Chichén-Itzá

The ball game

At only 40km/25 miles from Valladolid, this astonishing Mayan-Toltec archaeological site, is a must-see. We’ll arrive at opening time. So, besides having Chichén for your own (before the coast buses arrive), you’ll also avoid the heat.

A multilingual certified guide (+- 1 1/2hrs) will explain you about the Itzáes, the ancient inhabitants of Chichén Itzá, their impressive 30m/98 feet high Castle of Kukulcán (and its solar calendar reflected in it), the largest Ball Court in Mesoamerica and the Temple of the Warriors.

The observatory

The Mayas are known for their astronomical knowledge. Not a telescope, but the windows in the Caracol point in the cardinal and subcardinal directions and are believed to enable the tracking of the movement of Venus, the Pleiades, the sun and the moon and other celestial events.

Nunnery Palace

We’ll finish with this palace complex that shows some beautiful examples of different architectural styles: Chenes and Puuc.

After the guided visit you’ll have +- 1hr free time.

Yokdzonot

Cenote

After visiting the archaeological site, we’ll go to a remote cenote. A quiet place to rest or take a refreshing dip. There we will have lunch made by the local Mayan women community we support.

Izamal

Convent

This yellow city with its 16th century convent constructed on a Maya structure and having the second largest atrium in the world, is one of the first Magical Towns of Mexico.

 

Walk village

We will show you some Maya structures you still can climb. One of these is the third largest building in Mesoamerica (in terms of volume).

Visit Artisan

Before we head back to Valladolid, you´ll have the opportunity to admire the beautiful work of one of the very talented local artisans Izamal offers:

• Cocoyol: jewelry made from local fruit seeds and spine of henequen.

• Miniatures: small-scale artwork.

 

 

• Papier-mâché: amazing work with mâché paper.

 

 

• Woodcarving: quite common artwork in the Maya region

 

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