LOCAL ESSENTIALS

LOCAL CULTURE

CHICHEN ITZÁ

Located only 90 minutes from Merida. The Kukulcan pyramid is the most famous building in this UNESCO archaeological site, followed by the ball court and the Mayan observatory. Every 21st March and 21st September during the Spring and Fall equinoxes, crowds appear to watch an astronomical phenomenon: at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the pyramid casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent onto the north staircase. As the sun moves, the serpent slithers down the northern side of the pyramid.

CULTURE

The Haciendas in Yucatan were the largest producers of the Sisal fiber of Henequen between the 17th and 19th century. There power became known as the green gold of the Yucatan, and making the second largest income per capita to the population. There are over 1,200 historic haciendas in the region and it's worth making time to visit at least one of them.

Dressing for bussiness or for pleasure

In Merida the bussiness dress code is usualy a long sleve shirt; we don't use a formal suit unless they specific require it. This because our tropical climate allows a casual dressing for work. If you are coming on a leasure trip, allow your self to bring coton dreses, as well as confortable shoes to walk around the beautiful historical center and the daily trips to see the mayan sites, and the colonial towns.

LANGUAGES

Merida as the capital city of the Yucatan has the Spanish as our first language, and many will speak fluent english, as is the second language in our schools. In the Yucatan Half of our population are Maya, so will find most of the locals speaking both Mayan and Spanish.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Gastronomy

Perhaps the most typical Yucatecan dish is cochinita pibil, made with pork and the annato seed. There are several dishes that come from the precolombian time as the Papadzules, relleno negro, Sikilpack and the pipian.

History

Merida has the second largest historical centers in Mexico. This area has the 7 original neighborhoods that were created at the begining of the Colonial time. The Cathedral in Merida was the first one builded in the American Continent. In the towers you can find a carved stone serpent that the mayas of the time placed in it to remain them of their own believes.

Merida

Merida was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo on the top of a Mayan city called Tho, the actual buildings in the down town were created with the stones of the Mayan pyramids of that city. Merida was chosen out of 30 cities from all over the American continent to be the first American Capital of Culture in 2000.

New Seven Wonders of the World

The Mayan site at Chichen Itza; was nominated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - one of 21 candidates.

Bird Watching

Yucatan is the paradaise for bird watchers, in the area you can find more than 543 bird spicies. Every year in December, there is a Bird Festival called Tho, that includes a Marathon of 48 hrs of bird watching.