Mayan World Routes

An impressive diverse, global appreciation of the Mayan civilization awaits you when you get to know and explore all the touristic routes, where you will encounter convents, ruins, archaeological zones, cenotes, colonial cities, gastronomy and crafts. You can’t miss visiting them and traveling deep into the Mayan World.

 

 

The Convents Route

 

 

You must not miss this adventure, because you will get to know the heart of Yucatan, with its temples, churches and convents. This will take you one day, because each visit takes an average of 40 minutes.

 

Acanceh

Its main attraction is the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Three Cultures Square), where traits of pre-hispanic, colonial and present times are found. The temple dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Natividad (our Lady of Nativity) stands out, as well as the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is located 26 km southeast of Merida

 

Tecoh

Here you can visit a church and a convent dedicated to the Virgin of the Asunción. Built over the base of a Mayan pyramid, the church has large quantities of carved stone, an impressive altar and many paintings. Located 34 km southeast of Merida.

 

Mayapán

Also known as Bandera de los Mayas (flag of the Mayas), the walled city of Mayapán is considered to be the last great Mayan capital, and even though it doesn’t have big buildings, over four thousand archaeological structures have been discovered in this zone. Located at km. 45 in the Merida-Acanceh road.

 

Tekit

A prosperous town where you will find the Parish of San Antonio de Padua, with its images of saints in all its niches. It looks like a museum, the altar is quite modest. Located 64 km southeast of Merida.

 

Mama

Its temple and former Franciscan convent have in its front a beautiful bell tower that is to be admired, there is also a closed atrium, on of the most famous in the zone. Located 71 km southeast of Merida.

 

Teabo

Known for two representative sacred constructions: the Parish and Ex-convent of San Pedro y San Pablo, built during the XVII century. Inside, an altarpiece with two caryatid columns stands out, and the Capilla de Indios dating from 1617. Located 84 km away from Merida.

 

Chumayel

Place of Seeds, cradle of one of the most important documents, the Chilam Balam, sacred book of the Mayas. In this town you can see the Templo de la Purísima Concepción (temple of the purest conception), built in the XVI century. It’s a clear example of religious architecture of medieval crenelated style, taken to Yucatan by the first Spanish to arrive. Inside the temple a black wood Christ of special interest is found. Located 80 km away from Merida.

 

Maní

Religious site of great importance that still conserves impressive examples of its enigmatic past, such as the Templo del Convento de San Miguel Arcángel (temple of the convent of Saint Michael archangel), founded in 1549. Also worth of attention is the open chapel, it was the first built in Yucatan and its size rivals that of the temple. Behind the convent’s noble walls, the old orchard still stands, carefully grown, as well as the remains of the old water wheel. Located 96 km away from Merida. In this town you must visit the Restaurant Príncipe Tutul Xiu of regional food.

 

Oxcutzcab

Place of the Ramón, tobacco and honey, founded by the Mayan group xiú, after they abandoned the city of Maní. Its temple of San Francisco de Asís was founded in 1581 and finished in 1699, according tot he inscription in its front. Inside you can see the main altarpiece of salomonic columns and the niche with its sculpture. On the side there is the cloister. Don’t forget to visit the market and taste some juicy and tasty fruit, which is why this place is known as Yucatan’s Orchard. Located 109 km away from Merida.

 

Ticul

Known as the Pearl of the South, located 100 km away from Merida. You will find an architectural mix ranging from the Cathedral, the colonial buildings, and Mayan houses. There are clay businesses with workshops where you can see the work being done. There are hotels, restaurants, a market, and tricytaxis to travel around town.

 

Muna

New Water, a town that houses the Temple and ex-convent of the Asunción, built in the XVII century. Its side belfries are quite interesting, with three bodies each, and the front gable end as well. There is a craft center in the main square. Located 64 km away from Merida.

 

Umán

Noisy Road, where you can visit the magnificent Parish of San Francisco, a former Spanish convent of the XVI century. Of imposing proportions, its front is made of quarry stone with three attractive Gothic arches and its pairs of pilasters; the front is unfinished. You may visit the market or take an ecological taxi to tour the place. Located 18 km southwest of Merida.

 

 

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Route Of the Itzáes

 

 

Chichén itza

East of Yucatan, recently declared one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Among its most outstanding buildings are the Castle of Chichén Itzá, the Templo de los Guerreros (temple of warriors), the group of the Thousand Columns, the Platform of Venus, the Tzompantli, the Ball Game, the Caracol (snail) or Observatory, and the Church..

 

 

 

 

Balankanché Caves

One of the most important underground sets in the region. This is a cavern that was once used as a ceremonial center by the old Mayas. At the entrance one finds the throne of Balam, a kind of altar that gives name to the caverns. There is also a semi-dry lake where Mayan offerings lay scattered, shells and pieces of jade. In this cavern you can enjoy a light and sound show that tells the story of the place. There is also a museum with photos and explanations of the sacred rituals that were practiced here. Located 6 km away from Chichén Itzá.

Days: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $67.00 pesos.

 

Valladolid

Also known as the Pearl of the East, among its attractions we find the Convent of San Bernardino, with its Franciscan style, the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), and the Temple of San Juan de Dios. Nearby there is the Zací cenote, now set up as a restaurant and natural pool. During your tour you will find leather and henequen crafts, hammocks, bejuco weaved crafts, stone carvings, as well as many restaurants where you can taste the delicious local gastronomy. Located 60 km east of Merida.

 

 

 

 

Ek Balam

It has 45 structures and is surrounded by two concentric stone walls, and a third one linking the central buildings. These walls where there for defense and to control access. There is a ball game court and a beautiful arch where a sacbé (sacred road) used to end, which was a road that in the old days connected the Mayan kingdoms.

 

 

 

 

San Felipe

Port of fishermen, formed by rustic wood houses of multiple colors. There you will be able to walk by the seafront all along the marsh and admire the beauty of the vegetation, as well as visit the islets to take a deserved rest. It is located 31 km to the north of Tizimin, by a coastal unpaved path. It has: hotels, cabins, restaurants, transportation and thematic motorboat rides.

 

Río Lagartos

You will be able to visit protected natural reserves, where fresh rain water meets saline sea water, creating the habitat for regional animals and plants, such as the white tail deer, crocodiles, pheasants and hundreds of species of birds, a delight for bird watchers. Located 222 km away from Merida. This is an ideal spot for Eco tourism. It has hotels, restaurants, good sea food, and boat rides.

 

El Cuyo

Fishermen town, protected natural zone that harbors a fascinating and impressive flora and fauna. This fantastic and hidden site can be considered to be a true one jewel for the lovers of peace and nature. You will find this small and majestic town three hours and a half away from Merida and built over the remains of a Mayan pyramid.

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Puuc Route

 

Oxkintok

Here one can find the structure known as El Laberinto (the labyrinth), believed to represent a trip to the underworld. Located in the westernmost region of the Puuc, 70 km to the south of Merida, in the state of Yucatan. It is accessed is by the federal highway number 180, going to Campeche.

Open from 8:00 to 17:00 hours

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 horas.

Cost: $35.00 pesos.

 

Kabah

City known as the second greatest religious center of the Puuc style. It communicates with Uxmal via a sacbé (Mayan road) that originates in El Arco, main door to the city. The most outstanding building is the Palacio de los Mascarones shows its impressive facade composed of 250 large masks of the God Chaac, carved in stone. Kabah is located to 23th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the right in 16th km.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $35.00 pesos.

Services: Bathrooms.

 

Sayil

This city is distributed in three zones: the first one is the nucleus of the site since it groups the buildings of the elite; the second includes residences once inhabited by the ancestors; and the last zone extends towards the satellite settlements of towns that rendered tribute to Sayil. In the facade of its buildings the decoration of stone mosaic it’semphasized.

“The Palace” building can be contemplated, wich is the most remarkable construction in the zone, its second level is decorated with mosaics showing the figure of the descendent God, in addition its approximately 70 rooms were constructed resembling a new architectonic technique. Sayil is located to the 33th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the right in km 34.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $35.00 pesos.

 

Xlapak

Here is one of greatest jewels of the Puuc architectonic style, also named El Palacio (the palace), with a magnificent facade with a board of stone mosaic with greca patterns and geometric elements.

There are spectacular large masks of Chaac in its corners and center. The building is an impressive example of this type of decoration, since the large masks protrude from the ceiling of the false arc.

Xlapak is located to 38th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261, and detour to the left to state highway number 31.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Services:Parking lot, stores, cool drinks, magazines and crafts. Guards service.

 

Labná

It is made of a set of dispersed buildings in a small valley. World famous for having a beautiful Mayan construction carved in stone: El Arco (the arch). We can also find other important buildings, like El Palacio and El Mirador, linked by an old Mayan road. Labna is located to 42 km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the left in km number 30 by the state highway number 31.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $35.00 pesos.

Services:Parking, guards and toilets.

 

Loltún

The tour starts at the entrance of Nahkab, or beehive, where the famous bas-relief known as El guerrero de Loltún (the Loltun warrior) is located, which seems to be emerging from the caves and is believed to be the God of the underworld.

Another attraction of great interest is the cave paintings: in a wall one can see negatives of hands, in another one there are more elaborated paintings representing faces, animals and staggered greca patterns. In the diverse halls, galleries and chambers - almost 60 m deep and extending over more than 700 m - diverse archaeological pieces, ceramics, stone artifacts, marine shells and petroglyphs have been found, corresponding to the Mayan culture in its different stages of development.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $67.00 pesos.

 

Chacmultún

This old city is integrated by four monumental architectonic groups named Chacmultún, Cabalpak, Xethpol and Central; together they cover approximately one square kilometer.

The first three groups, in which the structures of the zone that may be visited are found, were constructed over huitz or hills; the ground was leveled so that each group was surrounded by artificial terraces that heighten their magnificence.

Surrounding the heart of the settlement are numerous platforms and mounds on which houses of diverse hierarchies were constructed.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.

Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.

Cost: $35.00 pesos.

 

Tekax

In the municipal lands there are no overground water flows; however, there are underground deposits formed (known as cenotes). There are several historical and archaeological monuments such as the ex-convent and Parish of San Juan Baptist, from the XVII century; the Hermitage of San Diego, XVII century; the Chapel of San Francisco and the Chapel of the Eternal Father, besides Chacmultún. It is located 199 km to the south of Merida. There are restaurants, hotels, etc.

 

History

Puuc, is the mayan name of a series of hills of little height with a cultural zone and very singular style. Uxmal, as mentioned, is one of the best examples, but near it, also we can be delighted with other zones with the same style, that were important mayan large cities at the time.

 

Some elements featured in Puuc scenery include: pyramids finished off by watersheds; the small and false columns fitted in the facades, and the figurations of streamlined Mayan huts.

 

Also very the rhombuses and the lambda-type ones are used, in which some figurative elements like the serpents and the large masks of Chaac, the God of rain are added, characterized by great eyes, a mouth provided with large teeth and mainly by a prominent and curve nose in the form of tube. That type of scenery is constituted by many stone pieces, carved previously and soon assembled in the form of mosaics, which produces a magnificent decorative effect.

 

Several cisterns or chultunes existed in this zone, they served to gather rain water, since there was no another source or supply of this indispensable liquid; it is by that in the Puuc zone the representations of the God Chaac are so many and had so much importance, this is why the mayan population worshipped him, in order to request sufficient rains to him.

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Central Route

 

Aké

In its central part there is a terrace known as the Gran Plaza. Surrounding this area one can see the main buildings where the governing class lived. Its 32 kilometers long sacbé (white pre-hispanic road) stands out, which used to connect it with Izamal. There is a wall surrounding the city and covering part of the sacbé, which suggests the existence of conflict between these two great cities, once allies. Located 32 km from Merida, by road 80 to Tixcocob, exit to the right at km. 25.

Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 to 17:00.

 

Izamal: Mexico's magical town

This place is also known as City of the Three Cultures, because of its combination of characteristics from its pre-hispanic past, the colonial period, and present times. Visit the convent, which has a museum inside and a praying alter, there is also the great light and sound show every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 20:30 hours.

 

Tunkas

Worth of attention in this municipality are the colonial constructions, such as the Temple de Tunkas, in the capital of the municpality, as well as several archaeological zones. Located 86 km southwest from Merida. There are four cenotes: X’tekdzonot, Mumundzonot, Lukun Chan and Chan X’azul, where visitors can bathe in f res h water or practice cave diving.

 

Tekal de Venegas

Here you will find an Eco-archaeological trail named Oxwatz. The tour starts with a visit to two of the eight former haciendas that surround the town and which had their peak during the XVIII century during the “green gold” boom. You can also enjoy a refreshing bath in one of the cool pools within the rain forest. We highly recommend a visit to two temples of somber architecture which date back to colonial times; one in honor of San Ramon, the other of San Pedro. Located 73 km from Merida, north of Izamal.

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Dzibilchaltún

Considered to be among the oldest, it is located 15 km away from Merida. Visit the pyramids and plinths such as La Casa de las Siete Muñecas (house of the seven dolls). It has one of the most comprehensive museums of Mayan culture in Yucatan. Every year in March 21st and September 21st there is a celebration of the equinox. It also has a cenote where you can swim..

 

 

 

Progreso

The heart of the Emerald Coast. It is a peaceful summer vacation port with warm weather during summer and winter. It offers all the services of a big city. It has a long coast to practice water sports and swimming. Along the seafront there are many restaurants.

 

Uaymitún

Only 15 minutes away from Progreso. Abundant coasts with white sand and emerald sea. Perfect for water sports and relaxation. It’s at the perfect spot between the commercial zone of Progreso and the peace of Telchac Puerto.

 

Xcambó

A splendid natural showcase combining peaceful beaches and an archaeological zone. Located in Telchac port (20 minutes away from Uaymitún).

 

San Crisanto, Santa Clara, Dzilam de Bravo

Picturesque fishermen towns, good for relaxation and water sports. The main attractions are the marsh and mangrove swamps, good for small boats and casual fishing. There are hotels and huts for the visitor’s relaxation.

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Flamingos Route

 

Celestún

A port where you can find the most exotic species of Yucatan, such as the pink flamingos, quite a sight with their peculiar low level flights, who reproduce naturally in the marshes after long flights over the east coast.

 

 

 

 

El Palmar

Protected area where migratory aquatic birds live, such as the Canadian duck, who winter and reproduce here. It is considered to be one of the most important natural reserves because of its plentiful flora and diverse fauna, ideal for Eco tourism lovers. Located 80 km away from Merida. It has lodging, huts, restaurants, and semi-virgin beaches.