During your visit to Yucatan, you will find a great number of signs (most of which have been painted or handwritten in a rather rustic way) indicating the location of the cenotes. Don't think twice, take the turn, go off road and visit these stunning water deposits created by the filtering liquid through the subsoil walls and the subsequent slides caused by the weakening of the rock structure.

There are open air cenotes (older formations) and in-cavern cenotes (younger formations), and a combination of both. In their crystal-clear cold waters, you'll be able to swim, snorkel or dive, always with the appropriate equipment and following the safety regulations, since most of the cenotes can be very deep.

One of the most popular and well known archaeoligicalsites is undoubtedly Chichen Itza. This majestic city, in the center of the state, still stands as a constant reminder of the legacy left by the Mayan civilization. Millions of tourists travel to this magical place throughout the year, from all over the planet, to admire the magnificence and beauty of its impressive buildings. Constructions, including the Temple of a Thousand Columns, the Observatory and the Pyramid of Kukulcan, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, are all full of history and religious significance. They are magnificent examples of the high level of the architectural, mathematical and astronomical skills achieved by the ancients.

Dzibilchaltun has smaller dimensions in comparison to other pre-Hispanic cities in the area, but features two attractions that are quite worth exploring.

The first is an edifice known as the "Templo de las Munecas" (Temple of the Dolls), where you can observe a beautiful spectacle of light during the spring equinox, when the sun shines in such a way that its rays goes through two windows in perfect alignment.

The second attraction of Dziblichaltun is the refreshing water of a cenote located a few steps from the site. When exploring the area in the intense heat, a dive is always a good idea.

One of the most impressive attractions of the Yucatan is the ecological reserves that protect the immense treasure of flora and fauna that the area is known for as well as provide a load of adventures and knowledge for those who come to visit. Bike rides, boat rides, evening fishing or a simple but delicious supper can all be enjoyed in this expanse of land, where you can take in the lush green of your surroundings and return to a natural pace of life where you can have tranquil moments. Listen to birds chirping as the night falls, coloring the sky black.

Visit Celestun, a bright and colorful town that is where the pink flamingos and blue crabs are often seen. Explore the enchanting serenity of Rio Largartos and San Felipe and the Las Coloradas and El Cuyo harbors. The whole state has hidden corners where, if you're looking for a little peace and quiet, will always have you coming back.

In Celestun, there is a very peculiar ecosystem since the fresh waters of the Celestun River merge with the salty waters of the Gulf. During your visit, take the boat tour that will get you closer to the gorgeous flamingos, giving you the chance to take amazing photos. This tour also includes a fascinating ride through the tunnels naturally formed in the mangroves, ending in a petrified forest.

The ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam was at one time the capital of the Tah Empire, with political influence in all of the eastern part of what is now the State of Yucatan, including a part of the coast. Seashells have been found in the area, used to pay tithes. Ek' Balam at one point covered 12 square kilometers of territory and was founded by a man of the same name who governed the city for 40 years.

There are still two large concentric walls that used to protect the city, within which 45 of its original buildings still stand to this day. Ek' Balam also has ball court and an impressive stone arch that leads to a "sacbe" or "sacred path," which connected this city to other Maya cities in the area. During your visit to this lovely archeological site, be amazed with "La Acropolis," the largest edifice in Ek' Balam, with a height of 32 meters and a base measuring 158 meters in length and 68 meters in width. This immense construction has a great number of rooms that are connected by passages similar to the medieval castles of Europe.

Grottoes: the peninsula's rocky subsoil shelters innumerable underground caverns and caves that offer a unique experience for those visiting this gorgeous region. In the old days, these places were considered sacred by the Maya, where they carried out religious ceremonies and presented offerings to the infra-world "inhabitants".

We highly recommend you visit these impressive sites, whose vaults seem to be trying to close their jaws filled with stalactites and stalagmites resembling teeth. The most famous are Balankanche, San Ignacio, Calcehtok, Tzabna y Loltun.

During colonial times, the Yucatan territory was populated by haciendas: large constructions where the Spaniards lived and administered the exploitation of the land, coordinating the production of corn, sugar and henequen (a kind of sisal hemp).

Nowadays, these haciendas are ideal for those seeking broad open spaces and outdoor activities. There are some haciendas that have been customized luxuriously to become hotels. San Antonio Cucul and Teya y Dzoyola are some famous haciendas located around Merida and well worth a visit.

The ruins of the pre-Hispanic city of Mayapan are only 40 kilometers away from Merida. The site was created based on Chichen Itza's design, and located 100 kilometers away from it. In its architectural design, the builders incorporated elements of other cultures from central Mexico, skillfully combining them with the traditional Mayan architecture. The experts point out that Mayapan was the headquarters of the Liga de Mayapan (Mayapan League), which eventually was dissolved in violence and concluded with the fall of Chichen Itza.

Get away from the city chaos to take refuge in the picturesque town of Telchac Puerto, a small village located on the  coast, where tranquility floats in the air and its inhabitants are hospitable fishermen. Only 65 kilometers away from Merida, Telchac Puerto offers you delicious dishes prepared with fresh fish and seafood caught every day, where you can later wet your feet in the nearby sea.

"Puuc" in Maya means "hills" or a "group of hills" and the name corresponds to a series of pre-Hispanic cities constructed on small geographic outcroppings, cities with similar architectural and cultural characteristics. This area also shares influences with a large part of the neighboring state, Campeche, and it's called the Ruta Puuc. Uxmal is perhaps the most known and the most important example of the Puuc style but there are also other beautiful representations such as the religious center, Kabah, the urban development of Sayil (600 to 900 AD) and Xlapak, where "El Palacio" (The Palace) is located, an elegant example of Puuc influence. Labna, where you can find an impressive carved stone temple called "El Arco" (The Arc), is also located on the Ruta Puuc.

Some characteristics of the Puuc architecture are the adornments on top of the buildings called "cresterias," made mostly out of wood, palm leaves and stone. Another relevant feature is the carved faces of deities such as Chaac, the Maya god of the rain, featuring large eyes, a curved, elephant-like nose and long fangs. These figures are mixed with other carvings representing serpents and geometric figures to adorn these important temples.

Upon visiting the Ruta Puuc, admire the "chultunes" or the cisterns that the Maya had designed to collect rain water. This was their main source of water because the Yucatan doesn't have rivers or lagoons that serve as a water supply that is sufficiently large enough. For this reason, the god Chaac became very important in Maya cities in relation to the constructions and buildings as well as the dances and rituals. It was to this deity that the favor of bringing water was asked.

The "Piramide del Adivino" (the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller) stands out for its impressive beauty and was built in 5 stages, in which a new construction was overlaid each time. You can't afford to miss the "Cuadrangulo de las Monjas", a series of buildings that have facades which were ornamented with various high and bas-relief works depicting animal figures, stylized columns and masks of the Mayan deity, Chac.

10/6/17