A Girl's Guide to Mexico

Nestled in the Lacandon Jungle of Chiapas you can find Palenque, a small town famous for its spectacular Mayan Ruins. I would strongly recommend staying in El Panchan, a small community of cabins right in the heart of the jungle. Starting at $150 a night you can have your own private jungle experience, with the sounds of howler monkeys, humming birds and crickets all around you. There are two bar - restaurants on site (although there is no internet access). Beware of hungry monkeys paying a visit to your table during breakfast! The ruins are a short collectivo-taxi ride away and pass every few minutes. From Palenque you can take a trip to stunning nearby waterfalls and rivers. Most impressive of all are the Cascadas de Agua Azul (Blue Water) and you can see why they got their name - the water is indeed an almost unbelievably bright blue colour! A tour there can also take you to the Misol - Ha waterfalls. For a slightly quieter option you can visit the smaller but still lovely Cas...

Bacalar is probably my all-time favourite place in Mexico. Despite its unbelievable natural beauty, it remains relatively quiet in comparison to other tourist destinations in the area. Also known as the Lake of Seven Colours, Bacalar is a fresh-water lagoon with impressively crystal-clear blue waters. The best way to enjoy yourself is by taking a boat-tour around the different areas of the lake or rent a kayak and do it yourself. Don't forget to wear sunscreen! There are several places to stay around the lake, the best ones have access to the water. Casa LaHar has water hammocks - where better to relax and enjoy the magnificent sunsets? How to Get There You can take a bus to Bacalar from Tulum bus station, the journey takes around 3 hours (4 hours from Playa del Carmen). Bacalar is also close to Chetumal where you can take a boat to Caye Calker, Belize or further transport to Belize City.                       ...

Taxco is a small, hill-top town in the state of Guerrero, approximately 2 hours from Mexico City. It's famous for it's silver and you can find plenty of shops selling it all around the town. The former colonial town has an impressive cathedral in it's central square or 'Zocalo'. Around this area you can find a lot of bars and restaurants. It's pleasant to spend the afternoon or evening watching people gather there.  A short mini-bus ride (ask for 'el teleferico') takes you to the Hotel Los Arcos where you can take a cablecar and see the impressive view of the area. You can take either a one-way or return trip to the hotel at the top of the hill where you can check out the view from the mirador, take a dip in the pool or have a drink at the restaurant. How to Get There From Mexico City, buses to Taxco leave regularly from the Taxquena Termal (Terminal de Sur). You can check schedules and reserve tickets in advance here:  https://www.clickbus.com.mx...

The Prismas Basalticas of Santa Maria Regla are located in the municipality of Huasca de Ocampo in the state of Hidalgo. Huasca was the first of 111 'Magical Towns' in Mexico and it's easy to see why: the prismas are spectacular columns of rock lining a valley with a river fed by waterfalls. The site is thought to have been formed in the ice age when erupting volcanic lava was cooled rapidly by ice. The park was developed by locals who wanted to turn the site from a grazing ground for cattle into the major tourist attraction it is today. Now you can visit the site for $70, enjoy outdoor swimming pools for an additional $25 and even take a night-time tour of the forest and surrounding areas, complete with tales of local myths and legends, campfire and marshmallow-toasting and more (approx. $100). There are other activities availing on-site including ziplining across the valley and horse-riding. How to Get There From Mexico city you can take a coach from the Central...