Native Trails MyTrails 2025 301 Yucatán 17 Visit of the excavation site of Ek' Balam Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Ek' Balam means “Black Jaguar” in the Mayan language. Excavations in the ruins began as late as 1997. The entire archaeological area comprises about 12-km² (4.6-sq.mi.) with, for the time being, 45 exposed structures. The luxurious pieces excavated of jade, bone or materials from the sea suggest that Ek' Balam was a wealthy and influential Mayan town. 18 Visit of the Cenote Xcanché Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy About 1.5 km (1 mile) from the EkBalam archaeological zone, you get to the cenote of Xcanché, a water hole some 50 m (165 ft.) across amidst the rainforest of Yucatán. Before you can take a pleasant swim, you need to descend 15 meters (50-ft.) down to the water via steep wooden stairs – or overcome the distance like a mountaineer by rappelling. Swallows, motmots and schools of small fish are found in the cenote. After having risen from the underworld, the restaurant run by the cooperative in the immediate vicinity offers drinks and snacks at reasonable prices. If you like, you can even stay on the ground overnight and enjoy the magnificent starry sky far from big sources of artificial light. 19 Excursion to the flamingo colonies in Celestún Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy From the small fishing village of Celestún, you take a boat tour to observe the colonies of pink flamingos in their natural habitat. Enjoy the impressive variety of birds in this sensitive ecosystem. The following visit of two fresh water sources is ideal for swimming and relaxing. 20 Visit to the archaeological area of Acancéh Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Acancéh, “where the deer groans” in the language of the local Mayas, was an important center in northern Yucatán and had its heyday in the Early Classic period. The excavations indicate that it had relations to places as far as Guatemala and Teotihuacán. Among the several hundred structures of the site, the pyramid with its stucco masks at the foot of the stairs deserves special mention as does the Palace of the Stuccoes, whose northern façade shows elaborate representations of mammals, birds and Mayan gods. The main pyramid of the archaeological zone of Acancéh is in the center of today’s town of the same name. 21 The history of the Yaxcopoil hacienda Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy The Yaxcopoil hacienda dates back to the 17th century and tells the story of the three great epochs of Yucatán. Once one of the most important landed estates, Yaxcopoil, due to political, social and economic changes, now comprises less than 3% of its original area. On a tour through the ruins of the hacienda, you will feel the heyday of the hacienda to be revived. 22 Visit of the Hacienda Sotuta de Peón Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Easy Step back into the times of the mighty 19th century henequén barons. While you are visiting the plantations, the production plant, and the sumptuous main building from colonial times, you learn interesting details about the cultivation of the green henequén agave and its processing to fibers. They are used to produce tear-resistant ropes, carpets and hammocks to this very day. 23 Hike to the Cenotes of Homún Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium In the town of Homún, near Cuzamá, you will start your hike and embark on a fascinating discovery tour into the “underworld” of the Yucatán Peninsula. Enjoy up to seven completely different cenotes in intense colors that go from emerald green to charming turquoise with
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