Chichen Itza

There are so many interesting tours that can be done here, but one that is very special is the tour to Chiche'n Itza' . An archaeological Mayan site used as a commercial, religious and military centre in its day.

One of the pyramids in this site called El Castillo has recently been declared as one of the wonders of the world. This step-pyramid is in the middle of the site and dominates the whole place. Every year at the time of the equinox the sun produces a shadow that recreates the body of the serpent with the head at the base of the stairs. Each year thousands of people from all over the globe venture to Chichen Itza to marvel at this solar event.

The coastal town of Progreso is also nearby and you can catch a bus to the place from Merida (only about forty minutes away). There is a narrow sandy beach with one of the longest piers in the world. There is also a quaint lighthouse within the region. Along the beach there are some nice seafood restaurants that you can visit while you are there. This place has a real Caribbean feel with its straw beach umbrellas and wooden boats found along the beachside.

If you wish take an ecological tour, a highly recommended favourite is a trip to some of the caves (Cenotes) in this region. Here you can do some exciting snorkelling activities as well as learning about the unique ecosystem and balance that exists between flora and fauna.  One interesting feature of these caves are the roots of trees that hang from the cave ceilings as well as the fish that are plentiful and abundant deep in the water wells of these caves.

Some of these fantastic tours also include visits to some of the Haciendas of the region. These are mansions normally surrounded by plantations  that were once owned typically by Spanish Lords (Dons). The haciendas were generally dedicated to the production of agriculture and/or primary produce.

The city of Merida is a wonderful place with many restaurants and bars. You can have cheap meals with all the extras for what equates to only a few dollars. Merida is definitely a city to travel to and explore.

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