Mexican Vacation – Off-The-Beaten-Track
Some people worry about travelling in Mexico, concerned about safety issues. However, it is often said that the State of Yucatan, in southern Mexico, is the safest part of Mexico. In the Yucatan, you can visit the wonderful colonial cities of Merida, Valladolid, and Izamal, and the beautiful beaches to the north and west of the Peninsular, as well as the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast.
The Yucatan is also famous for its cenotes – sacred mayan lakes – which are formed by the unusual structure of the limestone making an underground river system feeding a series of underground lakes. Some of the most beautiful can be found at the tiny village of Chunkanan. There are three cenotes, also known as the Cenotes of Cuzama, which are reached by taking a horse-drawn mini-rail truck deep into the jungle. The three cenotes are filled with crystal clear turquoise water, and it is said that once you have swum in a mayan cenote, you will always have to return.
It is not well known that in the village you can stay in a beautiful compound called Sac Nicte (White Flower in Mayan). Three mayan-style cottages with palapa roofs, set in an acre of tropical gardens, and with a large swimming pool filled with well water supplied by a traditional windmill. Sac Nicte is set back from the village, but within a few minutes walking distance of the start of the cenote adventure. Off-the-beaten-track Mexican Vacation is how some guests described their stay recently. They so enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the village, the slow pace of life, and the opportunity to wander around the village and meet the locals.
The village of Chunkanan is close to other villages that also have cenotes. Homun, only a ten minute drive away, has so many that it is advisable to have a guide to take you around. Another village, about a twenty-minute drive away, Sabacche, has two cenotes which are reached by hiring a local guide and bicycles. One small cenote is hidden away and has an incredible secret energy, and the other is enormous and beautiful, and reached by climbing down a spiral staircase.
Ideally located as a base from which to do a \”cenote\” tour, Sac Nicte is also within an easy drive of the fascinating archaeological sites of Mayapan and Acanceh. Although these are less well-known than the famous Chichen Itza and Uxmal, they are well worth visiting. It is possible to enjoy your visit in peace and tranquillity, away from the main tourist routes. Mayapan is one of the larger sites in the Yucatan, and although not as dramatic as the pyramid of Chichen Itza, it has more than 4000 structures. The ceremonial centre has a tightly packed cluster of temples, colonnaded halls, oratories, shrines, sanctuaries, altars and platforms. Acanceh is right in the centre of the modern bustling town, and has a pyramid with stucco which still shows some of its original colours.
The safety issue is simply not a consideration in this quiet little place, and guests at Sac Nicte can feel completely at ease, knowing that they are far from the noise and stress of city life, and can sleep peacefully in their traditional mayan hammocks, listening to the magical sounds of the tropical night.
Elizabeth is English, and has lived in the Yucatan for more than ten years. She loves to welcome guests to share her unusual and memorable village rental. Please visit Sac Nicte – Unique Mayan Village Rentalfor more information.
Elizabeth is English, and has lived in the the Yucatan for more than ten years. She loves to stay at Sac Nicte, her Mayan Retreat, and to welcome guests to share this unusual and memorable experience. Please the website of Sac Nicte at http://www.mayanvillagerental.com
Author Bio: Elizabeth is English, and has lived in the Yucatan for more than ten years. She loves to welcome guests to share her unusual and memorable village rental. Please visit Sac Nicte – Unique Mayan Village Rentalfor more information.
Category: Advice
Keywords: mexican vacation, yucatan vacation, mayan village, mayan village rental, cenote