Date: 06/01/2013 à 08/01/2013

Path: Take the Carretera Mexico 180, passando por Valladolid.

The Northern Yucatan - Merida and Chichen Itza

Found in northern Yucatán, a people who proudly preserve their traditions. Guardam a rich heritage of the Mayan civilization and also customs brought by the Spaniards. Conhecer a região é como experimentar um pouco do passado e dessa mistura cultural.

In another of our wanderings on "vacation" on the Yucatan Peninsula, we start from our HQ in Cancun toward the capital and largest city of the state of Yucatán: Merida. Founded em 1542 on the ruins of the Mayan city of T'ho, Today the city has about 800 mil habitantes e é uma das mais culturais de todo México.

The bank Valentine, Merida

The journey of about 310 km was entitled to some interesting stops along the way. The first was in the city of Valladolid, where we made a lunch. The city is very inviting for a stroll, with an air of cozy streets in front colonial architecture. We resist the temptation and continued our journey, since we wanted to get to the next stop on time. This was Chichen Itza, uma das mais famosas e bem preservadas ruínas da civilização maia em toda península.

Pracinha quiet, common in the colonial cities of the Yucatán

As was to be expected, arrived late in the ruins, so we enter in your last hour of operation (from 16 hours) Entries without paying. We ended up having to appeal to a lightning visit, buscando os principais pontos de interesse dentro do sitio arqueológico.

A Pirâmide de Kulkucan, em Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá functioned as political and economic center of the Mayan civilization, offering several buildings in a city of architectural design that impresses with its complexity. Estrturas like pyramid Kukulkán, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners are in great condition after all this time. It is estimated that Chichén Itzá was founded around the year 435 and 455 a.C.

Sumptuous and impressive

We lost some very important points that we would like to know how the Juego de Pelota and Cenote, mas o que pudemos ver ainda que rápido foi impressionante.

Well preserved ruins

We follow with Tanajura to our final destination, Merida. Again, got a lot of hotel to spend our nights in tents. Este esquema tem funcionado muito bem nesses últimos dias de México.

The style of colonial Merida

Do not need much time in the city to identify the triple jewel of his crown: architecture, food and music. All this in historical and cultural context extremely rich. Mérida was for a time the center of Spanish power in colonial times, que se sobrepôs à resistência maia depois de anos de conflito.

Monument in honor of the Mayan

A visit to the Palacio Municipal, na Plaza Grande, is an invitation to dive into the city's history and Mexico, through huge murals painted throughout the building. In the same square is located the Casa Montejo, antiga moradia da família ligada à fundação da cidade.

All very colorful in the city center

One of several churches colonial Merida

The historic center is full of beautiful buildings around its cobbled streets. A arquitetura colonial muito bem preservada é um convite a uma caminhada sem compromisso pela cidade.

Beside the Colonial Palace, Modern art is inspired by the indigenous traditions

Churches spread throughout the city

Within the Colonial Palace, murals represent landmarks of Mexican and hisória yucateca

Legends also part of the murals

On the way, several restaurants highlight the unique culinary culture yucateca. How could it be, the kitchen features a mix of European and Mayan flavors, Corn being a crucial ingredient. We tried a variety of dishes (chicken pibil, POC Chuco and other) La Chaya Maya restaurant not, a delight!

Experience the flavors of the cuisine Ločan

Variety of igredientes and Seasonings

To complete the cultural experience, music! Mérida is proud to present their customs and traditions to visitors. Throughout the year, typical dance performances are done free on Plaza Grande. We had the opportunity to enjoy one. Spanish Dances, indigenous people and their garments. Nada melhor para representar o espírito da cidade.

Presentation of typical dance in the square

Outdoor culture and grace

The return of Mérida was the end of our "vacation" of Expedition. Nossa Last visit was left at the airport in Cancun, and then 20 dias no Yucatán, Expedition made its way. Although we made a quick stop (again) the beautiful Laguna Bacalar south of the peninsula, before continuing on the road. The end of "holiday" was also the end of our passage through Mexico and amazing dear. The two months we spent in the country were not even close enough to do everything we wanted. A simpatia, a cultura, a nature, Mexican food ford stop longing. But the expedition has to continue. Hit the road! Destination: Central America!

For more pictures of the northern Yucatan, click here!

The post Maya, Spaniards and Culture yucateco appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 22/12/2012 à 11/01/2012

Path: We crossed the Riviera Maya up and down, and also stretch from Cancun to Merida region. We left to return to Bakalar Bakalar over 20 dias depois.

I do Yucatan Peninsula: The Holiday Expedition

After crossing almost the entire territory of Mexico, reached its most glorious: do Yucatan Peninsula. A place where beauty paradisiacal beaches and cenotes mix to impressive archaeological ruins of Mayan civilization, as well as the glamor of luxury hotels and endless parties. Foi no Yucatán, that somehow, took a vacation Expedition. Curtimos the quiet place, with friends, won during cerca de dias. There was no shortage of stories to tell.

Relaxando Ao Por-do-Sol Isla Mujeres

Since entering Mexico not, counted the days to our arrival in Yucatan Peninsula, the extreme southeastern. Although generally not very close to being very touristy regions, we wanted to check for ourselves this region so beautiful, Highly fashionable and known by Brazilians. Moreover, that was where we would find friends who decided to pay us a visit at the end of the year. Estava tudo programado há meses e a ansiedade era grande.

Too bad that did not last long, Cass saudades!

The Yucatan Peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico and compreende states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo, and the last one is one of the jewels of the Mexican tourism. In it is located no less than the very famous Cancun, and other beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya, extending over a range of about 130 km desde a cidade de Puerto Morelos até a paradisíaca Tulum.

The blue of the Caribbean beaches of the Riviera Maya

Cancun was the place chosen to be our headquarters in the region. It was the easiest place that people could fly to wherever they were to visit us. Depois da saga ate Bakalar (empty link), stretch right to the city, in order to establish our base and begin to enjoy our holidays with friends. We were immensely happy to have company for Christmas, quando a saudade da família e dos amigos bate mais forte.

We arrived in Cancun on exactly 22 December and would leave only the day away 11 January. As our HQ, was there and we went out there we returned on shorter trips to other parts of the peninsula. We found a camping away as much as the hype, but it had a price infinitely cheaper options that best located hostels, and without comparing it with the hotels glamorous Zona Hoteleira. O Camping was El Meco Loko, near the beach Meco stations and ferry departing for Isla Mujeres. Some days there and we felt at home already, so much so that often the young who charged us at the entrance, now let us to pay days after returning. E as idas e vindas foram várias.

Morning on camping El Meco Loko

The road to the campground to the airport and still know by heart, so many were the times that we. In 20 days, some went to the airport 6 times, two for each visit would. Our first visit was awaited and super to the Cassia, longtime friend from college and a great supporter of our project. It was with that she spent the night of Christmas, nothing on a traditional dinner, watered the many memories and laughs; and other memorable days, that were not enough to kill the longing. After, we were pleased to receive two friends who met along the journey: to Giulli, one of our dear host in Salt Lake City and Julia, German we met during our stay in the Amazon jungle. Estas foram nossas companheiras para a festa de Ano Novo e outros dos dias das nossas férias.

The models that accompanied us in Cancun

Directly from Germany

Our routine always changes when we have company. Seems that give us extra energy, a willingness to share all the joy that the trip has provided us. Also strange is that taste of home, people we know and we like. Nesse sentido, is that these days in the Yucatan Peninsula vacation seemed like the Expedition. All in good company!

New Year in CocoBongo

The Yucatan Peninsula has the ability to attract an interesting variety of tourists. Since most revelers, hungry ballad and days at the beach tanning, even the most interested in the remaining remnants of the Mayan culture or colonial. Também há aqueles que apenas querem curtir a riqueza natural espalhada em todos os cantos.

Our vacation ended up being a mixture of moments. Now we were just enjoying the beautiful nature of the crystal blue water beaches or even the cenotes; either caíamos in the gandaia and render parties, that are a trademark of the region. Ainda tivemos tempo para conhecer mais ruínas da civilização maia e também o clima aconchegante de Mérida.

Praia em Isla Mujeres

Charming little square in Merida

It was difficult to choose a script, since the options on the Yucatan Peninsula are numerous. We had no option but to leave some things to the next opportunity. In the end, points of interest that were part of our visitation list: Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, Merida, Chichen Itza, Gran Cenote, 3 Cenotes, Bakalar.

Given this diversity, condensamos the five reasons why we strongly recommend a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula:

1) The Beaches: Not only in Cancun Caribbean blue water that makes eyes shine. Na chamada Riviera Maya, There is a sequence of amazing beaches, in a range 130 km along the coast. Cities can even be a bit too elegant and full of gringos, with its chic hotels and charming bars, but this does not detract from the natural beauty of its beaches. Among elas, that was more like that of Tulum, onde ainda se pode encontrar um lugar tranquilo e preservado para relaxar diante do cenário paradisíaco.

Visual paradise in Tulum

2) Os Cenotes: Formations very characteristics of the Yucatan Peninsula, the cenotes are deep wells resulting from the collapse of limestone, permitting the submersion of groundwater. Not found, are pools of crystalline water, generally surrounded by caves, and emanating a blue unexplainable in words to meet with the sun. During holidays, passed the Gran Cenote, near Tulum and also by 3 cenotes, located in the region of Merida. There are many others scattered across the peninsula, igualmente ou até mais impressionantes.

The mesmerizing blue of the Grand cenotes

3) The Mayan Ruins: As in much of Mexico, the remnants of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. The region was home to the Mayan and Olmec, and some of its ancient cities still have survived. Chichen Itza is one of the best known and best preserved, encompassing an impressive complex of pyramids and other buildings. Em Tulum, as ruínas à beira-mar proporcionam uma vista esplendorosa.

Pyramid Kukulcán, em Chichén Itzá

4) A Yucatecan Culture: with a rich mix of Mayan heritage with Spanish customs, the state of Yucatán preserve their traditions very well. The city of Merida, for example, is a great place to enjoy the exotic cuisine yucateca, but also appreciate their customs, architecture and music.

Presentation of dances, Merida

5) The Nightlife: For anyone who is looking for those parties that pass the limits of dawn, options abound in Yucatán. Those in Cancun already have that mindset of fun in head and animates it most parties. It was there that enjoyed one of the most diverse and lively ballads of travel: o CocoBongo. Playa del Carmen is also a center for bars and clubs more elegant and full of glamor. In Isla Mujeres can also find an interesting shake. Ultimately, for baladeiros of carteirinha, a região é um paraíso.

CocoBongo, the ballad in Cancun

Ultimately, as you can imagine, spent those twenty-something days “holidays” a good. More details of our comings and goings, tales and encounters in the Yucatan Peninsula during our “holidays” seen in upcoming posts! Wait!

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