... read more

Today’s tour is just half a day and does not start till 9am so we get a bit of a lie in. Being British, we are sitting at reception by 8.45am. We meet two other tourists waiting for a van...but it’s not the same one as they booked the canyon and the mirador for a full day. It’s a pity as we were not given the option. For only 50 pesos extra each, they will see the canyon from several viewpoints above as well as from a boat below. Apparently there is no way to change our tickets as they don’t sell that tour from this hotel. A van pulls up and the couple leave. It’s 9.45am and still no sign of our van. It looks like we must be last pick up so we’ll be ... read more