Merida, The White City

The city of Merida is often called the “white city”. It is very clean and very safe. It is a delightful combination of old colonial and cosmopolitan. The grand avenue Paseo Montejo is lined with beautiful turn of the century mansions with European influence. You will find that this city has a very different feel from Mexico City or the tourist destinations of Cancun or Puerta Vallerta. http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-merida.php

Chichen Itza

This is probably the most famous Mayan Ruin. Chichen Itza is located east of the city of Merida. The name means “mouth of the well of the itzaes”. This site is a combination of grandeur and nature. The Castle of Kulkucan rises 30 meters from the earth and is the most impressive building.
http://mysteriousplaces.com/mayan/TourEntrance.html

Uxmal

The name means “that which was built three times” or “Place of abundant harvest”. Uxmal is located 78 km from the city of Merida. The picturesque quality of this site is accented by the geometric proportions of the buildings and their facades, which are beautifully decorated with stone filigree. The aesthetic appeal of these characteristics is undeniable, the intricate stonework is truly incredible. The Mayas channeled their social energy into construction creating fabulous buildings. The architecture in this region is distinct from other sites in the Yucatan and is known as the Puuc style. http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/mexico/uxmal.html

Palenque

Palenque is hidden in the tropical jungle 9000 feet above sea level overlooking the lower coastal plain stretching to the Gulf of Mexico. The ruins can be found throughout a thick forest of mahogany, cedar and sapodilla trees, which in turn has kept the ruins hidden for many years until it was discovered by the Spaniards in the mid to late eighteenth century. In early morning hours the ruins are often covered in a blanket of fog. The fog, combined with the sun and trees produces one of the most aesthetically grand ruins ever visited. The site of Palenque stays at an average temperature of 79 degrees F.
http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/mexico/palenque.html

Celestun

A one hour drive from Merida is the city of Celestun on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Here we will take a boat ride out in the shallow marsh and through the mangrove trees to see the flamingoes. Celestun is the winter home to more than 18,000 flamingoes, representing North America’s only mainland flamingo population. The Celestun Estuary serves as the main feeding area for the pink American flamingo and many more graceful bird species like Osprey, Cormorant and Frigates.http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-celestun.htm

Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

We have visited many haciendas but this one tops them all. You feel as though you have been transported back through time to the height of the henequen (sisal) growing years. We tour the beautiful Casa Principal and then ride the rails out into the fields and see the actual process of growing and processing henequen. We will visit a Mayan palapa and the old Mayan will show us what the life of the field workers was like. At the end of the rails is a cenote or water cave where we see the underground river. The restaurant offers traditional Yucatecan Cuisine. This may be your favorite day.
http://www.haciendatour.com

Casa de Molina

This is a mansion that we have walked by so many times and watched from outside the gates the parties or weddings wishing we had been invited. Just recently the family has opened the home up for small tours. What a treasure! The current furnishings have been in the home since the family owned the home at the turn of the last century, Tiffany stained glass windows, Baccarat Crystal chandeliers imported from Europe and you might even get a glimpse of Carmelita who has been caring for the mansion for over 65 years.
http://www.laquintamm.com/