SURROUNDING AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES

The Eastern Route ? This route allows you to appreciate the splendor of the zone?s ruins. We recommend that you do the trip by car; if you don?t have a vehicle, you can rent one. The tour begins in the archaeological zone of Chichen Itza, located 120 km (74 mi) east of Merida, off Highway 180 in the direction of Cancun. There you can enjoy the impressive architecture and learn more about the history of the place at the site?s museum and at a spectacular light and sound show.

After you visit the ruins and the nearby Cenote Sagrado (Holy Sinkhole), 6 km (4 mi) ahead you?ll arrive at the Grutas de Balamkanche (The Balamkanche Caverns), an old Mayan ceremonial center. Inside you?ll find the remains of countless offerings and an altar called the Throne of Balam, which is how the caverns got their name. Continuing along Highway 180, about 40 km (25 mi) ahead you?ll arrive at Valladolid, Yucatan?s second oldest city. There you can take an afternoon stroll through the city center, purchase crafts and try the regional cuisine. Be sure to visit Candelaria, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods. The last stop on the route is the archaeological zone of Ek Balam, located 26 km (16 mi) from Valladolid, off the highway to Cancun. This site has 45 majestic constructions, among them the Juego de Pelota (Ball Court) and a beautiful arch encircled by two concentric stone walls. You?ll also see hieroglyphic serpents, lovely monuments made of stone blocks.

Valladolid ? Located 45 km (28 mi) east of Chichen Itza, this city is known for its Spanish colonial neighborhoods, churches and buildings. You can enjoy Valladolid?s exceptional colonial flavor at the Parque Principal under the shade of laurel trees, as hundreds of chirping birds announce the day?s end. Among the city?s most impressive edifices is the Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, majestic in its dimensions and stark in its Franciscan style. Other notable structures include the Iglesia de San Gervasio, el Templo de San Juan de Dios and the Palacio Municipal. Nearby, you can visit the Cenote Zaci (Zaci Sinkhole), which has a natural pool and a unique restaurant. The colorful city is also full of leather and henequen goods, hammocks, rattan fabrics and stone sculptures. You can also enjoy some local cuisine at the numerous restaurants, where you can try such traditional dishes as escabeche oriental (a spicy marinade), turkey in sak-kol, smoked sausage and regional pork loins. The history, architecture and atmosphere of Valladolid make it an excellent place to appreciate local Mexican flavor.

Izamal ? The so-called Pueblo Magico (Magical Town) lies in the state of Yucatan?s central region, 73 km (45 mi) east of Merida, off the state highway that leads to Tekanto. These ancient Mayan ceremonial grounds, full of splendid history, are also known as the City of Three Cultures, due to the pre-Hispanic, colonial and present-day influences. At this place, seven pyramids were constructed; some of the pyramids? stones have been used to build Catholic churches, such as those seen in the Ex-Convento de San Antonio de Padua, which has the second largest atrium in the world, second only to the patio at Saint Peter?s Church in Vatican City. You can tour the gorgeous city in horse-drawn carriages, visiting the plazas, parks and historic suburbs. At night, the stars shine down on the pyramids, churches and colonial mansions.

The Pyramid of Itzamatul is an edifice that stands 22 meters (72 feet) tall and is the second most important structure in Izamal. At the archaeological zone you can see a wonderful show, dubbed the Voices and Magic of Izamal, which is a popular tourist attraction that explains Mayan cosmovision.

Rio Lagartos (Lagartos River) ? Located 144 km (89 mi) northeast of Chichen Itza, following highways 180 and 295 toward the coast. This area spans from the ports of El Cuyo and Las Coloradas to estuaries inhabited by pink flamingoes. During your tour, you can explore the region by boat or mountain bike. This expanse of 47,800 hectares (118,000 acres) has mangroves, swamps and low jungle areas where you can spy ocelots, jaguars and crocodiles. Tour companies organize the outings.