Convent Route

More enticing than ever, The Convent Route is a day trip that will take you somewhat off the beaten path and into the heart of the Yucatán. Meandering through the countryside of the west-central part of the state, you will visit Mayan villages and ruins, colonial churches, cathedrals and convents, courtyards and cenotes, all dating back centuries.

The best way to do this route is by car. Gas up before leaving (one full tank will more than suffice). You should try to be on the road by 8:00 am. See our map to help you get started. Start on the "Periférico" and go to Route 18. (Signs will say Kanasin, not "Route 18".) Follow the signs to Acanceh and on from there. The amount of time spent at each stop will vary from ten minutes to forty-five minutes.

Fourteen miles from Kanasin is Acanceh (ah-con-KAY which means "moan of the deer"), where you will see an interesting combination of a Mayan Pyramid (the Grand Pyramid currently being restored), a colonial church, and a modern day church all on the same plaza. Several blocks away are more ruins with hieroglyphs. Ask around for the Temple of the Stuccoes which is about four blocks away. Some gentle soul will point you in the right direction. If they actually take you there, you should tip him or her five or ten pesos.

Tecoh (tay-KO), five miles down the road, has a gas station, a market and a very ornate church and convent dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. The carved stones and altar, along with the statues and painting, are impressive. While you are there, you might notice that this complex is built on what appears to be a hill, but is really the base of a very large Mayan Pyramid.

Next on the route is Telchaquillo (tel-chah-KEY-yoh), a small village (don't blink- you may miss it!) that has a small, austere chapel and a wonderful cenote in the plaza that you can visit. Stairs have been carved for your convenience. 

Several kilometers out of Telchaquillo off to the right you will find the fantastic Mayan ruins of Mayapan. This walled city has 4,000 mounds, of which six are in different stages of advanced restoration. Mayapan is the size of Chichén Itzá, and you will find the buildings are replicas of the ones in Chichén. Visiting this site allows you to observe many mounds in their original state (covered with trees, shrubs, etc.) and to see others in transformation with the archeologists actually working on them. You will be viewing a real archaeological "dig".

Continue on 18 miles to Tekit (teh-KEET), a large prosperous looking village. There you will find the parish of "San Antonio De Padua", with a large temple that houses many ornate statues of saints in their individual niches. The altar itself is very simple. 

The next village is a little over four miles away, and it is a small one named Mama (mah-MAH). Mama is famous for its large beautiful bell-globed church containing a large garden, a well, and a closed atrium along with frescos on the wall, statues of saints in the niches, and a very ornate altar. It is believed this is the oldest church on the route.

Following the route for six more miles, you will next come to Chumayel (chu-my-EL) where the famous Mayan document "Chilam Balam" was found. Two and a half miles ahead is Teabo (tay-AH-bow), famous for its embroidered dresses and its impressive 17th century temple. Then on to Tipikal (tee-pee-CAHL), a small village with an austere-looking church.

The final and perhaps most important stop on the Convent Route is Maní (mah-NEE) (seven and a half miles farther) where you will find a large church, convent and museum with explanations in English, Spanish, French and Maya. Maní is a good place to have lunch, or you can head on to Ticul to have lunch at Los Almendros. Note: the convent here is undergoing extensive restoration. See photos in Related Gallery above.

To get back to Mérida, head to Ticul, then Muna, then to Uman, then on to Mérida. If you want to stop here to do the Ruta Puuc the next day, you can stay in Ticul where there are several small hotels. This is a good departure point for the Loltun Caves on the Puuc Route.