Izamal, Mexico
March 9-17, 2024
Our next stop in our Yucatan adventure is the small town of Izamal - known as the "yellow city". There's no definitive answer as to why Izamal is painted yellow. Some sources say it started as a tradition to honour the sun god of Mayan culture, others say it began as a way to spruce up the town for the Pope's visit in 1993 - no one can really agree! Izamal is older than it seems, dating back to the Mayan empire with some of its structures like the pyramid ruins of Kinich Kak Moo dating to AD 600-800. Its a Unesco World Heritage site and also what's called a "pueblo magico" (a magical town). It attracts a lot of day trippers from nearby cities and is quickly becoming a popular hot spot. Its a laid paid town, easy to navigate and we enjoyed our week here.
Our Accommodations
We found a great Airbnb apartment that was located right next to the pyramid ruins!
It was modern and comfortable and had great amenities. We could easily walk to the centre in 15 minutes.
The Convent
The Convento de San Antonio de Padua is a main attraction in Izamal. It was built in the mid-16th century by the Spanish and painted a bright yellow like the rest of the town. Sadly, the indigenous people were forced to destroy their own temple in order to build this cathedral right on its foundation.The stones of the demolished Mayan pyramids were used as the foundation of this very convent!
The Convento de San Antonio de Padua is a main attraction in Izamal. It was built in the mid-16th century by the Spanish and painted a bright yellow like the rest of the town. Sadly, the indigenous people were forced to destroy their own temple in order to build this cathedral right on its foundation.The stones of the demolished Mayan pyramids were used as the foundation of this very convent!
Around Izamal
The Traditional Mayan House
These houses were originally constructed thousands of years ago at the times of ancient Maya.
They're an outstanding example of architectural efficiency, creating a construction that’s ideal for the climate
based on centuries of experimentation and learning. They are still built today but the younger generations
are not picking up the tradition as their older generations once did.
These houses were originally constructed thousands of years ago at the times of ancient Maya.
They're an outstanding example of architectural efficiency, creating a construction that’s ideal for the climate
based on centuries of experimentation and learning. They are still built today but the younger generations
are not picking up the tradition as their older generations once did.
A great food find was Patio 21 - Just down the street from our Airbnb.
The food was great and the people so friendly
Another great place to eat at the local mercado - called Loncheria La Conchita
Run by a tiny Mayan woman they served up good salbutes and sandwiches.
Exploring the Mayan Pyramid Ruins - Kinach Kak Moo
Named after the Sun God, the pyramid was built some time between 400-500 BC. It’s only partially restored and isn't one of the most spectacular ruins, but it was a very important pilgrimage site and is one of the largest pyramids in all of Mexico. The ruins are free to enter and explore and are located right in the centre of town. Incredibly, you can climb these ruins for a great view overlooking Izamal's centre.