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The tallest tower in the world, the Tokyo SkyTree has been wowing visitors since it opened in 2012. It is 634m (2080ft), 30 metres higher than the previous record holder, Canton Tower in China (604m). It is the third highest free-standing structure in the world and its top viewing level for visitors is at a sensational 450 metres high. But is it worth it? Visiting Japan was a big dream come true for us and we landed in Tokyo with it being our 29th country together. Just two days in and we made a beeline for the Tokyo SkyTree! Our hotel was literally a ten minute walk away and we certainly couldn't resist the temptation of this tower. We just knew the views would be breathtaking and they most certainly were! That being said, it was super crowded, very hot and fairly expensive for two people. Check out some of our epic highlights, find out more about its history, top fun facts, and how to book your ticket to the Tokyo SkyTree, should you decide to go! In This Post... ● Our Tokyo SkyTree Highlights ● 8 Fun Facts About the Tokyo SkyTree ● Tokyo SkyTree Ticket Information ● Things to Know Before Visiting & Opening Hours ● How to Get to Tokyo SkyTree in Sumida City ● Our Tokyo SkyTree Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan ● Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Tokyo SkyTree Highlights The Tokyo SkyTree was built by the Tobu Railway and several media broadcasters. Its primary function was to replace the Tokyo Tower which was struggling to provide communications, radio and television services to the Kanto Region given the large number of high rise buildings that had been developed around it. The official name was actually given to a nationwide vote to decide, with Tokyo SkyTree receiving 30% of the vote, the runner up being 'Tokyo Edo Tower'. The height of The Tokyo SkyTree was determined not just by necessity, but also to future proof the tower from the same issues that had beset the Tokyo Tower. The exact measurement of 634 metres was also completely intentional, the figures 6 (mu), 3 (sa), 4 (shi) standing for ' Musashi' , an old name of the region where the Tokyo SkyTree stands. We felt pretty fortunate that we came on a clear day and we were able to catch a fantastic view of the city from all angles. The shadow of the tower over the buildings was super cool too. We spoke to someone who had visited before who mentioned some unfortunate weather problems, so we felt that little extra appreciation after that! Jenn on the Tembo Deck (350 meters) It was very hot inside so be prepared to for that if you go with any jackets or coats. Even though it is pretty busy, surprisingly you can actually find plenty of opportunities for a clear photo. Most people were also super friendly and polite too. There is also a whole host of activities you can do at the SkyTree, with tons of stores and restaurants at the base of the tower (including the 634 Musashi Sky Restaurant at 350m). There are also various activities you can do such as Kimono dying and tile breaking, and there is even an aquarium! Read on for some interesting Tokyo SkyTree facts, details on how to get to the Tokyo SkyTree and also how to book tickets for this top destination! CONTENT MENU 8 Fun Facts About the Tokyo SkyTree Here are a few fun facts to know about the world's tallest tower! ⪢ The SkyTree Attracts Over 10,000 Visitors Per Day In fact, it has seen a peak annual number of over 4 million! The tower was visited by an incredible 20 million people in just its first 3 years of operation. People reportedly queued for over a week to get tickets prior to the grand opening, and it was sold out for its first two months! ⪢ The Steel Pipes Used in the Construction Were all Hand-Welded On-Site The thickest steel pipe has a diameter of 2.3 metres and took four experienced welders three days to complete! ⪢ Steel Alone Was Used as the Framework for the Tokyo SkyTree Owing to its impressive durability, resistance to earthquakes and strong winds, steel is a statement of advanced Japanese engineering. Unlike wood and concrete towers, the architects Nikken Seekei also chose steel as it is lightweight, helping to create an open environment that is easy on the eye and blends in with the sky. ⪢ The SkyTree Has 'Seismic Proofing' With its innovative central concrete pillar, alongside its tripod-like base and 'oil dampers' connecting the frame at 375 meters, the SkyTree is about as seismic proof as you can get. It is also able to maintain its centre of gravity as best as possible due to a specialized system which enables it to 'absorb' 50% of energy from an earthquake. ⪢ Edo-Komon Be sure to take a moment too enjoy the distinctive almost lattice like patterns throughout the SkyTree. They are derived from traditional designs and dying techniques for Kimonos, called 'edo-komon'. ⪢ 3rd Tallest Building, World's Tallest Tower The Tokyo SkyTree at 634 meters high is the third tallest structure in the world, behind the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (678.9m) and amazingly still dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE at a whopping 829 meters. As a standalone tower, it beats its closest competition, the Canton Tower in China, which stands at 600 metres. ⪢ The Fastest Elevators in Japan There are four main elevators in the Tokyo SkyTree and they have some impressive statistics! They have a max speed of 600 meters per minute, the fastest of their kind in Japan. Incredibly, they are so silky smooth that a coin has been stood balanced on the floor and not fallen for the entire journey to the top! ⪢ Not Just Elevators... Each elevator or 'Tembo Shuttle' features vibrant visual design panels representing the four seasons in Japan, Cherry Blossom Skies, Sumida River Skies, Festival Skies and Miyakodori Skies. Can you guess the four seasons in English? CONTENT MENU Tokyo SkyTree Ticket Information There are a few different ticket options for the Tokyo SkyTree plus a whole host of different activities that you can book online. We recommend booking ahead, as same day tickets are more expensive, and it can get very busy with high wait times . There are two decks, Tembo Deck (350 metres) and Tembo Galleria (450 metres). Tickets can be purchased for both or one of the two. Prices shown are in Japanese Yen. Convert your currency here . Prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website  below for the most up-to-date information. Advance Ticket ● Combo Ticket (Both Decks):  ¥2700 JPY ● Tembo Deck Only:  ¥1800 JPY Same Day Ticket ● Combo Ticket (both decks): ¥3100 JPY ● Tembo Deck Only: ¥2100 JPY Enjoy Pack This is a special plan that includes an admission ticket to both decks at Tokyo SkyTree, in a bundle with another attraction. These include the fantastic teamLab Planets , Sky Hop Bus, Tile breaking and Wish Hanging.  Check out the full range of packages here . We purchased our tickets same-day and even though it was very busy, we were able to purchase tickets with ease. There is a vast amount of electronic ticket booths, available in many languages, with plenty of staff to help and guide you too. It was really efficient and from point of entry to getting to the observation deck took around 30 minutes. ⪢ Book Your Tickets Online Save time and book in advance with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Things to Know Before Visiting & Opening Hours ⪢ Opening Hours The Tokyo SkyTree is open every day 10am - 10pm. Last entry is at 9pm. ⪢ Best Time for Views To avoid crowds, go early in the morning or later in the evening. If you're lucky enough to be there on a clear day, consider going at sunset for a magical experience. ⪢ Check the Weather Get a weather forecast before heading up; visibility can be limited on cloudy or rainy days. ⪢ Dress Comfortably You'll be doing a bit of walking and standing, so wear comfortable shoes. It can also get pretty hot, especially on sunny days. Even in December! ⪢ Explore Solamachi The shopping and dining complex at the base of the SkyTree is called Tokyo Solamachi. Allocate some time to explore its numerous shops and dining options if you're interested. We warn you, it is a maze down there! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Tokyo SkyTree in Sumida City There are a number of ways to get to the Tokyo SkyTree, depending on which part of the city you are traveling from of course. We opted to take the train, given its ease and affordability. By Train ● Tobu SkyTree Line:  This is the most convenient and direct option. The Tobu SkyTree Line runs from Asakusa Station to Kasukabe Station, with a dedicated stop at "Tokyo SkyTree Station" located right below the tower. Trains run approximately every 5-10 minutes during peak hours and offers a comfortable and scenic journey. ● Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Asakusa Line, or Keisei Oshiage Line:  These lines offer a network of connections throughout Tokyo and stop at "Oshiage Station (SkyTree)," which is a short 5-10 minute walk from the Tokyo SkyTree. While not as direct as the Tobu SkyTree Line, these options provide flexibility if you're coming from another part of the city. Check here  for more station information. By Bus Several Toei Bus routes service the Tokyo SkyTree area, making it a budget-friendly option. However, navigating the bus system can be slightly more challenging compared to trains, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city. Using a translation app or researching the specific bus route beforehand is recommended. By Taxi Taxis are a convenient option, especially if you have luggage or are traveling with a group. Taxis are readily available throughout Tokyo, but fares can be significantly higher compared to using public transportation. Japan Rail (JR) Pass If you plan on traveling extensively by train, consider purchasing a JR Pass with Klook. It can save you money if you'll be using JR lines frequently during your stay in Japan, and is a very popular option for tourists. ⪢ Contact Information for Tokyo SkyTree ● Address : 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan ● Phone: (+81) 570550634 ● Website: tokyo-skytree.jp/en ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Tokyo and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Tokyo SkyTree Experience Rating We had a good experience but we did feel it was expensive, given that there are other (albeit smaller) towers that are more affordable, in some cases completely free. It was also super busy and very hot inside, which made it a little uncomfortable and harder to enjoy. That being said the view was incredible, although be sure to aim for a day with no clouds like we did! As ever thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan Check out all of the places we visited in Japan courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Tokyo. Whether you're looking to scale the Tokyo SkyTree, see Shibuya Sky or take a trip to teamLab Planets, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Japan. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Showcasing beautiful goldfish as living art, this breathtaking museum is a must see in Tokyo. There are thousands of rare and common goldfish in ten exhibits, swimming in mesmerising multi-colored vessels of various shapes and sizes. In a style typical of Japan, they are displayed in a way that encompasses all that is beautiful about nature. The Art Aquarium Museum in Tokyo is not your typical aquarium. Here, art, design, and entertainment seamlessly blend with the captivating beauty of goldfish, creating a fantastical world unlike any other. In this blog post we will take you on a journey through this unique museum, exploring its dazzling exhibits, fascinating history, and the cultural significance of goldfish in Japan. You can also book your tickets here with Klook, and find out exactly how to get to the museum. So, get ready to be mesmerized by a captivating fusion of art and aquatic life! In This Post... ● Our Art Aquarium Ginza Highlights ● Why Are Goldfish So Significant in Japan? ● The History of the Art Aquarium Museum ● Getting Tickets for the Art Aquarium Museum ● How to Get to the Ginza Art Aquarium Museum ● Our Art Aquarium Museum Ginza Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan ● Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Art Aquarium Ginza Highlights The building that houses the Art Aquarium Museum is easy enough to locate however once inside it is a little confusing. It is a 9 floor department store and on the floor plan it shows the museum as being on floor 8. Thankfully we asked at the reception area as they kindly informed us that it is actually on floor 9. You can find details of how to navigate the building later on in this post. Our first stop was the Ginza Mantoro, a magical 'silent' spot of traditional hanging Japanese lanterns. The multi-layered lanterns mimic the historical design of those at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara . This was a really pleasant start to our tour! Ginza Mantoro (lanterns) Next up was a lovely exhibit called the Goldfish Corridor. This is designed to mimic the style of Japanese temples and is lined on either side by large floor-to-ceiling goldfish tanks illuminated in slow changing colors. It was a great start, although this seemed to be the busiest area so it was hard to enjoy it in all its glory! But we loved it all the same, and immediately had a nice sense of ease given the lovely calming music that accompanied us throughout. 'The Goldfish Corridor' We then moved on to the 'Goldfish Waterfall', one of the larger displays that contains multi-layered rectangular tanks with subtle overflowing cascading water. This is an open and interactive exhibit so we could walk in between the tanks and observe the goldfish in a way that almost felt like we were in the tanks with them! The 'Goldfish Waterfall' The Mask Collection was very interesting; a wall featuring some 60 historical masks collected by the museum from all over Japan. Many of these masks would have been used in rituals and ceremonies over time. Some of them looked fairly ghoulish; we were a tad disappointed each one did not come with any information. But they were cool to observe and we really enjoyed this exhibit. One of the Masks as part of the 'Mask Wall Collection' Our next exhibit was 'A Show of Kingyo'. This is a collection of around 20 small square pedestals hosting a short open topped square aquarium on top. Surrounding the aquarium are beautiful 'Kimono obi' glass multi-colored marbles. There were certainly some very interesting looking goldfish here! A Show of Kingyo We could sense the exhibits getting bigger and better as we moved on and the 'Origamirium' is a great example of that. This giant fishbowl is inspired by the Japanese tradition of origami (hence the name and shape) and also has hanging paper origami fish surrounding it which you can walk amongst. Very, very beautiful! Origamirium The absolutely stunning 'Chochinrium' greeted us next and was perhaps one of our favorite exhibits. Based on traditional Japanese 'Matsuri Lantern' lighting, either side of the central walkway is lined with pedestal-mounted large glass sphere style bowls designed to magnify the fish to make them look bigger. The tops of the bowls, the lighting, the ceiling decorations; it was all very magical here! The penultimate exhibit features bamboo style tubular tanks which alternate lights of white, green, pink and red. Each tank bubbles inside and wrap around a beautiful Christmas Tree in the centre. It is designed to resemble a bamboo forest and is a quiet space of tranquility and appreciation. Goldfish Forest Last but certainly not least is this incredible collaboration project in which vibrant and unique color and synergy truly stands out amongst various strategically placed goldfish bowls. Japanese flower arrangement is called Ikebana and intermingling this stunning style with the fish of the aquarium makes this final exhibit a fitting crescendo for this museum! Flowerium (by Shogo Kariyazaki) "This is the world's first collaboration between Goldfish and myself, so I'm filled with anticipation. Goldfish and flowers, I can't help but look forward to how I can co-star the perfected beauty created by this world. all visitors will enjoy this world-first collaboration between goldfish and ikebana, a Japanese art that boasts to the world." - Shogo Kariyazaki Read on for more information on tickets for the Art Aquarium, how to get there in Tokyo, and our experience rating. CONTENT MENU Why Are Goldfish So Significant in Japan? Goldfish hold a special place in Japanese culture for several reasons, and have so for over 500 years! Here are a few of the reasons behind it: ⪢ Symbol of Luck & Prosperity The Japanese word for goldfish, 'Kingyo', has characters that mean 'gold' and 'fish'. This association with gold naturally paints them as symbols of wealth and good fortune. Their red and orange colors are also considered lucky and believed to ward off evil. ⪢ Historical Importation Goldfish were introduced to Japan from China around the 1500s. They were initially a luxury item, kept only by wealthy individuals contributing to their association with high status. ⪢ Accessibility During the Edo period (1603-1868), goldfish breeding techniques advanced, and they became widely popular among the common people. This widespread availability further ingrained them in Japanese culture. ⪢ Aesthetics Their vibrant colors, graceful movements, and variety of shapes and forms have a captivating aesthetic quality that the Japanese have long appreciated. ⪢ Cultural Representation Goldfish appear frequently in Japanese art, literature, and even festivals. They symbolize summer and a sense of delightful nostalgia. CONTENT MENU The History of the Art Aquarium Museum While the Art Aquarium Museum Ginza officially opened its doors in May 2022, its story goes back further. It wasn't the first "Art Aquarium" experience, but rather the second chapter in a longer journey. ⪢ The Beginning (2007) The concept first emerged as a temporary exhibition in Tokyo in 2007. This initial exhibit showcasing goldfish in artistic displays proved incredibly popular, running for two months. ⪢ Traveling the World Following the success of the first exhibition, the "Art Aquarium" concept embarked on a journey, holding limited-time exhibitions in various locations both domestically and internationally over the next 15 years. ⪢ Permanent Home (2022) Finally, in 2022, the Art Aquarium found a permanent home in the heart of Ginza. This new iteration, the Art Aquarium Museum Ginza, represents an evolution of the concept, offering a more immersive and permanent experience focused on showcasing goldfish as living art. In over 40 exhibitions, it has amassed over 10 million visitors! CONTENT MENU Getting Tickets for the Art Aquarium Museum in Tokyo Prices shown are in Japanese Yen. Convert your currency here . Adults & Students (12+ years old) ● Web Ticket:   ¥ 2,500 JPY (Online purchase on the day is possible) ● Same Day Ticket:   ¥ 2,700 JPY Use the ticket vending machine on the 9th floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi New Building for same-day tickets. Credit / debit cards and cash are accepted. Check online first:  If online tickets are sold out, same-day tickets will not be available. Children (under 12 years old) ● Free admission for up to 2 children per adult ● Normal fee will be charged from the 3rd child Audio Guides Guides are available for ¥ 500 JPY Prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website  below for the most up-to-date information. ⪢ Get your Art Aquarium Museum Ticket with a Tokyo Metro Day Pass Save time and guarantee your spot by booking your tickets in advance with booking.com. Get an exclusive optional c ombo offer by adding to your Art Aquarium Museum admission ticket with a Tokyo Metro Subway pass for 24 hours with unlimited rides. CONTENT MENU Art Aquarium Museum Opening Times The Art Aquarium Museum is open every day 10am - 7pm. Last entry is 6pm. ⪢ Best Time to Visit If you want to enjoy the Art Aquarium in a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, we recommend visiting during weekdays, and in the early morning, around 10am to 12pm. CONTENT MENU How to Get to the Ginza Art Aquarium Museum in Tokyo The best way to get to the museum is via the highly efficient and world-renowned subway system in Tokyo (in our opinion). Check below for the nearest stations, and tap the map for further navigation. Nearest Subway Stations ● Ginza Station - Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line  - A7 exit (directly opposite) ● Ginza-itchome Station -   Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line  - Exit 9 (5 minute walk) ● Higashi Ginza Station -   Toei Asakusa Line/Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line  - go in the direction of Ginza Station via the underground walkway (2 minute walk) ● Yurakucho Station -   JR Line  - Central Exit/Ginza Exit (9 minute walk) By Car There is a parking lot within the Ginza Mitsukoshi building. Parking tickets are available at the museum shop inside the Art Aquarium Museum. Museum visitors get 1 hour free for each parking ticket (1.5 hours free for Nishi-Ginza parking lot). You can also gain additional free hours when spending over ¥ 2000 JPY in the store. Ginza Mitsukoshi Building When you arrive at the Ginza Mitsukoshi Building, you will find that the floor plan at the entrance states that the museum is on floor 8. This is not correct; entrance is actually on floor 9, via the Ginza Terrace Garden. You are unable to access floor 9 by escalator and can only get there by the main building elevators. When you exit the elevator turn left and take a few steps, you will see the entrance just to the right. Tap here  for building route guidance. ⪢ Contact Information for Ginza Art Aquarium Museum ● Address: 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212 Ginza Mitsukoshi (admission reception / same-day ticket: 9th floor of the new building) ● Contact form: https://artaquarium.jp/info/ ● Phone: (+81) 03-3528-6721 ● Website: artaquarium.jp ● Instagram: @artaquarium_museum_official ● Facebook: @artaquariumofficial ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Tokyo and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Art Aquarium Museum Ginza Experience Rating We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits and felt that it was all very beautiful! It was very busy, which did make it a little difficult to enjoy everything as the spaces were quite small. Booking later in the evening might have sounded like a good idea, but it seems many people do that, so perhaps the early morning is better! We would absolutely recommend it though, and we are sure it will be a memory that like us, you will not forget from Tokyo! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan Check out all of the places we visited in Japan courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Tokyo. Whether you're looking to scale the Tokyo SkyTree, see Shibuya Sky or take a trip to teamLab Planets, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Japan. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

This concept cafe uses robotics to offer work and transform the lives of those who may be bedridden, unable or too uncomfortable to work outside of the home. Redefining remote working with cutting edge OriHime robots, customers are able to interact with staff with health conditions or impairments from their own personal spaces in a fun and non-intrusive way. We were completely enamoured by this fantastic idea and we could not wait to get there and check it out. We had the most heart warming experience and we are huge fans of everything the team at the Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe and its owners Ory Laboratory are doing. Be sure to pay them a visit and give your support when you are in Tokyo! In this post, we take a look at how the cafe works, what OriHime robots are, how to make reservations, where to find Avatar Robot Cafe and as ever, our travel experience rating. In This Post... ● What Is an OriHime Robot? ● Our Avatar Robot Cafe Highlights ● The OriHime Pilot Barista ● Making Reservations at the Avatar Robot Cafe ● Avatar Robot Cafe Opening Times ● How to Get to Avatar Robot Cafe in Tokyo ● Our Avatar Robot Cafe Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan ● Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. What Is an OriHime Robot? OriHime is a robot that has a built-in camera, microphone and speakers. It is controlled remotely through the internet and the operator can freely move the field of view of OriHime. They are able to talk and communicate in real time via the tablet you see in the front. Operators are also able to move the robot along programmed floor lines, and can also control the eyes and arms. Find out more about OriHime here . CONTENT MENU Our Avatar Robot Cafe Highlights On entry we were immediately greeted by our first OriHime robot, operated by the lovely Masako Imai. This first interaction was initially a little awkward, but both Jenn and I became comfortable and natural fairly quickly. Masako was born with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and operates OriHime from her home in Osaka. "I am a typically energetic Osaka born person with a special suit called SMA. Needing assistance by caregivers for almost 24 hours a day, I currently live alone." In 2015, Masako helped start a group for challenged people called Gururi, aiming to create a culture where diverse people could meet and co-exist in a local community. "I want to have fun talking to people and discovering and appreciating new things through my alter ego avatar robot OriHime!" We were really happy to meet Masako and she gave us such a lovely welcome! As we did not make reservations prior, we were unable to have a sit down robot 'service'. So we just ordered two salted caramel lattes and opted for a window seat where we could observe the OriHime and their operators in action. The café is beautifully presented and we really liked the infusion of green plants and the central tree, complete with its surrounding cushion seat. There is a large screen, a well stocked bar and plenty of tables. There is also free WiFi and charging ports available. The café is split into two sections; seating for online bookings and walk-in customers. For the robot table service you must book prior to arrival and you are required to order a meal. There are some great workspaces available too although they are limited without reservations. We were actually given a 30 minute time limit although it was fairly quiet so it did not seem like it would be enforced. We really enjoyed the atmosphere here and it felt like such a happy place to be! We do wish we had booked the table service but we will certainly do it next time (there will definitely be one!) This was the first time either one of us had seen a OriHime robot and it was fascinating to watch it cruise around serving the patrons of the café. Even more so having conversations with the people operating them! We were completely enamoured by the concept and we can most certainly see how this benefits the staff, not just as a job but also on a social level. CONTENT MENU The OriHime Pilot Barista The tele barista pilot is only available on reservation and again is operated by a café pilot. Despite not having a reservation we were still fortunate enough to have enjoyed some time with Akane after we had finished our coffee. We were invited over to say hello and we both got to play rock paper scissors! Unfortunately we both lost but this was super fun! OriHime operators are called pilots and there are over 60 staff from inside and outside Japan! With such a warm welcome, fun interactions and great service we have no doubt that the Avatar Robot café will continue to expand and grow. Hopefully it will look beyond Japan too! There are so many who could absolutely benefit from this kind of opportunity. Read on for more information on how to make reservations, the location of the café and our Avatar Robot Café rating. CONTENT MENU Making Reservations at the Avatar Robot Cafe There is an admission fee for the cafe, which cover access to the diner, bar and cafe. There is a small section of seats that do not require this fee, however they do not include OriHime service or the option for meals (coffee and small snacks only). ⪢ OriHime PASS ● Adult ticket (12 years +) ￥1,500 ● Child ticket (4 - 11 years old) ￥1,000 ● OriHime pass includes one drink ● Free for children under 3 years old ⪢ OriHime Diner Robot service is called a 'OriHime Diner' and must be booked online. You are also required to order a meal from an exclusive menu. Booking this service removes the requirement to pay the admission fee. Fee: ● Adult ticket (12 years +) ￥4,400 ● Child ticket ( 4 -11 years old) ￥2,200 ● Free for children under 3 years old What you get: ● Entrance ticket to OriHime area ● OriHime Customer Service Experience (table service) ● One dish and one beverage from the menu ● Same-day reservations are not accepted ● Reservations can only be made online with credit card payment in advance. Cash payments or phone reservations are not accepted. ● OriHime Diner is available for a minimum of 2 persons ● Service by OriHime starts 30 minutes after reservation time Reserve your seat here | View the full menu here ⪢ Bar Counter The Bar Counter is open from noon and offers original non-alcoholic cold drinks in addition to alcoholic beverages. ● No advance reservations are required ● Admission fee required, can be paid on the day of your visit ● Alcohol age limit is 20 years old ● 30-minute service will be available when seats are over crowded ⪢ Cafe Seat OriHime pilots who have undergone barista training will operate the OriHime 'NEXTAGE' robot to serve you your coffee of choice. View the full menu here . Service Times: ● No reservation required ● Admission fee applicable ● There may be a 30 minute time limit at busy periods ** Prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website below for the most up-to-date information. CONTENT MENU Avatar Robot Cafe Opening Times The Avatar Robot Cafe is open every day except for Thursday, from 11am to 7pm. The cafe is only open on Thursday if a national holiday falls on this day. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Avatar Robot Cafe in Tokyo Tokyo has one of the best public transport systems in the world, and the best way to get to Avatar Robot Cafe is by subway. There are several stations close to it, listed below. You are able to drive there if you have a car, but parking is very limited in the area. Nearest Subway Stations ● Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kodenmacho Station (4 min walk) ● JR Sobu Line Shin-Nihonbashi Station (Exit 5) ● Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Mitsukoshimae station (7 min walk) ● JR Yamanote Line Kanda Station (10 min walk) Contact Information for Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe ● Address:  Nihonbashi Life Science Building 3 1F, 3-8-3 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023, Japan ● Phone:  (+81) 03-3527-2136 ● Email: dawn@orylab.com ● Opening times:  11am - 7pm, 6 days a week. Closed on Thursdays. ● Payments:  Non-cash payments only (credit / debit card, QR pay, e-cash) ● Website: dawn2021.orylab.com ● Instagram: @dawncafe2021   | Facebook: @dawncafe2021 ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Tokyo and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Avatar Robot Cafe Experience Rating We are rating Avatar Robot Cafe 5 stars because of its purpose, cause and the mission behind the café. It is a great place to spend time with friends and family and the coffee was excellent. It is perhaps a little on the higher end of the price scale but for what you get and contribute, it is well worth it! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Japan Check out all of the places we visited in Japan courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Tokyo with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Tokyo. Whether you're looking to scale the Tokyo SkyTree, see Shibuya Sky or take a trip to teamLab Planets, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Japan. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Langkawi's skyline has a new star: the Maha Tower. Soaring 138 meters above the island, this architectural marvel offers breathtaking views, exciting attractions, and a glimpse into the future of Langkawi tourism. Join us as we explore this iconic landmark. The Maha Tower is designed to be a multi-faceted destination, combining entertainment, relaxation, and shopping under one roof. It's positioned as a central hub for visitors to Langkawi, offering a taste of the island's culture and natural beauty. Looking like a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower of Paris, you will spot the tower almost as soon as you hit the roads outside the airport, and it almost acts as a lighthouse for the island if approaching from the sea. It is certainly a focal point and growing attraction of Langkawi, and is visually stunning the closer you get to it! In This Post... ● History and Construction of the Maha Tower ● What Can You Do at the Maha Tower? ● Opening Times & Ticket Prices ● Best Time to Visit ● Tips for Visiting ● How to Get to the Maha Tower ● Watch Our Maha Tower Experience on YouTube ● Our Maha Tower Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia ● Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. The History and Construction of the Maha Tower The Maha Tower is a relatively new addition to Langkawi's skyline. Construction was completed in December 2022, making it a fresh and modern landmark for the island. The tower's name, "Maha," is derived from Sanskrit and translates to "great" or "almighty," reflecting its status as a significant structure. While we found specific details about the construction process hard to come by, it's clear that the tower was designed to be a striking and contemporary building, complementing the island's natural beauty. The project was undertaken to boost Langkawi's tourism industry and provide a new attraction for visitors. The Maha Tower is expected to contribute to Langkawi's economic growth by attracting tourists and stimulating local businesses. As a new landmark, it's become a symbol of the island's modern development while maintaining its natural charm. CONTENT MENU What Can You Do at the Maha Tower? The Maha Tower primarily serves as a tourist attraction. Its 138-meter height offers breathtaking panoramic views of Kuah town and the surrounding islands. The tower has a fair bit going on, with cafes, shops, an outside market and of course, the option to head up to its observation deck. ⪢ Observation Deck Visitors can enjoy stunning 360-degree views from the top of the tower (level 33). ⪢ Sky Lounge A space to relax and enjoy refreshments while taking in the views. ⪢ Glass Floor For those seeking a thrill, there's a glass floor section offering a unique perspective. ⪢ Retail & Dining The tower also houses shops and restaurants, including 7 Eleven, Starbucks, Gelato Ice Cream, Heehee and Zus Coffee. More additions are planned for the future. ⪢ Maha Square Just outside the tower is a large square which hosts markets and events. When you get to the tower, you will find escalators that take you to the first concourse area, which is free to browse. You can still see a good view from here. You will need tickets to visit the tower's main observation deck. CONTENT MENU Maha Tower Opening Times & Ticket Prices ⪢ Opening Hours ● Sky Lounge & Sky Deck: 10am to 8pm, 7 days (last entry 6.30pm) ● Retail Shops: 10am to 10pm ⪢ Ticket Prices (Applies to Sky Lounge & Sky Deck) Tickets can be booked online or on arrival. All major cards are accepted. Prices shown are in Malaysian Ringgit. Convert your currency here . Prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information. Admission Without MyKad (foreigners) Standard Ticket: ● Adult (13 to 60 years old):  RM 78 ● Child (3 to 12 years old):  RM 46 ● Senior Citizens (61 + years old):  RM 46 Sunset Ticket: ● Adult (13 to 60 years old):  RM 90 ● Child (3 to 12 years old):  RM 54 ● Senior Citizens (61 + years old):  RM 54 Admission With MyKad (Malaysian Citizen) Standard Ticket: ● Adult (13 to 60 years old):  RM 39 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 29 ● Child (3 to 12 years old):  RM 23 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 15 ● Senior Citizens (61 + years old):  RM 23 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 15 Sunset Ticket: ● Adult (13 to 60 years old):  RM 45 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 35 ● Child (3 to 12 years old):  RM 27 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 19 ● Senior Citizens (61 + years old):  RM 27 / Langkawi Resident:  RM 19 ⪢ Book Your Tickets with Get Your Guide Get your ticket to the Maha Tower with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.  Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Best Time to Visit Maha Tower The best time to visit the Maha Tower is during the week, when it is less crowded. If you are visiting on a weekend, try to book your ticket online to ensure smooth entry and to avoid potential queues. The weather in Langkawi is generally good year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which is from November to February. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, with little rain. CONTENT MENU Tips for Visiting Maha Tower in Langkawi Here are some tips we have thought of to keep in mind before visiting Maha Tower: ⪢ Best Time to Visit For stunning views, consider visiting during sunrise or sunset. ⪢ Photography The tower offers excellent photo opportunities from the main deck, even if you do not purchase tickets for the main tower. ⪢ Comfortable Shoes Walking around the tower does involve some stairs and escalators. ⪢ Check the Weather Clear skies provide the best views! ⪢ Booking It's recommended to book your tickets in advance , especially during peak seasons, to avoid long queues. ⪢ Accessibility Maha Tower offers free wheelchairs (subject to availability), and provides facilities and for elderly and specially-abled visitors. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Maha Tower in Langkawi The Maha Tower is located in Kuah, the main town of Langkawi. It's easily accessible by: By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services Taking a taxi or ride-sharing service, such as Grab or Gojek, is a convenient way to reach Maha Tower. Taxis are available all over the island and drop off right at the entrance. By Car Rental cars are available on the island and give you flexibility to explore other parts of Langkawi too. There is plenty of parking surrounding the tower which is free to use. The tower is 18 minutes away from the Langkawi International Airport, 6 minutes from Kuah Jetty and 15 minutes away from Roro Ferry Port. By Bike If you’re feeling adventurous, two-wheeler rentals are highly accessible around the island. You can easily reach Maha Tower from either Padang Matsirat or Jalan Ayer Hangat. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore Langkawi is by tour. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide, including boat tours around the island, ATV trips kayaking and more. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Contact Information for the Maha Tower ● Address : Persiaran Mahawangsa, Mukim Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Darul Aman ● Email : enquiry@mahatower.com.my ● Phone : (+60) 04 961 0880 ● Website : mahatower.com.my ● Instagram : @mahatowerofficial ● Facebook: @mahatower ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Langkawi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Watch Our Maha Tower Experience on YouTube We were so surprised by Langkawi Island (specifically Kuah and Kuah Bay area)! In this video we go and explore and settle into the area surrounding our hotel in Kuah Bay. We check out some local street food shops and walk in a few local and tourist districts. We take a walk over to the Maha Tower and finish things off at the famous Kuah Food Market. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Maha Tower Experience Rating Compared to other towers we have seen on our travels, the Maha Tower would not stand out as one of the very best. That being said, it is very attractive and is a really nice focal point for Langkawi. It was nice to visit and walk around, but we felt the price seemed a bit high for going to the Sky Deck, and was perhaps not worth it. Did we miss out? Maybe, but overall we are still glad we got to see the Maha Tower up close, and the view from the free first floor deck was still beautiful! As ever thank you for stopping by, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Langkawi, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Langkawi. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Our first time first time trying Ramly Burger in Kuala Lumpur was genuinely one of top street food experiences! Is it really the best in the world!? Our subscribers on YouTube told us it was, and that the the Malaysian people can't get enough of it. We just had to try Ramly Burger! So we did, and now we know what all the fuss is about! You simply cannot come to Malaysia without trying it. It was a challenge for us to find where to get a burger, as admittedly at first we were thinking to look for an actual restaurant. It took a bit of research to realize that they are almost exclusively sold at street food vendors, and although there are street food vendors aplenty in Kuala Lumpur, it was surprisingly hard to find one that was open! Fortunately we were able to find an open seller called Burger Boss at the Jalan Alor Food Night Market, just a day before we were due to leave the capital for our next destination. We are so glad we made it, and we have to say that Ramly Burger was absolutely fantastic. Mouth-wateringly sensational actually! At just $1.50 USD a piece for a double patty, egg wrapped, sauce covered, cut veggie monster of a burger, it is an absolute phenomenon. We would have happily paid more to be honest! We will not say much more here other than that you simply must watch our YouTube video later on in this post for our full showcase of this tremendous burger and our reaction to trying it! But before that, we have put together all you need to know, with the history of Ramly Burger, what's in it, why it is so popular, most importantly where you can find one, and our Ramly Burger experience rating. Enjoy the post, and sorry-not-sorry if you are feeling a little hungry at the end of it! In This Post... ● What is a Ramly Burger? ● The History of Ramly Burger in Malaysia ● How Popular is Ramly Burger? ● Where Can I Find a Ramly Burger Seller? ● Watch Our Ramly Burger Reaction Video on YouTube ● Our Ramly Burger Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Easily Find Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Beyond ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia ● Explore Kuala Lumpur with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. What Is a Ramly Burger? Ramly Burger is a popular Malaysian street food burger that is made with a beef or chicken patty, shredded cabbage, cucumber, mayonnaise, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi seasoning. The defining characteristic of a Ramly Burger is the patty itself wrapped in an omelette and topped with several condiments. The term "Ramly Burger" has been used as a genericized trademark for similarly-prepared burgers which are not necessarily made with the Ramly beef patty as well. The Ramly Burger was created by Dato' Dr. Haji Ramly Mokni in 1979. He started a business selling burgers with his wife from street food stalls. The business was so successful that he decided to start his own company, Ramly Food Processing Sdn Bhd, to produce frozen burger patties and other frozen foods. Today, Ramly Food Processing is one of the largest food companies in Malaysia. Ramly Burgers can be found all over Malaysia, from street food stalls to restaurants. They are a popular choice for a quick and affordable meal. The prices of Ramly Burgers vary depending on the size and toppings, but they typically cost between RM 8 and RM 12. ⪢ The Most Popular Types of Ramly Burgers ● Beef Cheeseburger: This is the classic Ramly Burger, with a beef patty, cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi seasoning. ● Beef Cheese Special: This burger is similar to the Beef Cheeseburger, but it also has an egg wrapped around the patty. ● Double Beef Burger: This burger has two beef patties, cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi seasoning. ● Double Cheese Burger: This burger has two beef patties, two slices of cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi seasoning. ⪢ Other Things to Know About Ramly Burgers ● Typically served on a toasted bun, they can be customized with your choice of toppings, such as onions, tomatoes, and pickles. Do not be afraid to ask! ● A popular snack food, they can also be eaten as a full meal, and are often served with french fries or onion rings. ● Ramly Burgers are a popular choice for picnics, parties and tourists. CONTENT MENU The History of Ramly Burger in Malaysia The history of Ramly Burger is closely tied to the life of its founder, Dato' Dr. Haji Ramly Mokni. Ramly was born in 1947 in a small village in Perak, Malaysia. He was the eighth child of 16 siblings. His family was poor, and Ramly had to work from a young age to help support them. Datuk Ramly Mokni and his wife Datin Shala Siah Abdul Manap In 1978, Ramly was working as a meat cutter in a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur. He noticed that there was a growing demand for halal burger patties in Malaysia. At the time, most burger patties were imported from other countries, and there was some uncertainty about whether they were halal. Ramly saw an opportunity to start his own business making halal burger patties. He borrowed some money from his friends and family, and started making patties in his home kitchen. He sold the patties to local restaurants and food stalls. The business was a success, and Ramly soon outgrew his home kitchen. In 1984, he opened his first factory to produce frozen burger patties. The factory was located in Kuala Lumpur, and it had a capacity of 100,000 patties per day. The business continued to grow, and by 1990 Ramly opened more factories in other parts of Malaysia. In 1995 they also started producing other frozen foods, such as chicken nuggets, fish fingers, and sausages. Today, Ramly Food Processing is one of the largest food companies in Malaysia. It has a turnover of over RM 1 billion, and it employs over 5,000 people. Ramly Burgers are sold all over Malaysia, and they are also exported to other countries including Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia. Ramly is a self-made entrepreneur who has achieved great success. He is a role model for many people in Malaysia, and he is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs. CONTENT MENU How Popular is Ramly Burger? Ramly Burger is very popular today in Malaysia. It is estimated that there are over 25,000 Ramly Burger stalls nationwide, and they each generate an monthly average income of about RM 5,000. The burgers are also seen in a few locations in other countries, such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The success of Ramly Burger can be attributed to a number of factors, including: ● Quality of the ingredients: Ramly Burgers are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, which gives them a delicious taste. ● Affordability: Ramly Burgers are a very affordable option, which makes them popular with people of all income levels. ● Convenience: Ramly Burgers can be found all over Malaysia, making them a convenient option for a quick and easy meal. ● Variety: Ramly Burgers come in a variety of flavors, so there is something for everyone. ● It is a customizable food: You can choose your own toppings, such as cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. ● Filling and versatile: A Ramly Burger is a good source of protein and carbohydrates, so it can be a satisfying meal. It can be eaten as a snack, lunch or dinner! ● A social food: It is often shared with friends and family. Ramly Burger is a delicious, affordable, and convenient food that is popular with people of all ages. It is a true Malaysian icon, and it is likely to remain popular for many years to come! CONTENT MENU Where Can I Find a Ramly Burger Seller? Here are some Ramly Burger locations you can try. But before you check them out, have you considered a Kuala Lumpur food tour? Check out Get Your Guide for some epic market tours including night trips, private food tastings and more. ⪢ Burger Boss Burger Boss is where we tried our Ramly Burger. It is located just off of the famous Jalan Alor Food Night Market in Kuala Lumpur. ● Opening times: 5pm to 3am Monday to Saturday. ● Address: 13a, Jln Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ⪢ Brader John Uptown Damansara A popular spot for Ramly Burgers, and it is known for its generous portions and delicious flavors. ● Opening times: 10pm to 2am, Tuesday to Saturday. ● Address: Jalan SS 21/58, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor ⪢ OM Burger This is another popular spot for Ramly Burgers. They are known for their creative and innovative toppings, such as the "Ramly Burger Pizza" and the "Ramly Burger Sushi." ● Opening Times: 5:30pm to 1am, every day. ● Address: 7 eleven, Jalan Ayer Kerja Lama, Ukay Heights, 68000 Ampang, Selangor ⪢ Gerai Burger Dan Nasi Lemak Utara This is a family-owned business that has been serving Ramly Burgers for over 30 years. They are known for their traditional flavors and their affordable prices. ● Opening Times: 5pm to 12am, Tuesday to Friday. ● Address: Stall 1, Medan Selera MBPJ, Jalan SS 2/60, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor ⪢ Zam Burger Zam Burger is a popular spot for Ramly Burgers, and it is known for its generous portions and its friendly staff. ● Opening Times: 5.30pm to 11.30pm, Monday to Friday. ● Address: Jalan 6/23b, Taman Danau Kota, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor Note: Stated opening times and days for all locations and may be subject to change at anytime. CONTENT MENU Watch Our Ramly Burger Reaction Video on YouTube A Canadian and British couple eat Ramly Burger for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Is this really the world's best burger? Our subscribers said we must try this epic burger and here is what happened! Warning, this video might make you hungry! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Ramly Burger Experience Rating Is Ramly Burger the best in the world? We think it has to be right up there with the best of them to be honest! When you factor in the extensive ingredients, the messiness, the juiciness, the amount of flavor, it is hard to beat. We are thankful and grateful we had the chance to try this famous burger and we are not joking around when we say we have spoken about it many times since, and would happily go back to Malaysia just to eat it again. Now that is saying something! Can we give it 6 stars? Is that possible?! Easily Find Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Kuala Lumpur with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Kuala Lumpur, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

The Langkawi Cable Car offers breathtaking views of the surrounding 450 million year old Machincang mountain range. It is located on the southwestern part of Langkawi Island, near the Oriental Village. This highly popular attraction takes visitors on a journey to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang, which at 708 metres above sea-level is the second-highest peak in Langkawi. The Langkawi Skybridge is a suspension bridge that is only accessible from the top station of the Langkawi Cable Car. It is known for its unique contoured design and spectacular views. The bridge is suspended between two mountain peaks, offering a thrilling experience as you walk across and gaze at the magnificent natural beauty all around, and below if you're brave enough to look down! In this blog post , we take you through our highlights, along with some of the amazing facts and stats that make this a world record breaker destination! We also look at the best times to visit, ticket prices, and our specially curated YouTube video featuring two other awesome YouTubers who we met in Indonesia! In This Post... ● Our Photo Highlights ● Top Facts & Stats ● Opening Times & Tickets ● Best Time to Visit ● Tips for Visiting ● How to Get There ● Watch Our Experience on YouTube ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia ● Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge Photo Highlights We stayed in Langkawi for three weeks, and even though the Cable Car is perhaps its most famous attraction, we kept our patience and saved it for our last excursion on the island. We had such an awesome experience here and we are glad we saved it! The best til last right?! We met some fellow YouTubers, Jackson and Marjo in Jakarta, Indonesia, and they came to Langkawi to meet us! Not only did we have an awesome week together, but they also joined us for the Cable Car. You will see them in our YouTube video later! We are so glad we came when we did, as the weather was pretty much perfect. It was incredibly windy, which we assumed might be because of the height we were at, but overall that was a really nice break from the heat! It was great for photos and videos though so that was most appreciated! The Oriental Village at the ground level is really nice, with a plethora of stores and restaurants, along with many other attractions including a 6D Cinema, a 3D Art Exhibit, a Sky Bistro, Sky Boutique and many open spaces and gardens. We did not check out any of these as we wanted to stick to the Cable Car and Skybridge as planned. But from what we have seen these are also very popular attractions and are worth a try if you have time and they interest you! The cable car ride provides stunning panoramic views of the lush rainforests, rolling hills, and the Andaman Sea. It is divided into two sections, the first part took us from the base to the middle station, and the second part continues to the top station near the summit. At the middle station, we were able to freely explore the observation deck, take photos, and admire the breathtaking view. There is a bathroom at the middle station, and you will also find the brand new Eagle’s Nest Skywalk. Featuring a 38-metre long sky deck with glass floors and an entrance in the shape of an eagle, this is the longest free-walking sky deck in the world and opened in February 2024. The ride to the middle station was really comfortable, but things got a lot more intense on the next section to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang. This is where we really felt the 42 degree angle, and the depth perception here really honed in. It also got a little wobbly in the wind which certainly gave us a fright! The views were so spectacular though, and this superseded everything. Seeing the incredible environment from such a height is something none of us will ever forget. The top station is where the ticket office is for the Sky Walk / Sky Glide (find out the prices later on in this post). We opted for the Sky Glide, as we were a little unsure as to what it would be like to walk down to the bridge. Given the near 20 minute wait and crammed conditions in the cab, perhaps the stairs would have been better! So on we went to the Skybridge, famous for its curved shape and glass panels in the middle. To be honest before we even stepped on the bridge we were already perplexed by its single central pylon, angled in a way that literally looked like it was about to fall over! Couple that with the high wind conditions be careful with hats and bags), and the immense height of the bridge, made it a pretty nerve-wracking encounter! We held our cameras and phones with death-like grips as we walked across, Jenn making a beeline for the other side, while Jackson and Leon took more time to capture some fantastic footage! If you are afraid of heights, the Skybridge will be an intense experience. Jenn is usually okay (just not a massive fan), but this bridge was almost a little too much. It is fairly narrow, the rails are open holed, and then of course you have intermittent glass panels! While bridge provides an excellent vantage point to capture stunning photographs and enjoy the island's landscapes from a different perspective, it is certainly a wild ride. Of course once you get to the end of the bridge, you have a nice stopping point with some information boards, before having to go back the way you came. There is no other way out! CONTENT MENU Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge Top Facts & Stats Here are some interesting facts and statistics about the Langkawi Cable Car and Skybridge: ⪢ Langkawi Cable Car ● The Langkawi Cable Car, also known as Panorama Langkawi, officially opened to the public on February 2003. ● The cable car ride spans a distance of approximately 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) from the base station to the top station, making it the longest cable car in Malaysia. ● Langkawi Sky Cab was also awarded the Longest Free Span Mono-Cable Car in the world by the Book Of Records. ● It is the steepest cable car in the world, with an incline of up to 42 degrees. ● The journey takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the top of Mount Mat Cincang, giving ample time to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Langkawi archipelago and the Andaman Sea. ● The cable car has the capacity to carry around 700 passengers per hour. ● The middle station provides access to the Skybridge and other observation decks. The highest point is at the Top Station, at 708 metres (2,322 feet) above sea level. ● Average visitor numbers are over 2.3 million annually, making it one of Malaysia's top attractions. ⪢ Langkawi Skybridge ● The Langkawi Skybridge is a curved suspension bridge that extends for about 125 meters (410 feet) between two mountain peaks. ● The bridge is located at an elevation of approximately 660 meters (2,165 feet) above sea level. ● It is the longest curved bridge in Southeast Asia and the second-longest in the world. ● It is suspended using a single pylon and cables, giving it a unique and eye-catching design. ● The Skybridge has several glass panels in its middle section, allowing visitors to look down and enjoy the view below. ● It has become a popular spot for tourists and photographers due to its stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. CONTENT MENU Cable Car & Skybridge Opening Times & Ticket prices ⪢ Opening Hours The Langkawi Cable Car is open to visitors from 9:30am to 6pm daily, except Wednesday's, when the cable-car operation starts at 12pm. The Skybridge is accessible via two options: ● The Nature Walk, open from 10am to 5.30pm daily ● The Sky Glide, open from 10am to 6.15pm daily. Note: Operating times are subject to weather conditions and can be closed at any time. ⪢ Ticket Prices Prices shown are in Malaysian Ringgit. Convert your currency here . Prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website below for the most up-to-date information. Sky Cab (Cable Car) Standard Admission ● Adult: RM85 ● Child: RM65 Sky Cab (Cable Car) Admission with MyKad (Malaysian Identity Card) ● Adult: RM43 ● Child: RM33 Premium Packages ● VIP:  RM550 (3 people) ● Private Gondola:  RM550 (6 people) ● Glass Bottom Gondola:  RM105 per person ● 360 Gondola:  RM155 per person Nature Walk & Sky Glide To access the Skybridge, you must choose one of two options, which is payable at the Top Station, NOT at the ground level pay-station. ● Nature Walk: Adult RM6 / Child RM4 ● Sky Glide: Adult RM16 / Child RM11 ⪢ Book Your Tickets with Get Your Guide Get the Langkawi SkyCab cable car ticket, including access to the SkyDome, SkyRex, Skybridge, and 3D Art Langkawi, with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.  Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Best Time to Visit Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge The optimal time to visit Langkawi, including the Langkawi Cable Car and Skybridge, is during the dry season from November to March, when the weather is typically sunny and clear, providing excellent views and photography opportunities. This period offers the best chance to enjoy unobstructed vistas and a pleasant cable car ride. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and are willing to accept the possibility of occasional rain, visiting during the shoulder seasons of March to April or October to November might be preferable. CONTENT MENU Tips for Visiting Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge Here are some useful tips and things to know for visiting the Langkawi Cable Car and Skybridge to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience: ⪢ Get There Early to Avoid the Crowds To avoid crowds and make the most of your visit, consider arriving early in the morning when the attractions open. This will give you a better chance to enjoy the cable car ride and Skybridge without long lines. ⪢ Dress Comfortably Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for walking and exploring. The terrain around the Skybridge may involve some walking, so comfortable shoes are important. ⪢ Stay Hydrated Langkawi's tropical climate can be quite hot and humid, especially during the dry season. Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout your visit. ⪢ Bring Sun Protection Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. The higher elevation can lead to stronger UV rays. ⪢ Motion Sickness The cable car ride involves an incline and may not be suitable for individuals prone to motion sickness. Consider taking motion sickness medication if needed. ⪢ Food & Refreshments There are a wealth of food stands and restaurants here, with fast food and local cuisine available within the complex. Be advised that plastic disposable bottles are not allowed on the cable car to prevent litter, and monkeys stealing them. We did not see any monkeys, so we assume this rule is working! ⪢ Purchase Tickets in Advance If possible, buy your tickets online in advance to skip the ticket lines and save time at the entrance. ⪢ Pack Light Keep your belongings to a minimum as you explore the Skybridge and surrounding areas. The walkways may be crowded, so having a small bag or backpack will make it easier to move around. ⪢ Respect Wildlife and the Environment Langkawi is known for its natural beauty, so please respect the environment by not littering and avoiding any disturbances to wildlife. ⪢ Stay Informed Pay attention to weather forecasts and be prepared for sudden weather changes. Carry an umbrella or raincoat, especially if you're visiting during the rainy season. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge Local Transportation You can use taxis, ride-sharing services, or rent a car or scooter to get around the island of Langkawi. Prices are very affordable, and are not usually more than RM40 from anywhere on the island. By Ferry If you're elsewhere in Malaysia, you can take a ferry from various ports on the mainland to Langkawi. The main ferry terminals on the mainland are Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, and Penang. By Car The driving time and distance will depend on your starting point on the island. From the Langkawi International Airport, the drive to the cable car and Sky Bridge will take around 20-30 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 15-20 kilometers (9-12 miles). There is a free designated parking area near the Oriental Village where you can park your car while visiting the Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge. ⪢ Contact Information for Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge ● Address : Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia ● Email : info@panoramalangkawi.com ● Phone : (+60) 4-959 4225 ● Website : panoramalangkawi.com/skycab ● Instagram : @langkawiskycab ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Langkawi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Check out Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge on YouTube In this Malaysia Travel Vlog we show you everything about the STEEPEST CABLE CAR in the WORLD that you can't see in photos! It is absolutely incredible and the views will leave you shocked! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge Experience Rating This entire experience was the pinnacle of our Langkawi trip and it was wonderful to share it with our friends! We thoroughly enjoyed it; the views were absolutely brilliant and it was a way to see the island that really is like no other. You really do get value for money here, with the cable car 20 minutes either way, and the Skybridge addition which is exhilarating to say the least. Besides, how cool is it to say you have been on a record breaking bridge, and a world record Cable Car! We highly recommend this activity, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Langkawi, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Langkawi. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Malaysia's Batu Caves are the setting for one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites outside of India. They are characterized by the incredible height and enormity of the caves, but even more so for the Instagrammable colourful steps (which really reminded us of the ones in Balat in Istanbul), and perhaps more strikingly, the iconic giant golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, victory, and youth that the temple here is predominantly dedicated to. The Batu Caves are around 400 million years old, and the temple here is the largest Hindu temple complex outside of India. They are one of the most visited attractions in Kuala Lumpur, attracting 10 million tourists every year. The statue of Lord Murugan is the third tallest Hindu statue in the world! In this blog post , we share our highlights, and look at some history and top facts about this incredible cave system. We also include some things to know before visiting, how to get there, and also our exclusive guide to visiting Malaysia. We have some very special offers from our partners at Klook too! In This Post... ● Introduction to the Batu Caves: Our Highlights ● The History of the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur ● 10 Interesting Facts About the Batu Caves ● Batu Caves Opening Hours & Entry Fee ● Best Time to Visit the Batu Caves ● Tips for Visiting the Batu Caves ● How to Get to the Batu Caves ● Our Batu Caves Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Our First Impressions of Kuala Lumpur on YouTube ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia ● Explore Kuala Lumpur Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Introduction to the Batu Caves: Our Highlights The statue is a striking sight, standing tall against the backdrop of the Batu Caves. It is a symbol of the Hindu faith in Malaysia and a reminder of the rich cultural diversity of the country. Unveiled in 2006, it was built by the Tamil Malaysians and also happens to be the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia. In fact, it is the third tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world, at 42.7 meters (140 feet) tall. This is certainly fitting given the fact that Malaysia has a stark penchant for wanting to build very tall things! (Merdeka Tower anyone?) In all honesty we kind of thought it was a bat cave, perhaps a bit of a naïve assumption, but maybe an obvious one? Had you thought the same? Well, as it turns out ‘Batu’ actually means ‘Rock’ in Malay, which does makes sense when you think about it. When you know you know right! Ergo there were indeed no bats, but a LOT of birds. When we say birds we mean pigeons, and when say a lot we literally mean hundreds of them. Or at least it felt that way anyway. Many of them are being attracted by food from locals, encouraging the throngs of children to run after them, sparking a wave of feathers and flapping. This leaves plenty of opportunities for tourists and locals alike to pose for photos as the birds fly around them. Not something we are in to, but you can certainly have at ‘em if that is your thing. The ground is littered with bird poop, as are many of the surrounding temples, including the giant Lord Murugan. There are also a fair few monkeys loitering around, hanging from the surrounding temples, milling amongst the pigeons and holding a sharp eye for food, bottles and anything attractive that catches their eye. At first thought this seemed to be quite cute, but we have definitely heard the stories from other travellers and know to be weary of them. To be fair, we have encountered a fair few monkeys here in Malaysia, in particular Langkawi, and also met plenty in Indonesia’s Bali where we were last month. We haven’t had any wild encounters of note, not to say we let our guards down but at the same time we are fairly calm about seeing them up close. All that being said, this experience was actually pretty wild; there were some pretty aggressive monkeys! Baring teeth, hissing and bolting across the pavement seemingly from out of nowhere, we got a taste of the experience many had warned us about before we even hit the steps. So naturally we were a little more on edge, clinging onto our belongings and scanning our surroundings for any sign of danger. After a fair few photos we went to the entrance, and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that there was no cost of entry. There is however a requirement for women to cover up their legs, and that can be done so by buying a wrap for 15 ringgits (at a small stall right at the foot of the stairs) if you do not already have one with you. They are actually quite nice, and the attendant will happily help put it on. Honestly, we would have paid that much for entry in a heartbeat, so we are glad we were able to contribute either way. So after a deep breath or three, it was time to tackle the 272 steps to get up to these magnificent caves. It was late in the afternoon so it was far less crowded than it would be earlier in the day, although escaping crowds is one thing, but escaping the heat cannot be done. It is intense, and makes the climb that much harder! With the greatest respect we were kind of shocked at how dirty it was, even though we had seen some interviews of tourists on YouTube talking about it. The stairs are well worn and the walls / rails fairly grimy, unsurprising given the incredible amount of traffic received annually here. Visitor numbers average almost 10 million per year outside of the covid era (that’s 5,000 per day). The amount of litter was incredibly disappointing to see, and it was all over the place. On the stairs, along the sides, chucked into the mountain side. Some comes from monkeys stealing bottles and food, some comes from pilgrims, some comes from tourists. Whatever the source, this place really needs to be cleaned up and respected. We hope more can be done to deal with it because it is smelly and uncomfortable, not to mention bad for the environment and surrounding wildlife. Rant over! Fortunately the steps are built with flat platforms every 15 steps or so, leaving plenty of opportunity for rest. We were trying not to take too long though, wary of our furry friends running around looking for an opportunity. Literally lining the stairs in places, these guys are very eager to grab anything that they take a shine too. In our case, Jenn's wrap!! One of the larger ones went for it, clinging on to her and trying to grab her bag, as she attempted to shake it off. Leon gave a few growls and hisses, and with a vice like grip Jenn managed to keep hold of it! We ploughed on, made it to the top, and took a moment to take in the breath-taking views (and cool down a little). It is pretty magnificent up there, looking out at the incredible Kuala Lumpur skyline beneath a massive hood of rock that looks like it was hand sculpted by giants. The main cave chamber is so vast, it is hard not to look around without the bottom jaw hanging down. This really is one of natures finest, and it is very impressive. Inside is fully paved, and there is a vast area to walk around in. Inside the first cave (the Temple Cave) there is a large temple, interesting lined with peacock statues, along with a bunch of roosters walking around (yes roosters), cooing and cock-a-doodle-dooing as they do. The roosters were fascinating to see as they were totally unexpected! We must admit it did feel a little empty, although it may just be the vastness of the cave that made it that way. There are an estimated 332 life size statues of Hindu deities in what is the largest Hindu temple outside of India, although most of them seem to be outside of the caves themselves. Further in there is another smaller staircase, this time leading to another hugely impressive cave, the Chamber of Ramayana, with a beautiful top opening allowing sunshine and vegetation to stream through. This cave is dedicated to the Hindu epic Ramayana and it contains a number of dioramas depicting scenes from the epic, and perhaps was our preferred one out of the two. It is worth noting that there is another cave, known as the Dark Cave. This is a challenging cave to explore, as it is not lit and requires visitors to crawl through narrow passages. It is home to a variety of interesting cave formations, including stalactites and stalagmites. Unfortunately this one was closed (we are not sure why), so we were unable to explore it. There was a lot to take in here, a great deal of exercise (those steps in the heat are a challenge), the uncomfortable smell of pigeon excrement, the sheer amount of litter and garbage, the awesome fact that it is FREE, the incredible vibrant colours, fine details and immense rock formations. Perhaps not our most favourite excursion in KL, but definitely one we will never forget, as much for the good as for the not so much! CONTENT MENU The History of the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. They are about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, the nations capital. The caves are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malaysia and are a place of pilgrimage for Tamil Hindus. The history of the Batu Caves is long and complex. The limestone hills that form the caves are thought to be about 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli) as early as 2000 years ago. In the 1860s, Chinese settlers began excavating guano from the caves to use as fertilizer. This led to the discovery of the caves by Western explorers. In 1878, the American naturalist William Temple Hornaday published an article about the caves in the journal The Straits Times. This article brought the caves to the attention of the wider world. In 1891, K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian Tamil trader, was inspired by the vel-shaped entrance of the main cave to dedicate a temple to Murugan within the caves. Pillai also built a 272-step staircase leading up to the cave entrance. The temple and staircase were completed in 1892. The Batu Caves have since become a major pilgrimage site for Tamil Hindus. The annual Thaipusam festival, which celebrates the birth of Murugan, is held at the caves. During the festival, millions of people from all over the world come to the caves to participate in the religious ceremonies. The Batu Caves are a unique and fascinating place. They are a reminder of the rich history and culture of Malaysia, and the wonderful beauty of nature itself. Since the painting of the steps not so long ago, they have become a major tourist destination, alongside being a significant place of worship and reflection. CONTENT MENU 10 Interesting Facts About the Batu Caves ● The golden statue of Murugan was completed in 2006. It was built at a cost of RM2.5 million (US$600,000) and took 2 years to build. ● The statue of Murugan is the tallest statue of Murugan in the world at 43-meters (141 ft). ● The main temple cave is 400 feet (122 meters) high and 150 feet (46 meters) wide. ● There are a total of 3 cave complexes within the Batu Caves (The Temple Cave, The Dark Cave and The Ramayana Cave). ● The caves are home to a variety of plants and animals, including bats, spiders, and snakes. ● The Batu Caves are a popular spot for rock climbing and caving. ● The Batu Caves can attract an average of 5,000 visitors per day. ● During the Thaipusam festival, the number of visitors can reach over 1 million. In total, the Batu Caves attract an estimated 10 million visitors per year. ● There are 272 steps leading to the top of the caves. ● The steps are lines with a total of 332 Hindu gods and demon statues. CONTENT MENU Batu Caves Opening Hours & Entry Fee ⪢ Opening Hours The Batu Caves are open to the public from 7am to 9pm daily. The Hindu temples on site generally close from 1pm to 4pm. ⪢ Entry Fee ● The caves are free to enter , however you are able to leave a donation should you wish. ● For the Cave Villa , the entrance fee for Malaysians and non-Malaysians are RM7 and RM15 respectively. ● Note: Women are required to cover their legs, and can purchase a sarong / wrap at the foot of the steps for 15 ringgits ($3). ⪢ Take a Tour with Get Your Guide Discover the Batu Caves, a Batik factory, and a Hindu temple while taking in stunning views of the city. Learn about Malaysia's rich history, traditions and customs in the suburbs. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot and pay nothing today with reserve now & pay later . CONTENT MENU Best Time to Visit the Batu Caves Be prepared for crowds; the Batu Caves is a popular tourist destination, so it can get crowded, especially on weekends and during festivals. Visit early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds and the heat. Typically the busiest times are between 10am and 4pm. ⪢ The Thaipusam Festival Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival, observed on the day of the first full moon during the Tamil month of Thai, which falls in late January or February. It is a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, along with the Malaysian states of Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor. ● Note: Thaipusam is the busiest time for the Batu Caves, and is a spectacular event. Should you wish to attend, the next date is scheduled for February 11th, 2025. For 2026, it will be on February 1st, and in 2027, on January 22nd. CONTENT MENU Tips for Visiting the Batu Caves Here are some tips we have thought of to keep in mind before visiting the Batu Caves: ⪢ Wear Suitable Shoes The caves themselves have a pretty even floor, so are easy to walk around in. The steps leading up to them however are fairly narrow, and may be tricky in flip flops, sandals or heels. ⪢ Dress Appropriately Women are expected to dress modestly, especially when entering the temples. Wraps are provided at the bottom of the steps but are purchase only (cannot be returned). ⪢ Be Respectful of the Hindu Shrines Do not touch the statues, or disturb the offerings. Be mindful that ceremonies may be taking place, and always remove your shoes before stepping on the temple floors. ⪢ Photography Visitors are free to take photographs and videos, however doing so inside the temples is not permitted. ⪢ Stay Hydrated Be prepared for the heat. It can get very hot in the caves, especially during the day. The stairs are also quite the climb, so take it easy and be sure to bring plenty of water. ⪢ Food & Refreshments There are a few stores at the foot of the caves selling some drinks and snacks. It is a major tourist destination, so be prepared to pay premium prices. We advise buying in advance and bringing some with you. CONTENT MENU How to Get to the Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur There are several ways to get to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur. Here are some of the most popular options: By Train The Batu Caves KTM Komuter station is located just a short walk from the caves. The train ride from KL Sentral takes about 25 minutes and costs RM2.30 (US$0.50) one-way. By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services Taxis are a convenient way to get to Batu Caves, but they can be expensive. The taxi fare from KL Sentral is around RM20 (US$4.50). By Bus There are several bus routes that stop near the Batu Caves. The bus ride from KL Sentral takes about 30 minutes and costs RM1.50 (US$0.30) one-way. By Car If you are driving, you can follow the signs to Batu Caves. There is a large parking lot near the caves that costs RM3 (US$0.60) per car. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to visit the Batu Caves is with a combo tour, where you can expand your experience with a vast choice of other attractions including Genting Highlands, Putrajaya and more. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Contact Information for Batu Caves ● Address : Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor ● Phone: +60 3-6189 6284 ● Website: N/A ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Batu Caves Experience Rating There is no doubt that the Batu Caves is a must-see destination in Kuala Lumpur. 10 million people a year kind of says it all! We were so very excited to come here and we are really glad we saved it towards the end of our trip. The vibrant colours of the temples are quite beautiful and the intricacy of the statues and their detail is just fascinating to look at. Then of course you have the magnificent caves themselves amongst the tallest and oldest in the world. They simply took our breath away, as did the 272 steps! Mightily impressive, we highly recommend visiting the Batu Caves. The only reason we reduced our rating to 4 stars is the lack of cleanliness here, and poor control of the monkeys. We are certain more could be done to clean the place up, and to monitor those who are chucking their trash everywhere. The lack of bins and security is definitely an issue. The fact that the Batu Caves are free to enter is great, but perhaps an entry fee might actually be a good thing here; the revenues could go towards staff and site maintenance, to make this a far more pleasant experience for all. As ever thank you for stopping by, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Our First Impressions of Kuala Lumpur on YouTube We were completely shocked by the stark contrast between the old and new of our first day out exploring in Kuala Lumpur! There is SO much to see and do. From the beauty of Petronas Twin Towers and the KLCC park and to the Senai KLCC Shopping Mall and the contrast to the Central Market in Chinatown, there is so much to do in Malaysia's capital! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Kuala Lumpur Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Kuala Lumpur, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Dream Forest Langkawi is a brand new immersive multi-sensory experience that takes you on a journey through the lush ancient 100 million year old rainforest of Langkawi. Themed around the island's epic myths and legends, Dream Forest uses interactive digital technology, illuminations, projections and soundscapes to bring these stories to life. The forest is divided into three zones, each telling a different legend from the history of Langkawi island in Malaysia. The first zone, The Legend of Tasik Dayang Bunting, tells the tale of a fairy princess who falls in love with a mortal prince. The second zone, The Tale of Merong Mahawangsa, tells the legend of a warrior prince who is ambushed while escorting the Roman emperor's son to meet his betrothed, the Princess of China. The third zone, Legend of The Langkawi Giants, tells the story of the giants who once roamed the island, now immortalized after being turned into the three main mountains of Langkawi after an epic battle. More on all of these legends later! The experience spans a total of 1.2km through the forest, weaving through beautiful illuminations and special shows projected into the trees. There is plenty of signage in English too, showcasing the incredible stories that form the backbone of the island traditions and values. It really is a fantastic place to explore and learn, and is well worth a visit in our opinion. In this blog post , we will take you on a virtual tour of Dream Forest Langkawi and expand on the incredible Langkawi Legends. We will also give you valuable tips to know before you visit including best times, booking information, and how to get there. Read on! In This Post... ● Introducing Dream Forest - A Cultural Journey ● What Are The Three Legends of Langkawi? ● Dream Forest Opening Hours & Ticket Prices ● Best Time to Visit Dream Forest ● Tips for Visiting Dream Forest ● How to Get to Dream Forest ● Watch Our Dream Forest Experience on YouTube ● Our Dream Forest Langkawi Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia ● Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Introducing Dream Forest - A Cultural Journey There can be no doubt that the team at Dream Forest have gone to exceptional lengths to preserve and protect the incredible legends that plays such a major part in the culture of Langkawi Island. We had already touched on some of the tales after visiting Black Sand Beach and learning about the kidnapped Chinese Princess, along with the mountains named after giants. Our research had led us down some cool rabbit holes, so we were ever so keen to come to Dream Forest and learn more about them. Right at the beginning of the tour we were greeted by a neat animated projection detailing all three legends that the park presents. It was in English and really easy to follow along with. Every step of the way throughout the forest there were signs pertaining to exhibits and their meanings, interactive games for kids and more sit down shows. We really sensed the pride in these stories and the importance they hold in Langkawi. It was wonderful to strengthen our understanding and Dream Forest should be very proud for how they presented and how informative it all was! We already knew Langkawi was an important place for its incredible landscapes and culture, and after visiting here we know that it is pretty a pretty special place for its history and legends too. CONTENT MENU What Are the Three Legends of Dream Forest Langkawi? There are many legends in Langkawi, that continue to be passed down over generations, keeping these magical stories alive. Locals love to share these tales, and it is wonderful to see them immortalized even further in the magical landscape of Dream Forest. Sang Gedembai is the fabled storyteller here, who is said to be as old as the forest itself, and also its guardian. The area of the trail depicting the mother of the forest is absolutely beautiful, showcasing her roots and seeds that extend throughout the forest to protect those walking on its winding pathways. Sang Gedembai tells the story of three legends, each one connected to key areas of the island that hold a very special alure. ⪢ The Legend of Tasik Dayang Bunting In this story of everlasting devotion, fairy princess Mambang Sari and Mat Teja, a mortal prince, fall in love. The princess loved descending to to earth to play at the Tasik Dayang Bunting lake (in Kedah). A handsome human prince, Mat Teja, was passing by the lake when he heard the fairy princess singing. Humans aren't able to see fairies, as according to legend, they reside in the invisible realm ('alarm halus'). This however did not deter Mat Teja, who had fallen in love with Mambang Sari's voice so deeply, that he sought the aid of a wise hermit, Tok Dian, to help him see into the invisible fairy kingdom. Tok Dian instructed him to wash the tears of a mermaid over his eyelids, and only then would he be able to see Mambang Sari. This indeed worked, and Mat Teja and Mambang Sari fell in love, soon bearing a child too. This beautiful tale then takes a stark and sad twist, as their new-born son only lived for seven days. A devastated Mambang Sari laid him to rest beneath a lake, and unable to leave his side, she then transformed herself into the hills and valleys that surround the lake. Amidst this eternal embrace between mother and son, the child's spirit was turned into a white crocodile who locals say still lives in the lake to this very day. Mambang Sari's enduring love is also said to have bestowed a sacred blessing upon the lake, giving birth to the legend the lake possesses the power to bless barren women with children. This is Mambang Sari's enduring gift to all who come to the lake; while her child was short-lived, other women might have the chance at the joys of motherhood. ⪢ The Tale of Merong Mahawangsa In The Kedah Annals, Merong Mahawangsa is said to be the descendent of Alexander the Great. Mahawangsa was escorting a royal Roman Prince to meet his betrothed, the Princess of China. During this voyage they were ambushed and attacked by Garuda, a giant winged bird creature who is said to be the ruler of the skies. Mahawangsa, armed with a mighty bow called the Berana Pura, fought gloriously against Garuda as the sea raged around them. Eventually Garuda was wounded by Mahawangsa's magical arrow, the Ayun-Ayunan. Despite his injuries, Garuda was still able to kidnap the Chinese princess. He whisked her away to the island of Langkawi, hiding her in a cave called Gua Cherita. Mahawangsa bravely ventured to the island and eventually rescued the Princess and reunited her with her Prince. While on the island, Mahawangsa was impressed by the fertile lands, and also the giants of the island who were skilled warriors. He then decided to stay behind, founding the Kingdom of Langkasuka (now Langkawi). ⪢ Legend of The Langkawi Giants So who were the giants that Mahawangsa met? Well they were certainly no ordinary giants (if you can call giants ordinary). The Giants of Langkawi were highly skilled Silat (Silat is the collective term for a class of indigenous martial arts) warriors. The most famous were Mat Raya and Mat Chinchang, who engaged in a battle which literally shaped the landscape of the island forever. When Mat Raya's daughter was engaged to Mat Chinchang's son, a huge wedding feast was prepared in anticipation. Disaster struck however when Mat Chinchang's son was found flirting with another girl at the feast. The two giant warrior parents faced off in an epic showdown, most notable for pots of gravy and kettles of hot water being thrown as they were evenly matched in Silat prowess. It is said that where these utensils landed became the Langkawi landmarks of today. Indeed in Malay translation, Kuah means gravy , Air Hangat hot water , and Belanga Pecah broken pots . Eventually their friend Mat Sawar stopped the fight, acting peacemaker in concern that the entire island would be destroyed. As punishment for their behaviour, the mother and guardian of Langkawi, Sang Gedembai, turned all three giants into the mountains you see today; Gunung Mat Raya and Gunung Mat Chinchang. In between them, lies Bukit Sawar, forever holding the peace. CONTENT MENU Dream Forest Opening Hours & Ticket Prices ⪢ Opening Hours Dream Forest is open from 7pm to 12am daily, except Wednesdays (closed). ⪢ Ticket Prices Admission without MyKad (Malaysian Identity Card) ● Adult (16 to 59 years old):  RM98 ● Child (3 to 15 years old):  RM78 ● Child (2 and below):  FREE ● Senior Citizens (60 + years old):  RM48 ● Family (2 adults + 2 children):  RM330 RM - Malaysian Ringgit. Convert your currency here . Admission with MyKad ● Adult (16 to 59 years old):  RM68 ● Child (3 to 15 years old):  RM48 ● Child (2 and below):  FREE ● Senior Citizens (60 + years old):  RM38 ● Family (2 adults + 2 children):  RM218 Langkawi Residents ● Adult (16 to 59 years old):  RM38 ● Child (3 to 15 years old):  RM28 ● Child (2 and below):  FREE ● Senior Citizens (60 + years old):  RM28 Note: The park operates on timed entry , so you may have to wait when you arrive. Usually each entry point is every 30 minutes. ** Quoted prices are correct at time of writing (Jan 2025). Please check the official website below for the most up-to-date information. ⪢ Your Dream Forest Ticket with Get Your Guide Get standard admission to Dream Forest Langkawi; Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot and pay nothing today with reserve now & pay later . CONTENT MENU Best Time to Visit Dream Forest Langkawi The best time to visit Dream Forest Langkawi is during the week, when it is less crowded. If you are visiting on a weekend, try to book your timeslot closer to opening time to avoid the crowds. The weather in Langkawi is generally good year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which is from November to February. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, with little rain. CONTENT MENU Tips for Visiting Dream Forest Langkawi Here are some tips we have thought of to keep in mind before visiting Dream Forest Langkawi: ⪢ Wear Comfortable Shoes The paths in Dream Forest can be uneven and slippery, so it's important to wear shoes that you can walk in comfortably. ⪢ Bring Bug Spray There are mosquitoes in the rainforest, so it's a good idea to bring insect repellent. ⪢ Wear Suitable Clothing The temperature in the rainforest can vary, so it's a good idea to dress in layers so that you can adjust your clothing as needed. ⪢ Bring a Flashlight The paths in Dream Forest are not always well-lit (for obvious reasons), so it's a good idea to bring a flashlight if you have one. ⪢ Allow Enough Time It takes about 2-3 hours to walk through Dream Forest, so be sure to allow enough time to fully embrace and enjoy the experience! ⪢ Sensitivity If you are sensitive to light or sound, be aware that there are some areas in Dream Forest that are quite bright or loud. ⪢ Food & Refreshments There is a small shop selling souvenirs and cold drinks at the entrance, and also at the halfway point there is a small 'village' with a couple of stalls selling drinks and snacks. It also has a campfire for roasting marshmallows! We would highly recommend the Dream Forest Magic Milk Tea; it was superb! Check out our YouTube video to see its magic color changing effects! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Dream Forest Langkawi There are a few ways to get to Dream Forest Langkawi. It is 15 minutes away from Langkawi Airport and 30 minutes away from Kuah Jetty by car. Here are some common options: By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services Taking a taxi or ride-sharing service, such as Grab or Gojek, is a convenient way to reach Dream Forest. Taxis are available all over the island. The fares to Dream Forest are typically around RM20-30. By Shuttle Bus There are regular shuttle buses that run from Kuah town to Teluk Burau. The bus stop is located near the entrance to Dream Forest. By Car Dream Forest is located in Teluk Burau, about 15 kilometers from Kuah town. If you're driving, you can take the main road to Teluk Burau and follow the signs to Dream Forest. There is plenty of parking available outside the main entrance to Dream Forest if you are driving. It is also a well known spot for cabs and Grabs so there is no issue being dropped off / picked up here. ⪢ Contact Information for Dream Forest Langkawi ● Address : Lubuk Semilang, Mukim, Off, Jalan Padang Gaong, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah ● Email : dreamforestlangkawi@enfiniti.com.my ● Phone : (+60) 013-487 3277 ● Website : dreamforest.com.my ● Instagram : @dreamforest.langkawi   ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Langkawi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Watch Our Dream Forest Experience on YouTube In this travel vlog we explore the incredible new attraction Dream Forest in fine detail. We almost felt like we were walking onto the set of the movie AVATAR! This one of a kind experience tells the stories of this very special island of Langkawi, and we learnt as much as we enjoyed! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Dream Forest Langkawi Experience Rating We have to admit that we did have some slight reservations prior to coming here, as we were concerned it might be too geared towards kids, and had also heard that there was no signage / information in English. Well neither of those were correct! We had a lovely time here, and we would definitely suggest giving it a try. The prices are really reasonable, and the experience is immersive and engaging as described. We loved the woodland illuminations the most, and also the small campfire village halfway through. The only thing we were not fans of was the 'white box' exhibit, which is a great concept but not well done in terms of its construction. That to one side we enjoyed the walk, the stories and the vibes here. Dream Forest is still relatively new but we can totally see why it is fast becoming one of Langkawi's top attractions. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Langkawi, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Langkawi. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Langkawi is well known for its incredible beaches, awesome local cuisine, and incredibly lush green landscape. Add that to its tropical laid-back vibe, traditional village life, and community night markets, and you have the perfect blend of Malaysian culture here. In this post, we talk to you about night markets, also known as Pasar Malam in Malay. These markets are hugely popular not just in Malaysia but all over Asia, and we visited one of our favorites to date, the bustling bazar that is Kuah Night Market in Langkawi. In This Post... ● Kuah Night Market Langkawi ● When and Where is Kuah Night Market? ● Other Night Markets in Langkawi ● A Brief History of Night Markets in Asia ● Why Are Night Markets Still So Popular? Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE interactive map of Malaysia ● Explore Langkawi with special offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Kuah Night Market, Langkawi There are several different night markets that operate in Langkawi, on different days of the week from dusk until midnight. The Langkawi night markets are filled with rows upon rows of kiosks and stalls, set by vendors from the villages, or in some cases, compliment of businesses with brick-and-mortar locations too. You will find an endless variety of souvenirs, clothing, footwear, electronics, housewares and much more, all for already reasonable prices but with an easy potential for a discount. Bargaining is common place and in most cases encouraged! Much of what you will find are either handmade or imitation goods, and regardless of their authenticity, the key here is helping the local economy which is kind of what it is all about. We have been to many such markets seen plenty of them on YouTube, although we have to say Kuah Market bought with it a certain Langkawi charm that we really appreciated. Much of that can be attributed to the wonderful food we tried here! Thanks to a ton of kind recommendations from locals on our videos, we came armed with knowledge of names, and ready to see what we could find and how much it would all come to. Strolling around the night markets is a fantastic way to experience the culinary delights of traditional food and here at Kuah Night Market you will find many classics such as nasi lemak, murtabak, nasi ayam, burgers, cucuk sosej (meat on a stick), fresh fruit juices and mango salads. This bustling market also had a host of seafood and fried chicken, and some fantastic hand crafted deserts and cakes. It was sensory overload for us as we walked through, and we could not wait to fill our bags with a good selection. We bought some Korean, Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indian and Indonesian Food, ending up with a pretty amazing amount at a ridiculous price of just £6 (GBP). You really can eat super affordably here and we totally get why it is such a popular attraction for tourists, travelers and locals alike. One point of note is that there are no seating areas at the stalls, although there is a large food court area just behind the market with plenty of other food vendors too. We decided we would eat at our hotel so we could showcase our haul and how it tastes in one of our very first YouTube food vlogs. The first half of the video is us shopping and finding what we wanted, and the second half is us eating and trying it all! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU When and Where is Kuah Night Market? The Kuah Night Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday , from 5pm until 11pm . Kuah is at the east of the island, close to the main jetty port and Eagle square. You can get to the night market a couple of different ways, depending on your preference: By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service The easiest and most convenient way to get to Kuah Night Market is by taking a taxi or a ride-sharing service. Taxis are readily available on the island, and you can simply tell the driver that you want to go to "Kuah Night Market." They will know the location and take you there directly. By Rental Car or Motorbike If you have rented a car or motorbike on the island, you can use GPS navigation to reach Kuah Night Market. Simply enter "Kuah Night Market" as your destination, and the navigation system will guide you to the market's location. Walking or Cycling If you are staying in Kuah or near the area, and the distance is manageable, you can choose to walk or cycle to the night market. This can be a pleasant way to explore the surroundings and enjoy the local atmosphere. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore Langkawi is by tour. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide, including boat tours around the island, ATV trips kayaking and more. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Langkawi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Other Night Markets in Langkawi Kuah hosts the biggest night market in Langkawi but there are several others dotted around the island too. The night markets in Langkawi are generally held in different locations on specific days, every day of the week. The other two major markets are: ⪢ Pantai Cenang Tamoyong Night Market ● When: Usually every Thursday night. ● Location: Pantai Cenang is one of the popular tourist areas in Langkawi, and the night market is often located along the main street. ● Highlights: This market offers a lively atmosphere with food stalls selling Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cuisines. It's a great place to taste different dishes and enjoy the local flavors. ⪢ Padang Matsirat Night Market ● When: Usually every Sunday night. ● Location: Padang Matsirat is a district in Langkawi, and the night market is usually set up along the main road. ● Highlights: This market is a bit smaller compared to the others, but it still offers a variety of local dishes, snacks, and items. In addition on Monday's you will find Ulu Melaka , on Tuesday's there is Kedawang Market and there is another on Friday's at Air Hangat Padan Lalang . If you are unsure about finding these markets, check with your accommodation or just ask the locals, “Mana Pasar Malam,” and they will show you where to go! CONTENT MENU A Brief History of Night Markets in Asia Night markets have a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries. While the specific origins of night markets may vary across different cultures and regions, the general concept of night markets can be traced to ancient times when people gathered to trade, exchange goods, and socialize after sunset. Here is a brief overview of the history of night markets: ⪢ Ancient Times The concept of night markets can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In Asia, for example, night markets were common in cities like Chang'an (now Xi'an) during the Tang Dynasty in China, dating back to the 7th century. These markets were bustling centers of trade and cultural exchange. ⪢ The Silk Road The Silk Road, a network of ancient trade routes connecting the East and West, played a significant role in the development of night markets. Caravans and trading posts along the Silk Road would often come alive at night as traders from different regions gathered to barter and sell their goods. ⪢ Medieval Europe In medieval European towns and cities, night markets were a way to extend trading hours and accommodate travelers arriving after sunset. These markets were particularly popular during special occasions or religious festivals, bringing communities together for celebrations and commerce. ⪢ Southeast Asia Night markets have been a part of Southeast Asian culture for centuries. They served as important gathering places for local communities to exchange goods and share their cultures. These markets were also vital for travelers and merchants passing through the region. ⪢ Modern Developments With the advent of electricity and urbanization in the 19th and 20th centuries, night markets took on a more organized and permanent form. Electric lighting allowed for extended hours of operation, and designated marketplaces were established in cities and towns. ⪢ Global Phenomenon In the 21st century, night markets have become a global phenomenon. They are not only popular in Asia but can be found in various parts of the world. Many cities have designated areas or streets where vendors set up temporary stalls to offer food, merchandise, and entertainment to locals and tourists. Night markets today continue to be essential cultural hubs, providing opportunities for small businesses and artisans to showcase their products and skills. They also offer a vibrant and unique experience for visitors, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture, cuisine, and traditions. Each night market has its own distinct character and offerings, reflecting the customs, flavors, and crafts of the region it serves. Whether in Asia, Europe, or beyond, night markets remain a cherished part of the global cultural heritage. CONTENT MENU Why Are Night Markets Still So Popular? Night markets are still hugely popular for several compelling reasons. Here just are some of the key factors that contribute to their effervescent popularity: ⪢ Unique Cultural Experience Night markets provide a glimpse into the local culture, traditions, and way of life. They offer an authentic experience, allowing visitors to interact with locals, sample traditional cuisines, and explore a wide range of handcrafted products and souvenirs. ⪢ Vibrant Atmosphere Night markets are known for their lively and bustling atmosphere. The colorful stalls, vibrant lights, enticing aromas of street food, and the chatter of people create an energetic ambiance that is both exciting and memorable. ⪢ Extended Trading Hours Night markets often operate after regular business hours, extending well into the evening or even late at night. This allows people to shop and socialize beyond typical retail hours, making it convenient for those who have daytime commitments or tourists exploring the area during the day. ⪢ Variety of Products Night markets offer a diverse range of products, from delicious street food and snacks to clothing, accessories, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The wide selection appeals to different tastes and preferences, making it a one-stop destination for shoppers seeking unique items. ⪢ Street Food Delights One of the major draws of night markets is the mouthwatering array of street food available. Visitors can indulge in local delicacies, often prepared right before their eyes, giving them a chance to savor authentic flavors and culinary specialties. ⪢ Social Gathering Night markets serve as social hubs where people from the community gather to meet friends, family, and neighbors. It becomes a place for socializing, sharing stories, and building connections. ⪢ Affordable Shopping Night markets are known for offering reasonably priced goods. Visitors can often find bargains on various products, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers. ⪢ Tourist Attraction For tourists, night markets represent a unique and immersive experience in the destination's culture and lifestyle. It allows travelers to engage with the local community, creating lasting memories of their trip. ⪢ Entertainment Some night markets feature live performances, cultural shows, and street musicians, adding an element of entertainment and fun to the overall experience. ⪢ Seasonal and Special Events Some night markets coincide with specific festivals, holidays, or special occasions, making them even more appealing to both locals and tourists. We would love to hear about your thoughts or experiences of night markets! Do you visit them? Have you ever been to one? Let us know in the comments below! CONTENT MENU Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Malaysia Check out all of the places we visited in Malaysia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Langkawi with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Langkawi, along with great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. Klook is a convenient way to book travel experiences and they often offer fantastic discounts helping you to save while you travel! All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Langkawi. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

When we heard about Alux Restaurant we just HAD to head there. A restaurant in a cave? What? And wow... we mean really... WOW. This was a surreal yet magical moment in which we dined, grounded, and left feeling that little bit different to when we walked in. As far as one million years ago our early ancestors were eating in caves... who knew we would still be doing that today! When we came to Mexico, we knew we just had to find a cenote (cave) and find one we did. Humankind has been fascinated with caves since day dot and our intrigue was no different! So when we ventured to Alux Restaurant and found ourselves DINING in one we could not have been happier. It was a truly epic experience! We certainly felt the spirit that history, and our ancestors, describe. We hope that through this post, you will too! Read on for more about Mexico's cenotes and find out what exactly an 'Alux' is. See our Alux Restaurant highlights, the menu, opening times, where to find the restaurant and our experience rating. In This Post... ● What Is a Cenote? ● What Is an Alux? ● Our Alux Restaurant Highlights ● Alux Restaurant Menu ● Opening Times and How to Make Reservations ● How to Get to Alux Restaurant ● Alux Restaurant & Playa del Carmen on YouTube ● Our Alux Restaurant Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Playa del Carmen with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. What Is a Cenote? A cenote is a natural cave / sinkhole which is formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock that then exposes groundwater. They are most commonly found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, and were known amongst the Maya in particular as being a sacred and spiritual place. Whilst they were used for water supplies, which is where the name is derived from (a term for a location with accessible groundwater), they were thought to possess powerful properties linked to the soul and cleansing. Humans have been living in caves as far back as a million years ago, although this was not as popular as perhaps we have come to believe. Caves were typically cold, damp, and more often than not home to animals such as bears which made them inhospitable. However there is evidence until as recent as 100,000 years ago of humans living in caves in Africa, and of course we all know that they were the first moments of drawing and art amongst humankind. CONTENT MENU What Is an Alux? The name “Alux” comes from the local mythological elf-like creature that inhabits the woods according to locals. Like many cultures these creatures are blamed for their mischievous behavior and when items go missing people say “it must have been the Alux”. The Alux are said to live in caves but there was no sign of them here... However we did make sure to leave some coins for him on the altar just in case! CONTENT MENU Our Alux Restaurant Highlights This 'm illenary cavern' restaurant is quite literally a hole in the ground! It was one of our most fond experiences in Playa Del Carmen. With its fusion cuisine, local vibe and natural landscape this made for a unique experience that will be hard to beat. At Alux we found high quality service, although the menu was slightly limited. We started with the Roasted Bone Marrow which wasn't our favorite, however we also had the Grilled Oysters which were spectacular! We highly recommend these. For our main we both had the 8 hour Pork Belly but neither of us finished our plates (which hardly ever happens). We did not have dessert but we did have an excellent bottle of wine, selected from an amazing wine cellar with an extensive range. In all honesty just the wine cellar itself is worth a visit. The staff are also on hand to take a photo or two for you too! You can also enjoy the cool vibes by simply having a drink or two in the bar areas as well. There is a pathway that you can follow which will take you past many different 'vault cavern' areas, where you can book a more private experience. Everything is lit up so beautifully and there are also empty areas where you can stop for photos and admire this amazing space. Overall it was all about the stunning atmosphere. It was not cold or damp, the temperature was actually perfect and the ambience and scenes made for a truly unforgettable, romantic date night. This is a must visit restaurant and it is as spiritual as it is mystical! CONTENT MENU Alux Restaurant Menu Alux Restaurant offers a modern Mexican menu with a focus on using local, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, but some of the signature dishes include slow-cooked pork, melted cheese, grilled octopus, grilled filet mignon, and lobster tacos. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Mexican wines. You can find the full list of wine on the Alux website (link in the next section). CONTENT MENU Opening Times and How to Make Reservations Alux Restaurant is open daily from 6pm to 11pm, except public holidays. Entrance is by reservation only and the restaurant operates a smart casual dress code policy. The restaurant offers an a la carte, dinner only service. You can make reservations on the Alux website here . CONTENT MENU How to Get to Alux Restaurant in Playa del Carmen To get to Alux Restaurant in Playa del Carmen, you have a few options. The most convenient method is to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Uber. Alternatively, if you have a rental car, you can drive to the restaurant, although parking outside is very limited. Playa del Carmen also has a public transportation system called "colectivos" that you can take to downtown, and then walk to the restaurant. ⪢ Contact Information for Alux Restaurant Address: Av Benito Juárez Mz 217 Lt2, Ejidal, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Telephone: +52 (984) 2061401 Whats App: +52 (984) 158 3840 Email: contacto@aluxrestaurant.com Website: aluxrestaurant.com ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Alux Restaurant and Playa del Carmen on YouTube In this video, we explore 5th Avenue, local restaurants and the epic Alux Restaurant. We also include a room and accommodation tour of our Airbnb, so you can see what you can get for your money for an entire month here! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Alux Restaurant Experience Rating Alux Restaurant was one of our best Playa del Carmen highlights! We have traveled to many countries in the world and dined at some pretty phenomenal restaurants, but none have quite been as unique as this. Not just a cave, the team at Alux have clearly gone to extraordinary lengths to create a unique atmosphere and vibe that we thoroughly enjoyed. The lighting and decor is fantastic, and adds to the incredible allure of the Alux legend. Add that to the great service and gourmet menu, and you have a restaurant that will forever stand out in the memory bank. It certainly has for us anyway! Atmosphere: 5/5 From the beautiful multi-colored lights to the marble tables, the finesse around the finishing touches here compliment the cave in seamless fashion. The lounge areas and bar look amazing, and the dining experience itself felt really special. The music was gentle and smooth, and the tables are well separated, contributing to an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Cost: 5/5 There are certainly more affordable restaurants in Playa del Carmen, but we would challenge you to find one that can top the experience at Alux Restaurant. The wine is certainly on the higher end, and the food did seem a tad over-priced given the small portions. That being said, the quality, and everything else about the restaurant, totally makes the overall cost worth it. Food: 4/5 There is certainly a gourmet feel about the menu, although the choices are limited. We were a tad disappointed with the portion sizes, and did not necessarily enjoy everything we ordered, however this is more a personal taste issue and not a problem with the food. There are some really interesting dishes to try and a great infusion of traditional Mexican ingredients. Definitely something different here. Service: 5/5 An absolute five out of five for first class, attentive and warm service. We were made to feel special from the moment we arrived, and the staff were keen to offer photos and show us around before we even took to our table. They brought over a fan to keep us cool, and were very efficient in all that they did. We were very impressed and offer our thanks and gratitude to the entire team for contributing to a very special evening here at Alux Restaurant. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Our FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Playa del Carmen with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Playa del Carmen. Whether you're looking for a water park adventure, a Chichen Itza day tour, or even a cenote experience, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! 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Without any doubt, San Cristobal is the place in Mexico we fell in love with the most! Its quaint, hilly cobbled streets, lined with those gorgeous traditional Mexican stores and homes, appealed to us from day one. And from then on in it only got better. Amazing restaurants, an awesome Airbnb and great views were one thing. But beyond all of that it was the people, the tradition, and the lively art scene of San Cris that captivated us so much, we stayed for 3 months! This charming town was full of surprises. San Cristobal is well known for its traditional style and architecture, but what makes it even more special is how relaxed and fun it is. There is color everywhere, beautiful clay tile rooftops, stunning street art, tons of independent craft shops and street sellers and performers out practically everyday. It is a party town in the evening and a quiet and tranquil town during the day. We hope this post will show you all of the reasons why San Cristobal should be your Mexico vacation spot this summer! In this post we share our highlights, including our favourite street art and food spots. We also give you some of the town's colonial history, a glimpse at our epic Airbnb, and our San Cristobal experience rating. In This Post... ● Our San Cristobal Highlights ● The History Behind San Cristobal ● 10 Interesting Facts About San Cristobal ● The Food in San Cristobal ● Our San Cristobal AirBnb ● Things to Know Before Visiting San Cristobal ● How to Get to San Cristobal ● Our San Cristobal Highlights on YouTube ● Our San Cristobal Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Our FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our San Cristobal Highlights We did not know much about San Cristobal before coming here, but if our time prior in Mexico was anything to go by, we knew it would be good. And it did not disappoint! We had just spent 3 months in the likes of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Merida, so we were certainly getting around a bit. Oh and Isla Mujeres and Cozumel too! By this point we already had a great taste of Mexican culture, but little did we know that we were to discover a whole different experience here in San Cristobal. Our full-time travel adventure had only really just started at this point, and we were in the throws of moving around quickly. The plan was to rent Airbnb's for a month at a time if possible, as it works out cheaper that way. As we had spent a lot of time working our way up along the coast of Quintana Roo, we thought it would be nice to spend a month more inland, and so our gaze was cast upon this quaint town with a big history. One of the best things about Mexico is their stellar system of transport which involves very long, but super efficient journeys. You can book a coach bus to just about anywhere, and the infrastructure of bus stations is very good. We took an OCC bus from Merida the entire way, a mammoth 18 hours, but a super comfortable one at that. The route gets real interesting when you leave Villahermosa, as the coastal drive switches to mountainous terrain, tight winding roads and lots of single lane traffic. Much of it is highway so we did not get to see much, but once we started hitting the mountains, the views were absolutely incredible. We certainly felt the altitude though, as we climbed towards the incredible 7,200 foot height above sea level where San Cristobal proudly resides. This charming town may not be amongst the highest level of places to live in the world, but it is certainly right up there (pun intended). When we got here we immediately knew it would be quite the work out to get around, with most of the residential areas on the hills that lead down to the bulk of the stores and shops that service the town. There is plenty of exercise to be had in San Cristobal, that is for sure. We love walking around so even though it was challenging at times, we embraced it. Honestly, there is no reason not to, because it is the beautiful cobbled streets and old colonial-era architecture that makes this town so attractive. Pretty much every street features some type of art, be it giant mural's or artistic graffiti. The photo ops are insane here! Not to mention a really lovely vibe that emanates from the place. It really felt good to be here, dare we say it, it felt like home within days of arriving. The bright colors, the stone steps, the beautiful iron railings and cute benches; wherever you go you will feel the full force of Mexican culture here in San Cristobal. That is before you even start delving into the stunning churches, incredible cafes and epic restaurants. There are plenty of them here! Each spot has its own unique story to tell too. Templo de la Transfiguración del Señor Take this church for example, The Templo de la Transfiguración del Señor, also known as the Templo del Cerrillo. It is a simple and unassuming church, but it is home to a revered image of Christ known as the Señor de la Transfiguración. The church was built in the 17th century by the Dominicans, who were the dominant religious order in San Cristóbal at the time. The Señor de la Transfiguración is believed to have been carved in the 16th century and is said to have miraculous powers, making this a very popular pilgrimage destination. It is stories and places like these that bring such a vibrant energy to this town! Pretty much everyday it felt like something was happening. San Cristobal has many festivals, events and parades and there are fireworks going off almost everyday. There are tons of markets to visit, each of which are packed on the daily and are full of everything you could possibly need. We loved wandering through them and shopping for fresh produce, which is way cheaper here than back home in Canada or the UK. Cost of living is definitely a plus point for San Cristobal too. Despite an increasing amount of attention and tourists, prices are still low. Just look around you. Half of these people came here for a week or two, and are still here months later. When you come to San Cristobal, even if just for a day, you'll never want to leave! - A common joke according to locals, indeed we were told this by someone who was still in the city one year after arriving! There is plenty to do in San Cristobal aside from walking of course, with lots of tours teeing off into neighboring towns, and plenty of churches, cathedrals, caves and local communities too. We spent most of our time in the town though, discovering new cafes, restaurants and neat trinket stores whenever we went out. The main thoroughfare is Real de Guadalupe and it is where most of the buzz and life is, mainly in the afternoons. You will find everything here from street sellers to street performers, musicians, booksellers, artists and more. There is always something new to see, and a new vibe to enjoy! ⪢ Street Art in San Cristobal de las Casas We are not sure if you know this, but Jenn and I are a big fan of street art around the world. We are always drawn to it and love to take a photograph or two! Well let us tell you that if you feel the same about street art, then this town will simply blow you away. The art here literally is on another level! Wherever we went, there was something. Most side streets, homes, and even in some cases the sidewalks themselves are covered in art! Street art flourishes in Mexican towns due to a convergence of cultural, historical, and social factors. Rooted in the muralism movement of the early 20th century led by iconic artists like Diego Rivera, street art has become a powerful means of expressing cultural identity and addressing social and political issues. Mexican street artists often use their work to celebrate indigenous cultures, promote community empowerment, and contribute to economic revitalization. The art form has also become a significant tourist attraction, with local governments commissioning murals to showcase the unique aspects of their towns. Additionally, the global street art movement has influenced Mexican artists, contributing to the widespread popularity of this form of expression. Overall, the prevalence of street art in Mexican towns is a reflection of a rich cultural heritage, a tradition of muralism, and a contemporary platform for social commentary and community engagement. We think it works, especially in San Cristobal de las Casas! Read on for a brief history of this incredible town, interesting facts, food and accommodation in San Cristobal, how to find the town, and our experience rating. CONTENT MENU The History Behind San Cristobal San Cristóbal de las Casas has a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times. Here is a brief overview of its history: ⪢ Pre-Columbian Era The area around San Cristóbal de las Casas was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, primarily the Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya. These communities engaged in agriculture, trade, and various cultural practices. ⪢ Spanish Conquest The Spanish arrived in the region in the early 16th century. In 1528, Diego de Mazariegos founded the town of Villa Real de Chiapa, which later became San Cristóbal de las Casas in honor of Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish Dominican friar and advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples. ⪢ Colonial Period San Cristóbal de las Casas became an important colonial city in the Chiapas region. The Spanish built churches, convents, and other colonial structures, leaving a significant architectural footprint. The city thrived on agriculture, mining, and trade. ⪢ Ecclesiastical Influence The city became a center of religious influence with the establishment of the Bishopric of Chiapas in 1538. The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de las Casas, constructed in the 16th century, stands as a testament to this ecclesiastical history. ⪢ Indigenous Resistance Throughout the colonial period, the indigenous populations in the surrounding areas resisted Spanish rule. The most notable uprising was the Tzeltal Rebellion of 1712-1713, led by Juan Dieguez Olguín. ⪢ Independence and 19th Century San Cristóbal de las Casas, like many other Mexican cities, experienced the turbulence of the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821). After gaining independence, the city continued to play a role in regional politics and development. ⪢ 20th Century The city maintained its colonial charm and cultural significance throughout the 20th century. In 1994, the Zapatista uprising, led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), brought national and international attention to Chiapas, with San Cristóbal de las Casas at the center of events. ⪢ Modern Era Today, San Cristóbal de las Casas is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant indigenous cultures, and as a popular destination for tourism. The city attracts visitors with its lively markets, artisan crafts, and a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. The history of San Cristóbal de las Casas reflects the complex interplay of indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization, and the ongoing struggles for social justice and autonomy in the region. CONTENT MENU 10 Interesting Facts About San Cristobal San Cristóbal de las Casas is a fascinating city with a rich history and unique characteristics. Here are five super interesting facts about this charming place: 1. Multicultural Atmosphere San Cristóbal de las Casas is renowned for its multicultural ambiance. The city is home to various indigenous communities, including the Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya, who contribute to the vibrant cultural tapestry. This diversity is evident in the local markets, traditional dress, and languages spoken on the streets. 2. Altitude & Climate The city is situated at a relatively high altitude, approximately 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level. This altitude contributes to a mild, temperate climate, making San Cristóbal de las Casas a refreshing escape from the heat of lower-lying areas in Chiapas. 3. Colonial Architecture San Cristóbal boasts well-preserved colonial architecture. The historic city center is characterized by cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and numerous churches and cathedrals. The Cathedral of San Cristóbal, built in the Spanish Colonial style, is a prominent landmark in the city. 4. Zapatista Connection In 1994, San Cristóbal de las Casas gained international attention due to the Zapatista uprising led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). The rebels, advocating for indigenous rights and autonomy, occupied the city briefly, drawing attention to issues of social justice and indigenous rights in Mexico. 5. Artisan Traditions The city is a hub for traditional artisan crafts. Local artisans produce intricate textiles, pottery, and woodcarvings, reflecting the cultural heritage of the indigenous communities. Visitors can explore the numerous markets and workshops to witness the creation of these unique and beautiful handcrafted goods. 6. Cultural Festivals The city hosts various cultural festivals throughout the year, celebrating its rich heritage. One notable event is the Fiesta Grande de Enero (Grand January Festival), a month-long celebration featuring traditional music, dance, and religious processions. 7. Iglesia de La Merced Church (Templo de Santo Domingo) La Merced Church is a historical and architectural gem in San Cristóbal. Constructed in the 16th century, the church features a stunning baroque façade and an ornate interior. The church is known for its intricate details and is a must-visit for those interested in colonial architecture. Cathedral de San Cristóbal de las Casas 8. Coffee Culture Chiapas is a major coffee-producing region, and San Cristóbal de las Casas is no exception. The city is surrounded by coffee plantations, and visitors can explore the local coffee culture by taking tours to nearby coffee farms, learning about the cultivation and processing of this important crop. 9. Amber Capital of Mexico The region around San Cristóbal de las Casas is famous for its amber. The city is considered the "Amber Capital of Mexico," and visitors can explore numerous shops and markets to find unique amber jewelry, sculptures, and artifacts. The Amber Museum in the city provides insight into the history and significance of this precious gemstone. 10. El Arcotete Natural Monument For nature enthusiasts, the El Arcotete Natural Monument is a must-visit. Located just outside the city, this natural wonder features caves, rock formations, and a natural arch. It's a popular spot for hiking and exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the Chiapas highlands. CONTENT MENU The Food in San Cristobal In the culinary haven of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the vibrant flavors of Chiapas come to life. The city's food scene reflects the rich tapestry of indigenous traditions and Spanish influences, creating a unique fusion that captivates the taste buds. A must-try local specialty is the renowned tamales, featuring a delightful blend of masa dough filled with savory or sweet ingredients, wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks and steamed to perfection. For meat lovers, the slow-roasted cochito (pork) is a savory delight, seasoned with local spices and often accompanied by traditional salsas. Mole, a complex and flavorful sauce made with chili peppers, chocolate, and various spices, is another culinary masterpiece that graces many dishes in San Cristóbal. We loved the robust aromas of street food stalls offering sopes, gorditas, and quesadillas, each showcasing the diverse local produce and handmade tortillas. Not to mention the smells of rich Chiapas coffee, knowing that the region is celebrated for its high-quality coffee beans. Exploring the markets and local eateries of San Cristóbal de las Casas isn't just a culinary adventure; it's an immersion into the heart and soul of Chiapas, where every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and the vibrant spirit of this charming city. We thoroughly enjoyed the food here and the main high street is a great adventure with so much on offer. Honestly in three months, we cannot even say we tried everything, and we eat out almost every day! CONTENT MENU Our San Cristobal AirBnb Nestled in a tranquil neighborhood, just a delightful 15-minute stroll from San Cristóbal's central park and six blocks from the bustling Real de Guadalupe walking street, are three distinct and comfortable apartments: "Casa Lily Rana," "Casa Lily Jaguar," and "Casa Lily Ixim." These Airbnb's offer a perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. Crafted by the renowned Frédéric Burkhard, recipient of the 2012 European Award for Artistic and Cultural Activities, they boast distinctive designs characterized by organic forms, ample natural light, and efficient use of space. Each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen, private baths, and enchanting balconies or patios with excellent views. The apartments also have access to laundry facilities, gardens, a barbecue area, and the pleasures of herb-picking from a well manicured garden. The best part of this Airbnb has to be the substitute of a TV for a fireplace. It is not often one gets to have a fully functioning fireplace in the home, especially as a traveler. This was a real treat, and one made even sweeter by the fact that the host provides cut wood free of charge. It was so nice and cozy to snuggle up while the fire was crackling, and it was a big selling point for us! We have no hesitation recommending Casa Lily, and if you would like to know more, you can check out the listing on Airbnb . CONTENT MENU Things to Know Before Visiting San Cristobal Before visiting San Cristóbal de las Casas, it's helpful to be aware of certain aspects to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some important things to know: ⪢ Altitude & Weather San Cristóbal de las Casas is situated at a high altitude, so visitors may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. It's advisable to stay hydrated, take it easy on physical activities initially, and allow your body time to acclimate. The weather is generally mild, but it can be cool, especially in the evenings, so pack accordingly. ⪢ Respect for Indigenous Cultures The city is home to various indigenous communities, and it's important to show respect for their cultures and traditions. Ask for permission before taking photographs, be mindful of cultural sensitivities, and purchase crafts directly from artisans or reputable markets to support the local economy. ⪢ Safety Precautions While San Cristóbal is considered relatively safe for tourists, it's always wise to take standard safety precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings, be cautious in crowded areas, and use official transportation services. It's also advisable to check current travel advisories before your trip. ⪢ Currency & Cash The official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). While credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, it's a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are available, but it's recommended to use those located in secure and well-lit areas. ⪢ Local Cuisine Chiapas is known for its diverse and delicious cuisine. Don't miss the opportunity to try local dishes such as tamales, cochito (slow-roasted pork), and various types of moles. Street food can be delightful, but choose vendors with clean and hygienic practices to avoid any health issues. ⪢ Zapatista Legacy Familiarize yourself with the history of the Zapatista uprising in 1994, as it plays a significant role in the city's recent history. While the situation has evolved, it's still valuable to understand the cultural and political context of the region. ⪢ Language While Spanish is the official language, many locals, especially in indigenous communities, speak their native languages like Tzotzil and Tzeltal. Basic Spanish phrases can be helpful, but in more tourist-oriented areas, English may be spoken. ⪢ Transportation San Cristóbal is a walkable city, but if you plan to explore nearby attractions or villages, consider hiring a local guide or using organized tours. Public transportation is available, but it's essential to confirm schedules and routes. By being aware of these aspects, you can enhance your experience in San Cristóbal de las Casas and better appreciate the cultural, historical, and natural wonders the city has to offer. CONTENT MENU How to Get to San Cristobal in Mexico San Cristóbal de las Casas is located in the southern part of Mexico, within the state of Chiapas. Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, is the nearest major city. In a broader context, San Cristóbal de las Casas is about 900 kilometers southeast of Mexico City and approximately 1,350 kilometers southwest of Cancún. By Plane ● The nearest major airport to San Cristóbal de las Casas is the Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (IATA: TGZ), which serves the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. However, flights to this airport might be limited. ● Alternatively, you can fly into the Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (IATA: MID) in Mérida, Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN) in Cancún, or Mexico City International Airport (IATA: MEX), which are well-connected airports in Mexico. Ground Transportation from Tuxtla Gutiérrez If you land at Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport, you can take a taxi or shuttle to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (the capital of Chiapas) and then use a bus or private transportation to reach San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is about 1.5 to 2 hours away. By Bus or Private Transportation ● Bus:  From Tuxtla Gutiérrez, you can take a bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. ADO and OCC are two major bus companies that operate on this route. The bus journey takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. ● Private Transportation:  Taxis and private shuttle services are available for a more comfortable and direct journey. You can arrange these services at the airport or through your accommodation. Renting a Car If you prefer flexibility, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to San Cristóbal de las Casas. The journey by car takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, and it allows you to explore the surrounding areas at your own pace. Always check current travel conditions, flight availability, and transportation options based on your specific itinerary. Additionally, consider booking transportation in advance, especially during peak travel times. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour Check out a host of different tour options to explore San Cristobal with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in San Cristobal and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our San Cristobal Highlights on YouTube Join us in this two video series and see why people love it here in the most beautiful and colourful city in Mexico... and why we decided to stay in this beautiful town for 3 months! They say people never want to leave and we didn't either! First we take you on a mini ADO bus ride with views as we travelled from Merida to San Cristobal. We give you a tour of both the grounds and inside of our amazing Airbnb. We take a stroll through the streets in San Cristobal, getting acquainted with the local area and stopping at a fruit and vegetable market to buy some locally grown produce. We then take a short walking tour through Main square Cathedral and Real de Guadalupe at a quieter time of day with a quick stop at La Vino De Bacco, one of our favourite spots to people watch, and get a glass of wine for $25 pesos along with complementary tapas and great street entertainment. We then burn off that wine with another mini walking tour. We finish off the evening at Patio Azul a wonderful restaurant with a diverse menu and wonderful drinks. They also have evening entertainment ranging from DJ's. live bands, solo performers etc. Once arriving back to our Airbnb we show you the amazing lightening storms that light up the night skies of San Cristobal de las Casas. This is truly part of what leads to this being such a magical place in Mexico... and no night is complete with out a good fire to wind down to! If you enjoy our videos and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our San Cristobal Experience Rating Easily one of our favorite spots in all of Mexico, San Cristobal will forever remain a very special part of our full-time travel journey. Not just because it was at the beginning, in that first 6 month honeymoon phase, but because it is an awesome town, simple as that. Given that we have now stayed in well over a hundred different towns and cities worldwide, this is high praise indeed! This town really has it all; a very unique blend of local, traditional, international and ex-colonial flair. It is incredible how everything works so seamlessly and peacefully, even with the influx of tourists, ex-pats and digital nomads. This town has something for everyone, be it cute cafes, up-scale restaurants, night life buzz, tourist tours or just really cool working spots. The food, the markets, the vibe... this is San Cristobal. The town no-one wants to leave! As ever thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

The Ruins of Palenque are located in southern Mexico, just north of Guatemala in an area known as the Maya Lowlands. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Mesoamerica and with its breath-taking beauty and preservation you can see why. Also listed under UNESCO World Heritage, more of the site is being excavated every day. Read on for more about our visit, the history of this once great and vast Mayan city, and how you can travel here! Plus get offers from Klook, and check out our exclusive Mexico Travel Guide. One of the largest structures at Palenque and best preserved, the Temple of the Inscriptions In This Post... ● Introduction to Palenque ● The History of Palenque ● Who Were the Maya? ● Mexico Travel Tip - Ado Bus ● How to Get to Palenque ● Our Accommodation in Palenque ● Our Palenque  Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Mexico  with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Introduction to Palenque For those of you who love south American history, archaeology and all things Maya, then this is the adventure for you. This epic city may be lesser known than places such as Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan but that may well change as more of the site is uncovered after being buried for well over a thousand years. Temple XIII at the main entrance to Palenque, Mexico The ruins are part of the Zona Arqueológica of Palenque, located just outside of the main city in the Chiapas region of Mexico. We travelled here from the amazing city of San Cristobal via a 6 hour coach ride which went very smoothly thankfully. When we arrived at the main bus terminal we took a minibus to the site and it was pretty straight forward overall. But more on that later! The rear view of the Temple de Sol at Ruinas de Palenque, Mexico CONTENT MENU The History of Palenque The earliest evidence of occupation dates from 200BC and it grew steadily from a simple farming village to a power center that ruled over most of Mexico’s south by 600AD. It was literally known as ‘big water’ due to natural streams and a major river that run through the site. It was abandoned in 799AD and as mentioned was completely overgrown by the jungle that surrounded it until its excavation and restoration in recent years. The stunning El Palacio, the central point of the Palenque Site It houses many tombs, temples and administrative buildings alongside general accommodation. It is a hugely impressive site and one that is still waiting to be fully discovered; it is estimated that almost 80% of the original city is still completely covered by the jungle and is just waiting to be explored. As of 2017 Palenque recorded nearly 1 million visitors and no doubt this will continue to grow as more of the city is revealed! This once powerful and important political centre is also famous for its decorative stucco sculptures and carvings which present some of the greatest works of Maya art. The wide courtyards, ornamental fountains, and artificial pools and waterways also demonstrate a great understanding of city planning and organisation. Temple of the Sun (Templo de Sol, above), built in the late 7th Century. It is one of a complex of three different sized structures thought to correspond to three different levels of the Maya universe: heaven, earth/surface of water and the underworld. CONTENT MENU Who Were the Maya? The Maya were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for their remarkable achievements in various fields, including architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and writing. They inhabited a region that includes present-day southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. ⪢ Key Aspects of Maya Civilization ● Historical Timeline: The Maya civilization emerged around 2000 BCE and reached its peak during the Classic period (approximately 250 to 900 CE). ● City-States: The Maya were organized into city-states, each ruled by a king. Major cities included Tikal, Palenque, Copán, and Calakmul. ● Writing System: They developed one of the most sophisticated writing systems in the pre-Columbian Americas, known as Maya glyphs, which were used for recording historical events, rituals, and astronomy. ● Mathematics and Astronomy: The Maya made significant advancements in mathematics, including the concept of zero, and created intricate calendars based on their astronomical observations. ● Religion and Mythology: Their religion was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods associated with nature, agriculture, and celestial bodies. Rituals often included offerings and ceremonies. ● Art and Architecture: The Maya are renowned for their impressive architectural structures, such as pyramids and temples, as well as their intricate pottery, sculptures, and murals. ⪢ Decline and Legacy The decline of the Maya civilization began around the end of the 1st millennium CE, attributed to factors such as environmental changes, warfare, and social upheaval. However, many Maya communities still exist today, preserving their cultural heritage and traditions. The legacy of the Maya continues to influence modern society, particularly in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and cultural studies. CONTENT MENU Mexico Travel Tip - Ado Bus Mexico's ADO Bus network is extremely efficient and operates out of main bus terminals in all major cities. We used the service several times while traveling in Mexico and we always had a good experience. The online booking system can be a little temperamental though so sometimes it is best just to head to the bus terminals to buy your tickets. The coaches are well cleaned and tend to stop off every couple of hours at different terminals for refreshments, bathroom breaks and new passengers. There tends to be a fair few security checks along certain routes so be prepared to show your passport during these. We also found that these 'inspectors' may not always be dressed as government officials either; we suspect that the local cartels also conducts checks. It is nothing to be too concerned about, even if it is a little unnerving at the time. We would recommend having some change handy as all of the bathrooms usually require a few pesos for entry. At most stops you can also find fairly decent food and refreshment options although it is always a lot more cost effective to pack your own food! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Palenque Ruins The best way to visit Palenque is by using the ADO Bus network; it is cost effective, comfortable and easy to access. From the ADO Bus Terminal in Palenque you can hop on a Bus / Mini Van directly outside, and for around 20 pesos per person you will be taken on a short ten minute trip to the Palenque Ruins Museum. The museum is located at the base of the hill the ruins sit atop of, and is approximately a 1km walk away. At this point you will be coaxed towards the museum to buy tickets for access to the park and the museum itself. At the time we visited we were unable to choose between the two, and were forced to buy tickets for both attractions which came in at 90 pesos each. After purchasing these tickets you will see a barrier at the road directly opposite, and here you can hop on another mini bus to avoid the uphill walk. This should cost you 10 pesos per person. From there you will be taken to the site entrance after navigating the usual stalls and traders. Then be prepared to be amazed! ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to visit the Palenque Ruins is with a combo tour including the nearby Roberto Barrios Waterfalls. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Palenque and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. El Palacio is the largest complex in Palenque and dates back to the 5th Century CONTENT MENU Our Accommodation in Palenque We spent a night at the 4 star Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic which is just a short walk from the Museum area of the Palenque Ruins site. We had a great time here; the room was great and there was a lovely pool to enjoy alongside a nice restaurant. For a detailed review please check out our video below. Book your stay at Hotel La Aldea with booking.com . If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Palenque Experience Rating We had a fantastic time exploring here and would highly recommend it. We had visited several other Mayan sites prior to this, such as those at Tulum, and this was our best experience by far. Be sure to add Palenque to your list - you will not be disappointed! We would love to hear from you and if you have any questions about Palenque or our experience please do not hesitate to ask! We are always happy to help. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Also known as Passion Island in Mexico, this incredible island is approximately 1km from the island of Cozumel and can only be reached by boat. It is said to be a ‘virgin’ space given that for the most part it is completely natural with next to no structures on the island. The crystal-clear waters and brilliant white sands will instantly capture your heart as you enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this very special place. Read on for our highlights, the history, how to get there, the best time to visit Passion Island and our experience rating. Plus some special offers from our partners at Klook, and your exclusive GUIDE to visiting Mexico. In This Post... ● Our Passion Island Highlights ● The History of Isla de la Pasión ● How to Get to Isla de la Pasión ● Do You Need to Book? ● Best Time to Visit the Island ● Can You Eat There? ● Things to Do on Isla de la Pasión ● Our Isla de la Pasión Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Passion Island Highlights We first heard about this little-known island when we went for an afternoon snorkel at Corona Beach and Restaurant (amazing place for free snorkelling on Cozumel Island) where we met fellow traveller Viktor from Poland. He shared with us his adventures from the previous day and said it was a must see while here. We were very keen to check it out during our trip; with a name like Passion Island how could we not! Jenn looking hot on a very HOT dock on Passion Island! We were a tad apprehensive and a bit nervous as the island seemed off the beaten path and a little out of our comfort zone, especially being our first month of full-time travel and adventure. But it seemed like a great idea and we are so glad we did it in the end as it helped us learn to trust our instincts when it comes to recommendations from ‘strangers’ / other travellers! From left to right: Viktor, Mikey, TD and Jenn! Chilling at Agave Cocktail Bar, Cozumel, Mexico In absolutely every way Passion Island lived up to its billing and it became one of our top highlights during our 6 months in Mexico. We bought Viktor a drink a couple of nights later to say thank you for the experience. One of our favourite parts of travelling is the amount of amazing people that we meet from around the world and the brilliant conversations that help to broaden all of our perspectives! Agave Cocktail Bar, a great place for unique drinks and flavors. We highly recommend it! CONTENT MENU Passion Island History: Ixchel, Goddess of Love This island was first visited by the Mayans and was dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel. Ixchel is the goddess of love and it is no surprise that this beautiful island became a pilgrim destination to honour her. She was associated with fertility, health, water and vegetation; all properties which epitomise this magical stretch of land. Having already encountered a temple dedicated to her on the magnificent Isla Mujeres (another must see island in Mexico) we were really excited to be here. Jenn admiring the stunning blue sea with her feet in the tide Legend has it from the story of Ixchel that every loving soul who dies becomes a star and that love is reflected in its brightness. After stepping foot on this breath-taking island it felt like everything around us was doing just that; the glistening water, the sparkling sand, the calm sea breeze. The name Isla de la Pasión really is no coincidence… we were not just enamoured by our surroundings but we felt every inch of our love beaming in the sunlight here. It really is a romantic place where we totally felt at one with each other and indeed with nature itself! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Isla de la Passion Passion Island is located just off of the coast at the northern point of Cozumel and is only accessible by boat. We made our way from a small dock called Colibrí, as shown on the map below. Access to the dock we travelled from is via a dirt track road (which is in pretty bad condition and very secluded) that runs off of the only main road in the area. You can only really use an ATV or bike on this road as there are some pretty big pot holes! We saw a couple of people walking too but it is a fair walk just to get to this point as you can see on the map. We used our ATV which was provided by our Airbnb host Eric which we were very thankful for! Boat cam! There were a few local people standing around the dock and we were quickly identified as tourists and ushered towards the boatman. His English was good enough to let us know that he would drop us off and return when we were ready so we agreed on a couple of hours. In hindsight we wish we would have stayed longer! We were a little apprehensive on our agreement as it seemed sketchy at first. We agreed on a price of 80 pesos each but he made us pay both ways upfront which is not the way we are accustomed to doing things. However true to his word he did return, albeit a little late (which led to a few nail-biting minutes of feeling like Tom Hanks in Castaway) and he was great! The three amigos! CONTENT MENU Do You Need to Book? There are plenty of tours available with boats running from Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun which you can find online or pretty easily from vendors in the main tourist areas. You can also do it yourself as we did but as mentioned you will need to arrange drop off and pick up with the locals at the dock. There are no tickets or phone numbers so you will have to be trusting! ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to visit Isla de la Pasión is by tour. Depart from Cozumel by catamaran and navigate through the crystal clear waters while admiring the views of Isla de la Pasión. Enjoy a complete lunch with snacks, fresh fruits, beer, rum punch, margaritas and soft drinks while on board. When you arrive to Isla de la Pasión, have the choice to go snorkelling or paddle boarding around the island. Alternatively, stay on the catamaran and enjoy floating hammocks or a floating mat. Interested?  Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU What is the Best Time to Visit The best time to visit is between November and March. You can expect consistent temperatures of up to 35 degrees (95 Fahrenheit) so remember to bring sunscreen, even if it is cloudy! The rainy / hurricane season runs from August to October. We visited at the end of April and the weather was beautiful. Soaking up the sun does not get much better than this! CONTENT MENU Can You Eat There? There is a restaurant on the island but it only serves tour and event guests. If you make your way privately as we did be sure to bring some food and drinks. CONTENT MENU Things to Do on Isla de Pasión There are numerous activities to do here via the tours including twister boat rides, Jeep adventures and Kayaking. These must be booked in advance as there are no vendors on the island. The perfect spot to chill and soak up the sun CONTENT MENU Watch Our Cozumel Highlights on YouTube In this video we are in Cozumel, Mexico exploring this major cruise port location off the Caribbean Sea. All while showing you our all inclusive stay at the Westin Cozumel with a luxurious massage and epic views. You don't want to miss this LUXURY stay! We also explore a more budget friendly way to spend time on the island of Cozumel and show you the hidden secret of Passion Island! We also stay locally at an Airbnb with amazing things included. We explore the island on ATV, go to restaurant, see beautiful sunsets and beaches and we also explore the local ruins. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Isla de la Pasion Experience Rating In our view Isla de la Pasión is a MUST VISIT location if you are in Quintana Roo. It is a real adventure to get there and once you do you will be completely mesmerised by the beauty and tranquillity of the island. It is an amazing location to really switch off from the world and we felt an electric connection with each other there! It really does have a special energy and is not just a treat for the eyes but a treat for the soul! Feel free to let us know your thoughts on the Isla de la Pasión in the comments. Plus if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! We are always happy to help. As always thanks for following along on our journey! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Mexico with Special Offers Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

We have a passion for street art and enjoy capturing it through photography! The sheer amount of art in the cities we explored in the incredible country of Mexico left us amazed. Unable to choose a favorite, we decided to compile our top ten and seek your opinion! Browse through and enjoy - don't forget to vote at the end of the post! Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. In no particular order and with full credit to all original artists: 1. The Three Amigos San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico 2. The Bull Heads San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico 3. Tick Tock San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico 4. Butterflies & Flowers San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico 5. The Lady of Cancun Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 6. Chicken Man Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 7. The Sea Heart Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 8. Flowers in Her Hair Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 9. Scorpio Stare Tulum, Quintana Roo Mexico 10. The Skull and Top Hat Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico Hype or Vibe? Watch Our Tulum Adventure on YouTube Is Tulum worth its much hyped reputation? Take a look at our stay here exploring the central area, the Tulum Ruins, the main strip and restaurants. You can decide for yourself! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

If this stunning Mexican island was a hotel, it would be 5 stars! This is a hugely popular holiday destination and it is easy to see why. Amazing beaches, incredible sunsets and sunrises, delicious food and awesome activities… it really has it all. Isla Mujeres is one of our favourite places of all time and every time we think of it we picture crystal clear waters, epic scenery and great fun all round. In this post we show you just a few of the many reasons why you should come to this island of paradise, and some of the superb activities you can do during your stay. In This Post... ● Rent a Golf Cart or Scooter ● Visit the Green Demon ● Explore Punta Sur ● Go to Kin Ha ● Try Street Food Tacos ● More from Isla Mujeres on YouTube Travel Resources & Offers ● Easily Find Hotels in Isla Mujeres and Beyond ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. 1. Rent a Golf Cart or a Scooter to Tour the Island With rental prices per day at around 700 pesos, this is an activity not to be missed. It is really fun and you get to take in every inch of the picture postcard sights of this gorgeous island! Ours was perhaps a little noisy but it was relatively comfortable and very easy to use. The Isla Mujeres sign, synonymous with cities in Mexico You can pretty much loop the entire island in 45 minutes or so if you did not stop and the roads are well maintained so the ride is fairly smooth. They are very common on the island along with scooters so drivers are very considerate to them! We thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a really convenient way to travel with the ease at which we could stop off at random places for photos and refreshments. To rent a golf cart you will need a valid drivers license and your passport. Our licence was withheld by the store and they returned it to us when we brought the cart back. We also had to fill out a small form and detail our address and contact information. Now lets check out some of the awesome places you can visit with your cart or scooter! CONTENT MENU 2. Visit the Green Demon for an Epic Sunset View and an Authentic Mexican Vibe Widely thought of as the best beach on Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte is famous for its incredible sunset views, plethora of quality bars and beautiful fine sand. After finding our Airbnb it was the first place we visited; we literally made a beeline for the Green Demon after seeing what it had to offer from several other travellers on YouTube. The stunning Playa Norte beach, with its beautiful palm trees and fine white sand The Green Demon offers food and cocktails along with its famous beer buckets of 5 beers in ice. They have many loungers to choose from and offer friendly and efficient table service to boot. The loungers / beds cost around 100 pesos for the day which we personally thought was well worth it along with the colorful music and chill vibe! Then of course came THE sunset... If only images could capture the true beauty! Or maybe it does? CONTENT MENU 3. Explore Punta Sur for a Visit with the Iguanas and Breath-taking Views The day we took our golf cart to this part of the island was probably our favorite! It is a special place; after you make your way through the initial throng of ice cream vendors, souvenir shops and food stalls you really get to see what the fuss is all about. Punta Sur, at the Southern tip of the island, is the place where the sun first touches every day, and is also home to the Ixchel Temple and some VERY large iguanas! There are so many of them here and they are harmless enough although we didn't get too close! People pile up rocks and make a wish ⪢ The Temple of Ixchel Winding paths surrounded by sun kissed greenery lead you to the stunning rock cliffs and the temple of Ixchel, a place sacred to the Maya who built it. Ixchel is the goddess of childbirth and medicine and there are many statues of her and women on the island. The island is named Isla de Mujeres in reference to them; literally meaning 'island of women' in Spanish. This was also the very first Mayan Ruin we saw in Mexico and its connection to women and hope made it even more special! So many places to stop and pose here! The island is also well known for its relaxed nature and safety and happiness amongst its residents and it is certainly something we felt as we paced our way through our time here. We were totally enamoured with its beauty and charm. We lost count of how many times we said 'we could live here' and 'we are definitely coming back'. It is an alluring paradise for sure! It is easy to see why so many people come to this island every year. It is a beautiful environment to relax and vibe with traditional Mexican culture combined with its perfect location for weather and sun. You will find memories here that will only ever draw a warm smile and happy heart! CONTENT MENU 4. Head to Kin Ha for Amazing Drinks and Fun in the Sun This stunning oceanfront restaurant was a real highlight of our stay in Isla Mujeres. The restaurant has a mix of Mexican and American cuisine and it has a wonderful tropical vibe. We stopped off here with our golf cart after glancing at the incredible view from the road. It almost looks like a portal to another world and when you step through it, it just gets better! The main infinity pool of Kin Ha overlooking the epic Caribbean Sea We were so impressed by the food and feel that we booked a night at the accompanying Beachscape Kin Ha Villas Hotel. The hotel was breath-taking, the suites were beautifully designed and the facilities were just gorgeous. We loved the infinity pools (of which there are three) and the luxury feel. It truly is a ‘beachscape’, and was totally reasonable on cost too. Just how about that view!!! These chicken wings were delicious!! The food was a real treat and was well priced given the location and service! We were really impressed and would have liked to have tried more of the menu. We would have had we not only been here for a day! The restaurant has plenty to offer alongside the epic view There really is not much more to say here as we feel the pictures speak for themselves! This simply is a MUST visit place, be sure to stop by and grab an awesome cocktail and relax in the sun with THAT view. CONTENT MENU 5. Try the Street Food Tacos for an Authentic Taste of Mexico On our way back from Playa Norte we came across a street with several food stands and decided it was time for our first street taco experience. Synonymous with Mexico, street food is a traditional way to try classic Mexican cuisine – and boy was it good! Unfortunately, the stand we found did not have a name to mention but it was probably the best tacos we ate in all of Mexico, and given that we were there for 4 months after visiting Isla Mujeres that is a high compliment. The food was not the only thing that was great – the service was too. Just a 5-minute walk from the beach and just off of the main street we highly recommend trying one of these places. They usually have seating, offer cold beverages and the prices are pretty reasonable too. You will not regret it; we were so impressed that we were even calling over passers-by to try the food! *Travel Tip - when eating street food in other countries always go where the locals are for the most affordable, safest and tastiest experience! CONTENT MENU More from Isla Mujeres on YouTube Before you go, why not check out our very special Isla Mujeres YouTube video for more on this stunning island! We explore the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres, and share our Airbnb, hotel, golf carts, beach clubs and epic sunsets on this island of turquoise water and sprawling sandy beaches. We've formatted the video into two parts. The second portion of the video we are exploring the south end with a stay at the Casa de Los Suenos Boutique Hotel and the beach club restaurant Kin Ha. We tour the island on a golf cart and visit the Mayan Ruins of Ixchel at the southernmost tip of the Island an absolutely beautiful must see location also widely known as Iguana point. One showing the more budget option to explore this island with part two being a higher budget away to explore the island. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Easily Find Hotels in Isla Mujeres and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Mexico with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

This unique restaurant was the winner of the 2020 Diner's Choice award granted by Open Table and we can totally see why! An absolutely epic night out on the water with magnificent food, first class service, brilliant entertainment and an amazing vibe. During our time in Cancun Jenn was looking for a nice place to eat on the water with a sunset view... this is how she happened upon Tora, a Japanese Restaurant (one of her favorites). However, we found it a little challenging to find the details we were looking for, so we hope that we can touch on some of the questions you may have when considering a visit. Read on for the incredible food we tried, the superb entertainment, how to find Tora Cancun, our YouTube video highlights and our restaurant rating! In This Post... ● Our Tora Restaurant Highlights ● The Food at Tora Restaurant ● Tora Restaurant on YouTube ● How   to   Get  to the Tora Restaurant ● Our Tora Restaurant Cancun Experience Ratings Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico ● Explore Cancun with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE North America Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Tora Restaurant Highlights We took an Uber from central Cancun to get to Tora which cost a very reasonable 400 pesos. Tora is situated in the hotel zone and is on the water of the Nichupté Lagoon with absolutely breathtaking views! It was super appealing from the outside and we knew from the moment we stepped out of the cab that we were in for a real treat. Meet and greet at the entrance to Tora, the beginning of an epic night We were greeted at the entrance and taken towards the reception desk where there are mandatory temperature checks; this was fine although for the first and only time since the pandemic it was conducted with a full facial scanner! We found this technology interesting as we had never seen anything like this before. We were then escorted to our sunset view table which could not have been more perfect! We each started with a signature Tora Infusion Ball (640 pesos for two) and my oh my it was good! There are 3 flavors to choose from and we highly recommend them. We spent the next 20 minutes or so soaking up the magnificent sunset, water and Tora dock, with uninterrupted views accompanying the warm breeze and soothing background music in the restaurant. It literally could not have been more serene. The excellent Sashimi Platter, exclusively at Tora, in the warm backdrop of a stunning sunset. Paradise! For our starter we went for the Sashimi Platter which included Bluefin tuna, Ora King salmon Hamachi and Alaskan King crab. Little did we know that the presentation of this would be so impressive! It was absolutely delicious although it was so hard to take the first bite... we could have stared at it all night! The staff were highly attentive from the off and were on hand at any moment to tend to our needs or questions. The shift manager even came over to say hello and take a few photos!! Absolutely delicious grilled seabass & tiger shrimp, the finest Japanese cuisine at Tora Cancun For our main we ordered the grilled seabass ( 750 pesos) and tiger shrimp (800 pesos) accompanied with brandy (410 pesos each) and wine (1 bottle 820 pesos). We also had one of Tora's famous hot rice pots (500 pesos) which are a traditional Japanese rice casserole. This was magnificent and was served directly by the chef right at our table! CONTENT MENU The Food at Tora Restaurant The food was absolutely scrumptious in keeping with the first class treatment we received throughout this memorable night. Keep in mind we wanted to try and sample some of the pricier options but the menu is expansive and can accommodate a variety of price points. The entertainment started with a fantastic drum bongo and dancing show on the dock against the backdrop of the night sky. It was super fun and was accompanied by the staff handing out fountain sparklers to all of the diners! Who doesn't love a good sparkler! It certainly set the mood and continued right until closing time, along with the staff encouraging table and chair dancing and joining in with the fun. We also had an excellent hookah with a delightful blueberry shisha (1300 pesos), alongside some fiery tequila (250 pesos each). The singing and dancing continued in the build up to the grand crescendo... fireworks on the water! It could not have been more spectacular and is truly an unforgettable restaurant. Not to mention the bathroom facilities were excellent too with waited service / champagne, towels, face cloths, perfume and a beautiful setting. We honestly cannot praise Tora highly enough! CONTENT MENU Tora Restaurant on YouTube Now for the video! Enjoy the highlight reel, and if you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Tora Japanese Restaurant Cancun Tora is located at km 15 of the Hotel Zone, very close to the best hotels in Cancun, such as Paradisus Cancun, JW Marriott Cancun, The Ritz Carlton Cancun, Fiesta Americana Condesa, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, The Royal Caribbean, The Royal Islander, Secrets The Vine, The Westin Lagunamar among others. There is plenty of parking available and you can also take a taxi here. There is an exclusive dock too, just in case you wanted to come by boat! ⪢ Contact Information for Tora Restaurant Address: Blvd. Kukulcan km 15, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Contact: +52 998 313 4128 Website: torarestaurant.com.mx ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Cancun and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Tora Restaurant Cancun Experience Ratings If you are celebrating anything special, or even just looking for an amazing date night out, then this is the place to do it in Cancun Mexico. But please don't forget to make a reservation however you can take the chance of just walking in. Also keep in mind it is much quieter the earlier you go and you will get to see the amazing sunset view! We noticed most people came later in the evening for dinner and the entertainment. We arrived at 4pm and left at 1am, we would advise allowing yourself time to embrace the full experience. Atmosphere: 5/5 The ambience and vibe was fantastic, right up there as the best restaurant experience we have ever had. The entertainment was excellent and there was some extra nice touches throughout the night that added even more to what was already a great time! Cost: 5/5 Make no mistake, this is a higher end restaurant and prices are certainly set at a premium. We can only judge this in terms of getting what we paid for, and we certainly felt Tora provided maximum value. That being said, we have never spent as much in one place in all of our travels since! Food: 5/5 We think we have already waxed lyrical enough about the food? Maybe even run out of adjectives? Yes... THAT GOOD! Service: 5/5 The service at Tora is first class from the very get go. We were made to feel valued, important and special in every way. Throughout the night the staff, manager and chef all contributed to it. We could feel the very core principal of providing a fantastic experience throughout and we give huge credit to all of the team at Tora for what they do and how they do it! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Cancun with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Cancun. Whether you're looking for a historical museum visit, parasailing, or even 4-in-1 day trips, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE North America Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

One of our favorite destinations, Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia is not to be missed! We spent four amazing days exploring the beautiful city of Ohrid. The surrounding Lake Ohrid is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes and a gem to both North Macedonia and also its neighbor Albania, with whom the lake is divided. In our opinion it is a must visit destination and we will show you why! So let's take a closer look at the Pearl of the Balkans! In this post we will give you some background behind the town of Ohrid, and all you need to know about the natural marvel that is Lake Ohrid. In This Post... ● Why Visit Ohrid? ● The History of Ohrid in North Macedonia ● Why Is Lake Ohrid the Pearl of the Balkans? ● Watch Us Explore Lake Ohrid On YouTube Travel Resources & Offers ● Easily Find Hotels in Ohrid and Beyond ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of North Macedonia ● FREE Europe Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Why Visit Ohrid? We stayed in the town of Ohrid, the largest city on Lake Ohrid, which is jam packed with everything for history, food, nature and lake lovers alike. Having just spent a month in Tirana (Albania), we were looking for a short getaway and this just ticked all of the boxes. We absolutely loved the infusion of all of the great empires that have ruled here and there is lots to explore, including some of the 365, yes 365 churches in the city. For that reason it is sometimes referred to as 'Jerusalem of the Balkans'. We also have a particular fascination with the Greek and Roman empires and that was a big factor too. An interesting part of our journey here was crossing a land border, something interestingly enough we had not done much in our travels up to this point. In fact we have only ever crossed this way once, via the Batumi (Georgia) border into Trabzon (Turkey). We were keen to experience this and so booked a coach from Tirana. Before we get to our highlights video, read on for the history of the incredible town of Ohrid, and all you need to know about Lake Ohrid itself. CONTENT MENU The History of Ohrid in North Macedonia Ohrid is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the Balkans. Its history spans over two millennia, and it has played a crucial role in the cultural and political development of the region. Here is an overview of the history of this magical place: ⪢ Ancient Ohrid Ohrid's history can be traced back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement dating as far back as Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. In the 4th century BC, Ohrid was known as Lychnidos and was part of the Kingdom of Paeonia, an ancient kingdom in the western Balkans. During the Roman period, it became part of the Roman province of Macedonia and was an important administrative and trade center. Christianity also began to spread in the region during this time. ⪢ Byzantine Era Ohrid played a significant role in the early spread of Christianity in the Balkans. It became an Episcopal center in the 3rd century AD and later an important archbishopric in the Byzantine Empire. The city is known for its many churches and monasteries, some of which date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, including the famous St. Sophia Cathedral. St Mary's Church in Ohrid ⪢ Bulgarian Rule Ohrid was briefly ruled by the Bulgarian Empire during the 10th century, and it became a cultural and religious center for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The city was the birthplace of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the Cyrillic alphabet, which is still used in many Slavic languages today. ⪢ Ottoman Rule In the late 14th century, Ohrid fell under Ottoman Turkish rule, marking the end of the city's independence. The Ottomans continued to influence the city's architecture and culture. During this period, Ohrid's importance as a religious center persisted, with the construction of several Ottoman-era mosques, bridges, and public buildings. ⪢ Yugoslav & Modern Period After World War I, Ohrid became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and later the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1991, with the breakup of Yugoslavia, Ohrid became part of the newly independent Republic of Macedonia (now North Macedonia). Today, Ohrid is a popular tourist destination known for its historical sites, beautiful lake, and vibrant cultural scene. ⪢ UNESCO World Heritage Site Ohrid and its surroundings were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to their rich cultural and historical heritage, including the city's Byzantine churches, monasteries, and Ottoman-era architecture. CONTENT MENU Why Is Lake Ohrid the Pearl of the Balkans? Lake Ohrid is a magnificent and ancient freshwater lake located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula, primarily within North Macedonia, with a small portion extending into Albania. It is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe and holds significant ecological, cultural, and historical importance. ⪢ Geography & Size Lake Ohrid is approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) long and 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) wide, with a total shoreline of about 87 kilometers (54 miles). It covers an area of approximately 358 square kilometers (138 square miles). The lake reaches a maximum depth of about 290 meters (951 feet), making it one of the deepest lakes in Europe. ⪢ Ancient Origins Lake Ohrid is estimated to be around 2 to 3 million years old, making it one of the oldest and most ancient lakes in the world. Its age has earned it the nickname "the Pearl of the Balkans" and a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. ⪢ Biodiversity The lake is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, with numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world. It is home to several species of fish, including the Ohrid trout, which is a symbol of the lake. The surrounding area features rich flora and fauna, including a variety of birds and aquatic life. ⪢ Cultural & Historical Significance The region around Lake Ohrid has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the lake has played a central role in the development of local cultures and civilizations. Ohrid, a historic town located on the lake's eastern shore, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts numerous ancient churches, monasteries, and archaeological sites. ⪢ Tourism Lake Ohrid is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and opportunities for water-based activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. The town of Ohrid, with its historic architecture and vibrant cultural scene, is a major tourist hub. ⪢ Conservation Efforts Due to its ecological significance and unique biodiversity, Lake Ohrid has been the focus of conservation efforts and research to preserve its delicate ecosystem. Efforts are underway to protect the lake's water quality and surrounding environment. ⪢ Transboundary Lake The lake is shared between North Macedonia and Albania, and the two countries cooperate on environmental and conservation initiatives to protect this valuable natural resource. Lake Ohrid's combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and ecological importance makes it a truly exceptional destination for travelers interested in both culture and nature. It continues to be a cherished and protected treasure in the Balkans. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour Check out a host of different tour options with Get Your Guide. Find a wide range of activities including lake boat tours, hikes, kayaks, paragliding, ATV's and more! No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Watch Us Explore Lake Ohrid On YouTube Now let's get to it! Check out one of perhaps our favorite YouTube videos to date! Highlights include the famous Church of St John Kaneo, the Ohrid Amphitheatre, the Bay of Bones, Ohrid night market and a fantastic boat trip to St Naum and its incredible monastery. Plus get to know us a little better too! If you enjoyed our video and would like to follow along with our content why not subscribe ? It is completely free and it means YouTube will notify you of our latest videos so you do not have to go searching! CONTENT MENU Easily Find Hotels in Ohrid and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of North Macedonia Check out all of the places we visited in North Macedonia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! FREE Europe Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

In this post (with video), we're going to show you how to take the bus from Tirana, Albania to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia by border crossing. This is a great way to see the beautiful Lake Ohrid and the Macedonian countryside! If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to travel in this region, then this is the post for you. So let's take a closer look at how we got through the Albanian / Macedonian border crossing into to Ohrid! Oh and by the way, we highly recommend a visit to Lake Ohrid if you are in the Albania area! It truly is spectacular! In This Post... ● Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid ● Crossing the Albania / North Macedonia Land Border ● How to Find Tirana Bus Station ● How to Book Tickets for Tirana to Ohrid ● Watch Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid on YouTube Travel Resources & Offers ● Easily Find Hotels in Albania and North Macedonia ● Your FREE Interactive Map of Albania ● FREE Europe Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid Border crossings can be daunting at the best of times and this was only the second time we have taken a land border crossing in Eastern Europe as we typically fly. Previously we took a cab and walked across the border between Georgia and Türkiye which was equally as easy. This one was even better though as the bus company literally took care of everything; we only had to get out of the bus once to get our passports checked and that was on the way into Macedonia. Other than that, it was literally an enjoy-the-view situation. It was a pretty smooth process all around really, including the online booking process. The hardest part was actually finding Tirana Bus Station believe it or not! GPS was not entirely helpful so we have added a pin drop here to help you out. It is easy to get a little bit spooked when you haven't done a border crossing before as you do not get a lot (if any) information from the driver or at the border. But here you do not really need it... the driver takes care of everything and it went really well for us. Speaking to other passengers it seems that the process is normally the same so we hope you will have the same experience! CONTENT MENU Essential Tips for Crossing the Albania / North Macedonia Land Border Here are some valuable tips to ensure a smooth journey, making your travel experience not only enjoyable but also hassle-free! ● Make sure you are allowed in the country (sounds obvious but always double check Visa Requirements to be on the safe side). ● Check your visa requirements and how long you can stay as a visitor. ● Only use reputable bus or coach companies (always read reviews). ● Be prepared that bus trips may be longer than expected ; delays are always possible so if you arrange any transport for the other side give yourself some wriggle room. ● Bring a paper copy of your tickets if possible - not all companies accept digital versions on a phone. ● It is unlikely that you will have WiFi on the bus / coach (even though they may advertise this). If you need to contact anyone on in your forwarding country be sure to do it prior to getting to the border, organize roaming, or use an e-sim. ● Bring cash in both currencies , this is always helpful as stop off's may only be at very local places that will not take electronic payments. ● You will also be charged a Tourist Tax at the bus station on leaving, which is calculated at 40 Macedonian Denar per day per person. We stayed for 5 days so between the two of us this came to around $7 USD. ● Bring toilet paper or disposable wipes as public bathrooms do not always have it. They also tend to charge a small fee for usage. CONTENT MENU How to Find Tirana Bus Station As we mention in the video, it can be a little tricky to find the Tirana Bus Station. It is not highlighted well in the area as it is an open air station. There are not really any official signs, or even obvious ticket offices, so do check the terrain map to get a better idea of the surroundings. It is the best way to recognise it on arrival! CONTENT MENU How to Book Tickets for Tirana to Ohrid We took our journey with EuroBus, a Macedonian international bus company that provides regular and charter bus services between North Macedonia and several European countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Albania. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Struga, North Macedonia. EuroBus operates a fleet of modern and comfortable buses, all of which are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and reclining seats. The company also offers a variety of amenities on board including snacks, drinks, and a bathroom. They are experienced at handling border crossings smoothly too. We paid 34 euros for return tickets for 2 adults (at time of writing). We felt this was very reasonable and the bus was very comfortable and well maintained as advertised. While there are a number of other operators for this route, if you do find yourself with EuroBus we do recommend them! ⪢ Consider a Tour Check out a host of different tour options from Tirana to Ohrid with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go We have partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for the journey from Tirana to Ohrid. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. CONTENT MENU Watch Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid on YouTube In this video, we show you how to take the bus from Tirana, Albania to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia by land-border crossing. This is a great way to see the beautiful Lake Ohrid and the Macedonian countryside! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Easily Find Hotels in Albania and North Macedonia Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Your FREE Interactive Map of Albania Check out all of the places we visited in Albania courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! FREE Europe Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

If you do not know about this incredible place then we think you should! This is our story from the quaint town of Ohrid, which straddles one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe. With such great history, stretching back to Roman times, this place of crystal clear fresh water, terracotta tiles and views for miles is culture with style and certainly worthwhile! We both just love being by the water and after a couple of weeks in the land locked capital of Tirana, Albania Jenn thought it would be a great shout to hop on a bus and take the relatively easy 2 hour ride to North Macedonia. Looking to take a 'vacation' we booked some time off from teaching and started an 11 day break first with a trip to Durres (in Albania) before taking the bus from Tirana all the way to Ohrid. Read on for the highlights of our very special five days here, the food, things to do, nightlife, history, and details about our Airbnb stay. In This Post... ● Our Ohrid Highlights ● The Weather in Ohrid ● Ohrid Nightlife ● Food & Restaurants in Ohrid ● Things to Do in Ohrid ● The History of Ohrid ● Our Ohrid Accommodation ● Our Ohrid Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of North Macedonia ● FREE Europe Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. Our Ohrid Highlights We were both excited to be adding another country to our list. North Macedonia (or just Macedonia in some quarters) is a place with a very rich Mediterranean, European and Balkan vibe and an exceptional history. Ohrid itself is littered with protected sites and is one of those places that literally seems to just transport you back in time. A perfect place for Jenn and I then! Greek, Roman, Slav, Ottoman; so many empires have held interest here and we hope this blog will show you why, and why this is an awesome getaway location! Samuel's Fortress overlooking the old town of Ohrid For those of you that are new here, first of all a big thank you! Secondly, you may not know but we both have an intense curiosity and passion for the ancient past. We love all things Roman and Egyptian and with trips to Venice and Rome recently we were excited to see the Roman influence in Ohrid. We were not disappointed! With the aforementioned bright orange clay roof tiles that seem to be on every building, the ancient Roman Amphitheatre, the vast quantity of incredibly beautiful churches and the ancient Samuel's Fortress, Ohrid just seemed to be the place that kept on giving. Ohrid is one of just 28 sites in the world that appears on two UNESCO World Heritage lists, both for Natural and Historical value. More on that later! One of the oldest lakes in Europe, the landscape is breathtaking We took a Eurobus from Tirana Bus Station and it was a small but very comfortable minivan. The booking experience was relatively simple and we were able to download a QR code which we showed to the driver upon boarding. There was no additional cost in Albania but it is worth noting that in Ohrid we were charged a couple of dollars transport tax before we could board for the return trip. You will need cash for this as they did not accept card payments. The bus (or coach as we had on the way back) will take you directly across the border and took around 2 hours. The drive through the mountains was actually really beautiful, if not for the occasional pothole or two. The border crossing was also very straight forward; the driver took our passports at the border, returned them to us shortly after, and then we were made to get out and have them checked again before continuing on our way. That was pretty much it! Saint Cyril and Methodius On the way back into Albania from North Macedonia it was even easier; we did not even have to get off of the bus. Overall we would definitely give our Eurobus experience a big thumbs up for price and ease of cross border travel. Keep reading for more on the best time to visit, the food we tried, things to do, and our Airbnb accommodation! CONTENT MENU The Weather in Ohrid The temperature was very nice throughout our stay and overall we would say the weather was good. We were here on the second week of July and when we arrived the beauty of the lake and Ohrid was slightly overshadowed by grey clouds and skies on our first day. Despite being overcast we could just about get away with our arms out; albeit a little cool at 20 degrees. We took a long hike around the town to see the sights (that we will talk about later on) and we have to admit that while our photos and videos may have been hampered by the impending rain clouds, it was actually quite nice to be sightseeing and not sweating for a change! At the end of it all we stopped at our no 1 restaurant pick (more on that too) and spent dinner toying with the prospect of staying longer and waiting out the rain or making a dash for home. Needless to say we got absolutely soaked! When we say torrential we mean torrential ! That being said for the rest of our time here the sun was out in full force and it was very pleasant indeed. The second week of July, make a note! The best time to visit Ohrid is June to September. Temperatures average between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 26 degrees Celsius (79°F) during this time and the wettest month is November. July has the most sunshine while August is the warmest. CONTENT MENU Ohrid Nightlife We had a great location in terms of accommodation as we were just two blocks from the waterfront. We went out a couple of times towards the end of the evening and both experiences were really nice in their own way! With something for everyone, there are a couple of bars and a casino open late. There is not a vast amount of restaurant options but in all honesty there does not really need to be. The balance felt perfect! Samuel's Fortress at night The balance between cafes and food was nice and the evenings felt raucous, but more busy than rowdy. It actually made it feel quite safe, allowing for us to admire the transition from dusk to night at the end of the stone dock. That was one of our favorite evenings as we also took a peek at the main street where all the activity was happening, being presently surprised to find Thomas the Tank Engine, some Dutch pancakes and a very large couple of classic hot dogs. That is coming up! Everything in Ohrid is presented beautifully as you can see! The gardens are manicured and well groomed; at night they are illuminated with well positioned spotlights. It is quite the sight as your eyes are drawn by the color of the flowers, gazing over them before being captured by the vast statues of glorious people of times gone by. The hubs of activity amongst the main street with the stalls, and the restaurants that hug the mountain to the left, keep the main central gardens more quiet. An evening stroll through these is highly recommended! CONTENT MENU Food & Restaurants in Ohrid We only visited two restaurants while here in Ohrid and the main reason for that was because the first place we went to was Restaurant Cun; we ended up going there four times in barely five days! We did manage to pack in a couple of other neat little options so here they go in no particular order (apart from no 1) - ⪢ Restaurant Cun The restaurant is separated from the lake by a small road and there are seating options on the opposite side Restaurant Cun looks and feels five star and in the most part the service was impeccable. Most importantly though, the food was delicious and well served and garnished. It has a fantastic view of Lake Ohrid, with ground floor and balcony seating options. It is very nicely decorated too and gives a really neat Macedonian vibe amongst its wooden beams, flowers and subtle lighting. We really enjoyed the seamless indoor outdoor feel of it. Leon highly recommends the chicken curry and English breakfast; Jenn would recommend the traditional beef stew. There is a great menu with lots of options and we tried several other delicious dishes too. On our final visit here on a Wednesday afternoon / evening there was a really nice traditional live music band performing songs from the region. Sadly we did not catch it during our meal as it was the first time we sat upstairs, but it sounded great! ⪢ Le Petit Bistro Lihnidos We did not eat here but the food looks pretty good to be fair. We just wanted to grab a couple of drinks after our morning hike and this is a great spot with a really lovely view being directly outside the main Gardens of Ohrid. The drinks were reasonably priced and there are plenty of options with wines, beers, cocktails and hot drinks. We shared a few Whiskeys here and even though it was busy due to being lunchtime, the service was good. Our overall impression is that it is a clean, good location for drinks or food and we will definitely try more next time. Check out their menu here . ⪢ Dutch Pancakes and Hot Dogs As Jenn says, this was one of those moments where something was totally unexpected but gratefully accepted! As mentioned earlier we took a stroll on the main street which was really vibrant with lots of food stalls, pearl and gift sellers and train rides for kids. It had all of the feel you get with a carnival or fair. Yes, there were arcade machines too! Our walk here actually started a few minutes away at the stone dock when Leon mentioned a craving for some kind of sugary donut treat. Do you find being by the water synonymous with those tiny amazing smelling fresh donuts you always seem to find somewhere nearby? They totally remind us of our childhood and perhaps it was a whiff he caught that sent us on our mission! So as you can see we actually ended up finding a delightful Dutch pancake stall, and after an understandably long patient wait in the queue we got front row seats to the slow making of these delicious treats. Amongst the tranche of incredibly tempting options with words like Nutella, cream, chocolate, caramel etc almost jumping out from the sign and directly into our mouths, Leon kind of instantly plumped for white chocolate and cherry as our topping. So just know that the picture of them served does not show that these are eight individual, almost blini like pancakes. With each one the flavour and texture is to die for! Get these!!! During our wait for the pancakes we also grabbed a couple of hot dogs from the stall next to it. They were bigger than expected but very decent for the price, and if you are hungry these jumbo dogs will definitely do the job tucked in nicely between the sides of a pretty hunky split bread roll. ⪢ Giro Letnica On the way to the waterfront via the main road we walked past this almost street vendor like Giro food stop. The prices are very affordable and the food is great for a grab and go. They have pork, chicken or mixed Giro options and although we wouldn't rave about it, it would be perfect if you are here on a budget or just passing through. CONTENT MENU Things to Do in Ohrid ● Lake / Boat Cruise ● Boardwalk ● Ancient Amphitheatre of Ohrid ● Church of St Sophia ● Samuel's Fortress ● Church of St John ● Old Town & Bazaar There is plenty to do in Ohrid and even though we packed in all of the activities you see below in 4 days, it felt like we went at a good pace and did not rush. From our handy accommodation location everything was within walking distance and even our trek to Samuel's Fortress was no longer than about an hour round trip. So in no particular order: ⪢ Take a Lake Boat Cruise There is a whole host of tour boat operators ready and waiting to tempt you whenever you pass the main walking area by the dock in front of the city gardens. The striking 'Bird's Nest' rock We chose Azzurro Catamaran Cruising which seemed to be the largest operator. The tour time was around 6 hours and advertised 6 locations around the lake, several of which are only able to be visited by boat. They included the Church of St John Kaneo, Radozda Village and Trpejca Village. St Naum is the main destination and we stopped for over two hours there, enjoying the beautiful monastery and beach (including a customary swim in the lake!). We also passed by the Bay of Bones (a museum that is unfortunately closed on Mondays which they DID NOT tell us about when we enquired on the Saturday prior). We were really drawn to this place when we originally saw the leaflet and it was a shame not to check out the museum but the views were super cool. Our captain gave us a good insight into the history of the place too which we will share in a future YouTube video! We docked at the Church Mother of God Zahumska Monastery for a short while and both of these locations are beautiful to see and really give you a feel for this wonderful jewel of a place in Macedonia. The ominously named Bay of Bones, entirely built on water We were a tad disappointed that we were also due to visit the town of Struga but for reasons unexplained this also did not happen. However the boat driver was great and friendly, we were offered complimentary drinks and the ride across the lake was fun and afforded wonderful views. We would highly recommend this activity, just perhaps insist on confirming the locations first and do not go on a Monday if you would like to see the museum at the Bay of Bones (all museums are closed on this day by the way). St Naum Monastery is a must see on this tour (you will be dropped off at St Naum) and affords amazing views of the lake along with a good looking restaurant, and even a free-roaming peacock! Like all of the churches here it has a great history and its excellent condition is a testament to its construction. A pearl fountain? At the centre of beautiful yellow flowers? Yes... all of the things for Jenn! The tour is definitely worth doing for the price. For what you get, it is very reasonable and we would highly recommend this activity. ● TOUR COST: 15 - 25 Euros / 900 - 1500 Macedonian Denar ● OPERATING TIMES: 10/10.30am - 4/4.30pm Monday - Sunday Check out a host of different tour options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . We had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful peacock while we were visiting the St Naum Monastery on our cruise. Just free roaming around the site going about its business was a sight to behold! Unfortunately we did not get a display but this was good enough; how often do you get this close to a peacock in your life? Not that much for us so this was a super cool treat. What an amazing bird! ⪢ Boardwalk on Potpesh Beach We did not catch this neat little boardwalk on a sunny day but that was okay! It was still a cool place to visit and was a cool scenic route on the way up to the Church of St John at Kaneo. If you head here from the main road by the boat dock you will also pass the Church of St Sophia and a host of beautiful cobbled streets amongst the lovely houses of Old Town. ● COST: Free ● OPERATING TIMES: Anytime Keep an eye on the planks though; you have been warned! ⪢ The Ancient Amphitheatre of Ohrid You will find this awesome historical site almost at the foot of the hill on the way down / up to Samuels Fortress in Old Town. If you like Roman history like we do, then this is the place to go! It is said to have been constructed around 200 BC and was adapted to house exotic animals at some point, with several 'cages' carved into the rock base of the central seating area. The theatre has a chequered history; according to the local records it was used not just for gladiatorial events but also for executions by the Romans. It was abandoned for this reason and was only re-discovered in 1980. ● COST: Free ● OPERATING TIMES: Anytime ⪢ Church of Saint Sophia Located in the heart of Old Town this Church dates back to the Bulgarian Empire and is considered one of the most important monuments in North Macedonia due to its history. It was converted by the Ottomans to a mosque and then back to a church, holds many frescos dating back to the 11th century and has a beautiful garden area. This church is on the way to the boardwalk and is a good place to stop off with a restaurant and café nearby too, alongside some pearl and souvenir stalls. An interesting fact is that it also appears on a 1000 Denar banknote! We did not go inside on this occasion but we will save that for our next visit here for sure. ● COST: Free ● OPERATING TIMES: Anytime Front view of the Church of Saint Sophia ⪢ Tsar Samuel's Fortress At the top of the hill of Old Town the well preserved walls of one of Ohrid's most popular attractions, Samuel's Fortress, loom over the city. It is advised that you take this trip early morning or late afternoon (on a sunny day) as it is a steep hill and the sun can be extremely hot! Plus do not forget to bring water! The entrance was restored in 2003 and is certainly imposing! We made our way up through the town park which hugs the cliffside, following a path / trail directly from the Church of St John at Kaneo. You can also make your way up from the town with a cobbled road leading up from the Amphitheatre. Ohrid was actually the capital of the first Macedonian Empire and the fortress was built by Tsar Samuel in the 11th century. There is evidence that it was actually constructed on an original fortification dating back to the 4th century, most likely commissioned by King Philip II of Macedon. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, falling to the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottoman Turks. Fully restored in 2003 after again falling into disrepair, it is an incredible piece of history and well worth checking out. ● COST: 1.50 Euro / 80 Macedonian Denar ● OPERATING TIMES: Anytime ⪢ Church of St John at Kaneo (aka St John the Theologian) It is not known when this church was originally built but it is thought to be sometime around the 13th century. It survived the conquest of the city by the Ottomans and while it is not open to visitors, it is one of the most picturesque locations you will find in all of Ohrid and you are free to roam its garden grounds, wonderfully perched atop a protruding cliff surrounded by the lake. Most likely the best photo spot of the lake... would you agree? When you get to the church be sure to head up to the higher vantage point just behind it to grab that postcard photo shot! It is from here that you will also find the single path that leads through the park and all the way to Samuel's Fortress. ● COST: Free (visitors are not allowed inside but are free to roam the grounds) ● OPERATING TIMES: Anytime Do you like to place your hand on old buildings? ⪢ Visit the Old Town, the Bazaar, or Have a Swim! No visit to Ohrid would be complete without perusing the many stores of the main street bazaar, selling a little bit of everything, but in particular the world famous Ohrid Pearls. It is even said that Queen Elizabeth II has some in her personal collection! Take a walk around old town and see how many churches you can spot (they are in even the most obscure locations) or head for a stroll amongst the plush greens and lake side towards golden beach. You can jump into the water pretty much anywhere too! We had our swim at St Naum during our boat cruise and we have to tell you, the water was fantastic! We also saw a sign for some springs located at the end of the lakeside walk to the left of the city gardens (if you were looking out towards the lake). We did not go this time but no doubt it would have been great to check out. CONTENT MENU The History of Ohrid Known as Lykhnidos by the Greeks in the 2nd Century BCE, Ohrid was devastated by an earthquake in the 5th Century and was rebuilt in the main by the Romans. Be it Greek, Turkish, Roman, Bulgarian or Slav, Ohrid has been much contested and to this day actually sits in the middle of the Albania - Macedonia border. Ohrid's big claim to fame is its natural lake being the deepest of all the Balkans countries, It also happens to be one of the oldest lakes in all of Europe! The natural beauty of the lake is striking and the ancient towns that line it are beautiful and authentic in their own right. Amongst the rolling green hills and powerful tree topped mountain peaks sit these towns in valleys that are only accessible by boat. In Ohrid, the bright orange clay tiles on the roofs compliment winding narrow cobbles streets, almost Tudor like timber framed houses with protruding levels and some of the oldest almost hidden churches you are likely to ever see. All of the homes and buildings seem to be adorned with color, mainly in the form of flowers, and it all feels a little like you are stepping back in time here. It is said that there were once 365 churches in Ohrid, one for each day of the year. While not all of them have survived, in particular during the period of Ottoman Rule, the ones that do are of exceptional architectural importance and heritage. So much so that it was awarded UNESCO status on a cultural and natural level, one of only 28 places in the world to carry such a status as mentioned earlier. The 'gateway' to the lake at Church Mother of God Zahumska Monastery The 'Jerusalem of the Balkans' as Ohrid is known, is the eight largest city in all of North Macedonia and is popular for its fishing and tourism industries. Its culture and heritage is clearly evident and alongside its surrounding towns it is a place that will no doubt continue to grow in relevance as a reminder of empires past. The biodiversity, ecosystem and geology of the lake is of significant scientific importance too and this status will hopefully keep it preserved and protected for future generations. CONTENT MENU Our Ohrid Accommodation Our one bedroom apartment was about a 5 minute walk away from the lake and was handily very close to a bank, supermarket and pharmacy. It was the perfect spot if you just need a base for a week and plan on exploring and being outside everyday. It was freshly decorated to a good finish, and had a Juliet balcony too. It was very clean and comfortable and had a good bathroom and kitchenette. Our host was great and was kind enough to pick us up from the bus station upon arrival, and even gave us a lift there at 7am on the morning of our departure. Not having to worry about taxis was a nice touch for sure! A minor disadvantage here was that the internet was not the best, although we knew that prior to arrival as Jenn always checks beforehand with our Airbnb hosts. It was fine for social media but not the best for streaming movies and definitely not for working digital nomads like us! We were on vacation so it was not a problem though. Our host however is looking to upgrade it to the apartment only in the future as it is currently shared amongst other residents in the block. With that in mind we would easily return for a longer stay! Another downside was that the elevator was broken, which given we were on the fifth floor was a bit of a bind. But we did not mind the exercise in the end! The hallway and entrance were a bit lacking too however we have almost grown accustomed to this now, having experienced similar standards in the various places we stayed in Georgia and Albania. But in all honesty, as long as the apartment is good it doesn't really matter right! Our Accommodation Rating Overall we were very happy with our host and his apartment and we would have given a full five stars were it not for the elevator and internet issues. But that should not put you off; this experience was well worth it and you would not be disappointed here. CONTENT MENU Our Ohrid Experience Rating Feel free to let us know your thoughts on Ohrid in the comments! We found this to be really solid getaway location; we were looking for a break from work and we found it here. There is definitely a good chill vibe with lots to see, great people and good food. It is hard to ignore the appeal of this very special historical place in North Macedonia. We would love to hear from you and if you have any questions about Ohrid or our experience please do not hesitate to ask! We are always happy to help. As always a big thank you for following along on our journey! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of North Macedonia Check out all of the places we visited in North Macedonia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! FREE Europe Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!  Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Explore the haunting history and resilience of Intramuros in Manila. With almost 500 years of history, this walled city is a testament to the survival and independence of the Philippines. From Spanish colonial rule to Japanese occupation, along with near-total destruction in WW2, this city has not just survived; In the face of shocking adversity and the worst of humanity, it has thrived. We took the sombre journey to Intramuros having already known about its awful history, littered with death and destruction. While almost all of its colonial-era structures have been lost to war, few do survive, offering a fascinating insight into what once was. Intramuros has rebuilt since the war, and has maintained many of the original street names, along with plaques of what once stood in place. It is now a thriving hub of activity, from trade to tourism, and is a symbol of Philippine spirit and hope. If you really want to learn about the Philippines, this is the place to be, even if some do consider it 'dark tourism'. But more on that as you read on, along with more on the history of Intramuros and its troubled past, the must-see places, important visitor information, and as ever, our experience rating. In This Post... ● What Is Intramuros? ● What Does 'Intramuros' Mean? ● Why Is it Called 'Dark Tourism' ● The History of Intramuros ● Must-See Places in Intramuros ● Intramuros Entrance Fee ● Intramuros Opening Hours ● How to Get to Intramuros in Manila ● Our Intramuros Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● WATCH Our Intramuros Experience on YouTube ● Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go ● Your FREE Interactive Map of the Philippines ● Explore Manila with Special Offers from Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here   for more information. What Is Intramuros? Intramuros; the name itself evokes a sense of intrigue right? Literally translating to "within walls" in Spanish, Intramuros is much more than just a district in Manila, Philippines. It's a meticulously planned and fortified historic city, standing as a testament to a bygone era. Founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, Intramuros thrived as the political and religious centre of the Spanish colonial Philippines for centuries. ⪢ A Citadel of Spanish Colonial Power Imagine a walled city teeming with activity. Spanish galleons docked at the nearby harbor, while grand residences and imposing churches dominated the landscape. Intramuros served as the seat of the Captaincy General of the Philippines, housing the governor-general and the Real Audiencia (the high court). Fort Santiago , a formidable defensive structure, stands as a reminder of Spanish military might. Religious institutions like San Agustin Church , the oldest stone church in the Philippines, and Manila Cathedral , a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, showcase the profound influence of the Catholic Church during this period. ⪢ Beyond the Grand Structures: A Window into the Past Intramuros offers a captivating glimpse into the social fabric of Spanish Manila. Museums like Casa Manila , a restored colonial mansion, provide a fascinating look into the lifestyles and furnishings of the Spanish elite. Horse-drawn carriages, known as kalesas, add a touch of nostalgia as you traverse the cobblestone streets. The Rizal Shrine (in Fort Santiago), dedicated to Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, offers insights into the struggle for independence during the Spanish colonial period. ⪢ A City Forged Anew Intramuros bears the marks of a tumultuous past, most notably the devastation of World War II. Yet, it's a city that persistently strives forward. Today, ongoing restoration efforts meticulously preserve the historical character of the district. Modern cafes and art galleries seamlessly blend with the historical landscape, creating a vibrant cultural hub. ⪢ A Destination Not to be Missed Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply seeking a unique cultural experience, Intramuros is a must-visit destination in the Philippines. Every corner whispers stories of a bygone era, waiting to be discovered. Intramuros offers a chance to step back in time and explore a captivating chapter in Philippine history. CONTENT MENU Why Is It Called 'Dark Tourism' Dark tourism, also sometimes referred to as thanatourism, black tourism, or grief tourism, is a travel trend that involves visiting places associated with death, tragedy, and suffering. It's not about enjoying the macabre, but rather about understanding and learning from dark chapters in human history. Dark tourism sites can be battlefields, concentration camps, genocide memorials, graveyards, prisons, or even sites of natural disasters. People are drawn to dark tourism for various reasons. Some seek to learn about history first-hand, confront the darker aspects of humanity, or pay respects to those who have suffered. While visiting places of death and disaster has been around for centuries (think of attending gladiator games in the Roman Colosseum), dark tourism as a defined concept is a relatively recent phenomenon, gaining traction in the late 20th century. Places like Auschwitz in Poland, Chernobyl in Ukraine, Hiroshima in Japan and the Catacombs of Paris (France) are all considered dark tourism sites. As is Intramuros too. Dark tourism can be a sensitive topic. Critics argue that it can be disrespectful to victims and insensitive to survivors. It's important to be respectful when visiting such sites and to learn about the history involved. We believe that these sites are an important way to educate our current generations about the mistakes of the past, but some may argue that they become more about social media sharing than about honouring the dead or education for the most part. What do you think? CONTENT MENU The History of Intramuros Intramuros, meaning "within the walls" in Spanish, is a historic district situated at the heart of Manila, Philippines. Intramuros was founded by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571. It was built as a defensive fortress surrounded by massive stone walls and moats to protect the Spanish settlers from attacks by local indigenous groups and other foreign powers. The walls of Intramuros stood as a physical barrier between the Spanish elite and the outside world. Intramuros emerged as the political, religious, and economic nucleus of Manila during the Spanish colonial era. The district's architecture showcases a blend of Spanish colonial and Asian influences, featuring elegant facades, intricate carvings, and cobblestone streets. The district was laid out in a grid pattern, typical of Spanish colonial town planning, with the central plaza, Plaza Mayor (now known as Plaza de Roma), serving as the focal point. Key structures like the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church underline its role as a religious and cultural hub. Intramuros survived the seven year war between Spain and Britain in 1762 but suffered devastating destruction during World War II, facing extensive bombing by American forces after Japan had invaded and occupied the city. Much of the original architecture and structures were destroyed or damaged during this period, not just from the bombing, but also via the 'scorched earth' tactics of the retreating Japanese army. Intramuros was almost completely destroyed, and Manila was the 2nd most destroyed city of WW2, after Warsaw in Poland. Since the end of the war, and after the declaration of Philippine independence from the U.S in 1946, efforts have been made to preserve and restore what remains of Intramuros' historical heritage. Despite much of the original city being lost, Intramuros is to this day a cherished location, attracting tourists eager to delve into the Philippines' colonial history. It offers a unique glimpse into the nation's past through museums, cultural sites, and landmarks. As a living tribute to the Philippines' history, Intramuros symbolizes the country's resilience and offers a tangible connection to its struggle for freedom from foreign powers. Get One Pass for Multiple Attractions in Intramuros with Klook Get access to Intramuros’ top activities with Klook's Intramuros Pass. The pass includes general entry to your all time favourites - Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, Casa Manila Museum, Museo de Intramuros, and many more. The pass is valid for 30 days and gives you flexibility to pick and choose depending on when and where you would like to go! CONTENT MENU Must-See Places in Intramuros There are many important places of interest in Intramuros, but here are a few that we highly recommend you check out: San Agustin Church The San Agustin Church is a Baroque church located in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. It is the oldest church in the Philippines and one of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only church that survived the near complete destruction of Intramuros in WW2. Casa Manila Casa Manila is a museum in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. It is a replica of a Spanish colonial house from the 19th century. The house was built in 1980 by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and is now a museum that showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy Filipino family during the Spanish colonial period. Manila Cathedral The Manila Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, is a historic and significant minor basilica located within the ancient walled city of Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. It has been the site of significant religious events, including papal visits, canonizations, and large-scale liturgical celebrations. Fort Santiago Fort Santiago is a citadel located in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. It was built by the Spanish in 1571 and served as the headquarters of the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines. The fort was also used as a prison, and it is where José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was imprisoned before his execution in 1896. Barbara's Heritage Restaurant Barbara's Heritage Restaurant is a Spanish-Filipino restaurant located in Intramuros, Manila. It is housed in a restored Spanish-era mansion, Casa Manila, and is known for its elegant interiors, traditional Filipino cuisine, and cultural performances. CONTENT MENU Intramuros Entrance Fee There is no entrance fee to access Intramuros itself. However, some of the attractions within Intramuros do charge entrance fees. For example, Casa Manila and Museo de Intramuros both have entrance fees. You can find a list of the entrance fees for all of the attractions in Intramuros on the official website . CONTENT MENU Intramuros Opening Hours Intramuros itself, as the walled city of Manila, doesn't have specific opening hours per-se, although you will find that the pedestrian and vehicular gates are advertised to open at 5am and close at 10.30pm . The gate we entered through seemed heavily guarded, so we would assume this to be enforced, although details online are sketchy at best. Most attractions are open from Tuesday to Sunday , from 9am to 6pm . It's important to note that some museums and churches may have different schedules, and some are closed on Mondays. To be on the safe side, it's always a good idea to check the specific opening hours of the places you want to visit before you go. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Intramuros in Manila Intramuros is located in the heart of Manila, and is a central and accessible location for both locals and tourists. There are a number of different transport options you can choose from when planning your trip. By LRT (Light Rail Transit) This is the most budget-friendly option. Take the LRT Line 1 (Green Line) and alight at Central Terminal Station. From there, it's a short walk or tricycle ride to Intramuros. ● Fare: Approximately PHP 15-30 (subject to change). ● Travel Time: Around 30 minutes depending on your starting point. By Jeepney Jeepneys are a colorful and iconic mode of transportation in Manila. Several jeepney routes pass by Intramuros. Look for jeepneys with signs indicating "Intramuros," "Roxas Blvd (Ermita)," or "Central Terminal." ● Fare:  Minimum fare of PHP 9 (subject to change) depending on the distance travelled. ● Travel Time:  Varies depending on traffic conditions. By Taxi Taxis offer a convenient and comfortable option, especially with luggage. Metered taxis are recommended. Ensure the meter is running before your trip begins. ● Fare: Varies depending on the distance and traffic conditions. Expect the base fare to be around PHP 40 and an additional charge per kilometre. ● Travel Time: The fastest option, particularly if you're coming from a far distance. Traffic congestion can significantly impact travel time though (and it can be very bad, especially in the evening). By Kalesa (Horse-Drawn Carriage) Experience a touch of nostalgia with a kalesa ride. These horse-drawn carriages are readily available around Intramuros and offer a unique way to explore the historic district. ● Fare: Negotiate the fare beforehand. Expect it to be higher than other transportation options. ⪢ By Tour Participating in a private tour or guided outing is a convenient choice, particularly if you want a stress-free experience. Explore some top options in Intramuros such as San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, Manila Cathedral, and Walking Tours with Get Your Guide . ⪢ Contact Information for Intramuros Address: Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines Website: intramuros.gov.ph Instagram: @intramurosph Facebook: @OfficialIntramurosAdministration ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Manila and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Intramuros Experience Rating The Intramuros of today is a far cry from where it was a decade ago, let alone after the war. Today it is a bustling hub of tourists, traders and tour guides. It is a little overwhelming as you first enter, as you will be bombarded by a plethora of people offering you transport around the place. Should you want to go your own way, you will find sidewalks hard to come by, and a lot of traffic on the roads. That being said it is nice to go at your own pace, and the main points of interest in the city are perfectly walkable. We thoroughly enjoyed checking our the San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and in particular, Casa Manila. At that point we were really enjoying the old buildings and the general vibe! The tough part was heading to Fort Santiago last, in particular heading down into the prison bunker, which told the story of Intramuros' dark past that literally broke us inside. It was a sobering end to the visit and one which gave our hearts to the lives lost, and the Philippine people who have endured so much terror and subjugation over the years. This is a proud nation and its fight for independence never ceased and was eventually successful, and it really endeared us even more to this incredible country. We have no doubt a visit to Intramuros will do the same for you too. WATCH our Intramuros Experience on YouTube Come rain or shine we made the best of the day! In this video we explore the tourist hot spots of Plaza San Luis Complex where you can find the Barbara's Heritage Restaurant, The Royal Cafe and the Casa Manila Living Museum. We also head to San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago, all while enjoying the sights and sounds of the lively and friendly Manila that we have come to know and love in our month long stay here. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through our white-labelled platform, booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of the Philippines Check out all of the places we visited in the Philippines courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use! Explore Manila with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of the Philippines. Whether you're looking for a sunset cruise, a local attraction or a day trip island hopping, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of the Philippines. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! 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