Mijas Tourist Traps

I'm sure this tip in the Tourist Trap category will be controversial. Some people seem to enjoy the Mijas donkeys and think that is part of Mijas' charm. Mijas' charm would not be lost if they weren't there. For one thing, the donkeys are very smelly. They are parked next to the town center, so the stink from the donkeys wafts around the immediate area. Second, the donkey ride is kind of pointless because the donkeys don't go very far. I'm sure for what is an unreasonable sum of money, you are taken around a very small part of town, and not even the scenic part. I also didn't like seeing the donkeys forced to lead such a life of indentured servitude.

One afternoon when we were visiting the nearby Shrine of the Virgin de la Pena, one of the donkeys escaped. THAT was fun to see! (I was rooting for the donkey.)

Unique Suggestions: Don't.

Fun Alternatives: Walk. It won't kill you. Mijas is a great walking town.

We arrived on our first day in Mijas at 4:00 pm and just about everything is closed down until 8:00 pm. except for the cheap paella places and souvenir shops around the town center. That was our introduction to Mijas, and not a very good one.

Don't judge Mijas by its souvenir shops, cheap paella eateries and donkey stands or what it looks like in the afternoon. I made that mistake on the first day. However, once we were there and started exploring the town in the morning and evening, we discovered a very different Mijas. The Mijas we then got to know was a vibrant, beautiful white town with upscale shops (typically not open in the afternoon) and a wide variety of excellent restaurants and cafes. I learned not to judge a book by its cover.

Fun Alternatives: Bypass those souvenir shops and explore the shops off the main plaza in the morning.

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I am calling the BURRO TAXI a tourist trap, because of the amount of money they charge for such a little ride. I asked how much it was and was told 15 Euros for a 20 minute ride. I thought it was a little steep, especially when you are sitting on a very STINKY animal. The Burros didn't seen to mind, as that's what they do. And the people I saw, mostly children, didn't seem to be enjoying themselves that much. I think I would rather walk around the beautiful town of Mijas. . You see much more.

How can one best discribe a POT-HOLE... hmmm, maybe our dear friend Mark (acemj) who is a real specialist on those things can help out.

In general they tend to be round and vary in depth.... anything from 1cm to wheel size.
The sneaky thing is they creep up on you when you least expec it.

In the "Dr. Knoweverything" Survival Guide it says: "Keep your eyes on the road, do NOT speed when you see one and by any means do NOT change lanes to avoid one, but gracefully drive over them... make sure your GP checked your spine before you go into affected areas. :)

Unique Suggestions: ... bring a spare tire and a hunky mechanic ;)

Fun Alternatives: WALK
FLY
CYCLE
bring a bucket with sand and fill them up ... :)