In an amazingly circuitous route, we covered a lot of ground in just three weeks in southern and central Mexico.
Landing in Villahermosa - a steamy Gulf town - we grabbed a bus to Palenque (a fabled Mayan ruin set against a lush jungle backdrop) and continued via endless switchbacks to San Cristobal de las Casas.
San Cristobal (the most Guatemalan of Mexican cities) was a terrific pit stop - pleasingly sited at about 7,000 feet above sea level. The highlight: an illuminating day-long tour with Mercedes Hernandez Gomez of the surrounding traditional villages. Not to be missed.
We then hopped on a plane and flew into Oaxaca. Great food, sensational crafts and several must-see archeological sites make this town a destination for any traveller seeking the "real" Mexico.
Another plane and bus ride brought us to the silver capital of Mexico - Taxco. A wonderful colonial gem that is too often merely thought of as a day-tripper's shopping paradise. Several nights stay proved otherwise.
Finally, we rode into Mexico City and took in the sights and pleasures of the most cosmopolitan of Mexican cities.
Date(s): August 1995. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 1 - 16 of 28 Total. 4135 Visits.
Olmec Head Villahermosa is home to one of Mexico's most famous archeological parks - Parque Museo La Venta. La Venta was one of three major Olmec cities during the pre-classic period (2000 B.C. to 300 A.D.).
La Venta The ruins of La Venta were discovered in 1938 - 84 miles west of Villahermosa.
La Venta All the gigantic heads were moved from that site to this park.
La Venta One of the three largest heads in the park is 6 1/2 feet tall and weighs around 40 tons. It is estimated to have been carved around 1000 B.C.
Sweaty in La Venta The basalt rock for these heads was transported 70 miles - probably by raft - to La Venta. (Warning: Mosquitos thrive on tourists in this park. Don't worry - conveniently placed mosquito repellent salespersons appear throughout the park when needed.)
Palenque The ancient Maya city of Palenque was a ceremonial center for high priests during the Classic Period (300 - 900 A.D.).
Palenque
Palenque Temple of the Inscriptions - named for the great stone hieroglyphic panels found inside.
Palenque
Tour outside San Cristobal de las Casas Mercedes Hernandez Gomez (at the center of the photograph holding an umbrella) leads tours of the villages outlying San Cristobal de las Casas.
Chamula One of the villages outside San Cristobal.
Chamula
Chamula
El Sumidero The canyon of El Sumidero lies 10 miles northeast of Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Christmas Tree Waterfall A boat ride down the canyon gives visitors spectacular views of the gorge's scenery. .
Oaxaca Santo Domingo Church in the heart of colonial Oaxaca. It was started by Dominican friars in the 1550's and completed a century later.
