Izamal

Itzamná or Zamná “Dew that descends from heaven”

Located in the Haciendas and Cenotes region you will find a colonial city just 45 minutes from Mérida. Known as the “City of the 3 Cultures” because here its pre-Hispanic past converges, with its archaeological sites within the city; its colonial buildings and the current era. All under a very special characteristic: A city painted yellow.

Izamal was an important Mayan religious center and today you can visit the remains of four great pyramids in the center of the city. In particular, the Kinich Kakmó pyramid, one of the most relevant.

A must-see in Izamal is the Ex-Franciscan convent of “San Antonio de Padua” where you can find the second largest atrium in the world after Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican. This impressive structure was built on the base of a pre-Hispanic pyramid.

The Izamal Cultural and Craft Centre is also a point of great interest, as here you can see the crafts on display and visit the shop where popular pieces of art are sold.

Some festivities are held here, such as the Festival of San Antonio de Padua, which takes place in June in the atrium of the former Convent of San Antonio de Padua.

On the Day of the Dead, every 2nd November, the cemeteries of Izamal are entirely decorated by their inhabitants with flowers and offerings to remember their faithful departed.

The feast of La Virgen de la Purísima Concepción is celebrated on 8 December with processions accompanied by traditional music from the region.

Additionally, you can explore its gardens and squares, its classic cobbled streets, get to know its pre-Columbian buildings and churches, visit its artisan workshops, take a walk through the main square and enjoy its delicious cuisine, among many others.

To enjoy the city, you have the option of walking, cycling, ATVs or buggies.