Located 9 miles from downtown Merida, the Dzibilchaltun Ruins are an often overlooked Mayan site worth visiting when in the area. The site was continually inhabited from 500 BC until the Spanish conquest in 1540, and was one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica, with a population of 40,000 people during its heyday. The focal point of the city is the Temple of the Seven Dolls, also called the Temple of the Sun, which is a one-story square structure on a step-pyramid base. The temple was named for seven small effigy dolls that were found inside it during its excavation. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Dzibilchaltun is the sacred cenote, which is a limestone cave filled with water, which visitors are allowed to swim in during daylight hours. Cenotes were considered to be a gateway to the underworld by the ancient Maya, and many artifacts and offerings have been uncovered from Dzibilchaltun's cenote, which is called Xlacah in the Mayan language.
Dzibilchaltun Ruins
Merida-Progreso Highway
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico
yucatan.travel
A living monument to the "Green Gold" boom of the 1800s, Hacienda Sotuta de Peon is a large plantation still operating much as it did in the 19th century, with the production of henequen, or agave rope fiber. The area was made rich in the 19th century due to the plentiful labor and naturally growing henequen plants, and many plantations and grand haciendas were built throughout the region during that time. Hacienda Sotuta de Peon is one of the best examples of hacienda architecture, and the adjoining plantation is still producing the useful henequen plants and manufacturing the fiber in the same way that was used in the 1800s. Visitors to Sotuta de Peon can tour the plantation and hacienda on foot and via Cauville railway system, which travels around the grounds, and which still is used by workers. Apart from the historical value and beauty of the site, a cenote, or underground river, is on the property and visitors are invited to swim in its crystal clear water.
Hacienda Sotuta de Peon
Calle 39 No. 286
Municipio de Tecoh
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico
+52-999-941-8639
haciendatour.com
The Regional Museum of Yucatan is located in downtown Merida. Housed in the Palacio Canton, the eclectic neo-Classic and Baroque building is a spectacular example of architecture during the colonial period of Mexico, and itself is well worth a visit. Exhibits in the museum examine Mayan history and culture through artifacts dating back to 2800 BC, with ideas such as social structure, religion, warfare and personal adornment emphasized. The museum is located on the corner of Calle 43 in downtown Merida, and is a great jumping-off point for adventures to the Mayan ruins.
Regional Museum of Yucatan
Calle 43
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico
+01-800-272-2304
yucatantoday.com
