Mayan Culture
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Travel Guide YUCATAN Contents DISCOVER YUCATAN 01 YUCATAN PROFILE 03 YUCATAN ATTRACTIONS 04 YUCATAN DINING 12 YUCATAN SHOPPING 15 YUCATAN NIGHTLIFE 17 THINGS TO DO IN YUCATAN 18 DISCOVER YUCATAN Yucatan is a place with a warm climate inhabited by people who pride themselves on being very welcoming and hospitable. Birthplace of the Mayan culture, one of the most impressive pre-Colombian civilizations in Mesoamerica, the area stands out for the contrast of its modern capital city and the deep-rooted traditions and customs that you find in the rural towns and villages. Discover Yucatan and try the delicious specialty dishes, visit the archeological sites that are sources of envy for other countries, and see the territory’s beautiful natural landscapes. You’ll fall in love with this land full of wonders, which is recognized by the distinctive culture and accent of its people. MAYAN CULTURE The Mayan culture is still ever-present in the lives of a large number of people from Yucatan. The Mayans are famous for making very precise astronomical predictions and for building beautiful cities, but they are also known in the region for not allowing the Spanish conquistadors to destroy their customs and traditions. This is why Yucatan is proudly one of the Mexican states with the most indigenous inhabitants. You only need to visit the museums in Merida, walk the streets of Valladolid, appreciate the architectural contrasts of Izamal, explore the region’s archeological sites, or admire the handicrafts in the souvenir stores to appreciate that the Mayan culture is more alive than ever. 1 A BRIEF HISTORY There is evidence that places the origin of the Mayans as being in the year 8000 B.C. Nevertheless, the Itza people, the founders of Chichen Itza, don’t appear in the history of the region until 435 A.D. The main cities in the region (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Mayapan) formed an alliance known as the League of Mayapan, which lasted for hundreds of years. Chichen Itza was the most important settlement in the north of the peninsular until 1194, when there was a period of war between the allies. Mayapan became the nucleus of the region until 1441, when there was a rebellion in the city. As a result the central government disappeared and the cities were abandoned, leaving Yucatan divided into different estates without any real political power. This is the panorama that the Spanish conquistadors found when they arrived, making the Mayans easy prey, but difficult to defeat at the same time, due to how they were dispersed over Yucatan. In 1541, after two failed attempts from his father, Francisco de Montejo was able to conquer the territory that today belongs to the city of Merida, giving the Spanish their triumph and consolidating their dominance in the western part of the peninsula. 2 YUCATAN PROFILE Birthplace of the Mayan culture, whose customs are still ever-present in the area Famous in Mexico for its delicious specialty dishes and cuisine Excellently preserved archeological sites Home of Chichen Itza, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World Beautiful natural attractions like cenotes (sinkholes), caves, and springs Warm climate and hospitable inhabitants The state capital, Merida, is one of Mexico’s most important cities The state with the largest cultural influence on the peninsula 3 YUCATAN ATTRACTIONS DZIBICHALTUN Dzibilchaltun is a small yet fascinating archeological site located to the north of Merida. One of the main attractions is the phenomenon that happens during the equinox, when the Temple of the Seven Dolls is lit up by the rays of the sun. There is a brief moment in which the light hits the door of the construction, creating a spectacle of light and shadow on the western facade. The area features a number of buildings that are still in the process of being rebuilt, as well as a cenote with crystal clear water. Dzibichaltun also has an impressive museum showing artifacts found at the site. CHICHEN ITZA Chichen Itza is one of the most important archeological sites on the planet. It is visited by millions of people a year, who want to admire the enormity, beauty, and historic importance of this fascinating Mayan city in Yucatan with their own eyes. Thanks to the significance of its cultural heritage and its many monuments, such as the Kukulcan Pyramid, the Observatory, and the Temple of a Thousand Columns, Chichen Itza has been officially recognized on numerous occasions, including its classification as a World Heritage Site and as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. 4 THE CENOTES (SINKHOLES) The cenotes and underground rivers are enormous freshwater deposits that are only found in Florida, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the island of Cuba. The Mayans always used to build near a cenote, as they functioned as an excellent water supply. They were also used for certain religious rituals, as they were thought to be gateways to the underworld. Cuzama is a tour in Yucatan that is popular with tourists who want to head deep into the bowels of the earth. It is a cenote circuit that is accessed by a horse-drawn cart, which is a novel experience in itself. If your starting point is Valladolid, don’t pass up the chance to visit the X’keken and Sambula cenotes. MERIDA The capital of Yucatan is a metropolis with more than a million inhabitants, making it one of the most important cities in the southeast of Mexico. It prides itself on its main avenue, Paseo de Montejo, which is full of beautiful buildings with French-style architecture, products of the financial boom that resulted from the profits of the henequen industry. Merida is also an ideal starting point for exploring the attractions in the rest of the state. 5 CELESTUN Celestun is one of the most picturesque ports on the Yucatan coast. Don’t pass up the chance to visit the mangroves here, as they are the main areas where American flamingoes nest. Part of the adventure is to take a boat to the natural tunnels formed by the tree foliage. Once you go past the Baldiosera spring, which is where you find most of the freshwater in this Biosphere Reserve, there is a petrified forest. Here your imagination can run wild as you admire the impressive images formed by the dried trees, which look like they come from a surrealist painting. MAYAPAN Mayapan is believed to be the Mayan capital of the Yucatan Peninsula up until the middle of the 15th century, when it was plundered and abandoned. This ancient city was built to resemble Chichen Itza, something that can be seen in the form of its main buildings. Its architecture incorporates elements from central Mexico combined with features taken from older Mayan cities. Its main building is called the “Castillo” (Castle) and is about 50 feet tall. Archeologists estimate that the city was home to around 12,000 people at its peak. 6 UXMAL Uxmal is one of the most famous archeological sites in Yucatan and classified by numerous experts as the finest on the peninsula. Its name means “built three times”, referring to the construction of the tallest structure: the Pyramid of the Magician. The Mayans frequently built new temples on top of existing ones, but with this pyramid in particular evidence has been found that shows up to five different layers of construction. Uxmal was one of the largest cities in the Yucatan Peninsula and was home to about 25,000 people at its peak. IZAMAL Classified as a“Pueblo Magico” (Magic Town) by the Tourist Board, Izamal is called the “City of Three Cultures” thanks to the fact that it blends Mayan traditions, Spanish heritage, and modern features. Pope John Paul II visited Izamal in 1992 and all the buildings were painted in white and yellow, the distinctive colors of the Vatican. The then-Pope met with Catholic followers in the hall of the Temple of the Immaculate Conception, which is the second largest in the world, behind the one located in the Holy See. 7 THE HACIENDAS Hundreds of haciendas appeared around the towns in Yucatan and along the main highways on the peninsula during the colonial era. They started off producing corn, before moving onto sugar and finally henequen. Nowadays the haciendas have been turned into tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy, offering beautiful rural settings and fun outdoor activities. Some of the most popular are the following: Teya, San Antonio Cucul, Sotuta de Peon, and Chichi Suarez. Some of these haciendas have been converted into hotels that show you what the life of the upper class in Yucatan was like in days gone by. They offer a unique place to stay surrounded by history, and have preserved their original architecture, making them ideal for an unforgettable stay. PUERTO PROGRESO Progreso is a small town located to the north of Merida that is very popular with vacationers from the state capital. It stands out as the main deep-sea port in the region, and one of the most important on the Gulf of Mexico. This is why Progreso is a frequent destination on cruise routes. The town has a beautiful boardwalk, and even though it is the cornerstone of foreign trade in the peninsula, it is still just as peaceful as it has always been over the years. VALLADOLID Valladolid is the second most important city in the state. Founded in 1543 by Francisco de Montejo, it was the center of the development of the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula during the colonial period. Nowadays it offers beautiful buildings, churches, and cobbled streets that remind visitors of its origins.