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!

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