WHAT TO DO IN IZAMAL YUCATáN

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Day 30: Mérida - What to do in Izamal, Yucatán - Río Lagartos

Today is a special day in which we will make a stop in Izamal Yucatán, on the way to Río Lagartos, one of the most beautiful magical towns in Mexico.
As we did yesterday before starting to tour the Route of the Convents in the Yucatan Peninsula, when it is 7:30 in the morning we leave the Hotel Montejo, our accommodation in Mérida these nights, to go to breakfast at Starbucks, where we take a couple of paninni and a couple of coffees for 220 pesos.
As we commented in the stories of our Instagram, the days we have been in Mérida, time has not been very generous with us, being practically every day accompanied by a fairly gray sky, so seeing that today has dawned quite clear, we decided to take a walk through the most central area, before leaving for Izamal in Yucatan, which will be the first stop of the day of this trip to Mexico in 45 days.

Although initially we had not thought to be so long, the blue sky and the sun that accompanies us make us forget the clock, realizing practically the time that is when two hours have passed since we left the hotel, time that has done reconcile with this beautiful city of Yucatán.

Merida in Yucatan

A few minutes after 9 in the morning we go to the parking lot where we left the car parked all night and part of yesterday, where we paid 240 pesos.
To take into account that the prices we have seen in different car parks in the center of Mérida are between 14 and 16 pesos per hour, something you should know, in case you do not have parking in the accommodation. Although we left him on the street the first day and had no problems, there is not always a place near the accommodation.

Already prepared, we set course for Izamal magical town, when it is 9:30 in the morning, stopping before at a gas station to refill the tank for 432 pesos.
Izamal is 65 kilometers from Mérida and about 1 hour away, arriving at our destination when it is 10:45 in the morning, after a very quiet journey, except for a mistake we have at the exit of the peripheral ring of Mérida , which makes us delay a few minutes.
We have to say that as soon as we reach Izamal we are in one of the most incredible places we have ever been. We do not know the reason very well, but we have not needed more than a few minutes to know that this is another of our places in the world, to which we will surely return.

Izamal in Yucatan

We go directly to the center of the town, facing the former convent of San Antonio de Padua, symbol of Izamal, where we park on the street, in an area enabled for it that is also free.

What to do in Izamal Yucatán

Known to many as the yellow town of Mexico, Izamal magical town is one of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
Easily accessible from Mérida, although we have only been a few hours, we recommend you spend a day if you have time, not so much for its places to visit, which can be easily covered in a few hours, such as its atmosphere and charm, which is much wider .

Izamal lyrics

As in the rest of the cities and towns of Mexico, in Izamal you can also see the famous colored letters and in this case in a unique setting, in the Parque 5 de Mayo, just in front of the former convent of San Antonio de Padua.

Izamal Magic Town

Former convent of San Antonio de Padua

Symbol of Izamal, it was built by the Spaniards in 1533 after destroying the Mayan temple that was in place and from which still, today, you can see some of the stones that were used in the construction.

Former convent of San Antonio de Padua

The schedule of the former convent of San Antonio de Padua is from 6 am to 8 pm and admission is free. Keep in mind that every night there is a light and sound show, for 100 pesos per person, at 8:30 p.m.
If there is something that we recommend, in addition to the visit to the interior of course, it is to dedicate some time to surround it, since it is from that perspective that you have a real vision of the location and dimensions, really remarkable.

Details of one of the access ramps to the former convent of San Antonio de Padua

Former convent of San Antonio de Padua

Pyramid of Itzamatul

This pyramid, the second most important structure in Izamal, is often forgotten upon receiving all the attention of its neighboring Kinich Kakmó Pyramid. Although not essential, we believe that getting there is a unique opportunity to leave the most tourist streets of Izamal in Yucatan to see the local life.

Pyramid of Itzamatul

Kinich Kakmó pyramid

With 34 meters high this is the largest pyramid of the 34 that are located in Izamal and surroundings, as well as being one of the largest in Yucatan.
From the upper part you have views of the town and the convent of San Antonio de Padua.

Kinich Kakmó pyramid

Stroll through Izamal magical town

If there is something we recommend you to do in Izamal Yucatan, it is without a doubt, losing yourself in its streets of a yellow color that seems not to give way to anything or anyone.

Izamal

Although the streets closest to the convent are the most tourist, in addition to walking through them we advise you to walk through the most remote to see the most local atmosphere of the town, in addition to enjoying a unique atmosphere.

Izamal

As a curiosity we will tell you that the yellow color of Izamal is due to the visit of Pope John Paul II, who arrived here in 1993 and the town decided to paint its streets yellow in his honor to receive it.

Izamal

After the visits to do in Izamal that we have planned, in addition to having traveled practically all its streets, following the recommendations of many followers followers we approach to eat at Kinich, a highly recommended restaurant of Izamal, where Yucatecan food is the main protagonist .

More practical information to prepare your trip to Mexico
- The 10 best excursions in Riviera Maya
- The 10 essential places to see in Riviera Maya
- 10 essential things to do in Cancun
- 10 essential places to visit in Mexico
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Mexico
- Best travel insurance for Mexico
- Security in Mexico

We ordered some Kinich papadzules, a plate of cochinita pibil, deer dzic, more soda, beer and Neapolitan flan for 610 pesos. After the experience we have to say that despite being a tourist restaurant, the taste and quality of all the dishes is exquisite, the papadzules being the best we tried during the entire trip to Mexico for free.

Papadzules Kinich

Kinich

A few minutes past 2 in the afternoon when we finished the day in Izamal and the truth is that although with great sorrow, since we would not mind spending a full day here, we went to Río Lagartos which is the next stage of this travel.
After our experience we would tell you that if you have time, you consider spending a full day in Izamal, since the place is very worthwhile. Looking at it now from this perspective, we yesterday instead of having stayed in Mérida, it would probably have been better to extend the day to arrive here in the afternoon and have slept here, having all day today to enjoy this beautiful town.

We leave you a map with the points we visited on the route through Izamal, a magical town, among which are the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, the Itzamatul Pyramid and the Kinich Kakmó Pyramid.

Río Lagartos is 87 kilometers from Izamal and about two and a quarter hours away. The idea is to get there just before five in the afternoon, so as it will not be dark yet, we will try to approach Las Coloradas, one of the reasons to get to this area of Mexico, in addition to the possibility of returning to see flamingos, to see if at this time of day we can see that characteristic pink color seen in the photographs of this area of Mexico.

We arrived there when it is 4:20 p.m., taking into account that Posada el Perico Marinero, our accommodation in Rio Lagartos tonight, is approximately 20 kilometers from Las Coloradas and that this is later.
That is why the logical thing would have been to go through the hotel before, but seeing what time it is and that the pink color looks much better when the sun is high, we prefer to go directly to see how it is and make a kind of recognition of the terrain, as tomorrow we will return but with a tour.

Although on the road that runs parallel to the salt factory you can already see a stopped car, we advise you to continue until the end, where there are the lagoons where you can see the characteristic pink color.
You have to keep in mind that this place was not known for a while, so you could get here, park and walk with total peace of mind. Thanks to social networks, today it is one of the best known places in the area, so being a private enclosure, there are certain areas that cannot be accessed and to control it the company has workers who go by motorcycle letting people know where they can be and where not.
It should also be taken into account that it is totally forbidden to enter or touch the water, in addition to going through the roads that are not enabled for it.
A good option to see Las Coloradas if you are staying in the Rivera Maya and do not have a car, is to book this excursion.

Las Coloradas

We are here about 30 minutes, but checking that the sun is not at its best since it is quite low and the color pink is not as visible as when it is higher, we decide that tomorrow we will return to try our luck with the tour, which also includes other areas and in case it is not good time either, since we will do it in the early morning, return when finished by car.
So, taking this time for granted, we return to our steps now, already going to Rio Lagartos, where we will stay tonight.

But before arriving at the hotel we are right in front of a unique sunset, so we take the time to stop and introduce ourselves to Rio Lagartos in the best way and in one of the most beautiful moments of the day.

Sunset in Río Lagartos

We arrived at the Posada El Perico Marinero, a few streets ahead of where the restaurant of the same name is located and after parking in the back, we check-in to discover a room with views, in which we would not have had any problem to stay a few days

After resting for a while, when it is 8 pm we leave, with a storm that seems to announce what will happen in a few hours, going directly to the Perico Marinero restaurant where we ate a guacamole, more fish stuffed with the three cheeses, some shrimp Coconut, 2 lemonades and two coffees for 510 pesos.
All very good and with huge portions, so this place is more than recommended if you come here.
To take into account that in Mexico there are places, such as Río Lagartos where there are no ATMs and in which most stores do not accept a bank card to pay. Although this is not widespread, it should be taken into account to always carry some cash that allows you to get out of the way.

And so when it is 9:30 at night, with a storm that seems to take Rio Lagartos ahead we return to our hotel to rest and wait for tomorrow to fix the day a little.

Day 31: Río Lagartos Tour in Yucatán - Ek Balam - Valladolid