I think it was pictures of Izamal that convinced me to explore Yucatán before heading to the beaches of Tulum. This Yellow City of Mexico intrigued me. Houses after houses, walls after walls painted a sunny shade of yellow! And the same shade of yellow, not a bit lighter here nor a bit darker there.
How to spend a day in Izamal
Background
An important city for the Mayans, Izamal had pyramids dedicated to Itzamná, the Mayan God of Creation and to Kinich Ahau, the Mayan Sun God. During the Spanish colonial era, a huge Fransiscan Monastery was built in the centre of the city using the stones from a major Mayan temple that the Spaniards had destroyed during the conquest.
What to Do
You don’t need a big checklist of what to do in Izamal. Just walk around or take a horse-drawn carriage ride, feel the sunny vibes of this yellow painted city, and experience an authentic Mexican colonial city.
We simply decided to walk around, starting with the main square and the Fransiscan monastery. The entry to the Convento de San Antonio de Padua monastery is free and it is open from 6am to 8pm. The ramp leading up to the monastery definitely makes it look like the focal point in the heart of the town. Your eyes are automatically drawn to it.
After spending some time in the monastery and the busy square, we went to see the Kinich-Kakmó pyramids which has been partially restored and it is possible to climb on it. There aren’t many Mayan Pyramids that you can climb now, so don’t miss this opportunity. Entry is free and it is open from 8am to 6pm.
Kinich-Kakmó Pyramid
Izamal is a visual treat. Walking its cobbled streets, clicking an insane amount of pictures and losing track of time is how we explored this sunshine city. Unfortunately, that meant we could not visit some of the Mayan artisan workshops that Izamal is known for because we were a bit short of time.
Where to Eat
For lunch, we decided to go to the restaurant Kinich. It was a busy time and the waiting area was bustling full of people. To my big surprise, they were serving complimentary chilled beers and tamarind water while we waited for our table. The restaurant is huge, with palapa covered roofs in the dining area and a lush green garden in the centre. We really enjoyed our meal in Kinich with its offering of fresh, handmade Yucatecan cuisine at reasonable prices.
Restaurant Kinich
How to get there
Izamal is located about 70km east of Merida. It takes an hour by car to reach there. Buses from Merida(Noreste terminal) take 1.5 hours but stop frequently. They cost 27 Pesos. It is also possible to catch a Colectivo (shared van) from near the Noreste terminal. They cost about 28 Pesos but are faster than the buses. Buses out of Izamal run from the Oriente terminal.
Colectivo Vans, on Calle 31 near Convento de San Antonio.
A convenient and easy day trip from Merida, Izamal has ancient Mayan ruins, beautiful Colonial buildings, and delicious Yucatecan food. No wonder it has been given the status of “Pueblo Mágico“, a magical town which is small in size but big in history, culture and tradition.
Outfit Details: Top: Zara (similar here)/ Shorts: Next/ Hat: Accessorize/Bag: Zara
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Did you enjoy my post on Izamal? I hope that it will inspire you to visit this charming yellow city. If you have any questions about planning a trip to Izamal, please feel free to get in touch with me 🙂 For more posts on Mexico, click HERE!
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
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I love the architecture of this city! And I love that it’s all so yellow. Your photos are lovely! I hope I’ll one day get to go to Mexico. For now, I’ll have to make do with euro-texmex restaurants. Close enough? No? I didn’t think so either :/
Author
Thanks Kristine! The food in Mexico was SO different from my previous idea of food of Mexico. I’d highly recommend visiting if only to bust our myths about their fantastic food 🙂
Ameeta xx
GIRL! This is amazing! I’m going to Merida in August and I’m adding this to my list! Super beautiful photos. I had never heard of this city before so thank you for this!!
Author
Thanks, I am so glad you liked it! I loved Merida for its fantastic food and colourful(not just yellow ;)) buildings. It’s a perfect base for exploring Yucatan. If you need any more information about planning your trip, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
wow this looks beautiful! what an interesting place all colored yellow… If I visit Tulum (I hope to) I would definitely put this place on the list too!
Author
Izamal is definitely is very unique and beautiful, and Tulum is cool too. I would highly recommend visiting it 🙂
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
no way! I’ve never heard of this place before! It’s so pretty! I’ll definitely be saving this for later. I need to go here!! 🙂
Author
This was my reaction when I first read about it too! 😀
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
Aye, what a gorgeous place to visit! As your suggest, a day should be enough, but for people that like travelling slow (like us) Izamal should be perfect 🙂
Telma @ Blank Canvas Voyage
Author
Thanks Telma. Mexico was a bit like slow travel for me too. Well, slow-ish as compared to some of the city breaks in Europe 😉 I hope you love Izamal when you visit it!
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
It looks fantastic. Reminds me on historical towns of South of Portugal (Alentejo&Algarve), their white walls are sometimes partially painted in yellow (or blue). I’m also very curious about Mayan culture 🙂
Author
That’s so true Lana! Portugal is also very colourful, and Algarve has that slow vibe that is present in Izamal too.
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
Oh such a pretty town. I love the hats that the horses are wearing
Author
The horses were quite decked up, I just hope they weren’t too uncomfortable.
Ameeta xx
Wow! How incredibly beautiful! I really would lvoe to start exploring more of Mexico! #blogpostsaturday
Author
It was my first time in Mexico, and I hope to visit again. Maybe Oaxaca next time 🙂
Ameeta xx
I have never heard of this city before, even though yellow is my favorite color! It looks so pretty there! 🙂 Definitely adding this to my bucket list!
Author
So glad you liked it. Yellow is such a happy colour 🙂
Ameeta xx
I had no idea about this place, but I’m dying to see more of Mexico and would love to go here, too! It looks so pretty!
Author
I can’t wait back to revisit Mexico too. I had a great time there 🙂
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
Oh wow, lovely place! I totally skipped it on the way to Tulum because I only had a day. Next time I’ll definitely check out the yellow city 😉
Author
That’s the perfect reason to again go to Mexico, right? 🙂
Ameeta xx
wow, it does really look wonderfully colorful and fresh. Thanks for introducing me to yellow city of Mexico!
Author
You are most welcome lena, I am so happy that you liked it so much 🙂
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
I’ve lived In Mexico for almost a year now but I didn’t know about this town?! Anyway, thanks for sharing because now I can visit it too when I’min the area! Very nice pics btw.
Author
Thanks Cristina, it’s difficult to take a bad picture when everything is so pretty 🙂 I look forward to read your experience about Izamal when you visit it!
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
What a pretty town! I love the yellow buildings. Adding it to my Mexico bucket list!
Author
Izamal is definitely very pretty, so glad you liked it 🙂
Cheers,
Ameeta xx
wonderful place, looks great!!!
Author
Thank you 🙂 You must plan Mexico as next holiday!
Pictures are lovely!!! 🙂
Author
Thanks Pooja! 🙂