Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Listen to the above episode on Experiences You Should Have Podcast on hiking to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay trail. Many have heard of the Inca Trail to hike to Machu Picchu, but it is extremely hard to get a permit. Rob Wisnouckas was a guest on the podcast and shared his experience of hiking the Salkantay as he tried to get a permit to hike the Inca for a year and couldn't obtain a permit. Instead of canceling the idea of trekking to Machu Picchu, he went the alternative route and hiked the Salkantay trail, which doesn't require a permit to get to Macchu Picchu.

Listen above or read on for Rob's full experience.

Salkantay Vs the Inca Trail

The Salkantay trek is less known than the Inca trail, and therefore fewer people. It's a trek you can do at your own pace as you don't need a guide, whereas the Inca Trail requires a guide. The Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu doesn't require permits, while the Inca Trail does, giving you greater availability to hike the Salkantay. The Inca Trail permits are hard to come by.

The Salkantay Trek is about 46 miles long, while the Inca is 25 miles long. The Salktantay will take about 4-5 days to hike, while the Inca trail will take about 4 days. The Inca is known to have better views, but the Salkantay trek has something the Inca trail doesn't, Humantay Lake, and is completely worth the detour. The colors and backdrop of this lake is worth going to and is a lake you should add to your bucket list.

How to Get to the Salkantay Trail

Fly into Cusco (CUZ) from Lima (LIM) then catch a bus to Mollepata, then head to the Salkantay trailhead.

Top Tips for Hiking the Salkantay Trek

* Plan to hike it September or October for great weather. * Get a permit to hike into Machu Picchu* Hit up a hut on the Salkantay at night to rent a blanket as it gets cold. * If hiking isn't your thing or if you need accessible travel, plan to take the train to Machu Picchu instead. * Don't miss out on Lima and Cusco as there are great museums, cultural opportunities, catacombs and amazing things to see (and eat)

What to Bring in Your Pack

* Sleeping Bag* Mattress Pad* Tent* Jetboil* Sleeping Gear* Thermals* Change of Clothes* Camera* Phone* Locator Beacon* Spork

Backpacking on the trail leading to Machu Picchu on the Salkantay Trek, Peru

How to Budget to Hike the Salkantay

Rob knows how to stay on budget and he spent about $2,000 on flights (from the US), lodging and food. Note that the cost does increase if you choose to hire a guide, but if backpacking, this is a budget-friendly trip. Remember to bring extra money to give a tip to bus drivers and/or hired tour guides.

Love Hiking? Listen to these other podcast episodes

Hike the Appalachian Trail

Hike the CDT (Continental Divide)

Hike the PCT

Hike the Camino de Sant...

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

The Camino Santiago is one of the most well-known pilgrimages, spanning 500 miles (825 km). It starts in France and ends in Northwest Spain at Santiago De Compostela. Listen to the above episode with Rob Wisnouckas (also featured on the CDT Thru-Hike episode) or read the show notes below to learn more about this incredible trek.

Rob Wisnouckas Walking the Camino de Santiago

History of El Camino de Santiago

Its history is rooted in the discovery of Saint James the Apostle in a field in Galacia, 800 years after his death. Legend says that his body was transported to Galacia by two disciples in a boat led by angels. El Camino de Santiago is translated as “The Way of Saint James” and is a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Saint James lie. Historically, the pilgrimage would start wherever you resided, but now the official route begins in the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port.

The Camino de Santiago became quite popular in the Middle Ages with over 250K pilgrims every year. In pre-pandemic times (aka 2019) the Camino de Santiago had over 350,000 people walk the Camino de Santiago. From past times to today, pilgrims would carry a scallop shell with them as a symbol of their pilgrimage, and the shell was also used as a tool for collecting water along the way. To this day, the shell points the way to Santiago.

Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago with the scallop shell pointing the way

Why Hike the Camino?

It is one of the most famous pilgrimages and with over a quarter-million pilgrims walking it, it truly is an experience you should have. It's hiked for many reasons whether religious or a personal challenge, but it will give you amazing views and require less time than a thru-hike like the PCT or the AT as you can finish it in as little as 30 days. Plus you get to explore amazing towns, meet new people and the Camino is not extremely physically challenging.

Highlights of Walking the Camino

* Walking a historical path with deep significance* Gorgeous architecture* Masses for pilgrims in beautiful churches* Getting out into the countryside with beautiful flowers and vineyards* Pamplona was the top highlight because of the cobblestones, beautiful stone bridge, and see where the Running of the Bulls takes place.

Cathedral de León by Rob Wisnouckas

Top Tips for Walking the Camino de Santiago

* Pack light. Bring a sleeping bag, 2 sets of clothes, phone, earplugs, phone, toiletries and charging devices.* Leave your hiking boots at home and bring your most comfortable running shoe for this rail.* Download the Digital Camino Passport App before you start.* Learn a little Spanish to help you along the way when talking to locals. Be prepared to hear Galician in the Basque country* Take the extra 3 days and hike beyond Santiago, where you will end up at the ocean in Fisterra. 100% worth it.* Get the book, Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago You can buy the book below on Amazon.

Accommodations & Food Along the Santiago

There are places to stay in each town where you come to; some churches have places for you ...

Experiences You Should Have Show Notes

Many of the listeners (and readers) of Experiences You Should Have seek out adventure, love nature, and play hard. It's very important to take time to relax, detox, and when you do, it's better to give your dollars to an eco-resort that supports a local community. I interviewed David Leventhal, owner of Playa Viva Resort and Regenerative Travel on why you should stay at Playa Viva treehouse and eco-resort in Mexico and what it means to be a regenerative boutique hotel. Listen above to the interview or read on.

Courtesy of Playa Viva, Photo by Kevin Steele

What Makes Playa Viva Resort So Special

Playa Viva is immersed in nature. The ocean sits at the edge of the resort, where you may catch glimpses of dolphins jumping and whales breaching. Baby sea turtles nest on its beaches and if you come at the right time you can see them make their way into the ocean. Playa Viva is affecting change in rural areas of Mexico, as they are creating change at a person-to-person level in smaller communities. When you stay at Playa Viva, you become integrated into the community. You get to know the people who are growing the food, preparing the meals and you get to learn about the community on a personal level.

Plus this is a place where you can get back in tune with nature. Feel the sand beneath your toes, meditate as you hear the waves crash, and each healthy food that was sustainably grown. It is more than a hotel as they are committed to social and environmental impact. They grow their own organic food, use bamboo grown there for construction at the hotel, are 100% off the grid solar, and offer farm-to-table food working with the many locals. Plus, they have treehouses! It's no wonder they were featured on the cover of Travel + Leisure

Playa Viva featured on the cover of Travel + Leisure

Day in the Life at Playa Viva Treehouse Resort

Losing time is exactly what Playa Viva is about. Meals are served family-style; you begin to just sit and talk and make new connections with like-minded people. People are encouraged to not make formal plans; get acclimated and schedule once you've had the opportunity to detox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjRseijzTyc&t=172s

How to Get There?

Recommended to fly into Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH) in Mexico, then it's a 35-minute drive to the resort. Ground transportation to Playa Viva is included in your stay.

Best Time to go to Playa Viva?

That all depends on what you value. October is 50 shades of green and from October to November, there are thousands of sea turtles released into the ocean, and is quite a spectacle to see. November is a fantastic time to see butterflies. December through March is when you can see whales breaching. The weather is a little cooler in February and March while April and May are warmer. The rainy season is August through September and is generally not the most favorable time to go.

Courtesy of Playa Viva, Photo by Dave Krugman

Book a Room (or Treehouse) at Playa Viva Eco Resort

Go online and book a reservation to Play Viva. It is an all-inclusive resort, but note that does not include bar drinks, massages, excursions or COVID test to come back to the U.S.

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Many people have heard of hiking the Appalachian Trail or hiking the PCT trail, but very few have heard of the CDT (Continental Divide Trail). If you want the prestigious bragging rights of being a triple crown thru-hiker, then you need to hike the AT, the PCT, and the CDT. Learn more about hiking the CDT in the podcast episode above with triple crown hiker, Rob Wisnouckas (trail name Sweet Fish), or keep reading below.

Continental Dive Trail Thru-Hike

Where does the Continental Dive Trail (CDT) Start and End and How Long Does it Take?

The CDT starts on the Mexican border in Crazy Cook and ends in Waterton Lakes on the Canada border. The trail travels through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It's about 2,800 miles long (even though other sites boast 3,000 miles) and it takes 4 to 6 months to hike depending on your abilities and pace.

Why Hike the CDT?

Most people hike the CDT as part of the triple crown (hiking the AT, PCT, and CDT). Most people do not start with the CDT as their first long-distance hike. Rob (interviewed above), hiked the CDT as part of his triple crown, it was already in his blood as he had hiked the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. He loves to break away from "normal life" every few years and reset.

While there are fewer hikers on the CDT (averaging 150 hikers per year), you may form a tighter group on the CDT with the people you do meet.

CDT Thru-Hike

What is the CDT Trail Like?

New Mexico was hot and dusty, and as Rob entered Colorado, he found high elevations and snow. Note that timing can make a huge difference in terms of weather. Wyoming was one of the highlights as the CDT goes through Yellowstone and that's where you can see Elk and other amazing wildlife. Along Montona and the Idaho border, keep a lookout for chocolate huckleberry milkshakes! Montana is glorious as you get to trek through Glacier National Park, then end on the Canada side in Waterton Lakes.

Check out the 2nd half of Rob's hike from Colorado to Wyoming. 58 seconds in you'll see the frozen boots mentioned in the podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBUgaIoB1fE

When Should You Start the CDT?

If you're hiking northbound (NOBO), then it's advised to start in April or even May to avoid snow in Colorado, but note that each year is different based on weather patterns. If you hike the CDT going southbound (SOBO), then you'll want to start in June.

Recommended Order to Hike the Triple Crown Thru Hikes

Rob has hiked the triple crown and he highly recommends hiking the Appalachian Trail first. The AT is very physically demanding, that is where you will trauma bond with hiking. If you do the PCT first, then you probably won't like the AT, as the PCT is an easier trail than the AT and is more rewarding with its views. The CDT does have views (but not as many as the PCT), but the CDT is a very mental challenge, that many seasoned hikers don't complete. On the CDT, you have to be prepared to get lost every day, while the PCT and AT are very well marked and more heavily traveled.

Essentially you should hike the Appalachian Trail first, Pacific Crest Trail second, then the Continental Divide Trail if you want to achieve triple crown status.

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Saba is a beautiful, exotic island, part of the Netherlands located in the Northeastern Caribbean Sea. This 5 square mile island boasts friendly people, excellent food, and amazing diving. It's a mere 3-hour flight from Florida, but it will feel like you've traveled thousands of miles to get to paradise.

Listen to the above episode of Experiences You Should Have Podcast with Lynn Costenaro and Chad Nuttall, owners of Saba Island's preferred dive center, Sea Saba about diving Saba.

Why Dive Saba?

Saba's nature isn't exploited and has been protected for 30 years. This is where you can come and dive in warm water year-round, dive with friendly turtles, see some sharks and experience diverse underwater topography like the Pinnacle. The pinnacle, a well-known dive site on Saba Island, is a structure that is out in blue water, it attracts both little and big things--so you always need to keep your head on a swivel to experience everything it has to offer.

Saba island diving also offers seahorses, frogfish, manta rays, nurse sharks, reef sharks, and if you're lucky humpback whales (who may be sighted January through April). Plus if you're a digital nomad, there is great wifi, so you can easily work and dive while on Saba.

Scuba Diving on Saba Island

Another Reason to Dive Saba: Ostracods Night Show

Night dives in Saba are unique because you can see a show with ostracods. In the Caribbean, they emit a mucus bead of light; the male strings them together to tell a female what species he is. Because they don't have coastal development, there is a great opportunity to see this phenomenon. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to capture this on camera, only more reason to see it with your own eyes (or rise to the challenge to photograph/film it).

Ostracod at Night (Wikipedia Commons)

When to Go Diving in Saba?

The diving on Saba is great year-round, but the month of October is a special event called Sea and Learn which provides environmental marine programs to the island of Saba. Marine Biologists come to Saba island from around the world and give interesting presentations on their studies in the evening around the island. Divers have the opportunity to dive with these experts without an additional charge. Essentially, there is the added value of diving in Saba in October.

Getting to Saba Island

You have to be vaccinated and show proof of a negative test to arrive and travel to Saba. Read the full travel guidelines from the CDC as information could have changed since writing this. All the major air carriers fly into St. Maarten (SXM) from the US; from there to Saba (SAB) is a 12-minute flight or a 90-minute ferry ride.

Looking at current prices, Ferry rides are approximately $150 round trip and flights are around $200 roundtrip from St. Maarten.

From the US you can fly to St. Maarten direct from

* Atlanta* Chicago* New York* Washington D.C.* Boston* Miami* Newark* Charlotte* Fort Lauderdale* Philadelphia

Other notable airports outside the U.S. with direct flights to St. Maarten are Amsterdam, Paris, Montreal,

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Angels Landing Hike in Zion National Park

Interview with Trent Wann About Angels Landing Hike in Zion

Trent Wann, CEO of Bucket (a Bucket List App), shared his experience of hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Listen above (or wherever you listen to podcasts) or read on for a complete guide on this difficult hike.

Trent and his friends were in Zion National Park during the COVID-19 pandemic for a fun weekend getaway. Originally the plan was to hike the Narrows, but once they heard about the Angels Landing hike, their plan quickly changed, and they set out on one of the top dangerous hikes in the world.

One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the World

The hike to Angels Landing is 2.5 miles with about 1,500 feet in elevation gain. This hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty (out of 5) based on the Yosemite Decimal System. (YDS). Don't let the 3 out of 5 rating fool you into thinking this is an intermediate hike; Angels Landing hike in Zion is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. In the last 11 years (since 2000), 13 hikers have fallen to their death while on this hike. This is not a hike for the faint of heart. The trail has precipitous drop-offs on both sides of the trail. Your life will depend on holding onto a chain bolted onto the ground. This is not the time for selfies.

Hikers holding on to a chain on the Angels Landing Hike in Zion

Why Hike to Angels Landing?

For Trent, the biggest moment was getting to the top of Angels Landing. The view was absolutely insane and he was met with the realization that he did it. Hiking to Angels Landing unlocks a bit of confidence that you can carry onto your next goal, whether it be personal or professional. This is one of those moments that will get you out of your comfort zone and may unlock your potential into a new endeavor.

Best to Hike Angels Landing?

While the summer is the most popular time to hike Angels Landing, it would be preferable to hike it with fewer people on the trail like Spring or Fall. Winter may have unpredictable storms and is the worst time to plan to hike to Angels Landing in Zion. A good plan would be to start the hike in the morning and enjoy a picnic when you make it to the top of Angels Landing.

What to Bring or Wear on the Hike

* Plenty of water* Hat* Good hiking boots* Sunscreen* Snacks* Lunch to eat at Angels Landing, when you make it to the top

How Do you Get to the Trailhead for Angels Landing?

Zion National Park has a great shuttle system. This is stop number 6 on the shuttle. No permit is needed for this hike. There is also parking in the canyon if you're going for just the day, and you can grab the shuttle from the main parking lot. If flying in from out of town, look into flights into Vegas or SLC, then rent a car from there. Due to constant changes in travel advisories, check out Zion's Shuttle System Information Page when planning your trip.

How Long Does the Hike Take

Approximately 4 hours total to hike this 5-mile roundtrip trail. Also, give yourself time to enjoy lunch and take in th...

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on your bucket list? Listen to the above episode on hiking and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, sitting at 19,341 feet. Brie Burgett (globetrotter, adventure seeker, and U.S. Marine) came on Experiences You Should Have podcast and shared her bucket list experience of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Check out Brie's adventure travel site and Instagram to follow her adventures.

The Experience: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

Brie clearly remembers the icy cold wind whipping snow into her eyes, making it difficult to see in the dim morning light as she crunched through the final exhausting steps to touch the base of the large wooden sign marking the summit of Kilimanjaro. As the sun began to crest over the horizon and fill the sky with streaks of red, Brie was mesmerized by the moment of silence and the victory of summiting one of the world's famed Seven Summits. Suddenly the past few hours of trekking uphill in the frozen darkness and the days of hiking before that brought this moment, begin to fade away and the weariness was replaced by a sense of accomplishment.

That right there is why you should experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Brie Burgett at the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Why Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro?

First off, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and once you climb Kili, then you are 1/7th done with climbing the world's Seven Summits. This climb is feasible to do without spending tens of thousands of dollars like the other famous mountains. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to explore the heart of Africa and accomplish something truly remarkable. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, which opens the door to beginner mountain climbers.

Best Time to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Technically, you can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro any time of the year, but the dry months are more favorable for climbing. The best months to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro is December to March and June to October. Brie went in mid-December, and it was not overly crowded at that time.

Top Climbing Routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro is located between Kenya and Tanzania and has 7 different routes up, but all start on the Tanzania side.  The routes vary in difficulty and length.  Brie took the Machame Route, which is known as the “Whiskey” route because of its comparatively longer and steeper path which is recommended for those with some hiking experience. However, due to the beautiful and varied scenery on this route, it has become a substantially more popular route resulting in larger numbers of crowds hiking during the high season. Brie found that this route was easier than anticipated.

Skills and Physical Considerations to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

This is not a technical climb, it is still a multi-day climb that may take 6 days. While the summit climb was freezing cold and definitely challenging, there was plenty of hot food, rest time, and well-kept trails making this hike easily accomplished by anyone in relatively good fitness that is willing to endure several days of uphill walking.  If altitude sickness worries you, consider taking Diamox to help with altitude sickness (but please take your doctor's advice).

No Climbing Solo, You Will Need a Tour Group

It is actually required in Tanzania for you to be led by a registered and licensed guide.

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Listen to the above podcast episode with Angie Holbrook, who hiked the PCT in 2018. Angie hiked the Appalachian Trail with her dog in 2011, and that's when she heard about the PCT. Years later after moving to Phoenix (and not loving it) she decided to move her stuff into storage and head out on the PCT. She tells her story and more on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Ready to hike the PCT, read (or listen) on.

Angie Holbrook completed the PCT Thru Hike at the PCT Northern Terminus

What is the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and How Long Does it Take?

The PCT is the Pacific Crest Trail. It's one of the "big three" national scenic trails in America, and is one of the trails that comprises a jewel of the "Triple Crown" of hiking. It runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCT is roughly 2,600 miles (give or take based on if the route changes due to fires).

The northern terminus of the PCT is on the U.S./Canada border in Manning Park and the Southern Terminus is on the U.S./Mexico border in Camp, California. Most PCT hikers hike a northbound route, starting at the southern terminus and ending at the northern terminus. On average it takes about 5 months to hike the PCT. Remember to get your permit when working out your start date.

When is the Best Time to Start the PCT?

The best time to start the PCT is based on the direction you are headed. For a northbound hike (NOBO), it's recommended to start mid-March or April. If you start to early or too late you could wind up in deep snow that may be impassable or brutal desert temperatures. Hiking a Southbound route is logistically harder and will require more planning. Most SOBO hikers start in June or July, but before deciding on a date, it's recommended to look at that season's conditions and snowmelt.

Difference Between Hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and the AT (Appalachian Trail)

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT) are the two most well-known thru-hikes in the United States. The PCT is 500 miles longer than the AT, but the AT is considered to be more physically demanding. That said, the Appalachian Trail seems to be more social and less logistically challenging than the PCT. The PCT is harder logistically because you need to plan your day better because of the heat in the desert, finding water, river crossings in the Sierras, and forest fires in California. When you hike the Appalachian Trail, you are summiting every peak on the trail and going straight up, then straight down, but the hiking community is larger.

Budgeting for the Trip

It's wise to budget at least $1,000 per month on top of other costs amounting at home (like rent, self storage, health insurance, etc). This does not include costs for gear to hike the PCT.

Top Skills Needed to Thru-Hike the PCT

* A wilderness first aid course is highly recommended if you are planning to hike the PCT* Navigation skills are also nice to have as phones and GPS units can fail.* Comfortable with river crossings - instead of trying to hop stones (which can get slippery, sending you into the river), it's best to get your feet wet and walk through the river.

Top Things Angie Included in her Pack

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

The Florida Trail is one of 11 National Scenic trails in the United States and is Florida's thru-hike. Most people know the bigger thru-hikes like the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail but there are shorter ones as well, like the Arizona Trail or the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin or the Florida Trail.  The Florida Trail (Florida's thru-hike) is 1,103.7 miles long. It starts in the Everglades at Big Cypress National Preserve and ends at Ft Pickens, near Pensacola and the Alabama border. Learn about hiking Florida's thru-hike on Experiences You Should Have Podcast (listen above) or read further to find out top tips discussed on the podcast.

Erin Franke's Route on the Florida Trail (South to North)

Interview with Erin Franke (Thru-Hiker)

Listen to the above podcast episode with Erin Franke on her experience of hiking the Florida Trail, Florida's thru-hike. Erin spent 80 days hiking this one-of-a-kind thru-hike and shared her adventure of this incredible experience. Erin Franke completed the Florida Trail Thru Hike in 2019 after hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2018.

Hiking the Florida Trail: South to North

You can start at the North or the South of the Florida Trail. The southern terminus of Florida's thru-hike is at Big Cypress National Preserve and ends at Fort Pickens. Erin started at the southern end as the first 30 miles are the most difficult and the end of the trail (if going South to North) ends on beautiful beach trails.

Erin Franke starting the Florida Trail at the Southern Terminus at Big Cypress National Preserve

The first 30 miles has limited water and the trail is rough and hard. After Erin finished the first stretch, she made it to a glorious I-75 rest stop where she found ice-cream vending machines (and had her battery pack stolen). Essentially, it's recommended to get the hardest stretch out of the way, eat your ice cream, and continue on with dreams of beach trails in your head.

Continuing on the Florida Trail

Erin then hiked through the Sugar Cane Fields, a long stretch where you have to rely on water caches left by volunteers. From there you can go East or West around Lake Okeechobee. Erin went west because of construction in 2019. The view of the lake was mostly blocked, but that's part of the journey.

From there you head towards the Kissimmee Prairie, from there you can go East or West around Orlando. Erin chose to go East to be closer to her family and home. East is more wooded, and has beautiful trails, and is around the Ocala National Forest.

Photo by Erin Franke

The Big Left Turn (Half-Way Point)

Once you get to the top of FL, you make The Big Left Turn. It's funny because once you get to the top of the trail, you're only halfway. Florida is a long state, and you still need to hike 500 miles west. You'll hike through Apalachicola, walking along the Suwannee River, and St. Marks Seashore after taking the big left turn.

An interesting part of the trail goes through Eglin Air Force Base. Paperwork is required to enter this area at least a day or two before getting there. Make sure to read the signs there very carefully as they could be testing bombs. (That's right, you might dodge a bomb while going through this section)... it's a very adventurous trail.

End of the Hike

Another week or week and a half, and you'll finish up the hike. The end is beautiful, because you'll cross over the bridge to the outer islands of Pensacola Beach,

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

One of the top bucket list experiences you should have (if you're into SCUBA diving) is diving the cenotes in Mexico. The amazing colors, light beams, and adventure that awaits you underwater will leave you spell bounded. It's an experience you will yearn for time and time again, and who knows, it could change your life.

Interview with Aydin Dinc, aka The Cenote Guy

Meet Aydin Dinc, also known as the Cenote Guy. Listen to the episode above with Aydin to learn about cavern diving in Mexico's cenotes or read on for further information. Aydin was born in Turkey, raised in Paris, France, and is now living in Mexico as a full time diver. Diving Mexico's cenotes changed Aydin, and compelled him to move there and help others experience the magic of the cenotes.

Aydin is a PADI dive instructor and is a Full Cave Diver and has been a professional diver since 2017. The cenote guy, tells all on the best cenotes to dive in Mexico and when. He's based out of Playa Del Carmen and can help you dive the cenotes.

Where are the Best Cenotes to Dive in Mexico?

Riviera Maya is the best place to dive Mexico's awe-inspiring cenotes. Technically, Riviera Maya is the beachfront of the Quintana Roo State, it's mostly known as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The easiest way to get there is from the Cancun airport.

What is it like Diving in a Cenote?

Diving in Mexico's caverns will trigger your senses. It may feel like flying, give you goosebumps and the adventure will compel you to open your eyes further. Cenote diving is different from ocean diving in that you won't encounter marine life. In the cenotes you are driven by jaw dropping views, landscapes and different perspectives. You may find that apprehension may be transformed into enthusiasm and passion after one dive in a cenote. Aydin loves seeing the fascination of divers, even through the mask.

Difference Between Cavern Diving and Cave Diving

You can dive the cenotes if you aren't a certified cave diver, but you have to do so as a cavern diver. Open water divers can dive caverns if they follow these three rules.

* Be able to see by yourself where the outside light is. * Never be more than 60 meters (200 feet) from the nearest exit* You are not allowed to get in a place where you find yourself confined, or in a narrow place. You should be in big rooms, chambers and galleries at all times. 

Skills and Certifications Needed to Cavern Dive in Cenotes

* Open Water Diving Certification. * Ideally you would have 5-10 dives under your belt before diving the cenotes.

Recommend reaching out to the Cenote Guy via Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger and explaining your current skills, certifications, and/or hesitations and he can make and guide you to the right cenote.

Can You dive the Cenotes as an Adaptive Scuba Diver

Yes, if you have your certification. Aydin, the Cenote Guy, can be a private dive guide and help the diver dive. Check out Luke's video below of diving the cenotes (and snorkeling with whale sharks). He has cerebral palsy, but has his full dive certification and he dove Cenote Angelita, The Pit, Dos Ojos, and Grand Cenote. Yes, his wife is a mermaid (and produces this podcast).

https://youtu.be/bQiygv0MjpM

How to Dive the Cenotes and How Much Does it Cost?