Referred to as the Pearl of the South, this bustling city is located 60 miles south of Mérida in the Puuc region. It is on both the Convent Route and Puuc Route circuits. Ticul is the perfect place to stay when you explore either of these routes. You will find life a lot more relaxed here than in Mérida. The one, two and three star hotels are inexpensive and clean. Check our list of hotels for addresses and services offered.
Ticul is a producer of all the wonderful red clay planter pots that you see in the area.
It is also known for fine leather shoes that are designed and made here in town. Most of these businesses - clay and shoes - are home-based workshops where you will find the entire family working. Stop in and they will gladly allow you to wander around. If you decide to buy something you can't carry, they know the packaging and mailing procedures to get your goods home to you. The approximate dates for the annual shoe festival are the last week of September and the first three weeks of October.
You will also find a mixture of culture in Ticul. You will see the old - the Cathedral, colonial buildings, thatched roof Mayan homes - and some new - the open-air stage by the Cathedral. Notice the many statues of Mayan gods and heroes that are located around town made by Arte y Decoración Maya.
Driving in Ticul can be confusing with all the narrow one-way streets, but it is small enough that you can't get seriously lost. Ticul's streets are numbered with even numbers going north and south and odd numbers going east and west.
You will find hotels, restaurants, a market, a telegraph office, banks, pharmacies, medical assistance, internet e-mail services, and tricycle taxis for hire here in Ticul.
A group of enthusiastic business people have gotten together to promote tourism in Ticul. They have formed a group called No-Jol which is planning tours to haciendas, archaeological sites and cenotes. Look for information from them in town. Places that are easy to visit using Ticul as a base include Dzan, Santa Elena, Sacalum, Maní, Oxkutzcab, Mama, and Chapab.
How to get to Ticul
If you don't have a car, you can take a bus to Ticul. The bus stop is at Parque de San Juan in Calle 62 and 69.
Hotel in Ticul
Recommended reading
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