3-4 Tulum and Bacalar, Mexico, then Dangriga, Belize

The third (and last, for now) Maya ruin on our list was Tulum, located on the shore. We spent some time comparing the three - Caryl and I have decided that overall, we enjoyed Coba the best, though each has its charm. Chichen Itza is by far the largest, the best maintained, and most impressive. However, it was overrun by souvenir stands and we were not allowed to get close to the structures. We liked Tulum because it was right on the ocean, and very idyllic and picturesque. The town of Tulum was also pretty fun - a nice, small, and lively hippie town. However, the Tulum ruins were mobbed with tourists, and it was so hot without any shade, even compared to the other two. Coba was a lot of fun, between the jungle bike ride and the climb to the top, we just had a really nice time. Maybe not as extensive as Chichen Itza, but still very impressive. Overall, we're really glad we saw all three, as they are all very unique.

We had dinner at a Thai restaurant in Tulum!



Caryl at the entrance:



Some pictures from the ruins:









Later that same day we took a bus to Bacalar, Pueblo Magico, close to the border with Belize. We spent two nights in a cabana on the shore of a uniquely sand-bottomed, turquoise-colored, fresh water lagoon.

View from our hotel:



Bacalar fort:





Black birds we have seen all over Mexico:



Another grilled chicken dinner:





Bacalar shore:





We then took a 3.5km walk in the blazing hot sun to the Cenote Azul (aka blue sinkhole). Still not sure it was worth it - took a cab back!

Cenote:



Close-up of the drop-off:



Caryl enjoying a beer by the Cenote:



Strange bird at the Cenote:



Since Caryl has become an avid birdwatcher (who would have guessed!) here is another - a hawk outside our cabana:



Yesterday was a long travel day - we took 3 busses to get from Bacalar across the border and then down to Dangriga, Belize. We found some more cute cabanas right on the shore. Caryl says they are shabby chic, minus the chic. I agree. Ruthie, the owner, is very sweet - she has owned the property for 30 years, and built the cabanas 10 years ago. She also has a few dogs - so far she has introduced us to Blackie and Brownie. They are good dogs.

The cabana:





Beach just outside:



Caryl and Blackie:



The bird watching here is incredible:







And the bus we rode in on: