Traditional Mayan PIB Culinary and Archeology Experience
If you are a food lover or a lover of all things Mayan-related, and you have a social bent to support local initiatives, this tour is perfect for you and your group.
As with all of our other tours, this one is private, which means it’s just you and your friends, family or relatives.
Socially Responsible, Sustainable, Empowering
What we strive for with this and all our tours is not just moving you from A to B to snap some selfies. To take you places where you get trampled under hordes of tourists.
No, we are interested in the kind of tourism that is a win-win-win. A win:
for you, as you will have an unforgettable experience.
for the folks involved in the villages and at attractions who receive a direct benefit from your visit.
for us, and our employees, who create this synergy.
Yaxunah
The archeological site of Yaxunah (Mayan language for “first house”) is run and maintained by ejidatorios - local men - from the Yaxunah community. There are no ticket booths, bus parking lots or hordes of visitors. Your entry fee goes directly to those caring for the place, not some far-away government entity. It’s a site that is stretched out over 500 hectares (over 2000 acres) of land, and the lack of crowds may make Yaxunah your favorite lost Mayan city in the jungle ever.
The Cooking Experience
The cooking experience is provided by Rosalia Chay (above) whom you have perhaps met on Netflix! She was featured in the Chef’s Table BBQ series where she demonstrates the ancestral traditions involved in the preparation of Yucatan’s emblematic cochinita pibil. While she has become somewhat of an international star, she continues to proudly cook the traditional way and represent the true Mayan culture to locals and foreigners alike. Again, like with the folks at the archeological site, the money earned contributes directly to her and her family’s income and is not filtered through others. You are thereby having a direct and palpable impact in the lives not only of Rosalia and her household, but also the tiny community of Yaxunah as well.
Itinerary:
09:00 Pick up at your Merida, Rivera Maya, Tulum or Cancun location
11:00 Arrive at the archeological site of Yaxunah
11:00 Tour of the site with your guide, at your pace
13:00 Yaxunah, photos and stroll around, possible cenote visit to cool off
14:00 Cooking and food preparation with Rosalia and her family
16:00 Return to your Merida, Rivera Maya, Tulum or Cancun location
Details:
All transportation is in insured, air-conditioned and sanitized vehicles with federal tourism plates as required by law and insurance.
Stops can and are made along the way whenever there is a photo opportunity, or the chance to buy some interesting (and safe) street food.
A professional Lawson’s driver and Lawson’s guide/host accompany each group
There is an on-board cooler with refreshments of your choice on ice. Water is standard but we can include sodas, fruit drinks, power drinks, beer, wine or - for a small additional cost - something more fancy like a bottle of tequila, champagne, or perhaps a quart or two of our famous Lawson’s Original Fruit Punch. Made with tons of rum and plenty of fruit juice, it’s refreshing and packs quite a punch!
This tour is a warm and intimate incursion into real Mayan life, without all the crass commercial trappings of an overhyped, overcrowded bus tour.
Interested? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to prepare a quote for you and your group!