Izamal, Yucatan

If you are looking for an authentic, tranquil destination in the Yucatan Peninsula, Izamal is a good choice. With its languidly traveled cobblestone roads, wrought iron street lamps, and ancient facades, the city seems to doze in the intense tropical heat. One of the first Spanish cities established in Mayaland, it was built of limestone bricks pilfered from temple mounds and admin buildings of the original indigenous metropolis. Sacbés, elevated white roads, once connected this administrative and ceremonial center to others nearby.

In his book Prehistoric Mesoamerica, the respected archaeologist Richard E. W. Adams mentions Izamal’s connection to the demise of neighbor Chichén Itzá. Apparently Chichén’s ruler stole the bride of Izamal’s ruler, leading to revenge and the sacking of this super-power-in-decline. Soon thereafter, Chichén Itzá was abandoned for the last time.

Of Interest    Balankanche    Campeche    Campeche - Great Food!    Cancun    Dzibilchaltun    Ek Balam    Merida    Progreso    Sacred Sinkholes

Izamal’s Maya past is clearly visible in the names and faces of its inhabitants, and in the ruins of the imposing Kinich Kakmo pyramid, dedicated to the god of the heavens, Itzamná. Climb to the top of this crumbling temple mound for a look over town and the surrounding plains.

But the main game in town, architecturally speaking, is imposing Franciscan Convento de San Antonio de Padua, still a functioning monastery. Its large atrium was built to accommodate new converts during the early days of the Spanish conquest. It fulfilled the same function four centuries later, when thousands of the faithful arrived to hear Mass celebrated by the late Pope John Paul II, in 1993. Among the church’s many ornate chapels is one dedicated to Izamal’s patron saint, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.

What to Do Here?

Izamal is neither bustling nor sophisticated; somnambulant is a more appropriate descriptor. Three or four times a week a light-and-sound show is projected on San Antonio de Padua’s exterior walls. Most visitors opt for an inexpensive calesa (horse-and-buggy) ride around town. Locals use this type of conveyance for transportation too. Drivers will take you sight-seeing around “the Yellow City,” so nicknamed because the ecclesiastic and government buildings in the town center are painted yellow ochre.

Or ask your driver to follow the handicrafts route. In humble home-workshops entrepreneurs produce papier mache, jewelry, and other goods in addition to the region’s famous hammocks. Some of the items are amateurish, but that doesn’t necessarily detract from their appeal ... and prices are low. If you’re looking to enjoy the process as much as the product, then you’ll enjoy this option. The Cultural and Handicrafts Center offers Mexican handicrafts, hammocks, as well as goods make of henequen (sisal) and carved horn.

Izamal is an excellent destination for the curious and independent traveler. Stop over for a few days or use it as a base for visiting area haciendas, sinkholes, and archaeological sites.

For more things to do as well as hotels and restaurants, check out our Izamal Travel Guide.

Izamal Real Estate   ♦   Izamal Rentals   ♦   Izamal Hotels

466th Anniversary of the founding of Merida  Beginning of January More than two weeks of nonstop cultural festivities to celebrate Merida’s 466th anniversary. Music, theater, free outdoor concerts and entertainment, food, and fun. Merida, Yucatan 999/942-000 http://www.merida.gob.mx

Progreso Vacation Rentals   At Progreso Vacation Rentals we feature town homes in Progreso, Chicxulub, Uaymitun, San Bruno and San Benito Yucatan and country estates nearby for vacation rentals. Our properties have the highest local standards of design and comfort. We are currently an sponsor of Yucatan today web site. We begin our service with International guest since December 2001. Our hope is that our guests feel more at home in the Yucatan and less like tourists. We advise you where to shop and where to eat and more importantly what to see. Progreso, Yucatan 521 999 949 0861 http://www.progresovacationrentals.com

Casa Blanca   Here’s a great starter home just a few streets back from the beach between the fishing villages of Chelem and Chuburna, just to the west of Progreso. As worries about global warming, erosion, and hurricanes become more pressing, we’re finding that more and more of our clients like to create environments just off the beach. This lot already has some mature trees to enhance it, is partially walled, and runs from one street to the next, giving you the opportunity to build a guest cottage at the back, or to enter with equipment to build a pool. There are other investment homes being built in this area, so grab this one now before prices rise! Progreso, Yucatan www.casablancayucatan.com

Hotel Embajadores   Budget Hotel Clean and Economical Rooms: Our rooms come with air conditioning or with a fan. The rooms have one or two queen size beds and all rooms have cable TV. Calle 64 #130C x 21 y 23, Progreso, Yucatan 01 (969) 935-5673 www.progresohotel.com

Aventura Hotel   Budget Hotel - Tucked away only two blocks from Santiago Square is the best hotel value in Merida! A clean, comfortable place where everything works, the Aventura is priced the way hotels used to be in Mexico. Muy barato! Merida, Yucatan http://www.aventuramerida.com/

Tierra Yucatan - Real Estate - near Merida   48.64 hectares or about 130 acres of virgin jungle with a beautiful cenote, just off the main Merida-Cancun highway. Ideal to build a beautiful home or for eco-tourism. Bargain priced at $53,000 US! Izamal, Yucatan (52-999) 9-23-76-15 http://www.jensyucatan.com

Macan ché   Welcome to Macan ché, your tropical oasis in the heart of the Yucatán. We are located in the charming city of Izamal, known as the Yellow City and the City of Three Cultures for the Mayan, Spanish and Meztiso cultures which thrive here.We offer many amenities for the individual traveler and are well equipped to handle groups including yoga retreats, small conferences, weddings, or family vacations. Please explore our site for more information about our hotel, our city, and our area. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us. Izamal, Yucatan 52-988-954-02-87 http://sanghavedanta.com/macanche

Yucatan Real Estate   Let us help you find a home in San Crisanto, Progreso, Chelem, Chuburna, Celestun, Valladolid, San Bruno, San Benito, Telchac, or anywhere along the Emerald Coast. San Crisanto, Yucatan 999/268-9170 http://www.yucatanrealty.net

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