CHICHEN ITZÁ
This controverted Mayan city was the center of the empire in the peninsula until the year 987 D.C., when the Mayan Itzaes settled in the yucateca peninsula, bringing with them the Toltec influence.

From the X through the XII century, Chichen-Itza, Uxmal and Mayapan, the three principal cities of the Mayan empire from the early post classical period, made a pact called the League of Mayapan. During this time, Chichen-Itza excercised dominating power.

Towards the year 1194, Mayapan took the power from Chichen-Itza and retained it until 1441, when the rebellions finished with the Mayan empire and small, weak lordships were created causing them to easily succumb to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

The city of Chichen-Itza or ¨Boca Del Pozo de los Itzaes¨, exhibited Toltec influence with its serpent pillars in front of its buildings and spacious interiors.

The astronomical advances of this culture continued taking the olmec legacy of time reading. The tower ¨El Caracol¨ was an astronomy observatory. The pyramid of Kukulkan is believed to have been the representation of their calendar in honor of the sun god, since its structure of steps and sides adds to 365 days of the year; as its ¨Feathered Serpent¨ that descends every equinox from the stairs.


UXMAL
The geometric perfection found in the architecture of this beautiful Mayan city is unique in the empire, and is believed to have been, in its majesty, the capital of the region of Puuc.

The main constructions contain monuments to the Mayan gods of the rain Chaac, to the serpents, heads of turtles and other astrological symbols of their culture. The most sumptuous buildings are the Government Palace, the Pyramid of Adivino, the Plaza de los Pajaros and the Cuadrangulo de las Monjas. There is also found a great stadium for playing ball.


MERIDA: CULTURAL CENTER
The yucateca society is full of traditions that modern society has not been able to transform. In the capital of the state, the white city, romantic serenades can be heard every Thursday around 9:00 pm from the poetic park of Santa Lucia. During this hour the Yucaltepen orchestra makes melodies, poets declare spontaneous verses to the wind and the public ends up dancing to the regional rhythms.

Every Sunday is tiangui Sunday. Around the central plaza and in the main parks of the city, ¨Merida en Domingo¨ (Merida on Sunday) is celebrated, a festival of cultural events, dances, theatre, gastronomy and yucateca craft work.


CELESTUN BIOSPHERE
Located on yucateca territory, this protected natural reserve shelters prehistoric Mayan trademarks and is source of intensive fishing.

The visitors can lodge in the ecological resort of Xixim and enjoy a delicious seafood kitchen. One of the principal reasons why the zone is protected is the existence of numerous rose flamingo colonies. The flamingo is an aquatic bird that inhabits these shallow waters with high salt levels that hold the crustacean that is an integral part of the flamingoÂ’s diet, the Artemia.

The beaches, lakes and springs of Celestun shelter the precious Carey turtle and the ¨cacerolita¨, a living marine fossil.

MANGLARES DE SAN CRISANTO
Far away from the bustle of the capital and its tourist centers, the excursion of the Manglares is one of the most beautiful experiences the visitors can experience on yucateca lands.

The fishing community of the town of San Crisanto organized a way to develop the tourist activity of this town, and now it is possible to enjoy the beauty of the tropical Manglares in an ecologically responsible way. You can only take this tour with a guide on a boat from the community, who will be assigned to you by the local office that administers the tours. It begins with a peaceful 30 minute boat ride through the depths of the Mangar, arriving to a beautiful cenote of crystal water where you will enjoy a tropical scenario.

HACIENDAS AND CULINARY TOURISM
The renovation of historic and great colonial haciendas has resulted in the development of luxurious tourism that can enjoy services of international levels. The gastronomical tours include sampling the exquisite yucateca kitchens and fresh drinks produced in the haciendas that have wine, liquors, and tropical fruits.

OTHER ECOTOURISM SITES
On Yucateca territory there are abundant creeks and lakes that already have infrastructures for receiving responsible visitors.

Bolonchojool - Is a cenote where you can scuba dive and swim. Its waters are blue and it has caverns in the interior that can be explored.

Corchito - A team of sweet water springs with abundant biodiversity that can be admired by visitors.

Dzilam de Bravo - On this location the cenotes of Elepeten, Laguna Feliz and the water hole X-Buyha, can be visited.

Nayah - in its beautiful and deep blue waters there are caves that can be explored or where you can practice scuba diving, so long as you have the correct preparation and the required equipment.

Kapiokah - the ride on a kayak through this channel of water allows you to admire the flora and fauna while riding inside a tunnel of natural formation.