Day 61 – Puerto Escondito, MX to San Cristobal de las Casas, MX

Day 61 – Puerto Escondito, MX to San Cristobal de las Casas, MX     10/21/10     Mileage:  401

It was hard to peel myself from the sheets this morning, but the road beckons. So after another shower just because I could, I set off in hopes of making it to San Cristobal de las Casas high in the mountainous interior of southern Mexico.

Twists and turns on MEX 200 south...

Passing through Salina Cruz, MX

Lane splitting for motorcycles is legal in Mexico and a great way to get through traffic...

PEMEX is more or less the national gas station of Mexico, and they are generally very well maintained, clean, plentiful and often have a little convenience store. They are sometimes like a little concrete oasis in the dusty craziness of Mexico.

Cattle crossing...

The first few hours of riding were nice but average until I reached Tapanatepec, where I had a decision to make. I could stay on the Pan American highway with the relative safety it offers by being the main road north/south or I could veer inland into the mountainous interior region that borders Guatemala where San Cristobal de las Casas was located. I had just enough daylight left to make it to San Cristobal, so I decided to make a run for it. The road climbed away from the coast with each twist and turn and the air was getting cool and dry. After 20 miles I was beginning to second guess my decision as I had not seen a building or another vehicle on the road save for a truck heading down the other way. If something were to happen, I would be completely on my own. I remembered a conversation I had with my friend John shortly before crossing into Mexico, and his advice was that speed is safety…and he’s right. As long as I’m moving, I’m OK. It’s if I stop, or am stopped…that’s when the situation could get beyond my control. So with that in mind, and my loathing to backtrack, I leaned on the KLR’s throttle and hoped for the best. After a while I began to see some cars, buildings and other signs of life and was more at ease. After passing through the bustling city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the road turned sharply uphill towards San Cristobal and the air got downright….dare I say…cold! At the top of the pass, the GPS read 8,500 feet above sea level and San Cristobal was not much lower than that. As I pulled into town I got caught up in a manic maze of people and traffic on the narrow colonial era streets. It took quite a while to find my way to the town center, but once I did I knew I liked it here! The town center was alive with people and music and I couldn’t wait to get off the bike to soak it all in.

San Cristobal de las Casas town center...

San Cristobal de las Casas city center...

San Cristobal pedestrian only street...

San Cristobal town square...

I found a hotel 2 blocks from the town square with a center courtyard for the KLR and the price was more than right at $200 pesos…or $16 USD. Once settled I was off to find dinner, some drinks and to take in the atmosphere. A few of the streets near the town square were pedestrian only and some of the bars and cafe’s had tables out on the sidewalk. The cool mountain air was a welcome change from the heat and humidity of the coast and it was enjoyable just to walk around and enjoy the scene.

San Cristobal...

I forgot the name of this church...sorry!

La Vina de Bocca...

Afterwards I took another stroll around the town center and called it a night.