7 Yucatecan wonders that every visitor has to see

Seven Yucatecan Wonders, 7 Yucatecan wonders that every visitor has to see

You’ve probably heard about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—a collection of architectural marvels of the ancient world that amazed their time: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the Colossus of Rhodes, to name a few. More recently, in 2007, a list of the New Seven Wonders of the World was created, featuring the Pyramid of Kukulcán in Chichén Itzá. But if you look closely, here in Yucatán, we’re surrounded by wonders. Today, I want to share my personal picks—my wonders—where the order doesn’t signify importance.  Each one, from the first to the last, is equally remarkable. Let’s go!  

The Codz Pop (Kabah)

The Maya invented baroque before the Europeans, and one building proves it: the Codz Pop. This monumental structure, at its peak (between the 8th and 10th centuries) featured up to 300 masks of Chaac on its walls. The Codz Pop is located in Kabah, a site along the Puuc Route, marked by an arch that served as the beginning (or end) of a sacbé, or white road, stretching 20 kilometers (a little over 12 miles) to Uxmal. Arriving at the city and seeing both structures must have been awe-inspiring—it still is.  

El Monumento a la Patria (Mérida)

Who hasn’t taken a photo here? Its figure is one of Mérida’s iconic symbols. Built between 1945 and 1956, with architectural design by Manuel Amábilis, the circular Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Homeland) offers a history lesson: over 300 figures from México’s history—from the founding of Tenochtitlán to the first half of the 20th century—adorn its 14-meter (46 ft) height and 40-meter (131 ft) diameter. The most impressive part? Every single one of them was hand-carved by sculptor Rómulo Rozo.  

The Progreso

Stretching out from Yucatán’s northern coast, a vast concrete tongue extends into the sea: the fiscal dock of Progreso de Castro. This pier’s size allows it to host massive ships like cargo vessels and cruise liners. Its beginnings were modest, built by a Danish company between 1939 and 1941 and measuring a "mere" two kilometers (1.24 mi). Later expansions stretched it to 8.1 kilometers (5 mi), making it the longest pier in the world. To put its size into perspective: Isla Mujeres is nearly seven kilometers (4 mi) long—meaning that this piece of Caribbean paradise could fit on the pier, with room to spare! 

The Convent of San Antonio de Padua (Izamal)

Founded by the Franciscan order, the convent in Izamal sits atop an ancient Maya structure from the pre-Hispanic city of Itzmal. Its façade is modest, but its dimensions are huge: its atrium is the second largest in the world (only surpassed by St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican). It features 75 arches, four posa chapels, and two cloisters. Hidden at the back lies a secret: the camarín (a private room) of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest of its kind in the Americas. The sunsets from here are nothing short of spectacular.  

The Traditional Maya House

Some wonders stand out for their simplicity. That’s the case with the traditional Maya house, a design that dates back to pre-Hispanic times and still thrives in Yucatán today. In fact, it’s now an object of study and admiration, thanks to its ingenious design that allows airflow and its use of eco-friendly materials: wood, huano palm, clay, and earth. These simple elements reflect a unique worldview and a harmonious relationship with the environment. The traditional Maya house is an everyday wonder that you might find just around the corner.  

Cochinita Pibil

Some wonders delight the palate and fit perfectly in a tortilla or a loaf of bread. Juicy cochinita (pork) meat, paired with pickled red onions and a touch of habanero chili, satisfies both body and soul. This iconic dish blends traditional Maya knowledge with Spanish ingredients. It’s made by marinating pork in achiote, wrapping it in banana leaves, and slow-cooking it in an underground pit. According to old chronicles, it was originally prepared with pheasant, wild boar, or venison, which were later replaced by pork introduced by the Spanish. What would Sundays in Yucatán be without cochinita?

The equinoxes at Chichén Itzá and Dzibilchaltún

The equinox is a natural phenomenon that occurs twice a year worldwide, marking the transition between seasons in spring and autumn. On this day, daylight and nighttime are of equal length. In Yucatán, however, the date takes on an even more special significance. Thanks to the ancient Maya’s astronomical knowledge and architectural expertise, you can follow the sun’s journey: in the morning, at sunrise, the solar disk aligns perfectly with the main entrance of the Temple of the Dolls in Dzibilchaltún. In the afternoon, the oblique sunlight casts the shadow of Kukulcán, the feathered serpent, slithering down the main pyramid of Chichén Itzá. Simply marvelous!  

Are these enough? Not for me! That’s why I’m adding two more. These weren’t crafted by human hands but by nature itself—and they are equally awe-inspiring:  

Cenotes

The Yucatán Península lacks rivers and only has a few lagoons, yet it’s far from lacking water. All over the state—but especially in the Cenote Ring—you’ll find these natural pools, which the ancient Maya believed to be gateways to the underworld, or Xibalbá. Cenote (from the Maya dzonot, meaning “abyss”) are natural formations created by the erosion of water on the karstic limestone bedrock. They are commonly classified by their structure: open, semi-open, or closed. While everyone might have their favorite type, one thing is certain—each one is captivating. Taking a refreshing swim in a cenote is one of the many (wonderful) pleasures Yucatán offers.  

Flamingos at Ría Lagartos

The ancient Greeks described dawn as the “rosy-fingered sunrise,” referencing the pink hues of the sky and clouds. While Yucatán is famous for its colorful sunsets, here you can witness “rosy clouds” any time of day—perched in salt flats, floating gracefully in the waters of the estuary, or flying low in unison. This pink tide in Ría Lagartos comes from the flocks of Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), which gather in this natural reserve between spring and summer to feed and breed. Watching these vibrant birds, elegantly balanced on their thin legs, is a vivid miracle of nature.  

Now it’s your turn: What are your personal wonders of Yucatán?

Photography by Maggie Rosado, Natalia Bejarano Calero, Tania Lopez Loria, Juan Manuel Mier y Teran, and Yucatán Today, for use in Yucatán Today.

First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 445, in January 2025.