ONE WEEK PUERTO ESCONDIDO TO CANCUN

Benny is 26, and is meeting some friends in Cancun, so is time pressed, but wanting to travel.  Here is what I suggested.

1. PUERTO ESCONDIDO TO SAN CRISTOBAL (2 days)

There is an overnight bus leaving Puerto Escondido between 1800 and 2000 arriving at 0800 in San Cristobal. You will be continuously awoken by military or Highway Police with flashlights and video cameras. Once there check into Puerta Vieja Hostel.

From that hostel, you can easily do a day trip to Chamula. There is an insane church (no photography) where you will find rituals involving chickens and Coca Cola taking place.

2. SAN CRISTOBAL TO TIKAL

This is not really a detour as Guatemala cuts into Mexico quite heavily. Ask your hostel to organise a bus. It probably goes first thing in the morning.

You will need to pay the tax to leave Mexico, as you were there longer than 10 days.

Stay overnight in Tikal at Flores, the best time to see the ruins is at dawn with the howler monkeys doing what they do best — howl — as background noise. Later that day you can leave for.......

3. TIKAL TO CAYE CAULKER (BELIZE)

Stay here until you have to go to Tulum. You will easily be able to get a bus to Belize City, then get on a boat at the dock to Caye Caulker. It is a dangerous city and there is no need to hang around.

I would suggest Yuma's Beach House as somewhere on the water to stay.

Kick back on Caye Caulker, and you can then make it to Cancun in a day.

4) CAYE CAULKER TO CANCUN

Make sure you get the ticket the night before for the boat to Chetumal. Don't be scared of the police officers and dogs: just a heads up. Try and grab your bag and get to immigration quickly as it is normally am understaffed shit fight. From here, take a taxi to the bus station, where a bus to Cancun should go in the next 2 hours.