Birdwatching

The state of Yucatan is home to 445 of the 548 bird species recorded for the Yucatan peninsula, which represents 50% of all birds reported across the country. The species are diverse in that they belong to 68 of the 75 families found in this region. Apart from the great diversity of species found in the area, the region that joins the three states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan, is renowned as a high-endemic area, in flora and fauna.

That makes it an important region for enthusiasts visiting observers of nature. Invariably, those visitors are drawn to the state of Yucatan to see the only colony of American Flamingos in Mexico, numbering more than 30,000 individuals, and observe the antics of the Yucatan Wren endemic predominantly inhabits the northern coast of the state Similarly an abundant variety of birds listed in the following, Quail, pelicans, woodpeckers, gulls, eagles, hummingbirds, doves, Dove, Goose, Blue Heron, Green Heron, Green Jay and many more.

Moreover, the state of Yucatan has traditionally served as the cultural center of the region and therefore is the perfect place to combine birding with visits to Mayan archaeological sites which include Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Coba.

“The hotel was very convenient for visiting Chichen Itza. You could walk there enjoying the parrots and other birds in the large trees”.

          Expedia – traveler from Vancouver, BC

          Villa Arqueologica Chichen Itza

          February 23, 2010.

“Many birds showed up to sing me awake and to sleep, a highlight for me”.

Chichen Itza Exclusive Tours*

Sunset at Chichen 5:00 PM (After the Public Time)

• Duration: 1 Hour
• Entrance: $170 Mexican Pesos per Person
• Guide: $400 Mexican Pesos per Group
• Security Guard: $200 Mexican Pesos per Group
• N° of Guests: 1 to 10 Maximum
• Reservation: Minimum of 2 hours anticipation

Day at Chichen (Only during the day zone route)

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Entrance: $111 Mexican Pesos per Person (Includes Light and Sound Show)
• Guide: $550 Mexican Pesos per Group
• N° of Guests: 1 to 10 Maximum
• Reservation: Minimum of 2 hours anticipation

Old Chichen 5:00 PM (From 8AM to 3:30PM -last Tour-)

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Entrance: $230 Mexican Pesos per Person
• Guide: $550 Mexican Pesos per Group
• N° of Guests: 1 to 8 Maximum
• Reservation: Minimum of 2 hours anticipation
• Attractions: Virgin natural surroundings. Access to central, South and North zone. Visit to site with extense studies regarding Chichen history and the most pure culture, intact site with mayan writing. Contact with nature passage on foot by the forest. Observation of birds, medicinal plants, orchids, and bromelias flowers.

* Exclusive Tours for Villas Arqueologicas guests, offered by authorized and certhified Guides by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Tours can be booked directly at the Hotel reception according with the time and anticipation to reserve.

CELEBRATION OF THE THREE KINGS

• Celebration with jarana and processions.
  DATE: 6 of January.
  PLACE: Locality of Piste.

FAIR OF VALLADOLID

• Celebration in honor of the Candelaria Virgin.
  DATE: January 25 to February 2.
  PLACE: Locality of Piste.

SPRING EQUINOX

• Rays of the sun create the optical illusion of the descent of the feathered serpent by the pyramid of Kukulcan.
  DATE: Each 21 of March.
  PLACE: Archaeological zone of Chichen Itza.

SUMMER EQUINOX

• Rays of the sun create the optical illusion of the descent of the feathered serpent by the pyramid of Kukulcan.
  DATE: Each 21 of September.
  PLACE: Archaeological zone of Chichen Itza.

CELEBRATION OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

• Celebration with jarana, dances, processions, run of bulls and mechanical games.
  DATE: From the 4 to the 12 of December.
  PLACE: Archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá.

CARNIVAL

• The Carnestolendas are celebrated annually in town. These celebrations to the God Momo, is regularly realized before the Easter. During five days consecutive the noise reigns, the joy and the participation of the community that amuses with the strolls and parades of the allegorical cars, the disguises and the concentration of people grouped in comparsas, dancing with the rhythm of music.
  DATE: Annually in the weeks previous to the Easter.
  PLACE: Close Neighborhoods, but have its greater expression in the city of Merida.

FAIR OF X'MATKUIL

• Different exhibitions are realized from cattle of high registry; artisan, industrial, tourist and commercial samples mounted in stands where the best products of the region are presented. During the first week equestrian competitions, bull fights, charrerias, sport activities and cultural events take place. Other of the attractiveness of this fair is the Palenque with roosters where artistic spectacles with figures of national and international reputation are offered.
  DATE: First week of November and during the following 15 days.
  PLACE: X'Matkuil, population near the municipality.

CULTURAL SPRING OF THE MAYAB

• It consists of more than 120 events and spectacles.
  DATE: From the 19 of March to the 19 of April.
  PLACE: The program includes 40 municipalities.

CULTURAL AUTUMN

• The Institute of Culture of Yucatan (ICY) of the Government of the State, programs one season of events denominated “Cultural Autumn”. The spectacles are realized in different scenes like "House of Culture", the beautiful theater "Jose Peon Contreras"; the theater "Daniel Ayala Perez" and other sites of importance, with plays, dance and plastic art. Also a cultural interchange with the "Cervantino" festival; that takes place annually in the State of Guanajuato.
  DATE: October of every year.
  PLACE: In different municipalities from the State of Yucatan.

HANAL-PIXAN

• In Mayan it means "Food of the Spirits". This tradition goes back to the antiquity to venerate the memory of the passed away relatives. In the towns of the interior of the State, novenas, prayers, offerings are realized; the visit to the pantheons is forced to pray by the dear beings. Also is accustomed the elaboration of tasty "mucbilpollos" or "pibes", that is a big tamal made of mass of maize flour, stuffed with meat of chicken and pork.
  DATE: Days 1 and 2 of November.
  PLACE: In different municipalities from the State of Yucatan.

SUMMERY SEASON

• The heat that reigns during the spring to summer brings about the exodus of great number of travelers towards beaches of the Yucatan coast. The ports of Chuburná, Chelem, Progreso, Chicxulub, Telchac and other adjacent populations of the coast, receive to a great number of visitors looking to refresh in warm marine green jade waters. The tourists take advantage of this time the summer to widely amuse with their families in sites like the Malecon of the City and Progreso Port, where numerous establishments of meals and drinks in popular spas.
  DATE: From June until August.
  PLACE: In different municipalities from the State of Yucatan.

EASTER

• During the period of the Holy Week, some visitors take advantage to go to the beach, the field and others concur on Temples and Churches for the religious ceremonies. The churches enclosures of this type shine full by the great affluence of faithful people, mainly on Holy Thursday and Good Friday in some sites of Merida and in other municipalities of the State (Acanceh, Baca and others of great fervor) is realized the rite of the Crucifixion and Holy Burial.
  DATE: Easter
  PLACE: In different municipalities from the State of Yucatan.

MERIDA IN SUNDAY

• For 10 years has been settled down in center of Merida a Dominical market on wheels denominated "Merida in Sunday". As indicated on the name, every weekend diverse musical and cultural spectacles are programmed, settling artisan products around the Main Place (at the Merida Center), on the 60th street (central) and parks "Hidalgo", "De la Madre", and the poetic corner of "Santa Lucia ". There, artistic pieces carved in wood, silver, marine shell, products made of fabric and leather, books, old coins and antiques can be obtained, without missing the dishes of the regional gastronomy.
  DATE: All Sundays.
  PLACE: City of Merida.

SERENADE OF SANTA LUCIA

• Every Thursday at 9:00 p.m. the "Yucatecan Serenades" are realized; in the poetic colonial corner at Park of Santa Lucia. There, famous poetic trios and theTypical Orchestra of Yucalpeten play beautiful melodies of immortal yucatecan authors. In the scene soloists are listened, poets and the celebrations close with the dance of jaranas regional dance; the spectacle is free.
  DATE: All Thursdays of the year.
  PLACE: Santa Lucia Park at the City of Merida.