Plans to build a second ring road around Mérida have been floating about for years. But now that the initiative has been approved, residents of Yucatán’s largest city and surrounding communities ask, “How will this affect me?” As they are currently drawn, the boundaries of Mérida’s second periférico ring would surround parts or the entirety…
Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño presented a formal plan to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for a two-phase expansion of the Tren Maya into the Central American nation. The plan’s first phase would involve extending the Tren Maya rail network just 7 km to the border between Mexico and Belize. The second and more ambitious part…
With no fanfare, Dzibilchaltún re-opened its gates during the last week of 2024. The archaeological site in Chablekal, Mérida’s northernmost ejido, had been closed almost continuously since 2020 due to land disputes and pandemic restrictions. Today, it’s back in operation, although improvements to Dzibilchaltún’s infrastructure have yet to be completed. For starters, the site’s new…
Demanding control over artifacts, tour guides and ticket sales, the Telchaquillo ejido shut down the archaeological site of Mayapan a year ago. And they want the federal government to pay them 40 years of back fees for using their land. At the core of these land disputes is a growing feeling of discontent that Indigenous…
X’catzmil is perhaps the most overlooked archaeological site in Mérida, in the community of Plan de Ayala, near the city’s southern boundary. The fact that X’catzmil is so overlooked is unfortunate since it is home to possibly the largest Prehispanic structure still surviving within Mérida’s city limits — excluding Dzibilchaltún in Chablekal. Reliable sources on…
Feral dogs have been filmed attacking and killing flamingos in Sisal’s mangroves. Proyecto Santa Maria Sisal posted the flamingo attack on Facebook. The video shows several dogs jumping into the water and pursuing flamingoes in a coordinated hunt. Flamingo migration experts, including Teri Grendzinski from Pennsylvania State University, have warned that such attacks can potentially…
Far south of the city in Xmatkuil, Yucatán’s state fair will wrap up its 2024 edition on Sunday. The fairgrounds have everything you would expect from a state fair: food, snacks, livestock exhibits, concerts, and plenty of rides. Despite its popularity among locals, the fair is poorly attended by Yucatán’s expat community. It’s hard to…
Xcaret is a Mayan archaeological site located on the Caribbean coast within the privately owned theme park of the same name. In the Yucatec-Mayan language, xcaret means “small inlet.” But in antiquity, the name of the port city was p’ole’, which was derived from the root p’ol, which means “merchandise” or “deal of merchants.”
School-age children in Mexico learn that the Mexican Revolution kicked off in 1910 and ended with the signing of the constitution of 1917, thanks to the battlefield victories of Emiliano Zapata and Francisco Villa — both of whom would be assassinated in the following years. Or did it? There’s a case to be made that…
Anyone with even the faintest interest in history or archaeology surely knows of Yucatán’s archaeological sites, such as Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, and maybe even some lesser-visited sites like Chacmultún, and Labná. But aside from archaeological sites, and even entirely unrestored or vaguely documented remains of Prehispanic cities and towns in the bush — archaeology in…
Despite being only a 40-minute drive from Mérida, the town of Tixkokob does not attract many tourists, which is a shame as it has plenty to offer—including the nearby archaeological site of Aké. Tixkokob’s origins can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era when it was part of the province of Ceh-Pech. The town’s name,…
Two years after closing its gates, Mérida’s train and railway museum has reopened to the public. But despite being in a very similar location to the old museum, its new version and surroundings are completely unrecognizable. While the museum used to lie in an open field, it is now fully integrated into La Plancha Park,…
Image above displays an INAH restoration specialist at work at El Meco Archaeological site. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of media outlets worldwide have reported on the discovery of the ancient Maya city nicknamed Valeriana in Mexico’s Campeche state. Several headlines, even from legacy…
Beautiful tropical birds are constantly aflutter in Yucatán, especially during the rainy season. There are common species like social flycatchers, which sport bright yellow chests and black stripes across their eyes, and elegant pink flamingos that grace the coastline. Then there is the pandemonium of parrots (yes, that’s what they are called) who make themselves…
Born in 1923, Rina Lazo left her Guatemalan homeland for Mexico City in the 1940s and became heavily involved in the muralist movement. After her apprenticeship with the likes of fellow Guatemalan Julio Rurruela, she developed close relationships with artists of the caliber of Carlos Orozco, Manuel Rodríguez Lozano, and the man who would become…
Given their longevity and the overwhelming stage presence of their frontman, El Tri is often referred to as the Mexican Rolling Stones. Here is why you should brave the crowds and check out this legendary band when they play the Xmatkuil fair on Nov. 29 Simply put, El Tri and its 71-year-old founder, Alex Lora, are…
Sitting atop a natural hill high above the banks above the confluence of the Macal and Mopan rivers lay the ruins of one of Belize’s most ancient and unique archaeological sites.
The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a vibrant Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of deceased loved ones. In recent years, the international popularization of this holiday has raised concerns that its celebration by non-Mexicans could be disrespectful and even a form of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of…
Nestled amidst the mountains of Morelos, roughly two hours from Mexico City sits the community of Tepoztlán. With a population of just over 50,000, Tepo, as it is affectionately known, blends ancient traditions with modern sensibilities and luxury. While the title Pueblo Mágico, or “Magic Town,” has lost some of its cachet over the past…
As the popularity of cruises continues to grow, so does the effort to minimize their environmental impact. Earlier this week, Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess was heralded for its innovative use of liquified natural gas as it docked in Cozumel for the first time. The Sun Princess is also the largest ship of its class ever…
Walking through Chichén Viejo’s arch, the splendor and scope of the site begins to come into focus
Mexico City’s talented bartenders are redefining the art of mixology, infusing classic cocktails with local flavors and innovative techniques. The city is also home to what is known as “the best bar in the world.” The Handshake Speakeasy was recently awarded the top spot at the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars award ceremony in Madrid,…
As the weeks continue to fly by, Yucatecos are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of the region’s favorite holidays, Hanal Pixán — Yucatán’s version of Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
An exhibit featuring a wide variety of Mexican folk art is now open at El Gran Museo del Mundo Maya. Contemporary pieces from across the country offer a glimpse into the diversity of today’s folk artists. The majority of the pieces are on loan from Fondo Cultural Citibanamex, and several have previously been shown at…
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