Let’s get this out of the way first — Kanasín does not have the best reputation There is some truth to the claim that Kanasín is not as safe as other cities in Yucatán But it is also true that during the past few years Kanasín has begun to experience somewhat of a revival as the city´s infrastructure continues to improve.  Travel between Kanasín and Mérida has never been particularly difficult but the introduction of the IE-tram has been a game changer Kanasín residents are also especially proud that they will be hosting Yucatán’s pro baseball team likely for a season or two in their revamped stadium Mérida’s Kukulcán Álamo is undergoing some major-league renovations.  the reinvented stadium in Kanasín will be much smaller than the Kukulcán Álamo but once the Léones move back to their main field the city will be left with a much improved sporting complex which also includes high-end facilities for sports Also new to the city is the entirely rebuilt market downtown Kanasín feels like one enormous market with stalls selling just about everything Several mobile stands also sell fruits and vegetables grown in backyards at very affordable prices These shops are especially good for buying produce Customers often extract their seeds and grow more fruit in their backyards Though some still think of Kanasín as a pueblo (village) it is actually the fastest-growing municipality in Yucatán and currently has a population of just under 150,000.  In the Yucatecan imagination, Kanasín is most famous for a couple of things, the first of these being that is the birthplace of one of the Peninsula’s favorite fried snacks, the panucho The other thing that Kanasín is most famous for is being the birthplace of the beloved children’s character “el Chel de Kanasín.” El Chel which in Yucatec-Maya means güero or blond El Chel is a puppet and sidekick of Yucatán’s most revered children’s entertainer along with his other famous creations like “Jorgito,” delighted children in the region for decades until his passing in 2000 In addition to the city itself, the municipality of Kanasín is large. It is home to the Mérida-Teya Tren Maya station, and several points of interest, including the archaeological site of Xiol Though reliable statistics are hard to come by Kanasín has also begun attracting an ever larger number of people from other states due to its traditional feel and relatively low cost of housing Two-bedroom homes in Kanasín can still be purchased for under half a million pesos (roughly US$30,000) though higher-end casonas and even haciendas are also on the market.  Kanasín may or may not be for you, but it is worth a visit with an open mind. Just be careful if driving, as the moto-taxis seem to be everywhere They are especially aggressive and will cut in front of you with no notice at all Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and translation degrees from universities in Mexico Yucatan — A museum in a prime Centro location has been virtually ignored by the public for months historic Church of the Third Order and the modern Music Palace But the understated Pinacoteca Juan Gamboa Guzmán has had no visitors since the beginning of the… Allowing never-before-seen views of some of the Centro’s most revered historic treasures Yucatán is facing a new immigration reality with the arrival of Cuban rafters and the potential mass deportation of Yucatecan migrants when Donald Trump takes office as U.S president of Poder Migrante Mexicano (Mexican Migrant Power) says in Diario de Yucatán that the state is unprepared for this challenge Cemeteries in Yucatán are known for color and tradition as much as they are about death Celebrated writer and journalist Elena Poniatowska has spoken out against the proposed 2025 Federal Expenditure Budget (PPEF) which includes a 30% reduction in funding for Mexican culture Calling the move “very serious,” the 2013 Cervantes Prize winner expressed her concerns on social media and during a roundtable discussion at the announcement of the II SOPHIA-FILCO… A beautiful piece of furniture with storage ranks right up there on my list of perfect items for any home Advertise With Us YUC - Heineken announced that it will invest US$507 million to build a beer production plant in Yucatán the company's first in southeastern Mexico and the eighth in the country explained that the plant will be located in the municipality of Kanasín and will generate 2,000 direct jobs and that construction will begin in 2024 The construction of said plant will begin in 2024 the brewery will produce can and bottle presentations of the Amstel Ultra "Yucatan is a state with an interesting connection and abundant natural resources which make it an ideal location for our industry," stated the executive during the announcement the executive explained that they have noticed an increase in the demand for beer in the region due to economic growth and an increase in the demand for the product but that plant is now almost at its maximum capacity "We project significant sales development in the future and need to have additional production capacity," Duverdier added The announcement of this new construction comes five years after the inauguration of the plant in Meoqui which required an investment of US$500 million This new brewery will join the list of Heineken facilities in Orizaba It will start operations in 2026 and its production will be destined for local consumption while only 10% will be shipped to the United States We’re in the business of providing relevant information through print and electronic media organizing events to bring industrial value chain actors together and services to create new business relationships Our goal is to improve our clients’ competitiveness As many as 30 electric buses that look like European-style tram cars will be up and running on the streets of Mérida and two nearby municipalities by December 2023 Yucatán Governor Mauricio Vila said at a conference Thursday The plan is for the new IE-Tram to connect Mérida’s Centro Historico with Kanasín to the southeast Umán to the southwest and the Yucatán Autonomous University Faculty of Engineering building to the north The buses will be the first in Mexico with zero emissions Vila said in a presentation at the Smart City Expo LATAM Congress in Mérida projects and actions being implemented throughout Latin America He also said it would be the first electric route in the south-southeast of Mexico and the only one of its kind in all of Latin America using both high tech and abandoned train tracks and its three routes will cover approximately 100 kilometers It was presented as an electric vehicle that will glide gently along the designated routes; its batteries will be charged at stations along the way “It will be a bus with the benefits of a streetcar the flexibility of a bus that can carry up to 105 passengers,” Vila said which will be part of the Va y Ven public transportation system in Mérida He said the vehicles will come equipped with USB cellphone chargers security systems for speed control in congested areas and information about upcoming stops and destinations Each unit will measure 12 meters long and will have four handicap-accessible sliding doors large aisles and electronic ticketing technology Yucatan Magazine reported that reaction to the announcement was mixed It was favorable on the government’s social media channels but others said the project was coming at the expense of necessities like well-paved roads and safe sidewalks and one editor writing on EcoYucatán.com wondered if the financing is real or imaginary Vila described the project as a public-private initiative with 60% (2.8 billion pesos) of the budget The federal government will kick in 23% and private interests 16% The new system’s capacity will be 500,000 people a week reportedly 20% of Mérida’s public-transportation riders Kanasín and Umán are part of a metro area with 1.2 million people “Kanasín is the main source of people who come to work every day in the city of Mérida,” Vila said noting that route will be the first one activated have “high influx during peak hours that affect the operation of the entire transport system.” With reports from Yucatán Magazine and Diario de Yucatán ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an ancient Mayan city filled with palaces, pyramids and plazas on a construction site of what will become an industrial park near Merida, on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.The site has features of the Mayan Puuc style of architecture which is common in the southern Yucatan Peninsula but rare near Merida."We think more than 4,000 people lived around here," said Carlos Peraza one of the archaeologists who led the excavation of the city estimated to have been occupied from 600-900 A.D.console.log("2390 BODY2 CatId is:"+catID);const urlParams2 = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);let anyClipParam = urlParams2.get("anyclip");const subDomain = new URL(document.URL).host.split(".")[0];const isAnyClipEnabled = true;if(anyClipParam){ let anyclipScript = document.createElement('script'); anyclipScript.src = "https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.js"; anyclipScript.setAttribute("pubname" "jpostcom"); anyclipScript.setAttribute("widgetname" "0011r00001lcD1iAAE_M12286"); let anyclipContainer = document.querySelector('.divAnyClip'); if (anyclipContainer) { const caption = document.createElement('p'); caption.innerText = 'JPost Videos'; caption.style.fontWeight = 'bold'; caption.style.marginBottom = '8px'; anyclipContainer.appendChild(caption); anyclipContainer.appendChild(anyclipScript); }} else if (catID === 69) { if(isAnyClipEnabled){ console.log("2390 BODY "jpostcom"); anyclipScript.setAttribute("widgetname" "0011r00001lcD1iAAE_M12286"); let anyclipContainer = document.querySelector('.divAnyClip'); if (anyclipContainer) { const caption = document.createElement('p'); caption.innerText = 'JPost Videos'; caption.style.fontWeight = 'bold'; caption.style.marginBottom = '8px'; anyclipContainer.appendChild(caption); anyclipContainer.appendChild(anyclipScript); } }console.log("2390 BODY YES for anyclip script catID == 69"); }else if(catID === 12 ){let widgetid = "60fd6becf6393400049e6535";var script = document.createElement('script');script.src = 'https://static.vidazoo.com/basev/vwpt.js';script.setAttribute('data-widget-id' widgetid); const container = document.querySelector('.divVidazoo'); if (container) { container.appendChild(script); }console.log("2390 BODY YES for vidazoo script catID == 12"); }else if (catID !== 12) { let anyclipScript = document.createElement('script'); anyclipScript.src = "https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=119709"; anyclipScript.setAttribute("pubname" "jpostcom"); anyclipScript.setAttribute("widgetname" "0011r00001lcD1iAAE_M12286"); let anyclipContainer = document.querySelector('.divAnyClip'); if (anyclipContainer) { const caption = document.createElement('p'); caption.innerText = 'JPost Videos'; caption.style.fontWeight = 'bold'; caption.style.marginBottom = '8px'; anyclipContainer.appendChild(caption); anyclipContainer.appendChild(anyclipScript); } console.log("2390 BODY Added AnyClip script for catID not in catID != 69 && catID != 12 "); } Ruins of a Mayan site are pictured after archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Mayan city filled with palaces pyramids and plazas on a construction site of what will become an industrial park in Kanasin (credit: REUTERS/Lorenzo Hernandez)"There were people from different social classes.. and there were also the common people who lived in small buildings" We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Jesús Ramírez is a Chevening Scholar from Mexico he has managed to break stereotypes and defy expectations We asked him to share his experience with us I grew up in the city of Kanasin in the State of Yucatán People from Yucatan always make derogatory comments about my city and its citizens are labelled negatively for life the pejorative comments about Kanasin began to affect me I recognise and am grateful for my mother’s support; she has always been there for me encouraging me to study outside of Kanasin which introduced me to healthier environments and gave me a different perspective on life No one was surprised when I decided to study secondary education specialising in foreign languages (English) I graduated with a bachelor’s degree and started working at a secondary school in the municipality of Hunucmá in Yucatán I became aware of the negative stereotypes about teachers The comments were always the same: teachers are lazy This feedback surprised me because my fellow teachers were always designing activities to help students learn and grow Then I realised that the people making these comments had never taught classes or been a teacher That is how I came to create “Teachers with Identity,” a podcast where teachers share stories on the impact their work has on the community We also share learning and development opportunities in further education we always promote the UK’s Chevening Programme and describe how it changes people’s lives During the pandemic and with support from the Abako Foundation the podcast evolved to help train teachers to work effectively online the podcast worked closely with a psychologist to provide well-being and mental health support to teachers dealing with COVID-19 There came a time when I wanted to teach more than my regular subjects I gained certification from National Geographic This certification teaches educators how to include more global issues into their teaching through the National Geographic Learning Framework a park ranger from Kenya visited the municipality of Cacalchén in Yucatan and met the students at my school the students kept in touch with the ranger and learned about a completely new world in Africa This encouraged them to think big and expand their ambitions I coordinated a new initiative called “Yucatan Speaks English,” where students had the opportunity to connect with people whose first language is English This activity directly addressed the need for future teachers to speak more fluent English I received a Chevening Scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at the University of Warwick I became the first graduate from my college in Yucatan to participate in the Chevening Programme This experience taught me so much and changed my life for the better I waste no opportunities to share this wonderful experience with others Chevening gave me the confidence to aim higher; it is my dream to one day become a senior official in the Ministry of Education Jesús said: “Living for a year in the United Kingdom allows you to meet people from all over the world with diverse experience and perspectives The ties that Chevening creates in that year strengthen both the United Kingdom and Mexico.” Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details The plant is set to add over 2,000 job opportunities to the workforce of Heineken Mexico Netherlands-based brewing company Heineken’s Mexican unit has announced plans to build a new brewery in Kanasín the company aims to enhance its sustainable brewing practices and support community growth This brewery will be equipped with advanced technology and is claimed to be an important addition to Heineken Mexico’s operations with an aim of meeting the expanding demand in the south-east of the region while leveraging its strong road In accordance with Heineken’s sustainability policy the brewery will ‘pioneer’ circular economy practices that ensure the reuse of water with the help of treatment processes Heineken Mexico managing director Guillaume Duverdier said: “We highly appreciate the collaborative efforts of federal and state governments in fostering regional development “We are dedicated to and have strong confidence in Mexico and we remain committed to continue brewing moments of joy and true togetherness through our portfolio of brands.” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis the company aims for the new brewery to produce minimal waste and use renewable energy sources through improved processes Heineken Mexico employs more than 18,000 people with the opening of the Kanasín brewery expected to generate over 2,000 jobs The plant is expected to begin operations in 2026 Mexico’s Minister of Economy Raquel Buenrostro said: “Heineken’s announcement today on investing in a new brewery is a sign of the confidence and favourable economic climate that the country offers for prospective investments “The Mexican south-east region is experiencing a moment of unparalleled growth and the commitment to fostering well-being through sustainable progress as well as shared prosperity.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network A Florida company has built Mexico’s most modern boat manufacturing plant in Kanasín Warbird Marine Holdings produces and sells high-performance custom fishing boats under the Invincible and Yellowfin brands The 40,000-square-meter plant represents a private investment of US$50 million and generates 400 direct jobs for the state’s interior communities such as Huhí “The main objective is that jobs would be generated not only in the capital but also reach municipalities in the interior providing the opportunity to have access to a good job,” said Gov Mauricio Vila Dosal during an inauguration that included United States Consul General Dorothy Ngutter Warbird Marine Holdings President Thomas Wieners highlighted the advantages of investing in the state the port of Progreso’s infrastructure and connectivity favorable security conditions and its cultural wealth we knew we were in the right place and had professional support,” said Wieners.  This project began in 2021 with the arrival of the Invincible brand Warbird has been expanding its facilities in Yucatán ever since Yucatán Magazine has the inside scoop on living here. Sign up to get our top headlines delivered to your inbox every week three states further south have seemingly intractable problems that pose a challenge to a president who calls himself a southerner Korean and Taiwanese tech companies are negotiating to build an assembly plant in Yucatán taking advantage of Progreso’s port connectivity with the U.S Mexico lost its FAA Category 1 aviation certification in May 2021 after a series of inspections revealed what was described as “concerning practices.” Established restaurant leaders are sorting it out a Mérida-based real estate development firm has broken ground on the construction of Yucatán’s first skyscraper is expected to be completed by December 2023 and be 160 meters and 36 stories tall plus six parking levels.  The total area of the complex at kilometer 30 on Mérida’s Periférico… Indigenous communities are resisting rapid development of $1.1 billion of wind and solar panel farms What does this mean for the Mayan Train project 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English The historic colonial city of Mérida has quickly become a top destination for tourists – and is about to become even more enticing as the new cutting-edge electric tram system prepares to boost tourist and transport infrastructure in the Yucatán capital Over three million people visited Mérida in 2022 – a record-breaking year – and the Federal Government has responded with significant investment Construction of the new system is in overdrive ahead of the grand opening of the Maya Train The ambitious project required a total investment of 149.6 million USD with 61% of the funding contributed by the Government of Yucatán 23% by Banobras (Mexico’s state-owned development fund) and 16% by private investors The IE-Tram in Mérida will closely resemble Mexico City’s all-electric Metrobus system and traverse 129 kilometers and 137 neighborhoods it will serve three primary routes encompassing Kanasín while two additional routes will connect the system to the Maya Train stations in Teya and Umán where can visitors to Mexico’s third oldest city expect when they ride the tram Here is a list of the top attractions to visit along the route: Those interested in Yucatecan delicacies need look no further than the “Panucho Capital,” Kanasín This place is well-known across the state for having the best fried tortillas containing refried beans and fillings like local classic “cochinita pibil” Many travel far and wide to find these tasty treats that are a great source of regional pride located within the Mérida Eastern Metropolitan Area saw recent government investment to modernize its local market and create three new commercial centers The improvements will include parks for children sports facilities and over 100 public spaces and amenities Famous for hosting royalty as recently as the 1990s the restored San Ildefonso colonial estate in Teya is a popular choice Originally a livestock ranch opened in 1683 it was converted into a henequén plantation in the 19th century for the once-thriving fiber industry it is commonly known as Hacienda Teya and serves as a restaurant The Teya Maya Train station – the final stop on Line Two – will offer a large garden plaza and be fully wheelchair accessible with elevators It will also connect to Section Three of the Maya Train Anyone with an academic interest in Mérida should consider this route which takes you to the heart of the Autonomous University of Yucatán including the Maya World Museum of Mérida and the Van Gogh Exhibition Line Three also takes you to Mérida’s Main Street which has protected cycle lanes and large trees on both sides Despite being a main artery to the historic city center with various restaurants serving local and international cuisine This stop boasts both a beautiful colonial estate with a similar history to Hacienda Teya and a significant archaeological site at Poxilá. Researchers at the ancient Maya city believe it was developed during the Middle Preclassic period (800-350 BC) and grew to an area covering four kilometers square jade and basalt axes found during excavations indicate links with ancient local tribes from regions as remote as the Olmecs of the Gulf Coast Apart from serving as the final destination for the second Maya Train Station on the southwestern side of the city Line Five also stops at Mérida International Airport the airport has received substantial government investment to modernize facilities in anticipation of the completion of the Maya Train later this year Constructed in New York’s Central Park style the jewel in Mérida’s crown is perhaps the biggest attraction on this list La Plancha offers more than just a green area for picnics It boasts a wide array of amenities catering to both tourists and residents with amenities strategically distributed throughout One section is dedicated to concessions and an outdoor gym providing a space for refreshments and fitness activities Another section is devoted to children’s activities and features a charming fountain The third section is home to restaurants and a skate park the fourth section encompasses a serene lake and a remarkable 10,000-person capacity amphitheater The December due date for the Maya Train and IE-Tram projects coincides perfectly with a warm winter holiday to end 2023 on a high note which is approximately 189 miles away from Mérida open up plenty of new attractions along the way including much-improved access to the internationally acclaimed Chichen Itzá Maya Capital A hotspot of activity with 3,000 daily commuters the IE-Tram aims to alleviate traffic by providing a safe and eco-friendly alternative for travelers New investment in Mérida also includes planting 1,500 trees along the IE-Tram routes and another 800,000 state-wide plans for Walmart’s distribution center in Yucatán just got more grand Walmart of Mexico and Central America announced that it will expand its budget to 950 million pesos an increase of 50 percent over the original investment the international firm first expressed interest in choosing the Yucatán to host its 14th distribution center in Mexico But this won’t be just a regular Walmart distribution center Company officials cited Yucatán’s good economic and social climate They also noted the support of both state authorities and municipal officials in Kanasín as well as the cooperation of federal agencies such as the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) this facility was designed to focus mainly on the region but this new injection of resources will make it the most prominent center of all southeast Mexico which has a reach that extends to Chihuahua will reach 95 stores on the Peninsula and several Central American countries The original plans called for about 750 new jobs but that figure could grow up to 30 percent the firm has a presence in 14 municipalities: Mérida Its total investment in the territory has been over 3 billion pesos Walmart will open at least four more stores in Mérida next year including one on Avenida Aviación by the airport entrance Mauricio Vila Dosal visited the Centro de Producción de Abejas Reinas in Tizimín one of 14 new state-supported queen bee production centers that will be established in the state Add another name to the list of companies that let you summon a ride with your smartphone While the land set aside for a park remains barren the old train station is expanding space for the arts school that it houses Yucatan Giving Outreach is planning some horseplay this weekend The annual Chicas for Charity polo tournament is back bringing together six polo players from around the world to compete Proceeds will help the most vulnerable people in the Yucatán community The fifth annual Chicas for Charity starts at 1 p.m The Children’s Orchestra and the Boys Choir of Yucatán will open the three-day 2016 Trova Festival tomorrow with a concert that will promote the traditional music of the region dollar is gaining on Mexico’s peso again The Kukulcán Alamo baseball stadium will get a major-league remodel fit for the Leones de Yucatán the remodeling will expand the stadium’s capacity from 12,200 to 16,800 seats.  When complete, the stadium will have better and more plentiful bathrooms, shops, restaurants, ramps, and elevators for those with limited mobility. The new design will also address jeers from fans who thought the 2016 remodeling work was in poor taste Like so many other projects in the region, the remodeling of the stadium will be led by Mexico’s armed forces with an estimated budget of 500 million pesos or US$30 million.  President López Obrador is a huge baseball fan and has poured considerable resources into promoting the sport nationwide.  The upgrades are expected to be complete by the beginning of the off-season but plans have been put in place for the Leones to train and even host home games at Kanasín’s Víctor Cervera Pacheco Stadium.  The temporary move to Kanasín makes excellent sense considering the recent improvements to municipality infrastructure, including the new La Plancha – Kanasín Ie-Tram route.  Earlier: Bus Tickets To and From Mérida in Extreme Demand The Kukulcán baseball stadium was inaugurated in 1982 and has received several upgrades Also receiving upgrades is the Kukulcán sports training complex just across the baseball stadium parking lot Among the improvements to the complex are remodels of swimming pools and eight soccer fields six of which will be fitted with new grass and two with a synthetic field Improved lighting and safety measures have also been announced across the sporting complex The plan to remodel the Kukulcán comes as a final death blow for the Estadio Sustentable presented in 2021 This new venue was quietly scrapped due to a lack of support from locals.  Neighbors cited insufficient parking and a worry it would worsen traffic bottlenecks.  has shaken the OSY after what has already been an terrible month for the state symphony Several communities and archaeological sites in Yucatán have launched projects to bring their attractions into the world of virtual reality Excited by what they found off the coast of Yucatán but Yucatán’s port city of Progreso saw many visitors on summer vacation’s penultimate weekend and friends enjoyed the sun and food at the port Fruit cups were particularly popular among locals which had been closed off by federal authorities Leo Heras scored on a forceout in the eighth inning leading the Leones de Yucatan to a 3-2 win over the Olmecas de Tabasco As “democratic” as the Mayan Train referendum may seem and the speed at which this initiative is moving forward is “concerning.” There are few things more exciting than stumbling across an archaeological site you didn’t know existed This is exactly what happened to me a couple of months ago when going out to Kanasín to visit my mother-in-law.  I have returned to this site a handful of times trying to learn more about this enigmatic place Xiol roughly translates as “spirit of man.” But this name was only recently given to this ancient site by the INAH as its original name has been lost to time.  Archaeological reconstruction at Xiol was mostly completed just before the outbreak of the pandemic so people are just now starting to discover its wonders.  The observable archaeological site is made up of seven restored Puuc-style structures and dates to the late classic period which is to say from roughly 600 to 800 CE INAH and the landowners have reportedly been working well together But one can’t help but be a bit concerned for the structures that still remain unrestored in the low-lying jungle and may be threatened by nearby construction projects and industrial activities The core of Xiol’s ceremonial center is made up of five structures The largest and most imposing of these is a complex made up of a ceremonial platform sitting next to a small pyramid-like structure.  Both of these structures that make up Xiol’s largest architectural complex bear evidence of ceremonial use and the remains of stone altars Directly across from the previously described complex and closest to the highway lay a structure leading towards a small geological opening It is likely that this cenote was the main source of water for Xiol’s population though given its location in the middle of the ceremonial center it may have had more ritualistic uses and connotations On either side of the main ceremonial center sit two low-laying platforms.  A few hundred meters south of the main ceremonial center lays a beautiful Puuc-style structure Given its location in the context of the site it is likely that this structure served as a residential area for members of the city’s elite It is interesting to note that although the Puuc influence at Xiol is undeniable one of the Puuc styles defining characteristics appears to be absent — this being Chaac rain god masks This is likely due to the natural abundance of water in the area as opposed to the Puuc zone Another similar residential structure also gated off sits a few hundred meters to the north of the main ceremonial center it is also possible to observe several stone tools archaeologists also discovered 38 funerary deposits complete with offerings that included ceramics Other notable finds include carved stone heads which have been removed from the site to avoid pillaging If you decide to visit Xiol keep in mind that the site is not officially open to the public and lay entirely on private land owned by a Chinese conglomerate That being said at the main ceremonial center there are no signs a couple of the structures outside the site’s main core are indeed gated off As long as you don’t try to jump the gate or do anything stupid Yucatán is one place people regularly pass by But few have any idea of the archaeological wonders it hides within Yucatán’s archaeological sites have attracted nearly 1.6 million visitors during the first 10 months of 2021.  This number stands in stark contrast to attendance at the state’s archaeological sites in 2020 Chichén Itzá attracted a little over a million visitors — making it once again Yucatán’s most… If you arrive at Zaachila knowing nothing about the site and take a quick look around you may ask what exactly is so special about this place the surrounding Oaxacan town and its market are extremely charming but aside from the remains of a handful of pyramids — now turned into mounds littered with ancient… the Mayan-themed restaurant and nightclub Ciudad Maya was one of the hottest spots in Mérida which seated attendees atop Uxmal’s Nunnery Quadrangle to view a light show from a stationary position this new show is walkable and much more dynamic making it harder to get to than other sites in Belize like Xunantunich and Altun Há Two former Kanasín mayors — a father and son — have died while battling coronavirus had been campaigning to be a Yucatán state legislator The PRI politician was mayor from 2010 to 2012 Friends also announced that Carlos Canché’s family is on the hook for over a million pesos in medical bills They appealed to colleagues and PRI supporters for help Carlos was a government official in the Ministry of Rural Development He was running to be a Yucatán legislator under the slogan “El Amigo.” Earlier: Samahil mayor is latest politician to die from coronavirus call 911 for emergencies when you’re in Yucatán Yucatan’s economic recovery remains at “orange,” the second-highest level of alert Health officials announced 30 coronavirus deaths 128 new infections and 195 recoveries that occurred in the past 24 hours Yucatan’s COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 75.5% The reintroduction of the Yucatan’s ban on alcohol sales came Tuesday as a response… It’s been eight years since downtown Mérida celebrated Carnaval Anyone who has moved to Mérida after 2013 probably hasn’t seen it Even before Carnaval 2021 was canceled — it would have been held last week — Mérida’s celebrations had been moved to the fairgrounds south of the city Paulina Ortega and Clark Kent Koga met in the Philippines and live in Australia Mexico will repatriate some 200 urns containing the cremated remains of coronavirus-infected nationals who died in the United States The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) said a special flight Saturday from New York to Mexico City will be the beginning of a journey in which remains are reunited with loved ones Mexico’s convenience store giant Oxxo has opened its first store in the US.  The newest Oxxo is part of the company’s aggressive push to enter new markets which has over 300 locations in the southern United States.  Femsa has not provided a timeline… The archaeological site of Xiol will officially open to the public at the end of 2022 The archaeological remains are in front of an industrial park in the municipality of Kanasín Xiol has been receiving a great deal of attention from domestic and international media outlets touting its recent discovery Headlines such as “Lost Maya city discovered in the Yucatán” suggest it suddenly appeared fairly recently the location of Xiol was documented over a decade ago and restoration work began back in 2018 It was completed the following year.  The announcement that Xiol will officially be opening to the public comes as good news for Yucatán But it should be mentioned that several of the state’s archaeological sites have yet to reopen since their closure in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Puuc-style site is made up of 12 restored structures though an additional 76 have been identified under the region’s vegetation.  Earlier: Discovering, or stumbling upon, the ancient city of Xiol there are two interesting structures on either side (roughly 100 meters or so) that likely served as elite residences.  Also of note is the presence of 15 burial sites likely belonging to nobles of the region as well as a cenote inside the main ceremonial center.  large amounts of pottery and carved stone figures were unearthed Xiol roughly translates as “spirit of man.” But this name was only recently given to this ancient site by INAH This ancient Mayan city dates to the late classic period Given its relatively small size when compared to other ancient cities in the region bringing 12 hours — and about 12 inches — of rain but not nearly the kind of devastation forecasters feared The storm still brought tragedy to at least one neighborhood One woman died in Las Americas when she was electrocuted Yucatan is remaining at the orange light rather than going back to the red-alert lockdown despite a surge in infections and hospitalizations Thursday Another 33 died and 248 new infections were found — the highest daily number in nearly two weeks — while 54 more patients were admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 treatment Port authorities in Progreso have announced that the city is expecting the arrival of more than 100 cruises in 2022 and everywhere else tourists in Yucatán come from The Yucatán Peninsula is under the low-risk “green” alert and social gatherings have returned along with crowded streets Now the crowds have formed at places like the Salud Digna Altabrisa Santa Ana market was closed after a fruit juice vendor’s stall caught fire Merida’s municipal police said a short circuit caused the fire late Thursday and the entire market was shut down pending an investigation Smoke was discovered by officers making a… A day after tourists came to Yucatan to see a “serpent” climb down a temple’s steps a different natural phenomenon wowed tourists Mexico’s National Seismological Service reported an earthquake Sunday on the Yucatán Peninsula. No injuries or structural damage were reported was first thought to be centered near Kanasín local residents indicated that while they had not felt the tremor they heard “strange noises in the sky.” The epicenter was later updated to have been in José Maria Morelos Kanasín authorities asked the population to be calm and avoid spreading false information Related: Mexico’s earthquake station is abandoned, with no explanation the National Seismological Service reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was located in Yucatecan territory: 26 kilometers southeast of Peto a 6.1 earthquake shook the Baja Peninsula early Friday with no reports of damage or injuries Geological Survey said the epicenter was 50 miles / 80 kilometers south-southwest of Bahia de Kino in the Gulf of California The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles / 10 kilometers Three tremors in Yucatán have been recorded in the last five years. The peninsula is more likely to have felt the effects of a more distant seismic event A dog-rescue group says the missing pilot last spotted north of Cancun was flying to central Texas to collect a disabled dog for a foster home in Oklahoma This weekend will go from hot to even hotter the temperature is expected to hit 40C / 104F A land turtle was found inside a cardboard box within a suitcase at the Mérida international airport The vaccination campaign is expected to run until Friday but authorities say that the centers will continue to operate until Saturday if needed it is hard not to be taken by the sheer beauty of Patricia Martín’s work on display.  The showroom’s visitors are likely to be immediately drawn to reproductions of famous pieces like that of a ceramic Prehispanic warrior with a detachable helmet or… Plans to build a second ring road around Mérida have been floating about for years But now that the initiative has been approved residents of Yucatán’s largest city and surrounding communities ask the boundaries of Mérida’s second periférico ring would surround parts or the entirety of several other municipalities including Progreso (as far north as Paraíso) all of Kanasín and the majority of Acanceh Measures need to be taken to facilitate smoother traffic along the periférico especially with the growth of suburbs like Las Americas and Temozón — but not everyone agrees an even larger periferico ring is the way to go The second periférico is also intended to reduce traffic along the first ring, which is the stage for accidents resulting in fatalities or serious injuries nearly every day with 284 deaths in 2024 alone making it the most dangerous motorway in the state In a December 2026 survey of Mérida residents conducted by MetropoliMid 61% answered that the most likely impact of a second periférico would be negative with 44% arguing it would lead to unchecked growth and 17% being of the opinion it would end up making traffic worse in the long run Though the notion that building more roads would result in even worse traffic congestion may sound odd known as “induced demand,” arises as new infrastructure encourages more driving Historical data suggests that this is what has happened in large Mexican cities like Puebla While Mexico City has also experienced this phenomenon its implementation of multi-level periférico rings has at least helped to contain some of the effects of building more and more ring roads around the city Mexico City has invested heavily in improving its public transit with trams light rail and even cable cars that turn what often used to be a one-hour commute by bus into a five-minute ride directly over bumper-to-bumper traffic.  The sheer size of Mérida’s proposed second periférico also raises eyebrows about the potential impact of urban sprawl on wetlands, especially in areas like Sierra Papacal Though no official timeline has been offered as the project is expected to be funded by both the state and federation it will likely be completed at the latest by the end of 2030 Joaquín Díaz Mena and President Claudia Sheindaum expire.  Architects started work on Casa Encanto before the property is even purchased A senator-elect for Quintana Roo announced a new bullet train will begin construction in 2019 and be fully completed six years later travelers are beginning to think twice about Mexico the state government has responded to startling coronavirus data and added back restrictions on hotel and restaurant occupancy Carlos Joaquín González said the entire Cancun-Riviera Maya region — the state’s north — will regress to the orange light Determined to venture beyond our comfort zone we headed north to explore the culinary landscape outside Centro Our journey led us to two hidden gems serving authentic Asian cuisine Tama Shokudo Nestled a few blocks from El Parque de la Alemán sits a charming house adorned with Japanese lamps and striking kanji signs closed beaches and masking have all been hallmarks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Yucatán Most people in Yucatán have accepted these regulations But it is not uncommon to see locals and tourists walk around town or go jogging along a sidewalk, without face masks So what does the law actually say about… Mexico and the United States appear on a list that ranks nations that have the worst coronavirus record a Hong Kong venture capital group specializing in medicines The largest celebrations are to take place in Mérida at the Xmatkuil fairgrounds from Feb as well as at several key points and neighborhoods around the city.  The slogan for this year’s festivities in Yucatán’s capital is “De la fantasía a la innovación,” which translates as “From Fantasy to Innovation.” The main events include the traditional Viernes de Corso Parade, the Saturday Fantasy Parade on Feb. 10, the Bachata Parade featuring Kim Flores and Cecilia Galizano on Feb 11, a traditional Yucateco Parade on Feb. 12, and the Battle of Flowers on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13. (Full schedule here) Mérida will also host a series of large-scale concerts featuring artists including one featuring world-famous DJ Steve Aoki on Feb Earlier: Progreso’s Carnaval is giving Merida’s a run for its money Festivities in Progreso will be held along the coastal city boardwalk from Feb 1 to 17 and will feature parades on Saturday Progreso is also hosting several large events featuring concerts by popstar Belinda on Feb as well as the comedy stilings of La Tía Chayo on Feb 12.  Campeche Carnaval celebrations will last Feb The first few days will feature the coronation of the kings and queens of the carnival and a performance by DJ Steve Aoki (just like in Mérida) on Feb Campeche’s Carnival will also be hosted by two of Mexico’s most popular LGBTQ+ entertainers Other large events in Campeche include free concerts by Criminal Sounds on Feb and Ciudad del Carmen are also planning celebrations and we are waiting for a calendar of events to become official.  Even for most Mexicans and the most intrepid explorers if you had asked me what came to mind when I thought of Durango Yucatán — When the much-anticipated Picasso exhibit opens Saturday at the Olimpo his priceless works will be protected by major security measures Genius of the Arts” will likely encounter a body scanner and present ID before getting to see 100 of the late artist’s works Flying the flag recently became legal after an amendment to Article 116 of Mexico’s constitution passed in the federal legislature Luis Miguel’s fans are a forgiving bunch and book reviewers compile their lists of the Top 10 books for the year our local English-language indie bookstore Here are their top sellers for 2022: 10 – TIE – THE MAID by Nita Prose (a murder mystery set in a posh hotel)… The “Detrás de una máscara,” exhibition is made up of 36 pieces of art representing an imaginative fusion of mesoamerican mythological animals as well as masks and two large painted canvases The relatively early arrival of extreme heat to Yucatán has caused hundreds of fires which have turned countless swaths of land to ash and created smoky conditions Fires are not unusual during this time of year in the region but it is surprising how many are taking place in Yucatán’s capital most of the reported fires have been concentrated in and around Kanasín and Caucel “We are seeing large amounts of fires that start small on places like the side of the road but quickly rage out of control,” said the civil protection director Several of these fires start with glass bottles that act like magnifying glasses when hit by the sun and turn surrounding vegetation and waste to tinder.  Several fires have also been reported at warehouses along Mérida’s Periférico many of which have been attributed to faulty wiring there are the “controlled” agricultural fires that get out of control due to winds carrying sparks into nearby dry areas The situation is being made worse by the deforestation experienced in several parts of the state but we have to find a way to better balance the construction of new residential and commercial developments with what the ecosystem can handle,” said Mérida Mayor Renán Barrera Concha The extremely dry conditions have also given way to several fires caused by cigarette butts and other forms of thoughtless behavior a devastating fire hit the TechnoHotel resort in Telchac Puerto causing damages in the millions after a thatched roof caught fire during a wedding and then spread to nearby trees and structures Scientists will document the effects of illegal fishing and tourism in the reefs of Alacranes and Bajos del Norte in the Yucatán Peninsula Sea turtle eggs on a beach at Chuburná Puerto were found trampled The destroyed turtle nest was near the site of a violent spat that erupted when two environmentalists confronted a group of litterers There’s a new newspaper in town and it’s practicing green Animal-rights proponents are fighting a Facebook page that invites tourists to fish and hunt game in Yucatan The international environmental group Greenpeace has come to town to promote organic farming If you have 68 million dollars burning a hole in your pocket are among those that sell regular gasoline premium and diesel below the national average price the lowest price in Yucatan is located at the FullGas station in Umán on Calle 16-A by Calle S/N where RedKom on the Mérida-Chetumal Highway 184 has it for 23.49 pesos per liter The best price for diesel is found in Espita at a service station on Prolongación Calle 27 for 23.3 pesos Profeco’s “Quién es Quién en los Precios de la Gasolina” indicates that the national average price per liter is 22.48 pesos for regular 24.54 pesos for premium and 23.81 pesos for diesel Juan García said he prefers the Pemex at Avenida Cupules and Calle 60 because it is a little cheaper than other places “I come here because it is at 20.90 or something like that but there is a place where you can find gasoline for up to 22.90 it is 20 pesos more and so on,” he said He suggested that there should be a much better standard so that more or less the same price is offered at all the gas stations another driver interviewed on the same site reported that lower prices sometimes make the public suspicious that some stations’ pumps are shorting customers “It is very good that the best price is disclosed, but also which stations are most expensive and which ones have pumps with irregularities,” she said who is known for his large-scale nude portraits his inspiration was the sargassum in Tulum The city has been granted permission to demolish an abandoned Centro mansion that partially collapsed into the street on Saturday Another tropical wave will arrive no later than Saturday bringing potential thunderstorms this weekend The storms are due to a pair of tropical waves and instability in upper levels of the atmosphere 11 arrived Wednesday and will interact with a vortex at higher levels of the troposphere… Traffic features known as pedestrian islands are being built along several of Merida’s main avenues.  Pedestrian islands are safety features consisting of small sections of pavement or sidewalk where pedestrians can stop before crossing the road They are often seen on roads with high speed limits where it may be difficult to cross on foot. … Dzibilchaltún is set to reopen to the public on Thursday The state’s newly created Tourism Promotion Council is charged with promoting many of the  Yucatán’s Peninsula’s lesser-known destinations and he’s been given a staff of 30 to do it