Articles with the theme Tours in Mexico

Mexico Mayan Ruins of Coba: Traveling back in time

The enormity of a green, luscious jungle and the ruins of an ancient civilization are suddenly broken up by the imagination as you see a clear, open space and in the middle of it all a pyramid measuring 42 meters (138 feet) painted in bright red. Suddenly you are transported to a different time period centuries from now.

These temples in Coba in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula jungle were known to the ancient Mayans as “Houses of the Gods” where the deities would be called to Earth by the elite through rituals, hallucinogens, and self-inflicted pain.

The ancient Mayan community was attracted by the beauty of colors and decorated the buildings of the elite in a bright red that could be seen for miles away. The red represented blood. The jungles that are now toured by thousands of visitors were once clear spaces and open areas in the community.

Coba once spread over 80 square kilometers. Built between two lakes, the city is one of the most important archeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. The main pyramid—Nohoch Mul—stands 138 feet tall. On top it, a sea of green spreads over your vicinity as a certain peace spreads over you.

In the corners of its mysterious beauty, the jungle hides an estimated 6,000 structures that remain buried under centuries of thick jungle.

Right before climbing the amazing main pyramid in Coba, our tour guide from The Mayan Express summed up what archeologists have imagined Coba was when the ancient Mayans inhabited the land during the Classic Period (600-900 A.D.). This pre-education prepares us to enter the city with an open sense of understanding that enhances the experience of visiting Coba.

The ruins now stand as a testament of time, but the Mayan communities remain vibrant in the area. After descending the steep pyramid—a little exhausted and yet somehow rejuvenated—we head over to a Mayan ceramic shop to learn pottery making from Paco and Jorge. Paco and Jorge—two young children in this community—are learning techniques that have been lost for years and in that way preserve their culture. These works are then offered to visitors to help sustain these communities.

With this connection to the community, we are able to learn about the modern Mayan communities and their way of life, including the delicious traditional Mayan food.

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The Mayas are surrounded by legends of mysticism. These legends and beliefs have made this culture a fascinating aspect to explore. One of the legends tells of the twin brothers that fought the gods of the underworld in a game and won. As part of our visit, we descend into a dark pit of a cenote to the symbolic underworld to watch a Mayan show performed by the local community. The vibrant show is also part of the community’s efforts to showcase their heritage.

This ancient civilization has left us with an enormous treasure in history and tradition. The Mayan Ruins stand waiting for visitors to uncover its beauty. Although the Peninsula is sprinkled with archeological sites, Coba is an impressive must while visiting the region.

The Mayan Express Tour | Coba Sunset Mayan Show from Jorge Tejada on Vimeo.

View all the photos in our Coba Visit Gallery.

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About the Author

Pamela Acosta is a Mexican travel photographer and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.

Mexican Haciendas of Yucatan: History, Design and Photos.

Recognized for its rich cultural history, the Yucatan Peninsula is home to a number of cultural attractions for travelers, such as archaeological sites of ancient Mayan ruins, but another no-less spectacular attraction is the Mexican hacienda. These architectural treasures are exquisite constructions with important historical significance.

Hacienda History

In the 16th century, the haciendas were introduced to Mexico by Spanish royalty to reward the conquistadors and other nobility with confiscated land from the Indians. They operated similar to the southern plantations of the United States as a caste system: the masters were European "hacendados" (landowners), and the slaves were "indigenas" (Indians). Although not lucrative for the Indians, the haciendas were successful businesses.

Mexican haciendas became a major influence in Mexico’s economic and political culture for nearly four centuries. Governed as small towns each led by a "hacendado," a powerful man with widespread economic and political influence, these self-sustaining, rural communities were agricultural and livestock centers producing vegetables, fruit, and meat for trade.

Each hacienda focused primarily on one product common to the region. In the Yucatan, the primary agricultural crop was henequen, a type of agave plant. Sisal, a rope derived from henequen, grew so much in popularity in the 19th century that production became extremely fruitful. As a result of the high profitability from producing this rope, henequen was dubbed "oro verde" or "green gold."

Hacienda Design

Mexican haciendas were private estates consisting of a primary hacienda or main house, guest residence, servants’ quarters, stables, corrals, granaries, blacksmith forges, general stores, chapels, schools, and hospitals; they even wove cloth to make their own clothing. A single estate could be large enough to sustain nearly 1,000 people, including administrators, clerks, foremen, priests, teachers, and servants of Indian and mestizo (Spanish & Indian mix) descent.

As the haciendas flourished, they became symbols of wealth, evolving into refined architectural constructions designed with imported items from across the world. Based on Spanish colonial style, the Mexican haciendas exhibit simple, solid structures with fancy, Spanish Baroque decorations in a distinctive Mexican fashion which render them Mexican architectural treasures. Each hacienda has its own romantic yet rugged appeal, designed with pillars, arches, natural materials, and rich colors.

Unfortunately, the Mexican revolution resulted in the destruction of many haciendas between 1910 and 1920, although quite a few still exist in the Yucatan Peninsula today. Privately owned by the descendants of landowners, purchased by independent Mexican citizens, or abandoned in the jungles, several of these haciendas are open to the public for tours. Many are found near Merida, the capital city of Yucatan, Mexico, since this is a former Spanish colonial town and cultural center of the Yucatan. As a fascinating part of Mexican history, be sure to include a tour of the Mexican haciendas on your next trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Yucatan Haciendas

                                            Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

                                                   Hacienda Yaxcopoil

                                                        Hacienda Ochil

                                                     Hacienda Uayalceh

                                                           Hacienda Teya

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About the Author

Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.

Tipping Like a Local in Mexico

You travel south of the border to enjoy the warm white sands of Mexico beaches but when it comes to tipping, you’re not in Kansas anymore Toto. Despite the fact that the Mexican hospitality is very warm, there are some slight tipping cultural differences to keep in mind that will prevent misconceptions among tourist and locals.

Regardless if you opt for an all-inclusive or not, if you are the type of tourist that likes to get out and get a taste of the local flavor, there are some fundamental tipping etiquette differences between the United States and Mexico that you should keep in mind.

A) It is the American instinct to tip the taxi drivers but when in Mexico, it is not necessary. This is especially the case in resort areas with high tourist traffic. Only tip if the taxi driver did something extra special. Standard taxi rates in places like Cancun or the Riviera Maya are pre-determined and already include the tip.

 

B) Allow baggers to bag your groceries and then tip them. Most of the baggers are either high school teens or retirees working purely for tips. Standard tipping rates depending on amount of purchases and range from 5 to 10 pesos. This is equivalent to 50 cents to a dollar.

 

 

C) It is customary to tip tour and activity guides in Mexico. If you take a dinner cruise or swim with the whale sharks, it is customary to tip the captain of the cruise yacht or tour boat. If you are touring the Yucatan jungle on horseback, don’t forget to tip your guide at the end of the trip. Just like dining in a restaurant 15% to 20% of the over all tour price is an appropriate tip.

 

D) If you rent a car in Mexico, remember that self service gas stations don’t exist. Regardless of where you roam, there will always be a gas attendant waiting to fill your gas tank, check fluid levels, wash the windshield and clean the tires. If they simply fill the gas tank, most locals don’t tip. Regardless, for the workers that are working under the hot Mexican sun, a tip is always appreciated. An appropriate tip for a gas attendant in Mexico is 5 to 10 pesos.

 

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About the Author

Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her. Follow Kristin on Twitter.