Tours
Ek Balam
Ek Balam is a Mayan city located 30 km north of the city of Valladolid, 2 km from the Mayan village of Ek Balam. In Yucatec Maya, Eek 'Balaam means "black jaguar" (Ek, black, Balam, jaguar). Ekbalam was a city connected to Chichen Itzá and Cabo Catoche Ecab, a large Sacbé (white Maya road) connected these three cities.
Founded in the year 100 B.C. it reached its peak from the year 600 to 1000 A.D.
The human settlement in Ek Balam grew about 12 square km including a central religious area of one square km, where the elite resided. This small central area was protected by three walls.
It was a very rich Mayan capital called Talol, according to written sources of the sixteenth century, it was founded by Éek'Báalam (jaguar dark) or CalBalam Coch.
The entrance to this site protected by two walls begins with a magnificent Mayan arch, then, the ceremonial center buildings, the oval palace and a Mayan ball game.
The Acropolis on the north side is the largest structure and contains the tomb “Ukit Le'k Kan Tok”. It is 146 meters long, 55 meters wide and 29 meters high. The stucco frieze, wonderfully preserved, covers the door with open jaws and fangs of a serpent or monster, on the top of them, the king on his throne and to the sides, the figures of winged warriors, this type of decoration appears only in Ekbalam and in the distant Chenes style, in Campeche.
Chichen Itza
One of the new 7 wonders of the modern world.
Just 40 km from Valladolid, this impressive Mayan city (which means "At the mouth of the well of the Itzaes), has much to offer: The impressive castle 30 meters high of Kukulcan and the solar calendar which is reflected in, it The Maya Ballgame largest in Mesoamerica, the Sacred Cenote, the Temple of the Warriors and the Astronomical Observatory in the form of a snail.
The city was founded in the year 435 A.D. The villagers were part of an ancient Mayan group. Around the year 900, the tribe came to Chichen Itza and introduced the new architectural style of simple lines, without the notorious previous sculptural work style. In the Late Post classic (1200-1400), were constructed buildings with militarized Toltec style, whose internal conflicts led to the decay and neglect, by the fifteenth century.
El Castillo or Pyramid of Kukulcan, is the most impressive monument in Chichen Itza, the grandeur and perfection in its construction are presented in the middle of a large square, around which other magnificent buildings rise, and thanks to its excellent proportions and design it can be admired at great distance. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Maya-Toltec architecture. The building is classified as a mausoleum for the great number of tombs that have been found. Inside the pyramid, which is supported by a square base of 55.5 m. side, was built in honor of Kukulcan. It is a monumental building of nine bodies and four facades decorated with representations of snakes and tigers. The four staircases have 91 steps each, added to the input of the upper temple it is equivalent to 365 days a year. So some experts think it may have been built to worship the sun.
The Sacred Cenote is open and there, many offerings of jade, gold, pottery and human skeletons were found.
Izamal
Only 100 km from Valladolid is Izamal City, it is known as the City of Three Cultures because here you can find pre-Hispanic, Colonial and Modern buildings
From its origins, the legends of the groups speak of Itza “Zamna”, "Dew of Heaven" god inventor of writing and discoverer of sisal fiber and its benefits and, thanks to the “Chilam Balam of Chumayel”, (sacred book of the Mayans), it is known that these people was an important ally of the society that inhabited “Chichen Itza” in the fight against “Mayapán”.
Based on the archaeological remains, it is estimated that pre-Hispanic settlement covered an area of 10 square kilometers where the elite lived.
Researchers have found and catalogued about 80 Mayan structures within the layout of the city. One of the most important is the pyramid “Kinich Kak Moo”, which is the third largest volume pre-Hispanic structure in Mexico.
The convent of San Antonio de Padua, without a doubt one of the best most impressive monastic ensembles of the sixteenth century in all of Mexico, was erected on the ruins of the ancient ceremonial center. Dedicated to the Virgen de la Concepción, with the largest enclosed atrium in Mexico, close in size to that of St. Peter in Rome. It has 75 arches that form an impressive corridor of 7000,806 meters square.
Rio Lagartos
In the fishing village of Rio Lagartos, 104 km from Valladolid, Hol-Kobena original name under which it was named by the first settlers, which means in Mayan language, "the three stones that form a fire."
The town of Rio Lagartos has a land area of 249.09 km2. Taking as economic livelihood fishing, trade, agriculture, livestock and tourism.
Rio Lagartos is a sanctuary for breeding and nesting Pink American flamingo that along with 320 other bird species make the reserve their home. Where combined area of wetlands and sub-tropical forest, also develop the Lizard and the Crocodile, as well as different species of turtles armadillos, raccoons, spider monkeys, ocelots, deer, leopard and jaguar.
The Biosphere Reserve Ria Lagartos, is one of the mangrove areas and hillocks largest and most important of the Yucatan Peninsula. In the region there are few human settlements, which favors the concentration of animal species.
The reserve has a total area of 60,347.82 hectares, divided into 6 core areas and buffer zones. The Reserve is a complex of terrestrial, freshwater and marine, ecosistems and it has a great diversity of plant communities, among which there are 10 types of vegetation
Tulum
Nestled between the white sand that draws the pristine beaches of the Caribbean Sea and lush tropical rainforest, lies the enigmatic Mayan city of Tulum, the only City built by the sea. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the State of Quintana Roo, southeastern Mexico, on the northern border of the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. It is located 145 km south of the cosmopolitan city of Cancun,
The old walled city, built on top of a 12-meter cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, comprising the remains of one of the finest cities of the ancient Maya world. Other important archaeological sites are nearby: Coba, located 42Km. northwest of Tulum and Chichen Itza, which is 159Km in the same direction. Endowed with unparalleled natural beauty, the region has a prodigious rain forest containing a number of natural wells that the ancient Mayans called "cenotes," , endless Caribbean coastline that receives each year thousands of turtles that choose this .paradise to lay their eggs.
The observatory on the main piramid was very important for Maya travelers. It is located in an opening of the great reef of the Mexican Caribbean.
For many years, Tulum has been a mecca for travelers seeking spiritual and physical relaxation, the possibility of practicing meditation and yoga, or enjoy a Temazcal - ancient Mayan steam bath - are among the many attractions to visitors. Therefore, Tulum is undoubtedly an eco-archaeological destination for lovers of nature, sun, and history.
Church Uayma
The village of Uayma stands as head of the municipality of the same name according to the Organic Municipal Law of the State of Yucatan.
A great attraction which the municipality has is Huayun-Ha cenote (Where there is water). Where one can see a myriad of local birds and wildlife (turtles, Hail To'j, among others).
Another major attraction is the "Temple and former Convent of Santo Domingo", built with stones from the nearby Mayan ruins in 1646. During the Caste War, the Maya rebels captured Uayma and destroyed the original church but it was rebuilt in 1891 The restoration of the church culminated in 2005, leaving it in a state very similar to what it was originally, it has a Moorish decoration unique in Mexico and a Visit to this convent is highly recommended as it is unique in all of Mexico.
Punta Laguna
The nature reserve Otoch Ma 'x Yetel Kooh (home of the spider monkey and panther) is located 58 km from Valladolid. This place is known for its large population of spider monkeys and a small group of howler monkeys. The town of Punta Laguna is located in the Municipality of Chemax (State of Yucatán), it has 105 inhabitants. Hidden in the Yucatan, guided tours through some of the forest paths reveal many exotic plants and animals, and pre-Hispanic ruins partially buried.
Along with four other villages, Punta Laguna is part of a nature reserve of 5000 acres protected by the government called Yetel Ma'ax Kooh, Mayan for "house of spider monkey and the jaguar." In addition to the single species of spider monkeys living in the area, the reserve is also home to howler monkeys, pumas, coatis, and several birds.
Coba
Coba is an ancient city of the pre-Hispanic Mayan civilization. It is surrounded by 5 lakes. Located in the state of Quintana Roo and as part of the Riviera Maya, Coba is 90 km. east of Chichen Itza, 44 km northwest from Tulum and 40 km from the Caribbean Sea.
The word Coba means "ruffled waters" and is one of the oldest Mayan cities in the Yucatan Peninsula. Coba has one of the highest pyramids in the area and is distinguished by its many stone paths or "sacbeob, about 40. Which linked coba with other Mayan cities, although Coba reached its most intense activity by for the year 600AD., it settled 100 years earlier.
Several groups of structures are scattered in Coba and many more are planning to be restored. The tallest pyramid is called Nohoch Mul and is 43 meters or 136 feet tall.
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