A getaway to Izamal, make the most of your visit to Izamal: our itinerary for one and two days takes you to unforgettable places and moments.
Izamal in two days
Day 1
- ATV Tour
- San Antonio de Padua Convent
- Daypass or cenote Ayun Nah
- Lunch at Zamná, Kinich, or La Casona de Izamal
- Aldea Maya Toktli Orígenes
- Snacks at the market or an experience at Kanché
If you're leaving from Mérida, make sure to hit the road by 7:30 am at the latest to arrive in Izamal just before 9 am. We’ll kick off the day with an ATV tour starting from the Rinconada del Convento hotel. Afterward, explore the Convent of Saint Anthony of Padua; its stunning atrium, the Virgin's dressing room, and the panoramic view of the city from the top await you.
By now, you’ll probably be feeling the heat, so either of these options will feel like a refreshing breeze. You can purchase a day pass at Rinconada del Convento or at Hotel T’u’ul and enjoy their wonderful pools, or head over to the nearby town of Cacalchén, where the cool waters of the Ayun Nah cenote await you. Managed by a local family, this cenote has more to offer than meets the eye and is a treat for both the body and soul.
Feeling hungry yet? You’re in luck because Izamal has amazing food. For a truly regional meal with a unique Izamal twist, you can choose from restaurants like Zamná, Kinich, or La Casona de Izamal.
After your meal and a leisurely stroll through the town center, head over to Aldea Maya Toktli Orígenes for a tour of their Maya house museum and sustainable technologies. This is a fun, interactive experience for the whole family, which you can follow up with a workshop. Depending on your company, you might opt for recycled paper-making, soap-making, or if you're with friends or a partner, a mixology workshop to get ready for the night.
What are you in the mood for for dinner? You have options, whether it's regional snacks at the market (panuchos, salbutes, broths, etc.) or a more sophisticated experience at Kanché, where the specialty of the house is mixology.
Day 2
- Breakfast en El Rinconcito del Vate
- Hermano Maya Santuary
- Cultural and Craft Centerl and “Hecho a Mano”
- Kimbilá
Let yourself be amazed by an extraordinary breakfast at El Rinconcito del Vate; choose your dishes wisely, as the portions are truly generous. Then, take your visit to Izamal to the next level with a stop at the Hermano Maya sanctuary, just a few feet from the Chaltun Ha archaeological site. Whether you opt for a purification or blessing, a cleanse, or a temazcal (steam bath), this experience will allow you to immerse yourself in the mystical Maya traditions of today.
Finish waking up your appetite with a stroll around the Cinco de Mayo park. Surrounding it, you'll find the Cultural and Craft Center (a small museum of handcrafts) and the Mexican folk art store "Hecho a Mano," featuring handcrafted items from all over the country.
After lunch, on your way back, take the opportunity to stop in Kimbilá; here, you’ll find an endless array of embroidered clothing, from earrings and headbands to evening dresses, with options for every taste and budget. Check out our guide to distinguish the different types of embroidery available, and remember that handmade embroidery is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yucatán.
Safe travels!
Izamal in one day
1. Visit the Hermano Maya Sanctuary
2. Former Convent de Saint Anthony of Padua and Cinco de Mayo Park
3. Swimming*
- Pool at the hotel (with a day pass)*
- Cenote Ayun Nah (Cacalchén)∆
5. After-meal activity:
- Embroidery in Kimbilá
- Workshop at Aldea Maya Toktli Orígenes
* Ask about day passes at the Rinconada del Convento and T’u’ul hotels, as they not only give you access to their pools but also include meals at the Zamná restaurant.
∆ 24 km or 14 mi (approximately 30 minutes by car) from Izamal
Photography by Alicia Navarrete, Magali Ramírez and Yucatán Today, for its use in Yucatán Today.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 446, in February 2025.
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