April 2016 Travel Recap: Yucatan Road Trip, Isla Mujeres, Tucson Adventures & What's Next
In my monthly travel round-ups, I reflect on the past four weeks of adventures—what went well, what didn't, and upcoming plans. 
Where I’ve Been
I started April in Mexico City, embarked on a road trip around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and ended my month-long stay in Mexico on the charming Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres. After a quick stop in New York City—just time to catch up with a close friend and indulge in a long-craved bagel—I flew to Tucson, Arizona, where I'm wrapping up the month. I'm packing now for a mini road trip to my next destination, detailed below.
What I’ve Been Up To
This month was meant to be relaxing, especially the second half, but I stayed busy as always. I wrapped up Mexico City with a near-disaster (more on that later) but also a memorable weekend revisiting Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul and exploring Coyoacan’s vibrant markets and craft beer scene. Then, I flew to Cancun to reunite with my favorite travel companion (after our Colombia trip earlier this year) for an unforgettable Yucatan road trip—one of my top Mexico highlights. Over eight days, we swam in crystal-clear cenotes, beach-hopped along the Caribbean coast, and explored ancient Mayan ruins before relaxing on Isla Mujeres, marking the end of my three-month Latin America winter escape.
Mid-April brought a brief New York layover before heading to Tucson for my fifth visit to southern Arizona since 2010. Typically, I use housesitting time for work, but this trip leaned more toward fun: My friend Katie visited, leading to explorations of Old West towns, hikes amid towering Saguaro cacti, a revisit to the stunning San Xavier del Bac Mission, and ample Tucson craft beer tasting. A surprise visitor added a Phoenix PowWow and a challenging canyon hike. I also connected with locals and past friends. Tucson grows on me with each visit—its hidden gems keep me coming back.
Highlights
Yucatan Road Trip
After meticulous planning, this road trip exceeded expectations: a luxurious stay at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, smooth driving, and sharing authentic Mexican cuisine with my friend—far superior to U.S. versions!
Southern Arizona Desert Hikes
Longtime readers know my love for southern Arizona’s deserts. Visitors drew me out for favorite trails and new ones, with spring blooms making the Saguaro-dotted landscapes even more spectacular.
Return to Isla Mujeres
I first fell for Isla Mujeres in 2010. Despite years of global travels and potential overtourism, it retained its magic—more visitors, yes, but those turquoise waters and vibes are timeless.
What Went Right
Strong Publicity
April brought great exposure: a feature in a major German women’s magazine, Lonely Planet spotlight, and inclusion in a Top 50 Travel Bloggers list.
First Mexican Road Trip Success
The Yucatan drive was flawless—my first multi-day car rental in unfamiliar areas. Drawing from past Riviera Maya experience, concerns about rentals, routes, and safety proved unfounded. Stay tuned for a detailed guide.
What Went Wrong
Near-Robbery in Mexico City
My final Mexico City day turned harrowing at La Merced market. As I photographed and snacked on mango, two men attacked: one restrained me, the other yanked my DSLR. My wrist strap held; screams and my friend’s push freed us. They fled; police response was tepid but we pursued. I kept my passport, Kindle, and cash safe, but damaged my lens (replaced) and bruised my toe badly.
Credit Card Scare
Early month, my UK credit card vanished from online banking. A midnight panic ensued—next day, an hour-long call revealed a rental car deposit flag. Common in Mexico, but resolved.
Costly Losses
Losses continue: $300 JBL headphones left on a New York-Chicago flight (unrecovered), plus a belt forgotten at Cancun security. Fingers crossed for May.
What Went Almost Wrong
Near-Missed Ferry & Flight
Last Isla Mujeres night, post-dinner, the ferry terminal seemed closed—panic over missing our dawn flight. A nearby terminal was open; crisis averted. Next morning, deep gate chat nearly cost our flight—we dashed aboard last.
What’s Next
Leaving Tucson housesit for a month in Austin, Texas—long on my list. Road-tripping there with a buddy: White Sands National Park at sunset (hopefully), Big Bend hikes, then Austin eats. Austin tips on restaurants, food trucks, craft beer, and activities welcome in comments!
