The state of Yucatán is home to many natural and cultural attractions, including archaeological sites, haciendas, cenotes, and wildlife. It is located in the northernmost part of the Yucatan peninsula. The Gulf of Mexico lies to the north, and the state borders the states of Campeche to the southwest and Quintana Roo to the northeast.
Merida
The state capital, Mérida is known as the White City and is a social and cultural center. The city has a population of approximately 750,000 and has a rich cultural life that celebrates its diversity through free concerts, performances, and other public events. Take a walking tour of Mérida.
Colonial cities, convents and estates
Sisal fiber, used to make ropes and twine, was a major Yucatan export from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. This was a very successful industry at the time and brought wealth to the state, which is evident in the architecture of the colonial city of Mérida, as well as the many haciendas that you will find throughout the state. Many former henequen estates have been remodeled and now serve as museums, hotels, and private residences.
The state of Yucatán is home to two magical towns, Valladolid and Izamal. Valladolid is a charming colonial city located 160 km east of Mérida. It has beautiful civil and religious architecture, including the 16th-century fortified San Bernardino de Siena Convent and the 18th-century Baroque Cathedral of San Gervasio, among many other monuments.
If Mérida is the white city, then Izamal is the yellow city: many of its buildings are painted yellow. Izamal is one of the oldest cities in Yucatan and was built where the ancient Mayan city of Kinich Kakmo was located. In ancient times, the city was known as a healing center. The city has an archaeological zone, as well as notable colonial buildings such as the San Antonia de Padua Convent.
Natural attractions
The state of Yucatán has approximately 2,600 freshwater cenotes. The Celestún Biosphere Reserve is home to the largest flock of American flamingos. It is a 146,000 acre park located in the extreme northwest of the state. Río Lagartos National Wildlife Refuge.
The mayans
The entire Yucatan Peninsula and beyond was the homeland of the ancient Maya. In the state of Yucatán, there are more than 1000 archaeological sites, of which only 17 are open to the public. The largest and possibly most important ancient site is Chichén Itzá, which in addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage site was also selected as one of the New Wonders of the World.
Uxmal is another important archaeological site. It is part of the Puuc Route, which comprises several sites, all of which share a similar style of architecture and decoration. The legend of the founding of this ancient city involves a dwarf who outwitted the king and became the new ruler.
Ethnic Mayans make up a large percentage of the population of the state of Yucatan, many of whom speak Yucatec Mayan and Spanish (the state has approximately one million Yucatec Mayan speakers). The Mayan influence is also responsible for the unique cuisine of the area. Read more about Yucatecan cuisine.
Yucatan coat of arms
The Yucatan green and yellow coat of arms features a deer leaping over an agave plant, a crop that was once important in the region. Adorning the upper and lower edges are Mayan arches, with Spanish bell towers to the left and right. These symbols represent the Mayan and Spanish heritages shared by the state.
Safety
Yucatán has been named the safest state in the country. According to state governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco: «INEGI named us the safest state in the country for the fifth consecutive year, particularly in the case of homicide, which is the crime that hurts the most, Yucatán is the lowest, with three per 100,000 inhabitants «.
How to get there: Mérida has an international airport, the Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID), or many people fly to Cancun and travel by land to the State of Yucatan. Find flights to Merida. The ADO bus company offers bus service throughout the area.
