Haciendas, Cenotes & Ruins 2012

Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of MÉrida's numerous restaurants.

We'll pass through many small Mayan villages and ex-haciendas. There are also many cenotes to be discovered along the way. Upon arriving in Ticul you'll jump into a van for a trip to the Mayan ruins at Uxmal and back.

We'll visit several minor Mayan ruins almost completing a circuit. Near the end of our loop we visit the partially restored ex-hacienda Tabi and end up in the town of Oxcutzcab.

We start along the 'Convent Route' and then continue on even quieter roads. We'll pass through many small villages and have the chance to visit several spectacular cenotes.

Known as the Yellow Town because of the colour of the colonial buildings that line the zocalo, Izamal is famous for having the largest church plaza in Mexico. It includes an enormous Franciscan convent (built with Mayan stones) and the remnants of one of the tallest Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan. You can also visit the colourful market, or just stroll around the beautiful zocalo observing the daily routines of the local inhabitants.

There are many cenotes and caves to visit along the way. An option detour will take us to the town of Cenotillo where there are even more cenotes and caves. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.

In the early morning we will visit the important Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichén-Itzá, avoiding all the crouds. After that we have a short ride with many attractions on the way. The Balancanchen Caves are about 6 km before Pisté. They are believed to have been a center for Maya-Toltec worship. The impressive stalactites and the ceramic religious offerings left behind by the Maya-Toltec civilization are definitely worth a visit. Cenotes X-Keken and Samula are a few kilometers before Valladolid. We will stop in for a refreshing dip in their cool, limpid waters. Valladolid is another colonial gem well worth spending some extra time in after the tour is over.

Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of Mérida's numerous restaurants.