Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Izamal, Mexico

Until the 16th century, Izamal was a significant Mayan city, featuring six pyramids that surrounded a vast ceremonial plaza at the largest urban center in the North Yucatec Plains.

Following the arrival of Bishop Diego de Landa at Izamal’s mission in the mid-16th century, the city underwent drastic changes, with colonial structures constructed over existing Mayan monuments.

The Convento de San Antonio de Padua serves as the centerpiece, a Baroque monastery situated where the Pop-Hol-Chac pyramid once stood.

This monument, representative of most historic architecture in Izamal, is adorned in a vibrant ochre yellow.

Currently, Izamal holds the designation of a Mexican Pueblo Mágico, which incorporates a series of Mayan archaeological sites marked with informative panels throughout the town.

Let us examine the premier attractions in Izamal:

1. Downtown Architecture

Although the heart of Izamal may not be overflowing with attractions, visitors will be captivated by its vibrant colonial architecture, which dates back to the 16th century.

Izamal is frequently referred to as the “Ciudad Amarilla” (Yellow City), with nearly every structure painted in a yellow ochre while the cornices, door frames, and window frames are a striking bright white.

Enthusiastic photographers will discover ample opportunities for striking images, and the residences exhibit remarkable beauty as their yellow facades reveal a patina of antiquity.

On the south side of the plaza, Parque 5 de Mayo, you will find the shop Hecho a Mano, which offers folk art and crafts from various parts of Yucatán, including wood carvings and embroidered textiles.

2. Convento de San Antonio de Padua

The Convento de San Antonio de Padua exemplifies how the Spanish settlers of Izamal appropriated the city’s Mayan architectural heritage, constructed atop a Mesoamerican pyramid.

This structure is dedicated to Itzamna, the god of the heavens, with the Pop-Hol-Chac pyramid being the largest of Izamal’s six Mayan platforms and remains the highest point in the city.

The Franciscan monastery built here was erected between 1549 and 1561, utilizing stone from the pre-Hispanic site.

The vast courtyard (atrio) is reportedly the second largest of its kind in the Christian world, following the Vatican, reflecting the immense scale of the pyramid.

The interior of the church features frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as a Baroque altar, which boasts luxurious gilt-wood decorations and painted scenes from the life of Jesus.

3. Atrio del Convento de San Antonio de Padua

The most remarkable feature of the monastery is undoubtedly its expansive rectangular courtyard (atrio), covering over 7,800 square meters, making it potentially the largest in the Americas and possibly the second largest globally. Visitors can navigate the arcades that outline this monumental area and take in the views of the “Yellow City,” recognizing the historical significance of standing on a Mayan pyramid.

Positioned within the courtyard, near the church entrance, is a statue of Pope John Paul II, which commemorates his visit in 1993.

4. Kinich Kakmó Pyramid

Dominating the northern skyline of the city is an imposing Mayan pyramid, which stands as the most substantial remnant of Izamal’s pre-Hispanic past.

The Kinich Kakmó Pyramid is dedicated to the solar god of the same name.

Kinich Kakmó translates to “fire parrot,” and this deity, depicted as a macaw, was believed to descend to Earth at midday to receive offerings.

Although the pyramid lacks decorative elements, it is one of the largest in Mexico, with a volume of 700,000 cubic meters.

Visitors are permitted to ascend to the summit; although the climb can be arduous under the midday sun, the panoramic view from the top is unparalleled in Izamal.

5. Centro Cultural y Artesanal

Located along the north edge of Parque 5 de Mayo, there is a museum housed in a 16th-century mansion.

This facility was inaugurated in 2007 after being renovated from a former hotel and showcases the work of the city’s most skilled artisans.

The museum comprises 11 exhibition halls categorized into five distinct sections: wood, ceramics, metal, textiles, and woven items made from plant fibers, such as henequen.

Among its displays is intricately designed jewelry created from palm seeds and cattle horns, whimsical alebrijes (colorful papier-mâché figures), and Calavera Catrinas, skeleton figurines made for Día de Muertos.

Additionally, a small exhibition details hacienda architecture specific to the region, along with a shop featuring pieces crafted by the artisans represented in the galleries.

6. Itzamatul

Itzamatul is amongst the largest monuments of Izamal’s lost Mayan plaza, constructed in three distinct phases.

The earliest phase dates back to approximately 400-600 AD, involving a base with a gentle gradient and stairways.

This was subsequently encased by a more vertical “slope and panel” construction approximately 300 years later, which has since undergone restoration and is accessible for climbing.

A glance to the north reveals the Kinich Kakmó Pyramid, affording visitors a sense of the grand layout of the lost Mayan Plaza.

The final phase, which took place between the 10th and 12th centuries, would have exhibited a colossal pyramid; however, only its 100-meter-long base and a short staircase still remain.

Like Pop-Hol-Chac, Itzamatul was also devoted to the deity of the heavens, Itzamna, drawing pilgrims from all around.

7. Temple of Kabul

To the west side of the Parque Itzamna plaza lie the remnants of a temple currently undergoing excavation.

The term “Kabul” translates to “Miraculous Hand” in Mayan, and upon completion, this structure would have exceeded 60 meters in length and stood nine meters high.

Initially, its surfaces were embellished with stucco decorations. In 1843, English explorer Frederick Catherwood documented an imposing stucco mask that was once visible on the wall.

Unfortunately, this decorative feature has since eroded.

8. Monumento a Fray Diego de Landa

Situated at a roundabout in front of the southern wall of the Convento de San Antonio de Padua is a monument honoring Diego de Landa, the colonial founder of Izamal.

This is an ideal spot for a photo opportunity, as he significantly influenced the appearance of Izamal as we know it today.

Arriving in Yucatán in 1549, merely three years after the Spanish secured control over the area, Landa was responsible for disseminating Catholic beliefs among the Mayans.

Although his methods were notably harsh, involving the destruction of invaluable codices and extensive eradication of Mayan sites—often converting them into Catholic monuments, as seen in Izamal—he paradoxically was among the earliest and most reputable documentarians of Mayan civilization.

9. Parque Itzamna

The main plaza in Izamal lies north of the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, featuring a colorful sign spelling out the city’s name, characteristic of Mexican culture.

This square is adorned with royal palms, tamarinds, and elephant-ear trees, bordered by arcades leading to the monastery.

Within the arcades are numerous cafes, ice cream shops, and taquerias, and from a seated position, the view of the Temple of Kabul atop the western facade is noteworthy.

10. Habuk Archaeological Site

On the eastern side of Izamal, there exists additional Mayan ruins that trace back to the Early Classic Period, as early as the 3rd century AD. Habuk is characterized by a platform measuring 90 meters in length, standing just under four meters tall.

The site features a roughly square plaza encircled by the remnants of four structures.

The oldest structures date back to around the 11th century.

Similar to other archaeological sites in Izamal, visitors are free to explore the area and discover its features.

11. El Conejo Archaeological Site

The final archaeological site to discover in Izamal is El Conejo, situated a few blocks from Itzamatul and Habuk.

This smaller site features a single platform measuring 40 x 50 meters and standing four meters high.

However, it has yielded a rich trove of archaeological artifacts, including flint spearheads, obsidian cutting tools, ceramic vessels, a copper bell, hatchets, and textile spindles during excavations.

This structure was likely too modest to serve as a pyramid, but could have acted as the base for a residence belonging to a significant Mayan official within the city.

12. Chichén Itzá

Located an hour’s drive southeast, Chichén Itzá is an essential World Heritage site and one of Mexico’s most cherished historical landmarks.

This ancient city reflects three phases of Mayan history (Late Classic, Post Classic, and Terminal Classic), between the 7th and 13th centuries AD. Notably, Chichén Itzá displays a remarkable blend of architectural styles, suggesting it was a diverse metropolis within the Mayan world.

The iconic feature of Chichén Itzá is the Pyramid of Kukulcan, which stands at 30 meters high and is famous for creating the illusion of a serpent descending its ridged sides during sunset on the spring and autumn equinox.

This phenomenon is also recreated with spectacular illuminations after dark throughout the year.

There are numerous attractions to explore within the site, so visitors should reserve time to enjoy the Great Ballcourt, the adjacent Skull Platform, the Temple of the Warriors, the Osario Pyramid, and the El Caracol observatory.

13. Cenote Ik Kil

As an excellent complement to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil is a collapsed cave located just southeast of the renowned ruins.

This cenote presents a striking view, measuring 60 meters in diameter and descending 25 meters from the surface of the surrounding forest.

The sheer walls are cloaked in lush vegetation and adorned with vines that intertwine with cascading waterfalls that reach the base.

Visitors should be sure to bring swimwear, as there is a stairway carved into the rock that leads down into the 40-meter deep waters.

The cenote has been a location for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series, which has returned three times in the last decade. In addition, archaeologists have uncovered both bone fragments and jewelry pieces from the depths of the cenote.

14. Homún Cenotes

Visitors can easily spend days exploring the numerous cenotes around the town of Homún, located under 50 kilometers southwest of Izamal.

There are five cenotes to explore, which can be enjoyed through guided tours or discovered independently, as Homún has only recently opened itself to tourism.

Each cenote offers its unique experience, such as the striking emerald waters at Tza Ujun Kat, illuminated by a single beam of light from the ceiling, or the Santa María cenote, which requires a trek through a cave and river before reaching the crystal-clear pool.

The Santa Rosa cenote possesses only a small opening at its ceiling, with a wooden staircase assisting access to its cool waters, set in a chamber lit by artificial blue light.

15. Regional Cuisine

Yucatecan cuisine, undoubtedly rooted in ancient Mayan traditions, offers a diverse array of dishes to sample while in Izamal.

Commonly prepared in panucherias, salbutes are fried tortillas filled with pulled chicken, pickled red onion, avocado, and lettuce, typically made to order for evening snacks.

Similar to salbutes, panuchos consist of fried tortillas layered with refried beans, pulled chicken, tomato, cabbage, and avocado.

A popular breakfast dish is chaya, prepared from leaves of “tree spinach” (chaya), boiled and then sautéed with onion and chopped tomato, typically served with eggs.

For a fulfilling entrée, consider queso relleno (stuffed cheese) or frijol con puerco (beans with pork). Both dishes come in spicy, hearty broths.

The regional liqueur, Xtabentún, is crafted from morning glory honey and anise seeds, with origins linked to a Mayan alcoholic beverage historically consumed via enemas!