The everything guide to visiting the City of Izamal

Izamal Yucatan is known as the yellow city and for good reason. You will find this charming colonial town awash in the color yellow. Izamal is also known as the city of hills for the ancient Maya temples that dot the town. these two facts make this an interesting place to visit among other things. Putting this city on your tour plans of the Yucatan will reward you with a visit to a unique place.

We like visiting this town because it is unique. It has a lot to offer the visitor and the residents have keeps up with preserving the history and culture of the area. We hope this guide helps you discover Izamal Yucatan on your next trip. (See the map at the end of the article for all the places mentioned).

Our video introduction to Izamal Yucatan

What things to do when visiting Izamal Yucatan

What is there to see in Izamal? Here are some things to check out when visiting.

• Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid. (Also spelled Kinich Kakmo). There are five large remnants of pyramids in Izamal. This one is the largest Mayan pyramid you can visit in Izamal. In fact, this pyramid has the largest footprint of any pyramid in the Yucatan, making it the largest by this estimate. Entrance is free and open daily from 8:00am-5:00pm. The first part is easy to climb but the second pyramid has a little bit more challenging steps. There are no railings or rope to balance you, so be careful climbing.
• The Convent. This structure was actually built on an ancient Mayan pyramid. After the Spanish invaded Mexico this Mayan temple was partly leveled and constructed into this building. The convent was finished in 1561 and boast the second largest outdoor atrium in the world. The convent is open from 6:00am-8:00pm daily. A small museum is in the back of the church. This museum highlights the history of the building and commemorates the Pope’s visit in 1993. Entrance is 5 pesos.
• Rent a bike to explore. The town if Izamal is small, but a nice way to see the streets is by renting a bike. You can rent bikes at the store Izamal Bikes and Crafts, located on the map below.
• Shopping. Visit small handcraft stores dotted around town. You can find many products of henequen here in Izamal. This is a type if local fiber from plants made into many products. See section below about more shopping opportunities in Izamal.
• Take a horse drawn carriage. These tours can be long or shorter. The longer tours allow you to get our and explore a bit and then get back on the carriage. Prices are negotiable. It is nice for you and the horses to take these later in the afternoon.
• See the video mapping show at night. This show takes place three days a week. Like many things in small towns, the schedule and times change, so check with your hotel for the exact time and location.
• Walk through the market. The market near the entrance of the convent is an example of a working food market in a small rural town in Mexico. This is not the best example in the Yucatan Peninsula but still nice to walk though. Look for tacos of deer here.
• Visit the Hoctun Cemetery. This cemetery is about 20 minutes out of Izamal but interesting enough to see. It is also on the way to Merida if you are going this way. What makes this cemetery so interesting is the decorative mausoleums and tombs. This is one of the most decorated cemeteries in the Yucatan Peninsula. You can see a few photos here in our gallery of cemeteries in Mexico.

Restaurants in Izamal that are good to visit

There are not a lot of restaurants in Izamal but there a few good ones to check out.

Kinich Restaurant

This is the main tourist restaurant in Izamal and where many people come for a nice meal. It may be the tourist location, but it still is good on flavor and authenticity. We always stop here because of the atmosphere, regional dishes, alcoholic drinks, value and handmade tortillas.

This restaurant is located on Calle 27 between 28 and 3o. Kinich Restaurant is open from 12:00 noon to 9:00pm daily. Here is a link to their Facebook page.

Zamna Restaurant

This is a more recent option for a restaurant in Izamal. Here you can get authentic Yucatecan food. This even includes regional rabbit dishes which are the specialty of the house.

The interior is clean and regional feeling. This restaurant is larger and can handle groups.

The restaurant is on Calle 22 between 33 and 31. Zamna Restaurant is open from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm daily.

The Mercado of Izamal

If you are looking for something very local and low key, you can head over to the municipal market. Here among the vegetable stands, fresh meat and other items for sale, you can find small eateries. You can even find the famous deer tacos. Expect to eat at small plastic tables and for just a few pesos.

Shopping in Izamal

Small towns in Mexico often surprise you with local made things and craftsmen in small workshops. In Izamal you can find good quality crafts and different things than other towns.

Taller de Madera or Woodcarving Workshop

Here you can meet Gabriel who has been working for about one decade carving things out of wood. He does Mayan mask and animals and also more detailed dolls and figures. All of his work is hand carved and painted. His shop is on Calle 21 between 22 and 24.

Centro Cultural Y Artisanal

This is where the museum is for Izamal. There is a sampling of items mainly made in the Yucatan here. Things include jewelry and things made from henequen. Items sold here come from 16 local communities. There is no need to pay for entrance to the museum is you want to just visit the gift shop. the entrance to the museum is 25 pesos. 

Hecho A Mano

This store is chocked full of items made from around Mexico including the Yucatan. Hecho a Mano store is located in the lobby of the San Miguel Arcangel Hotel. The store is open from 9:00am-2:00pm Sunday to Friday and Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:00pm.

Izamal Bikes and Crafts

This store has bike rentals and also items made in the local area including many clothing options for women. The location of this store is on Call 31 between 30 and 32, just a few doors down from the Museum.

Kinich Restaurant

There is a nice gift selection also in the front of this restaurant. See the restaurant section for more details.

What are the best hotels in Izamal?

Hotels in Izamal range from budget to high end Hacienda. Here are a few to mention.

Hotel Real Izamal

This is a three story modern hotel that is out of the center of Izamal. The hotel is clean and slightly colonial looking. A small pool can be found in the courtyard, making this nice on hot days. This is good if you want a budget option and you have a car. Check here for more details about this hotel in Izamal.

San Miguel Arcangel Hotel

San Miguel Archangel Hotel is right on one of the main squares and allows you to walk around and then easily go to your room to rest and head out again. This property is actually backed up against one of the pyramids in Izamal. The rooms are good value and this is also a budget option. The garden and public spaces are very nice and full of art. Check prices here for the San Miguel Arcangel Hotel.

Hotel Rinconada del Convento

This is in the center of Izamal with just 12 rooms. This hotel is a little step up from the previous hotels. A small pool and green space will relax you from your travels and touring around the city. From the back patio and roof of this hotel you have nice views of the convent. Check here for prices to this hotel in Izamal.

Hacienda Hotel Santo Domingo

On the upper end of the hotel spectrum is this hotel. Sitting outside of the immediate center of Izamal, this hotel gives you a more spacious green property to enjoy. If you are taking the slow tour of the Yucatan and want to spend some time in a hammock or enjoying the pool, this might be a nice hotel for you. This hotel features a pool, restaurant and bar on property. Check prices and availability for this hotel here.

How to get to Izamal Yucatan

There are a very few tour companies that will take you to Izamal, so it is good to plan on coming here yourself. The best way would be to drive yourself. The second way would be taking a public bus. Here is how to get to Izamal.

Driving directions to Izamal Yucatan

Driving from Playa Del Carmen to Izamal takes 2 hours and 47 minutes. You can take the new highway from Playa Del Carmen to Xcan which connects to the 180 Highway. This is a toll road. Tolls must be paid in pesos only and cash (pesos only).

See also our guide to driving in the area here for important information.

Tren Maya Station in Izamal

The Tren Maya has a stop in Izamal. See our guide to the station here. 

Public bus directions to Izamal

If you are coming by bus you can leave from Merida with direct busses to Izamal or from Cancun or Valladolid. Busses from Cancun take about 3:26 minutes. From Merida the bus takes 53 minutes. If you are leaving from Valladolid to Izamal the bus takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. From all three cities the busses leave from the main bus stations.

There are no direct busses from Playa Del Carmen to Izamal. You would need to go to Cancun ADO Bus Station or take a bus to Valladolid and connect there. We would suggest going to Valladolid and stopping there to see the town and then going to Izamal from there over going to Cancun.

Note: Even these busses leave from the ADO bus stations and ADO is the main bus company for the Yucatan Peninsula, the busses to Izamal are a second-class bus with no schedules online. You will need to consult it in the stations.

Izamal Map

In the map below we marked the locations of the places mentioned in this article.

Have you been to Izamal? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.

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Mr.Yucatan

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