Yucatecan arts and crafts, tradition that comes from generations The skill of the artisans of the Maya zone is truly notable, reason for which with the support of Fomento Cultural Banamex a training program has been implemented and promoted for the people living around the hacienda promoting this activity, so as to be able to offer a wide selection to more visitors to the area in the shops where you can see the manufacturing process and acquire beautiful woven pieces such as tablecloths and boxes made of sisal, as well as fine picture frames and other articles sculpted on bull horns. Kankirixché, a scuba diving experience Just 4 km. away, on the land behind the hacienda, there is a 'cenote' of cool and deep waters (52 m), ideal for practicing espeleo-diving (exploration of the cenotes). You can take advantage of this unique experience in the company of professionals. (Ask at the front desk). The Hacienda de Ochil, history and gastronomy This hostel in an old converted hacienda is famous in the area for its culinary delights, as well a for the Museum of the Sisal, that shows an interesting vision o the haciendas in exhibits that tell about the destiny of the edifications, supported by documents, objects for the production of sisal and photographs of the time. You can also visit a 'cenote' in its gardens. Another attraction is watching the artisans of the area lovingly make the arts and crafts you can buy. See Suggestions from the Chef. 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. CAMPECHE, the only walled city in the country Campeche has been declared as part of The World's Heritage due to its old bastions and fortifications such as San Miguel and San Jose el Alto, that today house museums and gardens, as well as for the splendor of its Centro Historico with its beautiful buildings in pastel colors, all of which will make this an unforgettable visit. You will also be able to enjoy the Cmpechan cuisine and shop for arts and crafts. CELESTÚN, refuge for flamingos This stuary in coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula is shallow and of muddy bottom, breeding crustaceans that make the perfect feed for the flamingos that have made it its natural habitat and mating grounds; a special scenery for their pink plumage. Along the boat ride you will be able to observe them, as well as the unique vistas: intricate mangroves or the Petrified Forest. It is possible to swim in a crystal clear fountainhead. Along the way you can visit the haciendas of Santo Domingo, Kochol or Chunchucmil. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.