Chiapas, it was alright. Alight, it was our favorite.

I say it was our favorite but it's starting to feel as though EVERYTHING was our favorite. There were a few places I had picked out already but as with most everything in our life, there is a lot of go with the flow and figure it our when you get there.. The few places we already picked out all involved water in some way and that kind of became the Chiapas theme for us. Chiapas truly was magical, it produced an intense amount of memories that we will have forever because I am about to write them all down! 

Cascada El Chiflón

Just a few short hours from San Cristobal, a beautiful park with a hiking path alongside a turquoise stream that led you through the park, passing 5 different waterfalls on the way. The path to the last waterfall (also the largest) led you up a steep set of stairs up on a point where you felt like you were right in the middle of it. We both got soaked. From the view point you had this great view of where you had just hiked, this massive water fall and a DOUBLE RAINBOW. We took a couple selfies and headed back to our camp spot for the night, the parking lot. 

On the way back down we took our time exploring the park, while letting the dogs roam and get some much needed outside leg moving time. I think at this point they finally started to get sick of being next to each other in such a small space. I mean we did ask them to live in a truck and drive across 3 countries (and back), so far they have been complying. 

Lagunas de Montebello

A National Park with 50+ lakes in a pine forrest butted up against the Guatemalan border. We originally only intended on just driving through the area, snapping a few photos, and continuing on with our Chiapas loop.. but the lakes had other plans for us. Dirt roads that led us to small villages, with beautiful lakes around every corner. We ate lunch in a small pull off where the people of the village were having a meeting. The parking area had about 15 vendor booths and was full of people and Toyota trucks.  The mother and daughter that prepared our lunch informed us that the meeting was about some changes in regulations for the vendors. And the term regulations was used very loosely. The village kiddos were super chatty and thought our truck was just the coolest. That night we camped right at the edge of the lake and were able to use the (hot) shower of a near by hotel. ​

Cascadas Las Nubes

Rain, fog and Topes around every corner, and more corners around those corners. The road to the Las Nubes turn off was no joke and the dirt road from there was absolutely beautiful, super green and lush. 

We arrived to find a nice picnic area right on the river with benches and covered palapas. Knowing there was a nice hiking trail to view the cascading teal colored river and waterfalls, we were all pretty anxious to get out of the truck and move our legs a bit. 

The trail was perfect and just what we needed. Thick lush jungle with a nice maintained dirt path that led to multiple viewpoints overlooking the bright river. The river was the most colorful water we had seen yet. The next morning we treated ourselves to a very strange breakfast at the fancy restaurant by the river and then hit the road. ​

Yaxchilan Ruins

150 mile day, all along the Guatemalan border. One wide open valley after another, with bright lime green covered hill sides. It was a pretty easy drive. Pulled into the hotel parking lot/camp spot and lo and behold -- THE BELGIANS! We were so happy to see them again. When we arrived Elly was deep cleaning the front of their truck and the aftermath of a rouge bottle of bug spray :/ Was nice to catch up and see some familiar faces.

The big plan for the morning- boat ride to Yaxchilan,  an ancient city located on the bank of the river that doubles as the border of Mexico and Guatemala. After negotiating the price of our boat ride for the morning, we went to bed trying to drown out the sounds of the pack of dogs circling our truck and the howler monkeys in the trees above us. 

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All in all the start of the Chiapas loop was incredible and can't wait to visit again some day. With my parents now living full time in Nayarit, I see that happening sooner rather than later.