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Balankanche is a Mayan word meaning “jaguar throne.” For the ancient Maya this was a site of great importance, it had a sacred meaning to them as it represented the entrance to the underworld, where several deities live. There is the ancient belief that it was the refugee of the Rain gods. The entrance passage descends steeply to a depth of 10 meters. The explored paths within the cave cover approximately 2 miles of trails. Along this corridor the passages are occasionally interrupted by large chambers of about 10 meter height and 25 of width, in which the stalactites and stalagmites in the cave become one and form sort of columns.
At 200 meters from the entrance is the Throne of Balam, an altar where the Maya carried out some sort of ceremony. In the middle of a twenty feet height room stands a large pillar formed by the fusion of a stalactite and a stalagmite, which resembles a huge ceiba tree called “the sacred ceiba that grows inside the earth.” Here are found innumerable ceremonial pieces of great archaeological value.
It is located six kilometers from Chichen Itza and Valladolid 35 km. (30 minutes). There is a spectacular light and sound show that tells the story. It has a museum with photographs and explanatory cards of certain sacred rituals practiced inside. This cave is open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.
CAVES OF BALANKANCHE
José Ramos
UAYMA
It is located 12 kilometers northwest from Valladolid, and is relatively well connected. The houses are all colonial style, and traditions and customs are preserved as the corn grinding. Only in this town you can see how different times blend in: the past and present, and as clear example are the homes that combine different colors. A great feature is the warmth of the people.
You can visit the protected natural reserves, where fresh water from the rain blend in with saline sea water to create a habitat for animals and plants native to the region, such as lizards and hundreds of bird species that are the delight for birdwatchers. It is located 96 kilometers (64 miles) from Valladolid.. It is the ideal place for ecotourism. It offers hotel services, restaurants with good food based on seafood and boat rides.
RIO LAGARTOS
The so-called hidden treasure of the Emerald Coast is a charming fishing village, its turquoise water and sandy beaches in the Mexican Caribbean blends with the Gulf of
Mexico. This is a protected area which holds fascinating flora and fauna. This fantastic and hidden site can be considered a real gem for lovers of quietness and nature. The colorful town is located three hours from the city of Merida.
EL CUYO
VALLADOLID
An important city in Yucatan State, it was named a Magical Town of Mexico, and has become the Capital of the Eastern Maya. Among its main attractions are the impressive Convent of San Bernardino, a Franciscan style building, the City Hall Palace and church of San Servacio. Close by is the Zaci cenote, that today operates as a restaurant and a natural swimming spot. Throughout a guided tour, you can find fine saddlery work, woven hammocks, rattan weaving and stone carving, as well as numerous restaurants to taste the delicious cuisine of Valladolid. It is located 160 miles east of Merida.
RIO LAGARTOS
(Natural paradise of the Mayan world)
Trips are made through the nature reserve to watch the flamingos, or you can hire transportation by boat to the islands for a day trip of relaxation and quietness. You must visit the village and eat in their restaurants, aside for shopping crafts made with coconut shell products.
Popular Celebrations The Fair in honor of the patron saint of the Port: Santiago Apostol. A traditional dance is performed, where everybody wear the traditional dresses and outfit attending the bull ring, and let the festivity begin, at the end all participants go to the countryside to look after the most shady ceiba. This event takes place during the month of July.
SAN FELIPE
(The bird refuge)
It offers a beautiful natural landscape. It is framed in a typical fishing village with restaurants, hotels, cabins and even a small entertainment center. The boat rides are particularly remarkable to sail at sun down.
Popular Celebrations On February 5, is celebrated the feast of San Felipe de Jesus, and on August 8, Santo Domingo de Guzman.
TINUM
(“Place of the thorn”)
Here we have found traces of ancient buildings belonging to some human settlement. A visit to the Church of San Antonio de Padua and the Chapel of Jesus is a must. Both buildings were built in the colonial era, as well as the Templo de la Concepcion.
Very close is found the archaeological zone of Chichen Itza. San Juan Holtun, Tikincab, San Francisco Seme, jewel of Erik Thompson, Canahum, Halacal, Xnaba, Dzibiac, Bacancu, La Venta and Piste, are well traced towns and Villages built among Mayan sites, and is common to observe and find these structures.
Popular celebrations Feast in honor of San Antonio de Padua. From the 7 through the 15 of June, dance contests are performed, unions and masses.
TIZIMIN
(“Place of the tapir”)
It’s a cattle town by excellence. Among the places of interest, are the ex-convent and the Parish of the Three Wise Men, data from the XVII century, and the ex-Convent and Temple of San Francisco, from the XVI century. Outstanding archaeological Mayan vestiges are found in Dzonot Ake, El Palmar, Chunhuele, Xlacab, Panaba, Haltunchen, and Xuencal.
Popular celebrations
Cattle, industrial and craft Fair of Tizimin takes place from December 29 through January 15, as part of the celebrations in honor to the Three Wise Men.
UAYMA
Just ten minute drive from Valladolid, this town is a must to visit, mainly for its spectacular temple and convent of Santo Domingo. It was built in 1646 with stones from the nearby Mayan ruins. During the Caste War the Mayan rebels invaded Uayma, and destroyed the original church, on their effort to eradicate any vestige of the Spanish presence in the peninsula, but it was rebuilt in 1891. The last restoration was finished in 2005, and is very similar to the original. However there are still colonial buildings
falling apart, which require restoration such as the railroad station.
Popular celebrations
On May 3rd, the festivity honors the Holy Cross, on the 15th day of the same month, San Isidro Labrador, patron of the town, from July 26 through August 6th. The celebration is in honor of Santo Domingo. During these festivities there are dance contests, bullfights, fraternities, and the most famous traditional dance performance of “ The Pig Head “.
CHICHIMILA Y XOCEN
They are located 10 minutes from Valladolid, on the road that goes to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo. These two villages are the best option to go into the life of the Mayan culture that still prevails in almost all the houses made with a hatched roof. With its people, strongly religious and very much unto the oldest Mayan traditions, Xocen and Chichimila still live its glorious past as a result of the movement called Caste War, which was originated in this area.
Chichimila amazes the visitor with cenotes, caves and other natural open areas, and Xocen with the most deeply rooted traditions (such as their faith to the Holy Cross or Xocen Stone Cross -considered as the Center of the World-) and with a spectacular Indian Theatre Lab, that presents cultural plays, with the participation of several inhabitants of the community. These are two Mayan towns that are essential to visit when you come to Valladolid.
KAUA
From the Mayan expression “Ka”, contraction of “kaah”, which means “bitter”; and “yua” as “esta”, may be interpreted as “is it bitter?” There is no trace of Mayan origin settlements in the territory, but it is known of inhabitant existence, before the conquest. During colonial times, under the regime of Commendation, Diego Escalante (1700-1750) was in charge of such responsibility. In 1825 became part of the match in Valladolid, and in 1928 it became a free municipality. Since 2000, an airport was built, which is used for the arrival of tourists on private flights, mainly persons visiting the Chichen Itza and Valladolid.
TEMOZON
Means “Place of whirls”, and it is located 10 kilometers from Valladolid. Temozon is the perfect stop on the way to the archaeological site of Ek Balam and Cenote X-Canche. If the interest is to get to know the main economic activities of Yucatan, this place is a sample of that because it was settled the corn production region. Regarding agriculture and livestock, seeds of corn, beans, watermelon, tomatoes and a variety of chiles, are cultivated, as well as the rising of cattle, pork and poultry.
One of the most important Haciendas de Yucatan is settled in this municipality, and has sisal production. Today this hacienda has been restored and it lodges a hotel, which makes the stay of its guests a most memorable one, as it keeps the decoration and lifestyle of the late XIX and early XX centuries. The village itself if also full of traditions, as during the festivities on November for the Day of All Saints and Day of Death, a traditional altar is set on the main living room of the houses, and the food that was most enjoyed by the deceased ones is served on the altar, as greetings to the souls that will visit the family on those days. Sometimes it is served Mucbil-pollo, atole, corn, and hot chocolate. It is a nice town also known for its wooden crafts items and their production of rich sausage and famous smoked meat.
ESPAÑOL
