Tekax: one of the new Magical Towns of Yucatán also known as “Sultana of the Mountain" is located in the heart of southern Yucatán this newly announced Magical Town offers a wide variety of family activities for adventurers and nature lovers With its rich culture and traditions, friendly and joyful people, ecotourism activities, and abundant flora and fauna, Tekax will not let you down. You can visit for a weekend or even stay for several days, using Tekax as the cornerstone to explore the region more extensively. Located in the heart of the Puuc biocultural state reserve Tekax awaits you to experience unique and authentic adventures In Tekax, there are many experiences to choose from, depending on the level of adventure you seek. Whether you enjoy hiking, rappelling, off-road biking and ATV circuits or bird watching within the mystical energy of the jungle Tekax has something for you and your entire family We present you two tour options to fully enjoy this new Magical Town and its surroundings with a multitude of activities that will create lasting memories Friday is for exploring the most traditional part of Tekax on a tour suitable for all ages. Begin your adventure by visiting the Centro Histórico (Downtown). Take some pictures at the iconic Tekax letters and continue with a visit to its church, the second largest in Yucatán after the Mérida Cathedral another must-visit place in Downtown Tekax Its 10 beautiful murals depict the history and culture of the municipality and are so breathtaking that you won't be able to resist taking hundreds of photos you can stop by the tourism office located in the lower level of the City Hall (open Monday to Sunday Their friendly staff will be ready to provide guidance and descriptions about the places you can visit There is also a small display of artisanal products available for purchase to support the Maya communities that produce them If you don't have the latest edition of Yucatán Today and enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Downtown Tekax where you will find Saint Didacus of Alcalá The view from the observatory will fill you with peace and joy cross the wooden bridge that leads to the gazebo which offers spectacular views of the city head to Krepi Krepa and enjoy a Nutella and Edam cheese crepe at a table overlooking the Centro Histórico Start your day by having breakfast at El Bistró: delicious regional and international cuisine The old colonial mansion gives it a unique touch This is the perfect moment to decide your level of adventure For an exciting yet less intense experience Both kids and adults will enjoy trying their hand at a small rappel which will surely vanish any fears and invite them to relive the experience over and over again choose the Gruta Chocantes park: venture on the highest zipline in the state before or after exploring its cave where you can see its impressive calcium carbonate waterfalls If you're the type who doesn't want to leave any stone unturned it's better to choose an ATV tour with Tekax Adventours and participate in both experiences Have lunch at Doña Mirna's kitchen in Centro with a delicious authentic homemade regional food menu and then take some time to rest and refresh; no matter which version of the tour you have chosen Downtown Tekax offers various options for dinner nothing beats a delicious lime soup or some Panuchos and Salbutes at Lonchería Gorocica Experience a culinary adventure at the temporary municipal market (the new gastronomic and crafts market is still under construction) and purchase the finest quality fruits and vegetables to bring back with you or carry on with your journey try the legendary Tacos de Us; I assure you that less than three won't be enough Complete your adventure in Tekax at the eastern end of the Puuc region: the archaeological site of Chacmultún Its murals and Grand Ball Court bear witness to the city's importance during the Maya Postclassic period you have to pass through several Maya communities such as Canek and Kancab; don't miss the opportunity to get to know them and interact with the locals who are always delighted to receive visitors and show you their homes As we mentioned earlier, if your itinerary has a few extra days, Tekax is also an excellent base for exploring the region. The Magical Town of Maní is only a 35-minute drive away and it’s another place that is definitely worth including in your plans.    What is not up for debate is how much this new Magical Town has to offer to anyone who visits it both young and old are guaranteed unique moments So if adventure is something you have been waiting for By H. Ayuntamiento de Tekax  Cocina Mirna Calle 55 #243 x 60 y 62, San Francisco Tel. 997 974 0564 FB: Cocina Mirna Tekax, Yuc.   Restaurante bar El Huinic de la Ermita Boulevard 61 #201 x 50, Col. Ermita Tel. 997 974 0312 FB: El Huinic de la Ermita   Cafetería y restaurante El Bistró Calle 50 x 45 y 47, Centro Tel. 997 979 3621 FB: El Bistró Tekax Restaurante   Restaurante bar La Sultana  Calle 52 x 53 y 55, Centro Tel. 997 155 8850 FB: Sultana Restaurante   Lonchería Gorocica D’Martin Calle 51 x 72 y 74, Col. Chobenche Tel. 997 134 0179 FB: Loncheria Gorocica D'Martin   Hotel Cielo y Selva  Calle 51 x 102 y 104, Col. Chobenche Tel. 997 979 0010 IG: cieloyselvatekax FB: Hotel Cielo y Selva Tekax   Hotel El Sultán de la Sierra Calle 50 #211 x 55 y 57, Centro Tel. 997 974 2169 FB: Hotel "El Sultán de la Sierra"   Posada Marielena Calle 52 #202 x 53 y 55, Centro Tel. 997 116 5398 FB: Posada MARIA ELENA and Olivia Camarena Cervera for use in Yucatán Today it’s been featured in countless travel guides due to the quality of its content we accompany the traveler so that they can experience the authentic essence of Yucatán Recently named named one of Yucatán’s Pueblos Magicos, or Magical Towns the town of Tekax (along with Espita and Motul) has been The hope, at least in theory, is that this designation will attract more tourists to Tekax and southern Yucatán in general, which is far from being a tourist hotspot of the likes of Mérida, Valladolid, or Chichén Itzá But upon arrival in Tekak during a recent trip and tourist services were nowhere to be found It’s not like Tekax has nothing to offer this community of around 25,000 is charming and full of interesting spots to check out Despite the lack of any “Pueblo Magico” imagery it’s evident that Tekax has made considerable efforts to beautify itself and keep its streets very clean Tekax’s center serves as the community’s primary hub Like the nearby city of Oxkutzcab (try saying that fast three times) Tekax is known for producing large amounts of fruit known in English for some reason as sugar apple the region also produces an extraordinary amount of citrus The facade of Tekax’s city hall is not particularly ostentatious This is a decade in which Socialist fervor peaked in Yucatán and across México.  though its current configuration dates closer to the 1700s Like virtually all large constructions dating to this period it was erected using materials from far more ancient Maya structures.  More interesting still is the temple chapel of La Ermita de San Diego de Alcalá, built atop a large hill, which makes it resemble a miniature version of Cholula.  the temple was built after an image of Saint Diego of Alcalá which is usually housed inside the town’s main church only to miraculously disappear and reappear in its original location moments later.  During antiquity, Tekax belonged to the lands controlled by the Tutul Xiu dynasty, who built a great many cities, including Uxmal and Kabah the main center of power in the region was Maní as even Mayapan appears to have been mostly abandoned by this point.  members of the ruling dynasty were allowed to oversee governorship over their old domains as long as they took Spanish names and collected enough tributes from the locals.  the main city market was closed due to a renovation project so most merchants were offering to sell their wares and produce out of the back of trucks It will certainly be interesting to see how this new market evolves Just a mile or so out of town lay the Grutas Chocantes a network of particularly interesting caves featuring unique crystal formations such as rappelling and deep cave spelunking are offered but require a degree of experience to be enjoyed safely.  Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism leads the Pueblos Mágicos initiative with other federal and state agencies To be on their list indicates a “magical” experience for visitors and qualifies local governments for federal funds Locals also get training and guidance in welcoming tourists with locals accusing the government of not following through on their promises and leaving the communities high and dry especially for anyone looking for a taste of authentic Yucatán off the beaten path.  Tekax is known in Yucatán as “La Sultana de la Sierra,” which translates as “The Sultan of the Mountains,” which is a bit odd for several reasons Public transportation from Mérida to Tekax is available but going by car is much preferable as it is much closer and will allow you to explore other surrounding communities and attractions.  As Tekax is just over two hours away from Mérida by car and there is quite a bit to see in the region, so spending the night is a good idea. The town has several little hotels many of which have amenities like pools and air conditioning a real necessity from April to October when temperatures soar Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and translation degrees from universities in Mexico An underwater exploration in a cenote uncovered a coral fossil that is at least five million years old Over 18 billion pesos were pumped into the local economy at the end of the year up slightly more than 10 percent from 2014 The new 1,000-peso bill will enter circulation in the second half of the year the Mexican Revolution will be the central theme featuring the likenesses of revolutionary activists Hermila Galindo Quintana Roo grew faster than China in 2016 and recorded the second-best economic growth in Mexico A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association claims that eating at least two servings of avocado per week reduced the risk of heart attack by 21% Over 550 guests are free after a hotel here tried to block their departure over some hefty charges in dispute Advertise With Us The initiative is reaching neighborhoods in Tekax for monitoring the water quality and increasing community awareness MexicoThe initiative is reaching neighborhoods in Tekax for monitoring the water quality and increasing community awareness through its Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ initiative; the City Council of Tekax; the Secretariat of Sustainable Development of Yucatan and Colectividad Razontura today announced the expansion of the Smart Water project to reach communities in Tekax the Smart Water project will serve nearly 1,000 households who access water from the aquifer smart sensors powered by Qualcomm® wireless technology and the Dime H2O mobile application real-time and accurate data is shared with community members to increase awareness and understanding of water quality and care in the local community The Internet of Things (IoT) sensor-based system sends alerts to water authorities when water quality parameters are out of the normal range the Smart Water project has been leveraging Qualcomm-enabled technology to provide accurate and real-time data to local water authorities and community members in the City of Merida the only source of drinking water is an aquifer system that is highly vulnerable to contamination from human activities especially when a community’s sources of water are susceptible to pollution One of the key educational components of the project is to host Ferias del Agua (Water Fairs) where community members increase awareness about water preservation and water contamination prevention implemented in collaboration with local community organizations include interactive activities and encourage the use of the Dime H2O app “The Smart Water project contributes to the sustainable water management of our aquifers by engaging communities in keeping the aquifer free from contamination and pollution We are very proud of our collaboration with Qualcomm through its Wireless Reach Initiative and the SIU and working together toward improving the water quality of the city of Tekax” says Diego Avila Phase I results of the Smart Water project include operational efficiencies as well as more effective management and improved public knowledge of water quality: “The Smart Water project uses our company’s IoT innovations to pioneer an efficient and effective path to improve drinking water quality and Qualcomm is the world's leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development When we connected the phone to the internet our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries including automotive and we are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business QTL and the vast majority of our patent portfolio and all of our products and services businesses as well as including our QCT semiconductor business About Qualcomm Wireless Reach Initiative   Wireless Reach invests in sustainable projects that demonstrate innovative uses of wireless technology to strengthen economic and social development globally Wireless Reach has benefitted more than 20 million people Qualcomm and Wireless Reach are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated Qualcomm products are products of Qualcomm Technologies The Social Intelligence Unit (SIU) is a think tank devoted to measuring the social impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) SIU dedicates its efforts to promote initiatives that Our analysist focus on the impact of broadband adoption telecommunications infrastructure development For more information about our studies, articles and analysis, visit SIU’s website, Twitter, and Facebook pages is a non-profit organization  that contributes to the formation of a deep environmental awareness promotes the conservation and sustainable use of the forest ecosystems of the City of Merida and the State of Yucatan supporting the elaboration and implementation of conservation and reforestation strategies supporting and promoting sustainable development and natural resources conservation around Mexico Razonatura was conceived by professionals specialized in a variety of research and expertise areas to promote development alternatives and the rational use of natural resources as well as the promotion of the social equality in harmony with the environment Grupo LAN has a 22 years-experience providing technology infrastructure and software turnkey solutions developing customized solutions to optimize our clients’ operation In our portfolio there are software and mobile applications developed for world class companies with important positive impacts in their operations More from Qualcomm Inc. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Yucatán from the vibrant Izamal to the tranquil coast of Sisal immerse yourself in Mayan history and enjoy outdoor activities each destination will surprise you with its unique charm Make the most of your visit to Maní, as they will still be having several special activities related to Janal Pixan throughout November. Learn how to make traditional sweets by reserving at 999 442 8899, or create your own pib at the Lol Beh restaurant. Check our events page for more information Need a splash of color in your life? Izamal is the perfect place for that and much more. The contemporary side of the City of Three Cultures is something you can't miss Izamal offers several delicious options like El Rinconcito del Vate On your way to Motul, why not make a stop in Cacalchén? This little town is home to the intriguing Ayun Nah cenote, a perfect example of 'don’t judge a book by its cover.' You can’t miss it, and the entrance fee is only $25 pesos! Afterward, head straight to the 20 de noviembre market in Motul to enjoy some delicious huevos motuleños Discover the history of Motul in a unique way with a bike tour from FB Bicitul. For just $450 pesos, you can explore the most iconic spots of this Magical Town, take a dip in the Sambulá cenote, visit the Felipe Carrillo Puerto house museum we will return to the capital just in time to enjoy one of the most anticipated events for Yucatecos this month: the Xmatkuil State Fair this fair has provided countless joyful moments with its amusement rides don't worry: Xmatkuil is also renowned for its vibrant music scene First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no Three Maya communities in the state of Yucatán have been added to the list of Protected Natural Areas (ANP) by Mexico’s Environment and Natural Resources Ministry (Semarnat) was joined by Yucatán Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena in presenting certificates to the ejidos (communally owned lands) of Sacpukenhá recognizing the efforts of Maya communities who — on their own initiative — have opted to carry out conservation actions in the area An ejido is a form of communal land tenure in Mexico The three awardees are all located in the municipality of Tekax “These areas are a clear example that conservation is not only the government’s responsibility but a collective effort where Indigenous peoples social organizations and committed citizens become guardians of our environment,” Bárcena stated during the Monday ceremony in San Agustín Last year,  Bárcena attended a conference in Colombia and addressed plans to expand Mexico’s protected lands through partnerships with Indigenous communities. The certificates were presented within the Puuc State Biocultural Reserve a unique area that highlights the interplay between the environment and culture in the region This reserve is the first to receive the “biocultural” designation emphasizing the influence of natural resources on the worldview artistic expressions and religious practices of the Maya communities According to a press release from October, Mexico has more than 230 federally protected natural areas (ANPs) each managed by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) biosphere reserves and designated areas that protect flora these lands comprise a total of 98 million hectares Governor Díaz Mena emphasized that the new protected areas are part of Yucatán’s natural heritage and Maya identity which must be preserved for future generations The areas also support local economies by promoting sustainable tourism and agriculture “Yucatán is a natural heritage that will also be a legacy for your children and grandchildren,” he said The Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) recently closed forestry activities in the Puuc Biocultural Reserve due to illegal land use changes, the agency announced in a March 3 press release. Profepa inspectors found two sites with unauthorized clearing of natural vegetation and seized heavy machinery used in that activity The transgressions occurred in the municipality of Tekax “The ultimate goal of our procedure is for those responsible to repair the damage,” said Mariana Boy Tamborell, a federal attorney for environmental protection who was also involved in last week’s story about Profepa shutting down dolphin shows at the Hotel Barceló in the Riviera Maya. “This action underscores the ongoing efforts to balance environmental protection with community needs in the region ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both the environment and local communities,” Boy added With reports from La Jornada and Imagen Radio ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC A small town in Yucatan’s south has the beauty and culture to become a more prominent eco-adventure and cultural destination Tourist promoters are preparing to guide visitors to Tekax where rolling hills replace flat landscapes Promoters see it as a diamond in the rough archaeological sites and vestiges of its colonial years will be marketed toward travelers north of the border from Europe and from other parts of Mexico the town and surrounding region boast cenotes former sugar plantations and Maya populations that in the name of sustainable tourism have opened their doors to visitors The state’s secretary of tourism promotion and Tekax Mayor Diego Ávila Romero said nature guides are receiving formal training Thirty-three trainees have begun 200 hours of instruction “Today we find in Tekax and throughout the southern region of the state a product of rural cultural and adventure tourism that has enormous potential,” said Fridman Government officials are seeking investment Mayor Ávila Romero said a top-level hotel chain already has plans to open an establishment Only four hotels operate currently in Tekax “Yucatan has a lot of potential,” he said “The Secretariat of Tourist Development works to put Yucatan in the eyes of the world.” “We have natural and archaeological resources,” the mayor added “We are polishing them to make a product that promotes tourism in a sustainable which means “Place of the Forests” in Yucatec Maya was briefly declared the capital of Yucatan in 1845 Yucatán Magazine has the inside scoop on living here. Sign up to get our top headlines delivered to your inbox every week a solar eclipse will be visible from the Yucatán Peninsula.  A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun obscuring the view of the sun from a small part of the Earth Although the total eclipse will not be anywhere in Mexico Mexicans living in other countries sent money back home in record numbers last year Celebrating the city’s 476th anniversary an 18-day festival of more than 150 varied cultural activities begins Thursday seven out of 10 drivers have yet to most swap out their old license plates After more than a year of work and research the editor of the Best Places In The World To Retire resource guide is offering his resulting ebook for free Global IT consultant Accenture opened three new advanced technology centers in the Mexican state of Yucatan represent an investment of US$4 million and will create around 1,000 jobs The new centers are part of Accenture’s global network of 50 technology centers. They will provide a variety of IT services, including systems integration, application development Accenture has been operating in Mexico since 1994 It reportedly employs more than 20,000 people across 10 delivery centers in the country Its clients include telecommunications company Telmex banking giant BBVA and several retailing and manufacturing companies The IT provider runs larger facilities in Mexico City, Monterrey and Querétaro where some of its recently acquired subsidiaries are operating Insitum, whom Accenture acquired four years ago, specializes in combining design thinking methods with behavioral science. Another of Accenture’s acquisitions in Mexico is Trancom, a supply chain automation company Trancom’s expertise in supply chain automation will help Accenture to improve the efficiency and productivity of its clients’ supply chains the new centers will help to develop the local technology talent pool Accenture plans to offer training and development programs to employees at the centers helping the Mexican state create a more skilled workforce Narayan Ammachchi is a career journalist with a decade of experience in politics and international business He works out of his base in the Indian Silicon City of Bangalore and website in this browser for the next time I comment The Caribbean’s tourism industry roared back in 2024 welcoming an estimated 34.2 million foreign visitors — a 6.9% increase over pre-pandemic levels and a clear sign of a full recovery and wider Central and South America are experiencing a surge in interest from international students These institutions are attractingRead more Panamanian software vendor Izertis has acquired a 50% stake in regional competitor Coderland The deal strengthens Izertis’ presence in Central America Copyright © 2025 Nearshore Americas, a division of Next Coast Media and Marketing Services [gravityform id=”60″ title=”true” description=”false”] [gravityform id=”61″ title=”true” description=”false”] [contact-form-7 id=”7″ title=”Newsletter”] Light art installations with curious names such as “Museum of the Moon” and “Global Rainbow” will be among the draws at the International Festival of Lights (Filux) to be held in Mérida and two other Yucatán cities in the coming weeks The event – which was first held in Mérida in 2017 but was absent from the cultural calendar in 2020 and 2021 –  will commence in the Yucatán capital on Nov The homegrown festival will then move to Valladolid for another four nights of light art from Dec 1 before concluding with a three-night program in Tekax a small city in Yucatán’s southwestern corner It is the first time that Filux will be held in those two cities A total of 27 luminous works will be on display in the Yucatán cities, according to the Filux website They include “Museum of the Moon” by British artist Luke Jerram “Pájaro Toh” by Mexican artist Miguel Bolívar and “Intrude” by Australian artist Amanda Parer Festival-goers can expect to see innovative and awe-inspiring uses of light in the various works, which include light sculptures, projection mapping onto buildings and laser projections The artworks mentioned above feature a large replica of the moon rays of colorful light projected over a long distance a light sculpture of the toh (or motmot) bird and a group of four brightly-lit inflatable rabbits Maps showing the different locations where the works will be on display in Mérida Valladolid and Tekax are available on the Filux website Organizers recommend that people attend the festival on two different nights to ensure they have the time to see everything Filux founding director David Di Bona thanked Yucatán Governor Mauricio Vila for his support of the festival Previous editions of Filux, including those held in Mexico City, have attracted over 5.5 million spectators, according to the festival’s Facebook page which describes the event as the first of its kind in Latin America With reports from Diario de Yucatán Animal control was summoned to the yard of a family in Tekax’s San Francisco neighborhood The reptile was extracted from the family’s home by the animal control agents who seemed rather unfazed by the sight of the giant snake The homeowners said that they were grateful for the authority’s prompt response as the sight of the large snake was disconcerting Animal control said they would take the boa back to headquarters before deciding where to release it as called for by pre-established protocols Earlier: Yucatán’s amazing animals, from the solitary jaguar to the misunderstood opossum heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity Specimens found in Yucatán and Central America are considerably smaller than their South American cousins hissing loudly and striking repeatedly when disturbed the Yucatecan Boa was known in the Mayan language as chij-chan and was considered a sacred animal are often killed on sight by machete-wielding fieldworkers leading to a severe decrease in their numbers.  Tropical Storm Gonzalo weakened on Thursday but could still rebound into the first hurricane of the Atlantic storm season according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami While its trajectory appears to be headed toward Yucatan the storm posed no threat to the region as of Friday according to the Merida Regional Hydrometeorological Center is preparing for potential supply rationing brownouts or even blackouts on the Yucatan Peninsula this summer as the region’s gas shortage reaches critical levels In an official statement issued late Monday the agency declared a state of operative emergency on the Peninsula warning consumers of a gas shortage that could… Aging transmission lines and declining natural gas production could spell more blackouts on the Peninsula this summer and into 2020 Merida’s government is offering free oxygen tank refills to anyone with a prescription The refill center is located in front of the José Marti library in Parque de las Américas The demand for concentrated oxygen has skyrocketed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Persons infected with COVID-19 who present difficulty breathing often… Oxxo will continue to grow its brand in Yucatán with 100 new locations The convenience store giant will invest 500 million pesos over the next three years in municipalities such as Tekax The move is part of a strategy that seeks to expand market reach outside of Mérida into smaller communities Yucatán — It’s harvest time at La Flor de Nayarit a farm in the southern “cone” of the Peninsula The farm has been cultivating watermelon for 15 years on land that they say has special characteristics that makes their crop distinctive enough to command a premium price was among dignitaries who attended the first cut of the harvest The state has helped the farm with fertilizer and water pumps as an economic stimulus for the region for which producer Mauricio Silva Mártir thanked officials during the visit Accompanied by Agriculture Director Luis Novelo Piña they walked through the extensive fields to verify the quality of the product The farm’s 232 hectares have a production capacity of 10,000 tons of watermelon per year A tour company has angered Río Lagartos locals after their vehicles damaged sea turtle nests on the beach — according to Por Esto There will be no alcohol served at the Grito de Independencia in Yucatán The statewide ley seca will last until Sept Yucatan’s state authorities announced Tuesday taking the ban on alcohol sales through one of Mexico’s most important holidays The ban is meant to tamp down on any antics — parties and violent acts in… Yucatan’s population of non-Yucatecans will top 70,000 people by 2020 The week ended with three consecutive days of increasing coronavirus cases while infections and daily deaths continued an overall decline Yucatan health officials on Saturday announced 148 new infections and seven fatalities in 24 hours Daily new infections had dipped as low as 64 on Monday but rose to 100 by Friday Medical students on Monday marched on Merida’s Paseo de Montejo to protest unsafe conditions The protestors demanded answers for the deaths of three colleagues The protestors carried signs reading “do I have to die before the university does something?” and “Mom Mexico’s international light festival, or FILUX The festival features video mapping the festival will also make its way to Valladolid and Tekax “We are thrilled to bring the festival to Valladolid and Tekax as well as Mérida Art is not just for those living in the capital It is for everyone,” said festival art director and co-founder David Di Bona The FILUX traces its origins back to 2013 but was first held as a large-scale event in Mérida in March 2017 Earlier: After 4-month pause, Valladolid’s video mapping show is back Past editions of the festival have attracted tens of thousands of spectators The highlight for many is the powerful multi-color laser projected from the Remate along the entire length of Paseo de Montejo.  The FILUX also reflects a growing interest on the part of artists and architects in Yucatán to better understand and implement light in their work.  “Light permeates every aspect of our lives. It can affect productivity and even our mood; does it not make sense to design for it in a thoughtful way?” says Mérida-based architect Lourdes Inés Echeverría Quintal For more information and scheduling of each event, visit filux.info This most recent entrance fee hike is already the second increase this year A military plane with 240,000 AstraZeneca booster doses against the new coronavirus variant arrived Friday for Mérida residents in their 40s and 50s This age group was already offered boosters in Valladolid Vaccination locations and hours were not announced Residents should register on the mivacuna.salud.gob.mx website — which on Friday… When deciding to build a brand new resort city from the ground up the federal government just didn’t happen upon Cancun President Enrique Peña Nieto attended opening ceremonies for two new hospitals in the west side of the city he could have been here for a third opening Last week a judge in Yucatán issued a ruling which halted any new construction of the Tren Maya project The ruling only barrs construction requiring further deforestation in the municipalities of Mérida such as across state lines in Quintana Roo large crews and heavy machinery continue to work without hindrance Property taxes across Mérida are about to see a considerable increase You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Pastors from the Southeast Mexican Union meet during a first ministerial retreat at the church’s El Trébol The four-day event was part of dialogue sessions where 196 local district pastors shared their experiences studied the Bible and focused on fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel more effectively in their congregations and the community Dozens of district pastors from across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southeast Mexican Union recently met to take part in a first ever spiritual retreat where they could dialogue and share their experiences with church administrators stay grounded in the Word of God while staying focused on fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel and shepherding hundreds of members amid the numerous challenges they face in their ministry The 196 local pastors throughout the seven local fields in the southeastern part of Mexico met at the church’s El Trébol Inter-American Division President Pastor Elie Henry speaks  to local church pastors from the Southeast Mexican Union during a devotional session prior to be elected as president of the Southeast Mexican Union served for many years as its executive secretary said it was important to learn how the pastors felt what their pressing needs and concerns are and encourage their heartfelt commitment to the mission and discipleship “The most important task of the pastor is to promote and facilitate discipleship visitation and teaching members in the church,” said Celis Pastors study and reflect in specific group sessions throughout the day Inter-American Division President Pastor Elie Henry during one of several keynote messages to the pastoral group said: “The pastoral ministry needs to be a ministry centered in Christ a ministry that can make the bible and prayer its main tool,” he said Pastors must focus on proclaiming the kingdom of God “Our Adventist message comes from the Three Angels Messages and leads us to the most glorious event The meetings were about pastors using every space as an opportunity to reflect on fulfilling their ministry more effectively and promoting more integration among the ministerial body of the union ministerial secretary and one of the main organizers of the event Pastors take the time to stretch and do exercises during the four-day event in southeast Mexico keeping up with events and activities on the calendar of the local church many times pastors get home at midnight every night,” said Roblero Pastors dialogue during one of several group sessions throughout the pastoral event A pastor in the Southeast Mexican Union can have an average of 14 to 16 churches with a total of more than 800 or 1,000 church members the ministerial gathering served as a new commitment to the call to ministry like in the case of Darío Ocampo who pastors 12 churches in his district in Chetumal “God gave me a wonderful call where I should learn to love the body of Christ which is His church be patient with each member while feeling that I am part of a mission that we have so the end will come soon,” said Ocampo Pastor Neftaly Vázquez who pastors 12 churches in the Juan Aldama district in Teapa who has nearly 40 years of service and currently leads 12 churches  in the Juan Aldama district in Teapa discovered that what is more important  is to understand your ministry “I learned that in these meetings when we learn more about our vision in the ministry with the youth it helps us focus on the mission.” leads during a communion service at the end of the ministerial event.[Photo: Germán Rodríguez] His experience as a pastor has seen an entire Pentecostal church convert into the Adventist faith “There are many evidences of my call to the ministry and I am delighted to serve a living God.” Currently Vázquez has recently led a series of evangelistic campaigns that saw more than 20 persons join the church A group of pastors take time to write out a declaration of their mission and ministry for their church memberships Each pastor drew their own new personal declaration to their ministry and shared it with their groups and took part in a communion service at the end of the ministerial event The pastoral gathering was an integral part of drawing up strategic plans and initiatives that will take effect throughout the churches and their communities over the next several years “We will be restudying what was discussed and suggested and create pilot plans to merge what we heard from our ministerial group and bring it together with the pastoral vision across the territory.” Group photo of the Southeast Mexican Union leadership and local church pastors across the territory © 2025 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Find out about the most important news and events happening in our division Maya language poet María Elisa Chavarrea Chim received an award from Yucatán Gov The ceremony was held during celebrations observing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples spoke of her efforts to revitalize the Mayan language through art and poetry and the importance of increasing the language’s visibility especially through modern media such as YouTube.   Ko’ox t’anik maaya t’aan /Vamos a hablar lengua maya [Aprendamos M Earlier: The fall of the Aztec Empire: A 500-year-old open wound  “Speaking and writing in Mayan is something which fills me with pride,” said Chavarrea Chim who is originally from the town of Chumayel The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on Aug 9 each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population The yearly event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection It was first pronounced by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994 Yucatán has roughly 539,000 Yucatec-Mayan speakers and is the second most-widely spoken indigenous language in all of Mexico after Nahual according to the 2020 national census.  many ethnically Maya people report hesitancy to speak Mayan outside of their communities fearing discrimination The Yucatan Health Secretariat on Saturday reported 30 more coronavirus deaths and 204 new cases in the past 24 hours bringing relief to a strained medical system that has been placing overflow patients into a convention center The “Doodle” brings attention to María Rebecca Latigo de Hernández’s 122nd birthday an important Mexican-American civil rights activist The decision to refuse the appeal of 10 large-scale renewable energy projects across Mexico has left environmentalists and investors aghast Founded four years ago by architect Jessica Park Zavala and in association with architect Erick Puc since 2021 it exhibits a maturity usually gained from many more years of experience Jessica’s path to architecture began in Holbox when she would accompany her mother on visits to… Yucatán closed the year with 26,492 coronavirus cases which led to 2,903 deaths And those were just the official numbers tabulated from a health system with insufficient testing The real number could be 10 times that in a state with 2 million inhabitants the state’s health ministry also re-evaluated… The former Presidente InterContinental Hotel on Avenida Colon in Merida was almost completely switched over from warm salmon-pink to a cool midnight blue when INAH pasted numerous red “Obra Irregular” signs on the facade and gate posts Work at the site appears to have stalled as a result Earlier this summer, the town of Motul de Carrillo Puerto, along with Espita and Tekax was named one of Yucatán’s three newest Pueblos Magicos which are a little over two hours from Mérida (in different directions) it certainly has a hustle and bustle to it.  Among Yucatecos, Motul is best known for one thing, Huevos Motuleños This breakfast staple is made by bathing fried eggs set atop fried (or baked) tortillas in a thick tomato sauce and peas — with a side of fried plantains and a chile habanero The most famous place to eat Huevos Motuleños is in a restaurant in Motul’s main market called Doña Evelia Motul’s market is also worth visiting in its own right as it has plenty of shops where you can find foodstuff most often unavailable in places like Mérida Motul’s market also often has musical groups or soloists busking for tips.  Motul is also known nationwide for its most famous son Carrillo Puerto joined the Mexican Revolution fighting on the side of the Constitutionalists he implemented a number of progressive reforms and the establishment of schools and hospitals for the Maya people Carillo Puerto’s short-lived romance with the American journalist Alma Reed has oddly enough become the stuff of legend in Yucatán (despite the fact that he was already married) and even inspired one of the region best known trova compositions Given its proximity to Mérida as well as several attractions including archaeological sites and cenotes Motul makes for a great hub to explore the Peninsula while avoiding the hubbub of its capital city there are several hotels with a wide range of prices a night at Hacienda San Jose will cost you roughly 3,500 pesos per night while more basic accommodations can be found at around the 600 peso mark Coronavirus is spreading more quickly across Mexico than at any other time in the pandemic Active coronavirus cases in Yucatán rose by 43% in one week after the dreaded post-holiday surge in contagions began The total number of patients battling COVID-19 was 898 on Monday after 269 tested positive for coronavirus in seven days Only three out of 10 students at the 22 de Febrero CROC high school have returned to their classrooms so parents are pitching in to buy Internet access for the rest The Pasaje Picheta may reopen sometime this month after a reconstruction project that began in December 2017 The Yucatán small-business chamber of commerce is offering independent shop owners the opportunity to purchase solar panels through a new program The Ministry of National Defense helped evacuate 60 families in Yaxcabá whose homes were severely flooded in Tuesday’s storm Some residents feared leaving their belongings behind and refused to be directed to an emergency shelter Personnel from the 20th Motorized Cavalry Regiment have provided assistance in cleaning flooded homes Ever since the City Council announced parking restrictions on streets surrounding the main square The high court has sided with Yucatan in a dispute that could have put some bordering towns in neighboring Quintana Roo Tixcacalcupul and Chikidzonot would have ended up in another state if Quintana Roo’s shifting border line had been recognized by Mexico’s surpreme court Yucatan state officials in June filed an injunction against its peninsular neighbor to prevent Quintana Roo from annexing the municipalities Border disputes among all three states on the Peninsula have simmered for years. Quintana Roo was established as its own state, breaking off from Yucatan, in 1974 when the federal government made it a tourism center A Campeche-Quintana Roo boundary dispute arose in the late 1990s but was settled in 2013 when the federal court sided with Campeche Quintana Roo lost its southern border with Guatemala Quintana Roo legislators revived the current border dispute in April when it revised its Magna Carta to claim an expanded boundary Quintana Roo also attempted to grab part of the Calakmul eco-tourist zone in Campeche An airline deal will go a long way to remind travelers that Mexico represents more than beach vacations A team of speleologists and archaeologists have discovered a cave in Yucatán with 137 children’s painted handprints Archaeologists believe the handprints to be about 1,200 years old and part of a Maya coming-of-age ceremony The site is approximately one hour south of Mérida in an area where cenotes and cave formations are known to be… Coachmen complain business has suffered by 70 percent because of animal rights activists who say the practice is cruel to the horses There are lots of small and well-known influencers online who post pictures and reviews of their travel tips and destinations And many young travelers will base their next vacation or trip on how Instagram-able this or that destination is So there is always an audience for this niche!  In… the Mérida-based veterinarian who leads well-known spay and neuter campaigns aided an effort to treat over 300 dogs in El Salvador For the fourth time since the coronavirus crisis arrived 11 patients in Yucatan died in a span of 24 hours That is the highest number of fatalities the state has seen in just a day 28 and 29 was the death count so high in Yucatan