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Valladolid
The beautiful colonial town of Valladolid was founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo in 1543. It was established on the remains of a Maya town called Zaci, the buildings of which were dismantled to build the sixteenth century town. Highlights of a tour to Valladolid are the majestic Cathedral of San Gervasio, completed in 1570 by the Franciscans and a walk down the Calle de los Frailes (Street of the Friars) with its brightly colored colonial buildings.
A trip to Valladolid would not be complete without a visit to the impressive San Bernadino Convent, the two large cenotes Zaci and Dzitnup, the San Roque Museum and the Government Palace with its huge murals depicting Mexican history.
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Merida
The beautiful colonial town of Merida is located at about 4 hours drive from Akumal. It was founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo in 1542 and established on the remains of a Mayan town called T'ho (also known as Ichcaanzihó or "city of the five hills", referring to five pyramids)
Merida has the second largest historical center of any city in the Americas, surpassed only by Mexico City. The historical center of Merida is currently undergoing a dramatic "facelift" as more and more individuals and businesses are investing in the renovation of the city's colonial building, restauring them back to their former glory.Merida is the perfect base to travel to Celestun, the ruins of Uxmal and Mayapan, the extraordinary Lol Tun Caves or to take a tour around the fabulous Haciendas and Convents in the area.
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| Izamal
Izamal, the "City of Hills", is located in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 3 hours drive from Akumal. It is famed for its yellow colonial buildings, and along with its cobblestoned streets and colonial lampposts, it is a truly magical town.The main tourist attraction in Izamal is its Franciscan Covent, which was built atop an ancient Mayan pyramid. Also known as the "City of Three Cultures", Izamal is a combination of prehispanic, colonial and contemporary arquitecture, religion, art and customs.
Izamal has a fabulous Light and Sound Show on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings at 8.30pm
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| Chichen Itza
The ruins of Chichen Itzaare a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization, located in the North of the Yucatán Peninsula, about 3 hours drive away from Akumal. Chichen Itza means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza" in Maya , which was probably a reference to the three cenotes which provided plentiful water for the settlement.The most popular with visitors is the "Cenote of Sacrifice" which would draw worshipers of the Maya rain god Chaac.
The site contains many buildings in various states of preservation; including temples, palaces, stages, markets, baths, and ballcourts. Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulcan (the plumed serpent god), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle).On the Spring and Fall equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent along the side of the North staircase.
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Tulum
The dramatic Mayan ruins of Tulum stand on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean sea. Tulum was first occupied in the Late Postclassic period, beginning about a.d. 1200. Its principal structures are similar to those found at Mayapan. Tulum was an important port and trading center for the Yucatan's east coast Maya.
Within the walls of the city lies a series of platforms and buildings, including ruined palaces and elevated temples. The most impressive structure is "El Castillo". The temple of the Frescos is also interesting. It has murals that are similar to the designs of the Paris Codex, one of the few surviving Mayan books.
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| Muyil
Muyil archaeological site is located on the mainland side of a lagoon in the Sian Ka´an Biosphere, about 25 kilometres South of the town of Tulum.Most of the buildings on the site date back to 1100-1200 AD. It is believed that Muyil was once an important trading post as it is ideally located in the proximity of two lagoons: Muyil and Chunyaxche.
The site has a fabulous walkway through the jungle to the lagoons, where you can hire a guide to take you on a boat tour around the mangrove area in the Biosphere. The jungle portion ends with a chance to climb up an observation tower to see the Sian Ka'an Biosphere from a fabulous bird's eye view.
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