Izamal

Izamal enjoys a warm tropical climate typical of the Yucatán Peninsula, with distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures generally range from 20°C to 35°C year-round, making it a pleasant destination any time.

The rainy season lasts from June through October, bringing short, intense showers that cool the air and refresh the landscape. The dry season, from November to May, offers sunnier skies and less humidity – ideal for exploring outdoor sites.

The best time to visit Izamal

The ideal time to visit Izamal is during the dry season, especially between November and April. During these months, you can enjoy comfortable temperatures and sunny days perfect for sightseeing, climbing pyramids, and wandering the charming yellow streets.

Avoid the rainy season if you prefer to stay dry, but even then, showers rarely last all day.

The name “Izamal” comes from the ancient Mayan language, believed to mean “dew” or “place of dew,” reflecting the city’s early significance as a sacred site with a connection to the heavens and fertility.

This name captures the mystical aura that still surrounds the city today, rooted in its pre-Hispanic past. Izamal was a major ceremonial center dedicated to the solar deity Kinich Ahau and the creator god Itzamna.

Another interpretation attributes the name to Itzamná himself, emphasizing Izamal’s mythological centrality.

According to Maya tradition, Izamal was associated with Zamná, a revered priest who arrived with the Chanes from Bacalar. He later became deified as a manifestation of the Maya sky god Itzamná, reinforcing Izamal’s sacred character and central role in regional mythology.

Pre-Columbian Izamal

Despite its modest size, Izamal once dominated a territory of over 5,000 square kilometers, and its past grandeur is still visible in the five massive Maya pyramids that rise among the colonial buildings – a powerful visual of layered history.

At its height, the city covered a core area of at least 53 square kilometers, including temples, plazas, palaces, and residential neighborhoods.
It was a major religious, political, and economic center during the Classic and Postclassic periods.

Izamal was one of the most significant urban centers of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization, especially in the Northern Yucatec Plains. At its height, the city covered a core area of at least 53 square kilometers, making it likely the largest settlement in the region.

The city’s occupation spans nearly the entire course of Mesoamerican chronology. From its founding in the Late Formative Period (750–200 BC) until the Spanish arrival in the 16th century, Izamal remained a key political, religious, and cultural hub. During its peak, it featured a vast ceremonial plaza surrounded by six major pyramids, emphasizing its prominence in the northern Maya lowlands.

The most active construction phases occurred between the Protoclassic period (200 BC–200 AD) and the Late Classic period (600–800 AD). Although partially abandoned following the rise of Chichen Itza in the Terminal Classic (800–1000 AD), Izamal retained religious significance throughout the Postclassic era, serving as a major pilgrimage center, second only to Chichen Itza.

Izamal was connected to other Maya cities by a network of sacbéob — white roads made of limestone.

Spanish Colonial Era

The Spanish conquest in the 16th century brought dramatic changes to Izamal. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Izamal had lost much of its former political importance but was still inhabited and remained spiritually significant to the Maya.

Colonial authorities founded a new city directly atop the ancient Maya site. Rather than dismantling the massive pyramids – an undertaking considered too labor-intensive – they built Christian structures over existing platforms. A small church was erected atop the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid, while a large Franciscan monastery was built on the acropolis.

Founded by Bishop Diego de Landa, the Monastery of San Antonio de Padua was completed in 1561. Its open-air atrium remains the second largest in the world, after the Vatican. Most colonial buildings in Izamal – including churches, convents, and civic structures – were constructed using stone from the Maya ruins.

Izamal became the first episcopal seat of the Bishopric of Yucatán before it was later moved to Mérida. Bishop Diego de Landa, infamous for both documenting and destroying Maya heritage, resided in Izamal during this period.

Modern History

Izamal was first granted official city status by the government of Yucatán on December 4, 1841. It was downgraded to town status on August 13, 1923, and later regained its city title on December 1, 1981.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area surrounding Izamal became involved in the regional henequen boom. Nearby haciendas, such as San José Kanán and Kantirix, contributed to Yucatán’s agro-industrial development, adding another chapter to the town’s layered history.

In August 1993, Pope John Paul II visited Izamal. He held a public mass and crowned the town’s revered statue of the Virgin Mary with a silver crown – an event that remains a cherished memory in local history and significantly boosted religious tourism.

Walking through Izamal feels like stepping into a golden dream. Cobblestone streets wind past glowing yellow facades, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop under the sun, and ancient pyramids rise beside colonial churches — every corner tells a story waiting to be discovered.

Must-see attractions in Izamal

• Kinich Kak Moo pyramid
• Convento de San Antonio de Padua
• Itzamatul temple
• Temple of Kabul
• Centro Cultural y Artesanal
• Parque Itzamná
• Monumento a Fray Diego de Landa

Kinich Kak Moo: the fire macaw pyramid

Towering over the northern part of the city, the pyramid of Kinich Kak Moo is the most imposing structure in Izamal.

Dedicated to Kinich Kak Moo, the “Fire Macaw” — a solar deity revered in Izamal and considered a local aspect of the Maya sun god Kinich Ahau — this immense platform covers over 8,000 square meters and rises with ten tiers into the sky.

At 700,000 cubic meters in volume, it’s among Mexico’s largest pyramids. Visitors can climb its steep stairways to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding jungle — an unforgettable reward after the ascent.

Besides the towering Kinich Kak Moo, the city includes other major pyramidal structures such as Itzamatul, Kabul, Hun Pik Tok, Tuul (El Conejo), Habuc, and Chaltun Ha. Another important temple, Pap Hol Chac, lies buried beneath the colonial-era monastery.

Convento de San Antonio de Padua: faith over ruins

At the city’s heart stands a monumental 16th-century Franciscan monastery, built atop the ruins of the Maya pyramid Pop-Hol-Chac. Using stones from the original temple, the Spanish erected this Baroque marvel between 1549 and 1561.

The convent’s vast atrium is the largest in the Americas and second only to the Vatican globally. Inside, you’ll find ornate altarpieces, centuries-old frescoes, and a sacred atmosphere that tells of spiritual conquest and cultural transformation.

Atrio del Convento: the soul of Izamal

What makes the convent unforgettable is its immense courtyard — over 7,800 square meters of arched walkways and open space. You can stroll its arcades and reflect on the centuries of change that took place right beneath your feet.

In the center stands a statue of Pope John Paul II, who visited Izamal in 1993 and gave the city a new spiritual connection. From here, look out across the rooftops of the Yellow City and glimpse the tops of ancient pyramids rising between the homes.

Itzamatul: the temple of the heavens

Located southeast of the city center, Itzamatul was one of the city’s most important pre-Hispanic monuments. The structure underwent three building phases starting around 400 AD. Today, you can still see a restored stairway and climb part of its massive base.

Dedicated to the god Itzamná, deity of the heavens, Itzamatul would have drawn Maya pilgrims from across the region. From the top, you can see Kinich Kak Moo in the distance, hinting at Izamal’s original ceremonial layout.

Temple of Kabul: The Mysterious Mask

West of the plaza lies the Temple of Kabul, an ancient Maya monument partially covered in time but now being uncovered through excavation. Kabul once featured large stucco masks, one of which was sketched by explorer Frederick Catherwood in 1843. Though these masks no longer exist, the remnants of the structure and its elevated platform offer a quiet moment to imagine the grandeur of Maya architecture and artistry.

Centro Cultural y Artesanal: Yucatán’s creative spirit

Across from Parque 5 de Mayo, in a 16th-century colonial mansion, sits the Centro Cultural y Artesanal. This museum celebrates Yucatán’s finest crafts, from intricate wood carvings and colorful textiles to jewelry made from palm seeds and bone.

Divided into five categories, the exhibits showcase local talent and Maya tradition. Highlights include fanciful alebrijes, elegant Catrina figures for Día de Muertos, and a small hacienda architecture display. The attached shop supports local artisans directly.

Parque Itzamná: Izamal’s central plaza

The main plaza is where daily life in Izamal unfolds. Bordered by arcades with ice cream shops and taquerías, Parque Itzamná is a peaceful green square planted with royal palms and tamarinds.

A giant colorful sign spells out IZAMAL — the perfect photo spot. From here, you can see the ramps to the convent and the rising silhouette of the Temple of Kabul, reminding you that this tranquil town square once formed part of a sprawling Maya metropolis.

Monumento a Fray Diego de Landa: history’s paradox

At a roundabout near the convent stands a statue of Fray Diego de Landa, the Franciscan monk who played a pivotal and controversial role in Izamal’s history. He arrived in 1549 to convert the Maya, often using brutal methods.

Landa famously burned invaluable Maya codices — yet ironically, his writings became one of the most important sources for understanding Maya language and culture. His monument is a fitting place to reflect on the complicated legacy of colonialism.

There’s a story circulating online about something that supposedly happened in Izamal in 1975. According to the tale, a land official accused of corruption was found stoned to death in the town square. The army occupied the town, but no one admitted to knowing anything.

Whether it’s true or not, we couldn’t find any solid evidence…

Yucatecan cuisine is one of Mexico’s richest regional food traditions, deeply rooted in ancient Maya culture and shaped by Spanish colonial influences. Izamal is the perfect place to explore this heritage, offering dishes that blend indigenous ingredients with traditional cooking methods.

Two popular street foods in Izamal are salbutes and panuchos – crispy tortillas topped with shredded chicken or turkey, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and pickled onions. Panuchos are filled with refried beans before frying. These snacks are usually enjoyed with drinks.

A beloved breakfast dish is chaya con huevo, made with chopped chaya—known as “Maya spinach”—sautéed with onions, tomato, and scrambled eggs. Chaya is also blended into smoothies and juices, often mixed with pineapple or lime, prized for its nutrition and unique flavor.

For a heartier meal, try queso relleno, where Edam cheese is hollowed and stuffed with spiced ground pork and raisins, then baked with white and tomato sauces. Another classic is frijol con puerco – slow-cooked black beans with pork, served with rice, onion, cilantro, and lime.

No visit to Izamal is complete without tasting Xtabentún, a traditional Yucatecan liqueur made from fermented honey, anise, and rum. With roots in Maya ceremonial drinks, it’s now savored as a rich cultural legacy and a sweet, aromatic delight.

Izamal is not only a historic and spiritual center but also a vibrant hub of cultural celebrations that blend Maya traditions with Catholic rituals. Throughout the year, the city hosts several colorful festivals that attract both locals and visitors.

The most important event is the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of Yucatán. Held annually from late November to December 8, it includes religious processions, traditional dances, music, fireworks, and a pilgrimage to the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, where the sacred image of the Virgin is venerated.

Another key celebration is Holy Week (Semana Santa), marked by solemn processions through the yellow streets of Izamal, reenactments of the Passion of Christ, and community gatherings. The mix of Maya and Catholic symbolism during these events gives them a unique regional flavor.

On January 3, the Feast of the Three Kings (Día de los Reyes Magos) is celebrated with joy and tradition. Families share Rosca de Reyes (King’s Bread), and children receive small gifts, continuing a cherished custom across Mexico.

Izamal also participates in regional fairs and Maya cultural festivals, featuring folkloric performances, handicraft exhibitions, and local cuisine. These events are a great way to experience the living heritage of this “City of Three Cultures.”

From Merida

Buses from Merida to Izamal $1-$4 (1:20 hours), run hourly.
Taxi from Merida to Izamal $11-$15 (1:05 hours).

From Valladolid

Buses from Valladolid to Izamal (1:30 hours) run every 30 minutes.
Taxi from Valladolid to Izamal (1:20 hours).