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Private Izamal, The Yellow City
Private Izamal, The Yellow City Tour from Progreso (Kinich Kakmo Pyramid)
 






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Private Izamal, The Yellow City

Izamal, "The Yellow City" (most of its buildings are painted yellow), also referred to as "The City of Hills" (most of the "hills" are thought to be the remains of ancient temples and buildings), is considered to be the oldest and most important colonial city in the Yucatan, as a result of its rich history and pre-Hispanic and Colonial Architecture. For centuries it served as a pilgrimage destination for the Mayan people and during the Colonial period as a Christian sanctuary.

Your adventure begins as you board an air-conditioned vehicle for a scenic drive to magical Izamal, approximately 40 miles east of Mérida. Along the way, your knowledgeable local guide will provide information regarding the Yucatan and its people.

Upon arrival, you will set out on a walking tour of the streets lined with the yellow walls of the Colonial-style buildings. Horses and buggies mingle with cars and bikes in this blend of centuries.

In the center of town, you will see the massive Kinich Kakmo pyramid, which honored the Mayan Sun God. It is the largest and most famous pyramid in the northern Yucatan, with a base covering more than two acres. The Mayan presence dates back to before 200 B.C.

Next, visit the city's San Antonio de Padua Franciscan convent. Erected atop the ruins of an ancient Mayan pyramid, this convent tells much of the history of the conquest of the Mayan civilization. Completed in 1561, the atrium of the Monastery was second in size only to that of St. Peter's in Rome.

Before departing back to the pier, a stop will be made to sample some of the local tequila.