From Valladolid to Izamal is a long bus ride, with no restroom on board! My rudimentary Spanish was most useful in asking the driver to wait for me while I used an available WC at a station three stops before Izamal. If we were to do it over we would've rented a car from Merida and driven to Izamal. We stayed at Hotel Hacienda Santo Domingo which is a beautiful and peaceful place about a 15 minute walk from town. The pool is small but lovely and the breakfast was delicious. They also have a more formal dining patio for dinners but you need to reserve ahead. We stayed in this little thatched casita with mosquito netting all around the king size bed. Yes, it had air-conditioning too. No cable, no TV, but the WI-FI is decent. It is very tranquil and romantic.
The bed was really comfortable but you know those dogs that sleep in the road all day, they HOWL in chorus in the middle of the night!
The back of the Convent of San Antonio de Padua
Santuario de la Virgen de Izamal
Entrance to Pyramid Kinich Kak Moo which is dedicated to the Mayan sun god.
After you climb the first half of the pyramid you get to this rocky meadow that you walk across to get to the second half of the climb.
The view from the top is not terribly exciting. It's the climb that gives you a thrill. It's more of a scramble up rocks as opposed to walking up steps. It would be a great place to watch a sunrise or sunset but it's hours are 8 to 5 and I can see why: It's the kind of climb where you want to see your feet! It is the only 'free' ruin site that I know of.
If, like my husband, you didn't want to climb any ruins, we suggest a refreshing drink at the cafe Los Arcos. They have two of the most comfortable rocking chairs any where! For returning to the hacienda we chose the romantic horse and buggy option.
Here is Pepe, our driver and his horse, Canella!
Canella = Cinnamon
Isn't she pretty?
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