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Yucatan also shares borders with Campeche in the south and Quintana Roo on the south and also the entire eastern boundary. Yucatan is known for its impressive ruins of the Maya including the majestic Chichen Itza and the Pyramid of Kukulcán. |
LOCATION
Y U C A T A N :
Flamingos Cabins, El Cuyo, Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula
The state of Yucatán is in the northwest part of the Peninsula of Yucatán. The states largest border is the Gulf of Mexico which wraps around from the west to the entire northern boundary. Yucatan also shares borders with Campeche in the south and Quintana Roo on the south and also the entire eastern boundary. Yucatan is known for its impressive ruins of the Maya including the majestic Chichen Itza and the Pyramid of Kukulcán. The Puuc cities, renowned for carved facades, are perhaps the most intricate in all the Mayab, include Uxmal, Kabah, Labná, Sayil, Chacmultún, Oxkintok and Xlapak. Other ruins include Acancéh, Aké, Ek Balam, Dzibilchaltún, Izamal, Mayapán and Yaxuná. The ancient caverns of Loltun and Balancanche are also located in the Yucatan.
The Spaniards also left their mark on the Yucatan. The conquest of the Yucatan took hundreds of years and the evidence of these battles can only be found in the Yucatan. The conquest of the peninsula began in 1526 by Francisco of Montejo and the first conquest ended in the year 1541. Thereafter life was controlled by the Spanish and the descendants of the Maya were used as slave labor on huge plantations. The colonial history is closely linked to the success of the local henequen (sisal) industry on the impressive Hacienda's which dot the land. They dominated the commercial markets of the Yucatan. The coast of the Yucatan is loaded with deserted beaches, small tranquil fishing villages and the nature reserves of Celestún and Río Lagartos. For more information visit: www.travel-yucatan.com
| Mérida | Valladolid | Izamal | Tizimin | MERIDA - The city of Mérida was founded on January 6, 1542, by Captain General Francisco de Montejo, on the site of an Indian settlement called T'ho. It is the capital of the Yucatan and its largest city. Merida has been called the 'White City' because of its incredibly clean streets and the fact that the locals wear white clothes. Merida is full of impressive mansions that line the wide boulevard of Paseo Montejo. Many of these mansions had marble and roof pieces imported from Europe. The streets of Merida are not unlike the beautiful tree lined streets of Paris. The mansions and the streets are the legacy of a truly great capital of the colonial period. Horse drawn carriages are still used for transportation and touring this beautiful charming city.
For more information visit: Merida Yucatan Hotels and Travel Guide
VALLADOLID - Valladolid, a city built out of stone, is situated in the Yucatán, exactly half way between Mérida and Cancun, only 29 miles east of Chichén Itzá. The city dates back to the early days of the Spanish Conquest and was built in the 1500's. The attractions in Valladolid are actually quite incredible. Travelers from the central time zone of the United States should remember that upon arriving in Valladolid, you need to set your watch back, several hundred years.
The city of Valladolid was once a ritual and ceremonial center of the Maya Civilization called "Zaci", which means white bird in Mayan. In 1543 the Spanish Conqueror Francisco de Montejo, the nephew, descended on the area near Zaci to straighten out the 'Cupules', a large group of Maya who didn't take kindly to Spanish intervention. After making war on the Cupules he built Valladolid on top of the temples. Valladolid, after the city of the same name in Spain is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were married. Interestingly enough the Spanish Government has recently deemed Valladolid as one of the most authentic Spanish cities in the Americas and has granted large sums of money to aid in its preservation. In all there are 8 separate parts to the city, counting the center or "El Centro" or "Zocalo", which is one of the most beautiful and majestic places on earth. The park is kept immaculate in fact it is cleaned every day, 7 days a week, at 5 A.M., by a host of park sweepers and cleaners. If you don't jog early you will never see them. The park is also home to probably 10,000 birds all of which great early risers with a din that has to be seen (or heard) to be believed. On the south side of the park is the majestic Cathedral of San Gervasio. The cathedral was completed in 1570 by The Franciscans. But, due the struggle between the Maya and the Spanish the church was desecrated by violence. So in 1702, it was destroyed and rebuilt. The church is considered chastised and is the only one whose main doors face north instead of west. In all there are 7 Cathedrals in the 8 barrios of Valladolid. That is because each section has a church except Bacalar, which only has a park and the cemetery. The barrio of San Juan has a very interesting, small, but quite unique Cathedral. All of the churches have parks located nearby. One of the most famous Cathedrals in the Yucatan is located in Valladolid.
It is called 'Sisal' to the locals, but is better known as the Monastery of Saint Bernardino of Siena. It was the first church constructed on American soil and its size is imposing. It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the colonial era. Construction was started in the year 1552, under the direction of the Franciscan Friar Juan de Mérida and Fathers Hernando de Guevara, Francisco de la Torre. It was erected over the vault of a very large cenote. You can still see some of the original paintings behind the altar piece, as well as its ancient garden with its water wheel. Another amazing things about the monastery was created to be self sustaining. The monks raised all their own food, they planted huge orchards and vegetable gardens and had fresh water from the cenote. The monastery was completed in 1560. One note of interest is that the word for monastery and convent in Spanish is Convento. Located a few blocks east of the center of Valladolid is the beautiful cenote Zaci. You can climb down the stairs and visit this cenote which is open to the air one on side with the other side covered by stalactites with stalagmites below. A beautiful restaurant with a thatch roof is located at the site and it is open daily until dark.
One block east of the Zocalo is the Museum of San Roque which houses hundreds of items pertaining to the life of the Maya. From the Maya Wars to agricultural pursuits. The museum also has a beautiful park in back with plants and its from the history of Valladolid and the region. The museum is open daily, free of charge.
A short distance west of Valladolid is the enchanting refreshing cenote at Dzitnup. The sun shines through a hole in the ceiling lighting the water below in a very majestic pattern. There are a myriad of stories about rituals and such that were performed by the Maya in this cenote, but the truth is that the cenote was discovered in modern times by a farmer whose pig fell in. Pig in Mayan is kiken, and that is the actual name of the cenote. Valladolid is also the marketplace for over a hundred small villages where the descendants of the Maya make handicrafts and grow crops. These descendants of the Maya are hard working and industrious, and they are a very spiritual and peaceful people. They come to Valladolid, everyday to sell their wares in the market place and on the streets. The atmosphere is definitely from another time as you barter with the maker of fine garments and hammocks. In reality there are a number of items produced in and around Valladolid. The leather crafts include Huarache sandals, belts, wallets and hand-bags. Silver and gold smithing artists thrive in Valladolid and buyers come from all over Mexico to buy items. You can also buy typical region clothes 100% handmade. Many of these cloths are made at home by women supplementing the family income. Valladolid is also located in the middle of the Maya Ruins. There is no city closer to more ruins than Valladolid. The new archaeological findings at Ek Balam are astounding the science world and the ruins are located 20 minutes north of the city. A new International Airport is nearly completed near Valladolid which will allow travelers easier access to the heartland of the Maya. The airport construction holds with the stone and wood motif of the Maya and is considered to be a work of art in its own right. For more information visit: www.travel-yucatan.com
IZAMAL - The city of Izamal is located near the train tracks which run from Merida to Valladolid. The city is one of the ancient Maya cities and also one of the first Colonial cities as well. Inside the town of Izamal existed 7 hills or 'cerros'. These hills have now been identified as ruins and are well under way of being reconstructed. They are quite impressive and have sit in various locations throughout the city. Horse drawn carriages transport travelers from one to the other while at the same time seeing the town of beautiful Izamal.
For more information visit: www.travel-yucatan.com
TIZIMIN - Tz' min is how you say horse in Mayan. And the region is appropriately named. The largest and best cattle herds and operators of the Peninsula can be found in and around Tizimin. It has less rocks per square acre than the rest of the peninsula and as such is more suited to grazing of livestock. The town has a large Zoo, many different sections including one called 8 streets.
For more information visit: www.travel-yucatan.com
El
Cuyo, Ria
Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Yucatan Peninsula
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The state of Yucatán is in the northwest part of the Peninsula of Yucatán. The states largest border is the Gulf of Mexico which wraps around from the west to the entire northern boundary. |
