Meet Maya
Mayans today are a community with a living culture. You can find men and women living in towns and communities in all municipalities, including Mérida, the capital city of Yucatán.
For centuries, geography made it difficult for Yucatecans to communicate with the rest of Mexico. As a result, architectural and cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and New Orleans were just as strong or stronger in the city’s growth. To this day, the people who live here consider themselves Yucatecans first, and Mexicans second.
Yucatan is one of the quietest and safest states in Mexico, with a climate like that of Florida or Cuba. Yucatecans are good, calm, hospitable, and have strong roots and traditions. They proudly take their capital city, Merida, known as “The White City”, not only because of the predominance of limestone as a building material, but also because its streets, squares and parks are cleaned every day.
Create Unique Experiences
The Maya city of Thó was a center of Mayan culture for centuries and because of this, some historians consider Mérida the oldest continually occupied city in the Americas.
Almost every corner in the historic center of Mérida was given its unique name. Residents could plan to meet at La Sombra (The Shadow), or La Sirena (The Mermaid), and even the illiterate would know where to go. The Esquinas de Mérida translated as the Corners of Mérida can still be found. Who knows? Perhaps, being a member of the ISCA Gathering, you will also start searching for the (systemic) corners of Merida to find out unseen cultural connections!
Building Memories
The traditional Mayas, who live just outside of Mérida, still practice some of the ancient ceremonial celebrations today including birth, marriage, planting crops. Mayan language is still spoken in the area today. Maya archaeological sites are still being discovered, some dating back to the fifth century A.D.
The Historic City Center
Plaza Grande, in the historic centre, is a beautiful place to experience the heart of Mérida. People meet in this lovely park, get their shoes shined, buy and sell all kinds of items, read the paper, sing, dance, feed the pigeons, just sit and relax. You’ll find newstands, coffee shops, restaurants, and various retail establishments. On any given day, listen to live music and watch horse-drawn carriages click-clack on the cobblestone streets.
foundation year
Population
Maya heritage
Haciendas around
Youcatan Today, October ’25
Download the Traveler’s Bible in Yucatan (free)
Archeological Sites
Although the Mayan culture is still alive to this day, there is no doubt that the vestiges
of its great pre-Hispanic constructions are one of the most important attractions. All Sites are open 8:00 – 16:00, 365 days/year.
The useful guide to Archeological Sites
A shortlist of the main Maya Sites of interest to download
Merida History
Merida, one of the quietest and safest states in Mexico, has a climate like that of Florida or Cuba. People are good, calm, hospitable and they proudly take Merida, the “White City”, for its calm living, cleanliness, and safety.
The useful guide to Merida rich Culture
A synopsis and presentation of Merida History to download
Epic Gastronomy
Today, Yucatecan gastronomy is worldwide recognized for its traditional richness and for its elaborate dishes with lots of preparation, and which delight and surprise those who expect only an extension of Mexican food.
The useful guide to Merida gastronomy
The most iconic dishes of Yucatecan cuisine to download
MAKE YOUR OWN CULTURAL EXPEDITION
Thu 30 Oct free afternoon
You may have a better chance to really “Meet the Maya” before the Gathering, or after the event, at your own pace – Or, the Maya may have been keeping a special “mission” for you during your mid-day breaks and the free evenings!