CULTURE AND ADVENTURE
Surrounded by major Arqueological zones and colonial villages (Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Mayapan to the lesser known sides of Oxkintoc, Kaba, Sayil and Labna), natural reserves (the rare Pink Flamingos in Celestun and Ria Lagartos), the cenotes or sink holes and the caves of Loltun or Calcehtok, the hacienda is the perfect place for cultural trips.
The Hacienda is also the perfect place for activities with Tennis court, Mountain bikes and horses available, hikes can be organized. For relaxation, use the Spa or just relax for a while at the edge of the beautifully designed and very well located swimming pool.
Yaxcopoil
This 17th century hacienda, situated between Temozon and Uman, was converted to the production of sisal at the end of the 19th century. A half-hour visit gives great insight as to what life must have been like in the days when Mexican haciendas operated like small fiefdoms. Hundreds of Indians provided the labour necessary to grow and harvest the thorny henequen plant which, until after WWII, made the owners of these small kingdoms millionaires. At Yaxcopoil, you will see furniture from 1890s and 1900s in the drawing room and dining room, hinting at the gracious life those owners (Patrones) enjoyed.
Touring Temozon in a truk
If you wish to see The Hacienda Temozon as in the old times, we will take you on a small tour on the hacienda grounds in a small train which is pulled by a donkey or a mule, visiting the orange fields and a cenote nearby.
Celestun ("painted stone") (half day trip)
This fishing community is located 95 kilometers west of Merida, towards the western tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a picturesque coastal traffic port, with a revolving reflector lighthouse, 12 meters high, signaling 4 intermittent flashes. Its inhabitants, still preserve the traditions and folklore of the Mayan fisher folk. Their activities consist out of fishing (octopus, grouper, dogfish and king crab), salt extraction and agriculture (corn and citric).
The "Ría de Celestún", as the estuary is locally called, is 22.5 Km. long and has an average width of 1.25 Km. It displays an exceptional landscape created by the unusual combination of natural resources, flora and fauna that constitute an ecosystem representative of the dry tropics. Its shape is rectangular and stretches out from northeast to southwest. The communication with the Gulf of Mexico is through a narrow mouth, 0.46 Km. wide, in the farthest southern part of the lagoon.
Main wintering area for greater flamingos, nesting beaches for endangered sea turtles, endemic plants and birds in coastal dune scrubs; estuary "nurseries" for countless fish and marine species; highly productive mangrove communities; two endangered crocodile species; migrant and wintering waterbirds, shorebirds and songbirds.
Over 300 bird species can be found in Celestun's Special Biosphere Reserve: cardinals, orioles, motmots, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, kingfishers, cormorants, magnificent frigate birds, herons, egrets, white ibises, wood storks, ospreys, hawks, vultures, sandpipers, roadrunners, owls, pelicans, etc. There are some endemic birds such as the Yucatan Wren, the Black-throated Bobwhite and the Mexican Sheartail Hummingbird. Celestun is considered the fourth largest wintering ground for ducks in the Gulf region. In winter you're likely to observe over 13 migrant duck species. But surely the most popular bird and the most sought after is the Pink Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber).
Convent’s Route (full day trip)
The convent route is a trip where you can meet with the heart and the roots of Yucatan. Since the arrival of the Franciscan priests in 1524 many of the indigenous buildings were destroyed in order to build on top of them convents or catholic constructions, these was a common symbol of the triumph over Mayan beliefs.
Muna (new water)
Muna is a small town on the road to the Puuc sites (Uxmal is just a few miles to the south). The 16th century Franciscan monastery, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, stands in the large plaza and, like most Yucatecan monasteries, is partly preserved. The church square has been transformed into a public square. The monastery and church were enlarged in the 17th century and other elements added. The furniture and altars were destroyed in 1915.
Tikul
Referred to as the Pearl of the South, this bustling city-town is located 100 kilometers south of Merida. Ticul produces all the wonderful red clay planter pots that you see in the area. It is also known for the fine leather shoes designed and made here in town. Most of these businesses-clay and shoes- are home based workshops where you will find the entire family working.
Oxkutzcab (Place of the Ramon, Tabacco and Honey)
Was founded by a group of Maya Xiu and named after St. Francis of Assisi, the church was built between 1581 and 1699 with a convent beside it. The Franciscan coat-of-arms is carved on the central arch in the facade, at the level of the bell towers.
Mani (Everything ended)
There is a church and a convent on Mani. The first temple was raised in 1547 and in 1559 was built over on stone. The greatest importance of Mani in history is on July 12th, 1562 when Friar Diego de Landa settled a rule of faith against Mayan chiefs. He tortured, humiliated and maimed hundreds of the Maya, burned and destroyed priceless Mayan manuscripts and codices. These codices, the first books believed to have been produced in North America, were hand lettered on a type of bark that had been carefully worked until it was thin and pliable. For this reason, little is known today of Mayan history.
Tipikal (Place where they multiplied or stayed to live)
On Tipikal it's found the church dedicated to the Virgin of Magdalene, its construction is placed on the second half of the XVI century.
Teabo (There where Ek lives)
The temple of Saint Peter the Apostle was built here in Teabo between 1664 and 1696. The convent was established in 1607, which in time marked the beginning of the temple construction. This 17th century bascilican church was built along similar lines to the churches of Oxkutzcab and Tekax. The nave is 60 yards long and 22 yards wide. Frescos recently discovered in the sacristy are clearly of European inspiration and are among the most beautiful found anywhere in Yucatan. The cloister, which like most Yucatecan colonial buildings, was part of a complicated network of massive structures. Fragments of frescos on these structures have survived the eroding effects of the weather.
Chumayel (Mayan trunk or base)
The sacred book of the Mayas, "Chilam Balam" was first found on Chumayel. The temple and convent are believed to be built on the XVI century and are dedicated to the Virgin of Conception.
Mama (Where there is no water)
You can also visit the church of the Ascension on Mama. Built on the XVII century, its facade distinguishes from the rest of the temple by its marvelous Mayan handwork on the stones. The church has a display of paintings and saints on each wall. It has room for five bells and the convent's inner patio contains the remains of four sundials.
Mayapan
This important archaeological site (Mayapan was the last Maya capital) is in the process of being restored. Kukulcan II of Chichen Itza founded Mayapan between 1263 and 1283 AD. After his death an aggressive family named the Cocoom seized power and used Mayapan as a base to subjugate northern Yucatan. They succeeded through wars using by Tabascan mercenaries and intermarrying with other powerful families.
The Cocoom ruled for 250 years until 1441 - 1461 AD when an upstart Uxmal based family named Xiu rebelled and slaughtered the Cocoom.
Tekit (Place where there were rubber trees)
On Tekit you can visit the church of Saint Anthony of Padua, built in 1591, the convent next door has a collection of paintings from the XVI century.
Tecoh (Place of the puma)
Tecoh's the place where the temple of the Candelaria is found. The temple was built in 1751 and is dedicated to the Virgin of the Ascension. This temple is also built on top of a Mayan pyramid.
Acanceh (deer moan)
The main attraction here is “the square of the three cultures” which brings together the pre-hispanic, colonial and contemporary eras. In Acanceh it's found the chapel and convent of the Virgin of Guadalupe, both from the XVI century. The 17th century facade has an entrance with twisted columns and an entablature at the dividing point between two parts. Above the entrance, the chancel window is surmounted by a curved pediment. Next to the church are the ruins of a pyramid with four tiers and a central staircase (above) and, about 300 yards further on, the ruins of another, monumental pyramid. The facade of the so-called "Stucco Palace" is decorated with an extremely rare, Late Classic cosmological composition whose main figures are symbolic animals.
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