Whether you are here for a quick trip or week, there is plenty to see in this historic city and even more an hour or two away! This awesome town in nestled away in the Western part of the Yucatan Peninsula and far from the overcrowded beachy tourist area.
If your anything like me, you like to be able to see as much as possible, no matter the time frame. Below is the itinerary to make the most out of a 3 night vacation to Merida. Make sure you fly in by mid-afternoon, the earlier the better!
P.S. - You will need to rent a car, but they are super cheap!
DAY ONE
Dzibilchaltun Ruins
These ruins are also referred to as the "Writing on Flat Stones" in the Mayan language. While you are visiting these ruins, make sure you take the time to see everything there. There are three separate areas to explore, the Temple of the Dolls, The Open Chapel, and the Cenote Xlakah. Make sure to bring your bathing suit with, you can take a dip in the Cenote!
Progreso Beach
After Dzibilchaltun, spend the rest of the day relaxing on Progreso beach and take stroll down one of the largest piers in the world.
Once you make it back to Merida, stop in at a Cantina. As long as you are drinking, they provide free snacks, what more could you ask for!
DAY TWO
X’Batun & Dzonbakal Cenotes (Uman City)
To to visit the two cenotes, stop at the "Centro Comunitario" to pay and the follow the dirt road to the end where you can either turn right to X-Batún or left to Dzonbakal. Make sure to take the time to explore both. One is more picturesque, while the other is a cool cave.
Hacienda Mucuyché
These cenotes are a little slice of paradise. Carlota and Azul Maya are connected by a canal so you can wander through both without ever leaving the water. While Carlota is more picturesque, you can go diving in Azul Maya.
Uxmal Ruins
These ruins are also known referred to as "Three Times Built" in the Mayan language. Uxmal used to be one of the largest cities in the Yucatan Peninsula before being over-ruled by surrounding settlements and is a UNESCO heritage site. This site it made up of The Pyramid of the Magician, The Nunnery Quadrangle, The Palace of the Governor, The House of Turtles, The Great Pyramid and The Temple of Doves. It is also connected to neighboring sites of Kabah, Labná and Sayil by Sacbes. The best part about these ruins are that you can climb them!
Kabah Ruins
Just a short distance from the Uxmal Ruins is this ancient Mayan site which it made up of The Codz Poop, El Palacio (The Palace), El Arco (The Arch) and La Gran Piramide (The Great Pyramid). Like the Uxmal ruins, you can also wander and climb these.
Sayil Ruins
Neighboring the Kabah ruins, Sayil has two structures to explore, The Gran Palacio de Sayil (The Great Palace of Sayil) and El Mirador (The Lookover).
X-Lapak Ruins
This is a small Mayan site is located in between Sayil and Labna. Make sure to stop, you don't want to miss out this beauty.
Labna Ruins
Neighboring the X-Laptak ruins is this Mesoamerican Archeological site, which is home to one of the longest continuous structures in the Pucc region. It was incorporated with Uxmal as a UNESCO site in 1996. There are four structures, El Palacio, The Gateway Arch, El Mirador and The Temple of the Columns.
Grutas de Loltun
This is one of the largest dry cave systems in the Yucatan Peninsula, It spans over 4 miles in length and is full of carvings and formations.
Mayapan
The main structure at the site is the Temple of Kukulkan. Leading up to it is the Hall of Kings and next door is the Hall of the Frescoes.
The Platform of the Dancers
On the North side of the Central Plaza is the Sanctuary of the Skulls, The Temple of the Mask and The Room of the Turtles
The Room of the Turtles was named after the discovery of stone turtles placed as offerings.
The Temple of the Mask was named after a stucco mask was found during the excavation.
The Sanctuary of the Skulls was named after several skulls were found in its foundations.
On the East side of Central Plaza is the Xini Nah, The Oratory and Xbi Ac
Xini Nah, meaning House of Straw has a basement.
On the front of the Oratory, there are two altars and a sanctuary where 13 human skulls were found.
Xbi Ac, meaning "Turtle Man" received its name because a sculpture of a turtle with a human head was found inside.
The Round Temple
This site has more than 4,000 structures within the city walls and it about 1.5 square miles.
DAY THREE
Chichen Itza
Valladolid
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