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Visiting Izamal: The Yellow City in Mexico

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:10:39 +0000

Izamal, located at the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico, is know as the yellow city. The fact that the whole city is painted in yellow makes it a very unique place to visit. This incredibly photogenic town is a fascinating maze of yellow colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Izamal still seems to be a little of the main tourism radar, making it a pleasant change from more touristy places. What’s more, Izamal has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site as well as being named one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). The yellow city of Izamal is certainly one worth visiting, it’s one of the coolest place I’ve visited. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the yellow city!

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at the main square in Izamal – photo edited with the Mexico preset pack, available here

Best time of the year to visit Izamal

Like with the rest of the Yucatán peninsula, the best time for visiting Izamal the yellow city is during the dry season, from late November through April. During these months the weather is cooler, drier and less humid than during the more humid rainy season. It’s worth noting that it can get unpleasantly hot in Izamal during March and April. So for those that prefer slightly lower temperatures, the months of November, December and January might be the best time to visit. The average temperatures during those months ranges around 25°C (77°F).

How much time do you need In Izamal

Izamal is small, so you’ll only need a couple of hours to see the main points of interest. A day trip should give you enough time to explore Izamal. However, if you have time and want spend the night there, here are your accommodation options.

I visited Izamal on a day trip from Mérida, where I stayed at Casa Continental which I can highly recommend! I did quite a bit of research on accommodations in Mérida before choosing this one, and it did not disappoint. Amazing value for money, comfy beds, A/C, helpful staff and it’s also very close to two great cafés – Baretto and Latte Quatro Sette.

photo edited with the mexico preset pack, available here

Things to know before visiting Izamal

Although visiting the yellow city Izamal is fairly straight forward, there are a few things you should keep in mind. To start with, it can get very hot in the middle of the day, so I’d recommend trying to get there early in the day so that you can explore before it gets too hot. Ideally, you’d want to sit down somewhere to eat during the hottest time of the day. Note that not many restaurants in Izamal seem to have A/C. If you find yourself in a desperate need of cooling down (which I did multiple times during the day haha) the only place I found with A/C was the Oxxo supermarket. Truly a lifesaver. I visited in late April and it was very very hot.

Another thing to keep in mind when visiting Izamal is that there aren’t too many attractions, so don’t expect there to be a long list of things to do and see. Visiting Izamal is mostly about wandering through the colonial streets and admiring all the fascinating yellow buildings. On that note, visiting izamal is bound to include a lot of walking, so wear comfy shoes!

Why is Izamal yellow?

When I first heard of Izamal, I immediately started wondering why the entire city was painted in yellow. The answer is apparently not clear. A popular theory is that it was painted in preparation for Pope John Paul’s II visit to Izamal in 1993, in the same colours as the Vatican flag – yellow and white. However, it has been reported that Izamal was already yellow before that time.

The other theory is that Izamal was painted in yellow to honour the god of the sun. Given that here is a pyramid in the middle of Izamal honouring this god, this theory is perhaps more probable.

How to get to Izamal

Getting to Izamal can be done by public buses, colectivos, organized tours or by renting a car. Depending on where you’re visiting from, public buses or colectivos are usually the best options. When visiting Izamal from Mérida, the best option is to take a public bus from the company Oriente. The journey takes just over one and a half hour, the buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses Noreste, located on the corner of Calle 67 y 65, click here for the Google Maps location. Tickets are sold at the terminal and cost 35 pesos each way. Here are the options you have to get to Izamal:

Public bus: taking a public bus to Izamal is very efficient and affordable, especially when visiting from Mérida or Valladolid.
Renting a car: is a good option if you plan to explore more of the Yucatán peninsula. However, I wouldn’t recommend renting a car for one day just to drive to Izamal, it’s just not worth the hassle in my opinion. Taking a bus would be so much easier.
Colectivo: A colectivo is a shared van, often referred to in Central America as chicken bus. Colectivos have no fixed schedule, instead they leave whenever they fill up. Normally they fill up in just 10-15 minutes, but it can take longer. Prices are about the same as for public buses, 30-40 pesos (1.5-2 USD). Colectivos will take longer than the buses as they stop every time someone wants to get off or get on, so I’d recommend taking a public bus instead.
Organized tour: There are plenty of tour companies throughout the Yucatán peninsula that offer trips to Izamal. Typically, these day trips include transportation, usually in a mini van, sometimes a lunch as well as often including a visit to one or two cenotes. These trips are booked directly from the tour operators, normally a day or two in advance.
Private tour: if you are traveling with a group and want to make your trip to Izamal as easy as possible, a private tour would be something worth checking out. Being picked up and dropped off directly at your accommodation and being able to customize the trip to your preferences is of course very convenient. However, it wouldn’t really make sense price-wise unless split between a few people.

this is the bus station in Izamal – photo edited with the Mexico preset pack

Things to see in Izamal

Although the best thing to do in Izamal is simply to wander around and admire all the yellow buildings, there are a few things you shouldn’t miss.

seen from inside the courtyard at Convento de San Antonio – photo edited with the Mexico preset pack

Convento de San Antonio de Padua

Founded in 1549, Convento de San Antonio is undoubtedly the the symbol of Izamal. Once a center for worship of supreme Mayan god of sun, this impressive building is now a Franciscan Monastery and it’s certainly one you can’t miss when visiting the yellow city of Izamal. Convento de San Antonio was built on top of an ancient Maya pyramid known as Pop-hol-Chac. The pyramid was destroyed and its stones were used to build this catholic temple. You are bound to be fascinated by the massive courtyard, which is actually the second largest closed atrium in the world. You should know that there is no entrance fee to enter the Convento de San Antonio.

seen into the courtyard // photo edited with the colour pop presets/photo filters – available here

Parque Itzamna

Parque Itzamna is the main square in Izamal, located in front of the Convento de San Antonio. It’s a beautiful place to sit down and perhaps grab the famous Mexican marquesitas, from one of the street vendors. This is also where you’ll find a colourful sign spelling out the city’s name.

the view from Parque Itzamna – photo edited with the Mexico preset pack/photo filters

Kinich Kak Moo

Another important attraction in Izamal is the mayan pyramid Kinich Kak Moo. Located just three blocks away from the Convento de San Antonio, it’s the largest pyramid in Yucatán and the third one in Mexico. The pyramid is named after the sun god and was one of the most important temples in pre-Columbian times. It’s one of the few pyramids that is still allowed to climb, probably because it hasn’t become as crowded as more famous Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza. From the top you have panoramic views of Izamal and surrounding areas. Entrance to Kinich Kak Moo is free of charge.

Izamal Centro

Izamal Centro, or downtown Izamal, is the most beautiful part of the city. This is where you’ll find most of the picturesque streets as well as the most important places to see. The further you get from the center, the less cute the streets tend to be – and you might even spot a house that’s not yellow!

here you see a colectivo, which is one of the ways to get to Izamal – edited with the Mexico preset pack

Mercado de Izamal

Mercado de Izamal is a typical Mexican market where you can try local tacos, exotic fruits and vegetables, or pick up some souvenirs. Here you can get a feel for the daily life in Mexico as you will see a lot of locals doing their daily shopping. On the weekends there is sometimes live music going on.

Where to eat in Izamal

You will find that most restaurants focus on traditional Yucatán cuisine, so a visit to Izamal is a perfect opportunity to try the delicious local cuisine.

Kinich restaurant: Arguably the most famous restaurant in Izamal. An upscale restaurant with open-air seating, serving traditional Yucatán style food.
Hun Pic Tok: A small cafeteria located in a beautiful quiet courtyard with outdoor seating. They have fresh juices and coffee as well as some local dishes.
Loncheria y Antojitos La Guadalupana: A real Mexican place with a variety of local food at local prices! Great option for those wanting to eat where the locals eat at very affordable prices

seen into the courtyard where Hun Pic Tok is located – photo edited with the Mexico preset pack

I hope you found this post helpful and that you feel more prepared for visiting Izamal the yellow city. If you want to get notified when I publish new blog posts, just click the red bell in the bottom right corner or follow me on Instagram where I usually announce new posts :))

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Four day Tulum itinerary: Things to Do in Tulum

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:54:16 +0000

Tulum is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and is home to white sand beaches, Mayan ruins and a large number of stunning cenotes. Tulum consists of three areas – Tulum town, Tulum beach and the Tulum ruins, that each has its own charm. I loved the fact that you can bike pretty much everywhere, and wherever you go, you are surrounded by palm trees. Four days will allow you to see the highlights of Tulum, but if you want to allow for more beach days – do add in some more days. Here is your four day Tulum itinerary!

You might also want to read: How to Get to Tulum

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Where to stay in Tulum

One thing to be aware before visiting Tulum, is that the beach is about 5km from Tulum town. The traffic can be a nightmare so I’d recommend renting a bike or a motorcycle instead of a car. Unless you won’t to spend a lot of time on the beach, I would suggest to stay in the Tulum town. This is because the hotel zone (the beach) is so far away from everything else.

If you’re on a budget and want to stay in a hostel, I’d recommend Lum, Mimosa or Maka. Note that Mimosa and Maka are also hotels! All three are great, the main difference is that Lum is located very close to the ADO bus station, which is convenient if you’re arriving there. While the other two are about 20 minute walk from the bus station. Mimosa and Maka have pools, while Lum doesn’t. Lum has much more of a hostel vibe than Mimosa and Maka, as the latter two are also hotels.

Book your stay in Tulum here!

Your Four Day Tulum Itinerary

Day 1: Take it slow, eat local food & explore the Tulum town

Just to start things off easy, I’d recommend spending your first day exploring the Tulum town and eat some local food. Take a stroll through the town, browse through the shops and admire some of the street art. If you arrive early – rent a bike and head a few blocks from the main road to witness the local life.

For dinner – head to Calle Geminis Sur/Calle Geminis Norte for some street food! You will find lots of tacos and guacamole, as well as burgers and sushi. There are vegetarian and vegan options available, my favourite ones are La Cordobesita Tulum and Perro No Come Perro. They have vegan tacos, burgers and even hot dogs – and yes they’re delicious! Most street food trucks only take cash, so make sure to bring some.

edited with the Film preset pack/photo filters, available here

Tulum Itinerary Day 2: Tulum ruins & beach time

the view from the ruins! edited with the Wanderlust preset pack/photo filters, available here

Grab a breakfast at either Botanica Garden Café, Prieto or Matcha Mama. Then exploring the Tulum ruins (Zona Arqueológica de Tulum). These are Mayan ruins, located on a cliff next the ocean. Walking would take about an hour, so you’re gonna need a car, bike or a scooter. Make sure to get there early, with plenty of water in an insulated water bottle, as it gets incredibly hot and humid during the day and there is just about no shade. The ruins open at 9am, try to be there as early as you can. The entry fee is 85 pesos and can only be paid in cash. Try to have the exact amount as they don’t always have change.

the views are incredible! edited with the Ocean Blues preset packs/photo filters, available here

After exploring the ruins, which should take just under two hours, it’s now time for some lunch and beach time. There are three public beaches in Tulum – Playa Santa Fe, Playa Pescadores and Playa Paraiso, but essentially it’s just one beach as they all merge together. If you’re in the mood for some Mexican food – Casa Galeones is your place. If you’d prefer something fresh & cold, head to Matcha Mama or Raw Love. Casa Galeones is located at one of the three public beaches in Tulum, Playa Pescadores. Matcha Mama and Raw Love are both located in the hotel zone, about a 20 minute drive from the ruins and have vegetarian/vegan options. If you decide to go with the latter two, you can access the beach at Raw Love.

the beach access at raw love – so pretty! edited with the Ocean Blues preset pack/photo filters, available here

For those that want to take a photo with the “follow that dream” sign, this will be your day to do that. It’s located just a few minutes from Matcha Mama, search for “Lolita Lolita Tulum” in your google maps – that’s where that sign is!

For sunset – I would highly recommend heading to Ciel Rose: a sunset bar with a stunning 360° views of the jungle!

Day 3: Cenote day

edited with the Wanderlust preset pack/photo filters, available here

You can not visit the Yucatán Peninsula without exploring a few cenotes! Visiting a cenote is probably the most unique activity in this Tulum itinerary. To get the day started, I’d suggest grabbing a breakfast at either Botanica Garden Café, Prieto or Matcha Mama. Then it’s time to head to explore the cenotes! As there are over 6000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit. Try to go early as the later it gets, the more crowded they tend to be – and it’s just so much more magical to explore them when it’s not filled with a bunch people The Gran Cenote opens at 8am, while most of the other ones open at 9am. I would recommend visiting Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera and Cenote Car Wash. The cenotes are roughly a 20 minute bike ride from Tulum town, so again, you’ll need a bike, a scooter or a car.

After visiting a few cenotes – it’s time for a late lunch! For tacos I’d recommend Taquería La Rivera Costena, for vegetarians/vegans I’d recommend La Hoja Verde.

the best churros in tulum! This photo is edited with the Vintage preset pack/photo filters, available here

In the afternoon (anytime after 4pm, cause that’s when they open) I’d suggest grabbing some churros from Don Churro Tulum! The best churros in Tulum in my opinion, you won’t be disappointed.

Day 4: Laguna Kaan Luum

If you only have four days in Tulum and you need to leave early, then your trip ends here. But in case you still have time and don’t leave until later, spend the morning exploring Laguna Kaan Luum. It’s a beautiful lagoon, hidden in the jungle, about 8 km (5 miles) from Tulum. You will need to take a taxi or have a car/scooter. Technically you could also bike, but for whatever reason it’s not recommended to bike on this road.

It’s not your average lagoon, as in the middle of it, there is an 82m (270 feet) deep cenote! Despite its proximity to Tulum, it hasn’t really been discovered yet, so it’s mostly visited by locals. It’s the perfect spot to swim, relax and enjoy nature. Paddle boards are also available for rent, so that’s another thing you could do. The entrance fee is 100 pesos (about 5USD) and must be paid in cash.

I hope you find this four day Tulum itinerary helpful! If you have more days in Tulum, I would recommend having a look at these top rated day trips, that will allow you to discover more of the surrounding areas.

If this is going to be your first time in Tulum, you might want to read this detailed post on how to get to Tulum.

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