I Much Prefer The Coast Route

I love Puerto Escondído and Puerto Angél. The bricked over malecón is worth an evening as are some of the spaghetterias.

Tehuantepec and Salina Cruz can be hot hot hot hot. I remember one February day encountering 40C. Afternoon tehuantepcker winds (southbound going left to right) can be insane at times, well over 160kph gusts in the afternoon certain times of the year, this is a good place to do early in the daylight.

After you turn off Mex 200 onto Mex 190 at Tepanatepec you'll start climbing into the mountains. The positively stunning sights you will stumble across, beautiful green valleys studded by sagging adobe houses capped with the most beautiful terracotta tiles I have ever seen.

Beware of topes. Their numbers plus their frequency are a bit disheartening.

Tuxtla Gutierrez has a fabulous zoo, not to be missed. The town is a bit boring but does have a Sam's Club ;->

Climbing out of T/G the highway ascends seeming endlessly. Look for vertical milpas, cornfields with indigenous farmers hanging by rope chopping elotes and their family gathering everything up on the roadside.

Mind boggling city San Cristobal de Las Casas. Too much, way too much to do in three months in and around, never mind a week. I wonder if MERCEDES is still leading tours? Look for a yellow and green striped parasol at the north end of la plaza principal. A tzeltal/english speaking guide ultra highly recommended when visiting San Juan Chamula. The village of Zinacantan, the church ceremonies, PAY ATTENTION TO NO CAMERAS ALLOWED signs. The indigenous mean it. No fotos on church property anywhere.

Simojovel city, frontier amber mining city, Mind blowing.

Sorry, too much, my system is going into overload here trying to escribir en breve.

No other place in México have I felt like I was in the middle of a National Geographic adventure.

Enjoy and do not let the rockets and cuetes bother you. Every day there is something being celebrated.