Leaving the Riviera Maya and the Caribbean coast, we headed inland, aiming to get a more authentic picture of Mexico. The golden beaches and turquoise waters certainly impressed us. However, in tourist areas, you only see one side of an area. And we are interested in something more on every trip. We want to get to know the daily life of the locals and their habits.
Coba
On the road from Tulum to Valladolid is Coba, another important Mayan city that flourished between 200 and 900 AD. The archaeological site has the only pyramid that you are allowed to climb to the top of in the entire Yucatan. The climb is a bit steep. However, the view from the top is unique and makes up for it! All you see is jungle from end to end… Tip: From the entrance to the archaeological site to the pyramid the distance is quite long. We recommend that you rent a bicycle or tricycle like we did.
Valladolid
It is a beautiful city that still retains its colonial architecture. It is a base for visiting Chichén Itzá (see below), but in our opinion it is worth an overnight stay. Here you will still meet many indigenous people (Mayans), who still speak the language of their ancestors, while the women dress in traditional costumes. They are particularly smiling and hospitable and quite…short!
– Walk along Calzada de los Frailes with its well-preserved buildings and feel like you're in another era.
– Stop by Cacao Organic Collective and learn about the secrets of cacao, which the Mayans considered a divine food! They weren't wrong...
– In Parque Sisal, tour the Franciscan monastery of San Bernardino de Siena from 1552.
– In the city's central park you will visit the San Gervacio Cathedral and the Palacio Municipal, where you will discover pieces of the area's more recent history.
– Don't forget to see nearby Casa de los Venados, a colonial house with 3000 items of folk art.
– You can still swim in Cenote Zaci, which is located within walking distance of the city center, or in the impressive Cenote Suytun, which is a 10-minute drive away.
– For food, you will go to the excellent La Casona de Valladolid (don't forget to visit the souvenir shop there) and Yerbabuena Del Sisal.
Chichen Itza
It has been declared one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and not without reason! The second most visited archaeological site in Mexico will captivate you with the great pyramid (El Castillio), the Sacred Cenote, the Temple of the Fighters, the Temple of the Jaguars, the Agora and the great stadium. The only thing that is certain is that you will be impressed by the Mayan constructions and you will want to immerse yourself in the impressive history of this civilization. Tip: Go early in the morning! This way you will avoid the hordes of tourists, but also the heat. You will also find cheap souvenirs here.
A short distance from Chichen Itza is the exotic cenote Ik Kil. Here you will cool off and enjoy small waterfalls and dives in its crystal clear waters!
Merida
The capital of Yucatan is also known as the "White City", due to the presence of many limestone rocks in the area, but also because, as its residents themselves claim, it is crystal clear! It is truly a city worth visiting as there you can:
– Take a guided tour of the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya. Full of interesting objects and information, the museum takes you on a journey through the ancient history of Yucatán up to the most recent colonization.
– Take a tour of the historic center where you will see the Palace de Government in which famous Mexican painters depict the brutality of the Spanish conquistadors and the Mayan struggles, the Palace Municipal building from 1734 with murals depicting the Mayan cosmogony and the The House de Montejo, which is considered the oldest building in Yucatan.
– Nearby you will also admire the cathedral Cathedral de San Ildefonso which was built in 1561 and next to it the museum of modern art MACAY.
– A walk in the park is also essential Montejo Street a beautiful avenue with buildings characterized by Beaux Arts architecture. On this street there are 3 museums with small or free admission. The Museo de Antropolgía e Historia (Palacio Canton) (55 pesos admission), the CACAO or Chocol Haa a small museum about the history of chocolate production in the region, and the Quinta Montes Molina a magnificent building from 1902 with period furniture and objects.
– Wander through the city's popular market, Bodega Mercado Lucas De Galvez.
– Based in Merida, you can visit a few more archaeological sites from the Mayan era that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Uxmal – Kabna – Sayil – Xlapak – Labna. These make up the so-called Puuc Route and are clearly less crowded than those you will encounter in Coba or Chichen Itza.
– Gastronomy: In Merida you will taste authentic Mayan flavors at Wayan'e, Los Almendros and La Chaya Maya, but you will need to book a table there. On the street Paseo de Montejo to drink coffee at Pistache and iced latte at Pocheria caffe.
You will try cocktails at Hennessys Irish Pub and Casa Chica, while at the traditional Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón you will taste ice cream and champola, a drink made with milk and ice cream or sorbet.
Izamal
On the road from Merida to Cancun is Izamal. It is also called the yellow city as all its buildings are painted yellow! The yellow colonial buildings, the cobblestone streets and the iron lighting fixtures give the city a peaceful, unique atmosphere, which you have to walk to understand. Here you will see the huge Franciscan monastery Convent of San Antonio, which was built on a Mayan pyramid in 1561 and which the Pope himself visited in 1993. In Izamal there are many Mayan pyramids, the most important of which is Kinich Kakmo, which you can climb to enjoy the view.
Mexican cuisine
A trip to a country is never complete without trying the local cuisine. And while we may all have been to a Mexican restaurant in Greece, the flavors we tried there are completely different. What we tasted and recommend:
– Marquesita. An excellent snack. It is a crispy crepe filled with Edam cheese and Nutella. We also liked it with Nutella-banana.
– Tostadas. These are fried corn tacos, with beans, cheese, sauce and other toppings, to which you can add shrimp, fish, chicken or pork, depending on your appetite.
– Chilaquiles. It consists of fried tortilla strips accompanied by red salsa, beans, eggs, cheese and meat.
– Cochinita Pibil. It is a dish consisting of marinated meat wrapped in spices and banana leaves, cooked in the oven for 12 hours.
– Churros. You've surely tried these delicious donuts with sugar and cinnamon. But there, you'll find the authentic taste.
Don't forget to drink:
– Micheladas are a Mexican drink made with beer and lime, usually accompanied by sweet and spicy chili sauce.
– Mezcal. It is a type of tequila that comes from a different variety of agave.
– Frozen Margarita. If you don't try it in Mexico, where else?
If you haven't read the first part of the journey, you can find it here here. And for the end, we left you the video of our tour of Mexico…. ↓
