No. 013 Tsukán: Santuario de vida

Tsukán Life Sanctuary is a tourist place to explore and discover preservation of our culture, traditions, and nature through narrative, cultural, and gastronomic experiences inspired by the Mayan worldview and the Tsukán legend. Today, the essence of this legend has been the origin of this tourist place, where you can live different experiences that will get you closer to architecture, customs and traditions of the Mayan Culture; they will put you in contact with endemic nature and vegetation from the State of Yucatán, and will make you descent to the Mayan underworld by means of a tour that will activate each one of your senses towards the cenote.

Tsukán forms part of what formerly represented a village network that provided lodging to families in charge of building Chichén Itzá. There is evidence hidden in its surroundings that proof this fact with more than 140 residential home foundations that provided shelter to those families, who got their water supply from the crystalline waters of this special cenote, full of mysticism.

Mayan Homes, botanical gardens, organic crop systems, a comfortable access to crystalline waters of the cenote, are the main ingredients to enjoy this place with family and friends.

Uxmal archeological site, known as “The Three Times Built” was appointed UNESCO Cultural Human Heritage in 1996. Among its main buildings are: Pirámide del Adivino (Fortune Teller Pyramid), Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Nunnery Quadrangle), Palacio del Gobernador (Governor’s Palace), Juego de Pelota (Ball Game), Casa de las Tortugas (Turtle’s house), and Gran Pirámide (Great Pyramid). The tourist look-out has a handcrafts market, a restaurant, an ATM and tourist guides.

Discover Sisal’s nature, a small and picturesque port, learn about the history of the first port in Yucatán, its colonial buildings like the Former Customs Office, the Lighthouse and the Cannons’ Park, enjoy natural attractions at El Palmar State’s Reserve, such as fresh water springs, birds, pink flamingo, and pelicans, while enjoying the delicious cuisine based in fish and seafood.

During this tour, you will enjoy the impressive Dzul Há cenote, swimming and touring the narrow river with a snorkel, as well as one of the most gorgeous beaches in Yucatán.

It includes round transportation in an air-conditioned van, boat ride with a federal certified guide, water, sodas, fruit, meal at the restaurant, snorkel activities at the fresh water river, bird, flora and fauna-watching, beach trekking, and a walk around Sisal’s downtown.

It is recommended to make a reservation via phone call or social networks.

The Riviera Yucatán, located only 22.3 miles from Mérida, has salted-water channels where you will find the tourist look-out “La Ría Progreso”.

Here, you will experience an unforgettable adventure, full of emotion and mystery that involves this marvelous excursion where you can explore some mangroves and tunnels in the Yucatán Peninsula, which are shelter for wild flora and fauna, characteristic of the State.

Adventure starts from the moment you arrive to the estuary, place where you will go deeply into the mangrove (other destinations where you can carry out this activity are: Telchac, Progreso, Chuburná and Sisal). The tour goes along the water channels, surrounded by the lush beauty of mangroves, birds, and nests. For the most adventurous, you can enter a mangrove tunnel with natural obstacles, where you will find a unique experience.

From French origin, Pétanque is a game of skill that involves the best of your mind and physical skills, the objective is to throw metal balls or bowls the nearest possible to a smaller ball which was placed previously by another player. The most challenging thing when playing is the posture, so, here is the challenge: keep both feet on the floor and static on the launching area.

Patio Petanca in the only place in Mérida where strangers become friends, you are welcome as if you were at home: playing pétanque, making friends, cooperating, learning, and having fun in an excellent environment downtown the city of Mérida. In this fabulous place, youngsters and adults can have fun in family, while tasting a great variety of Yucatecan food and snacks.

This place also has card games, domino, chess, jackstraw, electric strokes, dice shaker, corn hole, and of course the classic wooden jenga, for those with an excellent pulse and determination, or for those willing to have fun.

Recommendations for tourists: In this place you can taste one of the best mescals in México, the frosted glasses combined with Jamaica water are the best.

It includes staff service, excellent environment, a wide variety of table games and the interesting French game Pétanque, as well as food and snacks to entertain your stay.

El Camino del Mayab (Mayab Pathway) is 80.7 miles long, and it is located in the tourist region called Cenotes & Haciendas in Yucatán, an area very near to Mérida. It is a network of old and beautiful roads that originally were railroad tracks, and today are corn roads with historic and cultural value. Among its trails, you can find different species of flora and fauna, which with your visit will help them to become community ecological reserves. Some other attractions around the area are: Mayapán archeological site, San Marcos cenote, Kankirixché cenote, Uayalceh Hacienda, Lepán Hacienda, among other sites of great natural and historic value.

The beautiful “Camino del Mayab” can be toured hiking or in mountain biking. You will visit 13 communities where you can taste local cuisine, stay overnight in a community or in a tourist Hacienda, and in this way, you will help to the sustainable development of this region’s communities, transforming the Mayab Pathway into a sustainable tourist product.

ATV’s tour around the Magic Town of Izamal, visiting the pyramids, the main avenues and historic buildings in yellow.

Visit to craftsman in Espino and Cocoyol Esteban Abán, one of the Great Masters of Folk Art in Mexico, winner of contests at national level, visit his atelier located at his home.

A carriage ride is a tradition if you visit Izamal and you want to learn about the city in yellow, to listen to the horses’ hooves when galloping, to feel the movement of the cabin, is a unique sensation combined with the beautiful view of gorgeous houses, buildings, streets, and a Mayan city that is settled in a complete square.

To ride a bike in Izamal, on a rented bike, riding along the streets, visiting astonishing places, craftsmen and incredible stores full of souvenirs and high quality art.

At El Cuyo, a hidden paradise, you can practice kayak at UMA San Manuel, exploring flooded trails under trees, until getting to a blue lagoon with abundant water lilies, birds, and adventure.

Xkopek Beekeeping Park is a natural place located only 10 squares south of Valladolid’s downtown. It offers experiences, products, and services that arise in visitors the interest in the fascinating world of bees. Tourists will be immersed in the daily practice of a beekeeper, will visit bee colonies, will be in contact with bees, and will taste fresh honey from the hive. It has service for breakfast, special dinners, and lodging.

Since long time ago, Mexicans are used to have close relationships with their relatives, friends, and colleagues in meetings, restaurants, homes, and several places. Something that has distinguished these moments are meals and snacks, but above all: drinks.

So, this time, our warm State of Yucatán has a lot of information related to history, traditions, culture, cuisine, and hot weather, extremely hot weather. The latter makes the combination of all these experiences, a special moment.

We invite you to come with us in a tour where you will walk around Mérida’s downtown, a place full of incredible houses. While you listen about the history of the houses in Mérida, you will visit different traditional bars. The best way to taste Yucatecan cuisine is to do it with one of your favorite drinks.

We will have different fun activities during the tour, we will talk about food and the history of each bar. Do not miss this unique experience in our State.

It includes a local tourist guide, transportation from the meeting point, 1 courtesy drink in each bar, and dynamic games along the tour.

Make your reservation via social networks or WhatsApp.

The Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca (MUGY) (Yucatecan Gastronomy Museum) is a unique and magical concept in Mérida that shows a part of the Mayan people’s history through the flavors and scents of the famous Yucatecan cuisine. Located in the heart of the city center, it has a wide public parking lot in front, and it is just a few blocks away from Santa Lucía park.

In order to learn about MUGY, the guide will give a historic explanation of the pre-Hispanic, Mestizo, and Creole origin of dishes, showing diverse kitchenware and seeds from the region; after the tour, you will go to a representation of a small Mayan village where, every day, they unearth the mestizo dishes. Tourists will witness ancient techniques and traditions.

An unforgettable experience is complemented with jarana nights, a traditional Yucatecan dance performed at MUGY, an ideal place for special days and events, as well as having diner in Mayan huts adjusted for a unique and exclusive evening. In the rooms, you will enjoy an authentic Yucatecan meal and delicious regional desserts, accompanied by drinks with an ancient touch, like the tea of ramón, which is an experience you cannot miss.

Recommendations for tourists: if you bring pets, make a reservation previously (there are only 3 pet-friendly tables available, medium-sized dogs are the only ones allowed), please call for more information. Make a reservation via phone call or e-mail.

Admire the pier, the cruises area in Progreso Port, while you bottom fish with string, hook, and bait. You will learn the technique and authorized species will be upheld. After the recreational fishing you will taste the freshest ceviche, product of your effort and an unparalleled experience.