I went off to discover the area around Merida on a road trip with some people I had met in the hostel in town. We made several stops, sleeping in hostels along the way and circling back to Merida to drop the car.
Merida
I was lucky to experience the town in two totally different settings. When I arrived for the first time I had mainly come to celebrate the Mexican independence day. It was a great celebration with locals and travellers coming together in the hostel I stayed in and the centre putting on a great fiesta. Near the city centre I found a number of bars buzzing with energy of life which I loved on these nights.
When I came back after the trip I stayed for a night during the week and found the city and hostel in a calm, tired state. The city centre seemed dirty and so I escaped towards the Paseo de Montejo, the culturally rich area to in the north. Here I enjoyed a totally different day visiting the maya museum and walking through big streets with pompous colonial houses.
Tizimin
Tizmin has a bus station with many connections to cities in the area. I came here to pick up someone for the trip and it seems like a save local town with not much more than travel connections and a big market.
Kikil
Only a few minutes drive from Tizimin there are a few houses along a street that from Kikil. Next to it lies the entrance to the Rio Largos and Las Coloradas. We stopped to get some tacos and water and considered taking a swim in the Cenote of Kikil but the entrance was quite high, so we just stocked up and went on to the lake.
Las Coloradas
Close to Kilkil on the northern coast of Yucatan there are a few salt lakes. Due to different micros organisms one of the lakes has a pink tint, in the less salty lakes next to if flamingos rest with one leg in the water. Because the lakes are privately owned by the slat mining company, you are asked to pay a guide to take you around. They try to get you to pay around 50 pesos per person, but the final price depends on you bargaining skills. The lakes and area are wonderful to walk around.
Valladolid
We decided to stay in the small city for two nights, for it was quite featuring traditional plazas, artisanal shops a few bars and a cenote right in town. If you get a drink or some food at the bar next to it, you won’t have to pay the entrance fee but can walk through the back and go for a lovely swim or jump down the high cliffs along the edges and enjoy the pure beauty of nature. Valladolid is a nice little town and has quite a bit to offer around the area. Near it also lies the ruins of ek’ Balam, an ancient Mayan site, where you can walk freely around the old buildings.
Chichen Itza
Though the entry fee is quite hight due to its popularity, high maintenance work and sheer size, it is definitely worth a visit. Next to the famous main pyramid and ball court there are many buildings, temples, and plateaus to discover. To make sure the historic walls will be there for generations to come, visitors are not allowed to get too close, but many small paths take you into the hidden areas of the huge ancient site. Even without a tour guide the old Canter of Mayan culture tell its stories when walking through. The only downside I felt like I need to mention is the manor of some of the local salespeople who have their stands up along all the main paths and have an eagerness for selling and catcalling that is harassing at times.
Izamal
This was the last stop just before reaching Merida again. This small colonial town fascinates with its all-present yellow colour in which all buildings in the centre are painted. The market and the big church alike glow in the warm yellow and white framed edges and is a lovely stop over to have a drink a walk around for a bit.
