The Trekking Pawns' Diary

I just realized… I never actually told you about our first trip to Puerto Vallarta (PV) here on the blog! I’ve posted bits and pieces over on Instagram, but it’s about time I gave this magical destination a proper shout-out. We traveled in late January into early February , and honestly? It was the perfect time to go. The weather was warm (okay, hot as soon as we stepped off the plane), but still manageable — especially compared to the scorching summer heat we've heard about. I can’t even imagine walking around town during those humid summer months. Winter in Puerto Vallarta, though? Just right. 🌞 Flying into Paradise We flew in from the West Coast and had quite a few options. While some of the more budget-friendly flights had long overnight layovers in Jalisco or Mexico City , we chose to spend a little extra and go for the direct flight . No regrets. It made our travel day so much smoother — less hassle, more time soaking up that sweet Mexican sunshine. Our flight itself...

Exciting news, fellow adventurers — The Trekking Pawns are back at it and planning our next ocean escape! This time, we’re heading south for some serious sun and surf on a 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise , round-trip from beautiful San Diego . Our ports of call? The vibrant and beachy Cabo San Lucas and the tropical charm of Puerto Vallarta — two destinations we can’t wait to explore. We cashed in our CruiseNext deposits and scored a smoking deal — talk about a win! For this sailing, we treated ourselves to one night of fancy dining (because, why not?) and added an internet package just in case we need to peek at work emails. But truth be told, we’re hoping to unplug, soak up some November sunshine, and fully embrace that off-the-grid cruise life. One big reason we picked this cruise? On a past trip to Puerto Vallarta , we noticed a cruise ship docked in port for the day — and it sparked something. We realized how much more of Mexico's Pacific coast we wanted to see. Our last...

Our visit to the Tulum Mayan Ruins was a sunny highlight of our NCL cruise stop in Cozumel, Mexico. After much debate about snorkeling, beach time, or diving into local culture, we chose a shore excursion to the historic ruins of Tulum , and we’re glad we did. While the snorkeling and beaches were tempting, the allure of ancient history won out this time! 🚌 Getting There: Cruise Convenience Meets Local Charm We boarded the early ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen , coordinated through our cruise line. From there, a smooth and comfortable bus ride whisked us to Tulum. Our local guide was full of fascinating insights about the Mayan people , their traditions, and how life might have been before Spanish colonization. We learned that Tulum was once a walled trading port city known as Zama (meaning “City of Dawn”), named for its beautiful sunrises. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Maya, and its cliffside location overlooking the Caribbean Sea made it both ...

Cozumel was a tough call for us. With so many tempting options — snorkeling, beach lounging, or a historic journey to the Tulum Mayan Ruins — we debated our choices right up to the night before. (The activity that we really wanted to do was the Atlantis Submarine !)  Between Cozumel itself and the easy ferry access to Playa del Carmen on the mainland, this area felt like a destination in its own right. If we ever plan a trip off a cruise, this region is high on our list for a proper return visit. Since we had beach and snorkeling excursions planned at other stops, we decided to seize the opportunity and visit the famous Tulum ruins through a cruise ship-organized shore excursion. Yes, we knew it would be more cost-effective to go independently using local vendors or platforms like GetYourGuide. But with only 8 hours of dock time, we didn’t want to risk missing the ship. Too many unknowns = too much stress. And, as we learned, there were definitely some perks to booking throu...

As we prepare for our upcoming cruise, one of the most anticipated stops on our itinerary is Cozumel, Mexico. While there are countless ways to spend a day in this vibrant port, we decided to take a step back in time and visit the world-famous Tulum Mayan Ruins. After doing some research and weighing our options, we ultimately booked the excursion through the cruise line, and here’s why. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  ( Photo: Getyourguide  Things to do in Tulum ) The Excursion: Tulum Mayan Ruins The cruise line excursion to the Tulum Mayan Ruins is advertised as a seamless way to experience one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. The tour includes: A 45-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. A 1-hour air-conditioned bus ride to the ruins. A guided tour of the walled city, showcasing restored temp...

Hey there, fellow adventurers and book lovers! It's one of The Trekking Pawns here, and I recently am in the mist of reading the enchanting novel Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. As someone who loves to explore the world through the lens of literature, I am captivated by the story of Casiopea Tun and her thrilling journey across Mexico. This tale beautifully blends historical fiction with Mayan mythology, taking readers on a journey from the dusty town of Uukumil to the vibrant streets of Mexico City and beyond. Inspired by Casiopea's adventures, I couldn't help but daydream about visiting the places featured in the book. So, let's dive into a travel itinerary inspired by this captivating story! ( Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Uukumil: A Quiet Beginning Our journey begins in the small, fictional town of Uuk...