Into the Mayan Heartland
A fantastic, flexible and memorable tour for the more adventurous traveler, who wants to explore majestic caves, meet local families in tiny Mayan villages, eat home-made food, and visit Mayan archeological sites that a tourist will never see. All this, combined with a relaxed pace and plenty of time for conversation and contemplation, makes for an unparalleled experience.
Our two night and three day journey (also available as a three night, four day outing) takes you into the beating heart of the Yucatan, following the steps of explorers such as Edward Thompson, the tag team of Stephens and Catherwood, and so many others.
Itinerary
Day 1 - leave Merida and its noise and traffic and head southeast. On the way, depending on your interests and time available, we can stop at
the archeological site of Mayapan, home to the last great allegiance of the Mayans just moments before the arrival of the Spanish
the pueblo mágico of Maní, home to a giant convent, the famous Tutul Xiu restaurant, and the site of one of the greatest tragedies in Mayan history, when the overly zealous Friar Diego de Landa destroyed almost all the written Mayan culture in a single bonfire event, thinking he was doing God’s work
A restaurant located in a mamey orchard that features grilled rabbit and quail
the Oxcutzcab fruit market, famous for its variety and the fact that all fruit production from the area is concentrated here and buyers come from all over the peninsula to purchase industrial amounts of limes, oranges, papayas, mangos, and whatever fruit is in season
That afternoon-evening we check into a delightful home on a peaceful treed property near the town of Tzucacab with plenty of room and a refreshing pool in which we discuss the day’s highlights while sipping a caipirinha or margarita or perhaps a beer or three. We also make plans for our second day!
Day 2 - After preparing our breakfast, we depart and visit the market of Tekax to buy supplies for dinner and chat with the market ladies. We visit the tourism office and meet up with one of our local contacts to
spend the morning in the hills and caves around Tekax. This trip can be as adventurous as you like, with a light peek into the caves or a more demanding crawling and scampering spelunking adventure with headlamps deep under the earth. There is a zip line and there is the opportunity to rappel. Sturdy hiking shoes recommended!
drive to the “last” Mayan city on the Puuc route, one never visited by the great majority of tourists and truly a lost city in the jungle. Much is preserved, even more is covered by wilderness. It is Chacmultun and features Puuc elements that link it to the great city of Uxmal some distance away
visit a rural community in the heart of the forest and among vast extensions of fruit trees and tiny towns. Photography buffs will enjoy the many opportunities en route. Once there, a mountain bike ride into the country to learn about the bees and honey production, the local efforts to replant the forest, the chance to see a hammock being made and meet Petronilo, a man dedicated to the rustic production of a kidney stone remedy made from the branches and bark of local plants.
After a long day of activities, back to the pool, dinner is prepared and more great conversation before crashing to sleep in preparation for
Day 3 - A leisurely morning at home, or a morning visit to the town of Tekax to see the chapel on the hill and the famous 3-story house that still has on its front door the scars of a machete-wielding mob from the Caste War in the mid 1800’s. Then, a short trip to a nearby community to enjoy a lunch made by a lovely couple in their home. We will have the opportunity to chat with them about life in their village, eat some of the best corn tortillas ever and know that our visit is a great help to their family economy.
Then we pack up and start our drive back to Merida, with a potential stop for lunch at
Mani’s Tutul Xiu restaurant for exceptional Poc Chuc
Sotuta de Peon’s fabulous Yucatecan menu
Hacienda Mucuyche’s varied and tasty Yucatecan menu
By late afternoon we are back in Merida, having created memories to last a lifetime and experienced a side of the Yucatan not seen by most visitors.
Trip Notes:
originally from Merida, this tour can also be planned and taken from Cancun, Tulum or from anywhere along the Caribbean coast with a few adjustments on arrival and departure days
while this tour is three days and two nights, we can extend it for three or more nights, depending on your time, accommodation availability and level of interest
contact us at ralf@lawsonsyucatanexcursions.com or the online form here, for more information and to discuss pricing and options
The photos below are of this trip, taken in May of 2021, just before the rains and although it was hot, there were no mosquitoes.
