Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.
(Español) Visita los cenotes Samulá y X’kekén en Valladolid
Valladolid
(Español) Ex Convento de San Bernardino de Siena
Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.
X’kekén Pit
Natural beauty that will captivate your senses
On our way Chichen Itzá, we saw an ad indicating a nearby pit with a peculiar name…it caught our attention right away, so we decided to adventure ourselves into the unknown, it was still early and had nothing else to lose.
The pit a.k.a as “Dzitnup” can be found inside a subaquatic cave located in Valladolid. It has a small natural entrance letting the sunrays enter creating beautiful shadows as it hits the water.
Inside X´Kekén you’ll find a blue turquoise lagoon decorated with stalactites descending from the rocky surface, as the light this them their majesty accentuates.
The water does not reach great depths but it’s so clean and clear you can see fish, ideal for swimming.
Story tells a peasant discovered this place as he looked for his missing pig, which had fallen to the pit. Hence its name, X´kekén, that means pig in mayan.
How to get there?
Is located in the community of Dzitnup with the numer 2232, close to Valladolid. Take the Mérida-Valladolid road, 3 kilometers upon arriving you’ll deviate to Dzitnup. When you reach a football field take a left and you’ll find both Samulá and X’Kekén pits.
(Español) Cenote Samulá
More info
State
Yucatan
(Español) Cenote Ik Kil
More info
State
Yucatan
Church of San Servasio, Valladolid, Yucatan
The only church that does not look to Rome and the crime of passion that changed its architecture
In the late 17th century, Mr. Fernando Hipolito Osorno was sent to the city of Valladolid as captain general. Osorno, a man of strong character and high rank in Spanish society, was also known for easily falling in love, a quality that would eventually be the cause of his death. It turns out that Captain Osorno became involved with the girlfriend of Valladolid’s greater sub-lieutenant, Don Miguel Ruiz Ayuso, who quietly planned his revenge. Because of political issues, Osorno was later removed from office and taken to jail under several charges; fearing for his life, he managed to escape and took refuge in the Church of San Gervasio, requesting asylum. In 1706, Don Miguel Ruiz Ayuso became the mayor of Valladolid; the new mayor had Osorno forced out of the sacred precincts and beaten to death, an act that the Catholic Church saw as a tremendous desecration. Some time later, the temple’s facade was rebuilt as we see it today, and to prevent the new altar from holding the same position in which it was when it was profaned, it was repositioned. That’s why the church faces north, unlike every other colonial temple in Yucatan, which looks west to Rome.
Mérida
Merida Colonial and Cultural
When it comes to exploring Yucatan, Merida is the starting point for all routes of the Maya world. For over 400 years, the White City forged his political career and starting point for the exploration of Yucatan. Founded in 1542 the ancient Mayan city of Tho on, in colonial times became the seat of the Spanish government on the peninsula.
Merida is fascinating and cosmopolitan , with museums , parks , markets and outdoor cafes . Along the Paseo Montejo and extension can be found restaurants, hotels , bars, banks and businesses that offer visitors all the services to make pleasant your stay in the city . Also during the year, various socio- cultural activities such as the anniversary of the city every night of 5 January, with the traditional dawn , waking Merida voiced by hundreds of singers who sing to the city on the eve performed their anniversary , 6 d January, the festival of the city , through spectacles of dance, music , theater , visual arts and literature, rescues sharing their customs with visitors . We Merida carnival , festival that takes place each year before the season of Lent, and invites citizens to the streets to enjoy the famous carnival parade . The family Hannal Pixan ( ancient Mayan tradition of Day of the Dead ) , the Yucatecan music in the historic center , the cultural fall Yucatecan cuisine, carriage rides in downtown Merida and Paseo de Montejo and the quiet walks of Merida on Sunday, are some of the many activities that adorn the cultural diversity of this beautiful city.
Activities
Cultural Activities, Crafts, Chaise, Museums, Photography, Restaurants, Yucatecan Serenade.
How to get there
From Cancun, Cancun-Merida federal or From Cancun International Airport to International Airport of Merida, from anywhere in the world, you can go straight to Merida or Cancun stopover. Check out the guide of flights for each airline.
Suggestions and Information
Visit the historic center of Merida, in the basement of City Hall ask about the cultural activities of the current season. Mérida on Sunday, Buggy Rides, Trova Nights in the Historic Center, Vaquería Nights, regional Xmatkuil annual Fair, Cultural Autumn Carnival Merida, Merida Anniversary Gourmet Canton Palace Museum, Museo del Mundo Maya, Puerto Progreso , Slam, Chuburná, Telchac.
Services
Lodging, Restaurants, Banks, Exchange Houses, Trading Places
Nearby places
Paseo de Montejo, Campeche, Maya Great World Museum, Museum of Natural Science, Centenario Zoo, Zoo Bicentennial Animaya, Valladolid, Izamal, Chichen Itza, Cuzamá, Hacienda Route.
Valladolid
Valladolid features a mix of colonial air, magical buildings and a little of ourselves
Known as “the Pearl of the East,” Valladolid is a colonial city with the feel of a traditional Yucatan village. This historic place is a symbol of beauty and magic, as it proudly displays the architecture gifted to Yucatan by the Spanish conquerors. Come and see for yourself what nature has to offer in its many cenotes, a highlight of the area. Let yourself be pampered by the spirit of its people; taste the delicious dishes offered in this city, carefully prepared in the traditional Valladolid way; and take a unique souvenir with you, with one of the many local handicrafts.
Romantic alleyways and neighborhoods with ancient buildings greet visitors in Valladolid, a quiet and majestic colonial city. Founded in 1534 by the Spanish, the old Mayan city of Zací (pronounced zah-kee) became the colonization center for the entire eastern region of the Yucatan peninsula. Nowadays, Valladolid is an important center for tourists looking for adventure, culture or just plain fun. With hotels, recreational centers and its legendary regional cuisine, you can base yourself in Valladolid to explore other colonial spots like Izamal or Uayma, beaches like Rio Lagartos or San Felipe, archeological sites like Coba, Ek Balam or Chichen Itza, and beautiful cenotes like X’Keken in Dzitnup or the breathtaking Zací cenote, located right in the center of the city. You shouldn’t miss it!
Entrance to most cenotes is 30 pesos.
How to get there
Valladolid is in the eastern tip of the state of Yucatan, 160 km (100 mi) from Merida. By car from Merida, take Calle 59 until the city beltway, called Periférico, where you’ll see signs for Valladolid, Chichen Itza and Cancun, as they’re all connected by the same road. When you get to Kantunil you’ll have the option to take the highway (2 hours to Valladolid) or the faster toll road (1.5 hours). By bus, the station is called CAME (pronounced kah-may), and it’s on Calle 70 with 71 in Merida Centro. Buses run at 6:00, 6:30, 7:40, 8:00, 9:15, 9:40, 10:40 and 11:00 am, and 12:40, 3:55, 5:45 and 7:30 pm. The bus fare is 128 pesos, and it takes about 2 hours 20 minutes.
Schedule
Cenotes are open 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Suggestions and Information
Plan to bring comfortable clothes and shoes to explore the streets and colonial sites in Valladolid. You should also bring your bathing suit if you intend to swim in the cenotes. A camera will allow you to capture and bring home all the colonial sites you can visit, as well as the beauty of the surrounding cenotes. To make the most of your stay, try visiting Valladolid on the following dates: February 2, Candlemas Day, or the Christian Festival of Lights; June 3 and 4, the celebration of the anniversary of the first revolutionary spark in Mexico, which took place in Valladolid; November 1 and 2, Hanal Pixan, the Mayan celebration of the Day of the Dead. Remember, it’s important to respect the area you’re visiting and keep it clean.
