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MÉRIDA, the white city adorned by its palaces,
mansions, and churches
This placid city was founded in Pre-Hispanic times under the name Thó. It still retains its colonial
design and three of the old arches that guarded and adorned the entrance to the city are still standing,
they are known as the bridge of Dragons, of the Bridge and San Juan, as is the old cathedral. During
the sisal boom of the 19th. Century, many palaces and mansions were built on the Paseo Montejo and the
Paseo Colón. The beautiful Casa Montejo is the best example of the 'Plateresque', and the Palacio Cantón
that houses some of the oblations found in the sacred 'cenote' at Chichén Itzá. Mérida is renown for the
delicacies of the Yucatecan cuisine and its musical heritage of its ballads, regional dances and shows
that enliven plazas or parks in the city.
UXMAL and the magic Mayan cities on the PUUC ROUTE
So that your visit increase in interest, visit Labná first and see its magnificent and famous Mayan
arch, then Sayil, emulating in stone the typical sticks used to build the typical Mayan casitas,
combined with lintels and cornices providing a sober appearance, after that, in Kabah the splendid
façade covered with masks of the god Chaac, called Coodz Poop, and for a grand finale, Uxmal, with the
pyramid of the Seer, the exquisite Palace of the Governor and the Quadrangle of the Nuns. Don't miss
the impressive light and sound show at night.
THE ROUTE OF THE CONVENTS, churches with indigenous flavor
During the 16th. and 17th. Centuries, the Franciscans left testimonials of the evangelization building
churches and missions. Along this route you can visit the unpretentious and ingenue churches and the
typical villages of the area. The sober religious buildings are distinguished for having some perforated
walls called belfries instead of noddles or towers, through which the builders sought to identify them
in the eyes of the indigenous people with the crests of the Mayan temples. Visit the villages of Acanceh,
Tech, Telchaquillo, Tekit, Mama, Chumayel (where the famous Mayan book Chilam Balam was found), Teabo,
where the women make beautiful embroidery, Teabo and Maní, the most interesting of all for its church,
convent, and open chapel of San Miguel Arcangel, as well as Oxkutzcab with the church of San Juan
Bautista and its famous marketplace.
THE YUCATECAN HACIENDAS, testimony of the green gold splendor
Visit the old hacienda seats: Yaxcopoil, notable for the elegance of its neoclassic style, housing an
archeological museum; Uayalceh, still active although somewhat in disrepair, and Macuyuché and Yankú.
The hacienda of Xcanchacán is known for its arch of mixed lines at the access and the three-story house
main house; the archeological site of Mayapán, the last Mayan city, is nearby. Another notable hacienda
is Teya, whose building dates back to the 17th. Century, its main house and machinery house have now
been converted into a hotel with ball room and restaurant, the latter with a well earned reputation for
its cuisine.
The CAVES AT LOLTÚN, rite and tradition
These caves are made up of three galleries, the Main Gallery, the Grand Canyon and the Maya; fantastic
scenarios formed by stalactites and stalagmites protecting a Mayan sanctuary with 145 cave paintings
and 62 glyphs, testimony of their beliefs and customs.
IZAMAL, ancient Mayan city and today colorful village
The ancient plaza surrounded by five temples was the center of the city, there are vestiges of three
of them. Currently, the imposing Convent of Izamal with its bright yellow walls and humongous atrium
dominates the town. This religious building is surrounded by houses of the colonial era that modestly,
but with typical flavor offer the visitor culinary delights and arts and crafts; a ride around town in
a horse drawn 'calandria' is a most for tranquil sightseeing. Visit Euán on the way, where the famous
"tongue of cow" hammocks are made.
We recommend a visit and lunch at the Hacienda San José Cholul.
The road to the YUCATECAN COAST keeps mysteries and offers delights
After leaving Mérida you will find the Mayan city of Dzibilchaltún, where you can admire the Temple
of the Seven Dolls and visit the 'cenote' of Xlacah and Museum of the Mayan People, where you will
learn much about the costums and thinking of the proud inhabitants of the Yucatán Península. Following
the same road you reach the port of Progreso, with nice beaches for swimming or kayaking. Further on is
Chicxulub, where you can see the crater of a meteorite or go down to beaches of Telchic, or see the
flamingos in Uaymiún. You can also visit the ancient Mayan port of Xcambó.
ALACRANES, reefs of great beauty
The boat leaves Progreso to reach this natural reserve, so named because its territory has the shape
of a scorpion. These islands are a refuge for many species of sea birds. Here you can practice Scuba
diving and discover fish of vivid colors or the wrecks of ships guarding their mysteries.
The arts and crafts tradition at BECAL, and nature at CALCEHTOCK
Don't miss a visit to the village of Becal. See how the famous jipi japa hats are made. For those fond
of nature, there is a visit to the caves at Calcehtoc where, after descending 60 steps, you enter a great
orifice formed by nature, you discover the wonders of its interior. Also, a few kilometers away is the
archeological site of Oxkintok, vestiges of an ancient Mayan city. We recommend a visit and lunch at the
Hacienda Santa Rosa Maxcaná.
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