Day 18 – Xilitla

Today we started before dawn and walked down 600 steps to another open pit cave called Hoya de las Golondrinas. We waited at the mouth of the cave until 8:30 when the swifts finally started spiraling out of the cave. They tied us one at a time so we could lean into the pit and look. It was an unforgettable experience to see and hear these tiny birds choreograph their way out of one of the deepest caves in the world.

After breakfast we drove to Xilitla, stopping in Tanhanhuitz…

…and Axtla de Terrazas…

…where we bought famed Beto Ramón natural products.

In Xilitla we explored Edward James’s Las Posas, a surrealist garden in the midst of a jungle. It is crisscrossed by a beautiful arroyo that has been dammed for bathing. Our guide explained the eccentric structures and habits of its creator. We loved this crazy and special place; pictures just can’t do it justice.

Afterwards we drove to Cadereyta de Montes (100 miles today).