Tixkokob is a traditionally Maya town in the state of Yucatán in southeast Mexico. Known as the "town of hammocks and panuchos", it is a quiet, colonial town close to cenotes, haciendas, and Mayan ruins.
Understand
[edit]The town is quite small with a population just over 10,000 (2010). Although the first Spanish settlers to the area arrived in the 16th century, and the area saw several haciendas built to harvest henequin in the 19th century, it wasn't until 1918 that the town was officially declared a city.
Get in
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The nearest airport with scheduled commercial flights is Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID IATA) in Mérida .
Tixkokob is 20 km east of Merida. The easiest way to get there is by car (rental or taxi). From Merida, drive east on federal highway MEX-180 for 20 km.
By train
[edit]Tixkokob has a station for the Tren Maya, which provides service from major cities, beach resorts, and other destinations throughout the 5 States of the Yucatan peninsula.
- 1 Tren Maya Estacion Tixkokob (follow Calle 26 to south side of town). Daily 07:00 - 18:00. Small station on the section between Merida (closest full-service station to Tixkokob) and Cancún. From the Cancún International Airport to Tixkokob, a train ticket will cost M$923 in tourist class or M$1477 in first class for the 3-hour trip.
Get around
[edit]It's a small town with a basic grid layout so walking is generally easy in town. Moto-taxis (tuk-tuk) are an affordable way to get around with fares within town starting at M$15. Moto taxis can be found near the main square (Parque Principal) or at the train station.
See
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- 1 Iglesia de San Bernardino de Siena (St Bernard's Church), Calle 20. Historic colonial era church built by the Franciscan order between 1581 and 1600. The relatively unadorned facade features a large stained glass window of the Virgin Mary over the entryway. Twin belfries loom over each of the front corners. The interior features a large gold altarpiece and several wood sculptures. It is a tranquil place for quiet reflection and prayer.
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- 2 Aké (Ake Archaeological Zone), Carr. Tixkokob-Sotuta (drive southeast on Calle 2 (Tixkokob - Sotuta) for 10 km). 09:00 - 17:00. Ruins of a small Maya city that dates from about 250 AD. It was likely a vassal state, paying tribute to Izamal. A sacbe (Mayan elevated and paved roadway) leaves Ake going direct to Izamal. The most unusual feature of the Ake site is The Palace (identified on the site map as Structure 1). This is a large structure with steps leading to an elevated platform where rows of stone columns rise up from the floor. Presumably, these columns once supported a roof, but no trace of it remains. The columns give the structure the nickname "Pillars Building". The columns are covered in relief sculptures that depict Mayan life and ceremonies. Another interesting feature is the Pyramid. Both of these major structures date from the period between 250 AD and 500 AD. The site is administered and maintained by INAH (the federal agency for archaeology and history). During the 19th century, the lands around the ruins were operated as a henequin hacienda. There is also a cenote at the site. Mayan farmers occupy land near the archaeological site and they operate a stand near the entrance selling honey and related products. The honey is made using a unique, endangered species of small, stinger-less bee that have been kept by the Maya for millenia. M$80.
- 3 Hacienda San Lorenzo de Ake, Carr. Tixkokub - Sotuta (next door to the Ake Archaeological Zone), ☏ +52 999 126 4199. Unlike most haciendas in the Yucatan, this one never got re-purposed. It still operates henequin fields and a henequin processing plant, producing sisal rope under the San Lorenzo Rope brand. Visitors are welcome and can take a 2-hour tour to learn about the history of henequin and its use in making rope during the 19th century. See operating henequin processing equipment as well as historic equipment from the 19th century. M$350.
Do
[edit]- 1 Concha Acustica, Calle 20 No. 3. Public square with a bandshell hosting public concerts and performing arts shows on select evenings. Free.
Cenotes
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Tixkokob is near an area with a particularly high concentration of cenotes (underground pools and rivers), including some in town. Many cenotes are open for public bathing and swimming in the cenotes (though cenotes further out are better for swimming than those close to town) is a popular way to cool off in the typically hot and humid climate.
- 2 Cenote Aketzali, 93 Calle 16. This is kind of a stealth cenote because it's on private property behind someone's house. The owners are friendly and welcome visitors. M$20 per hour.
- 3 Cenote Chale, MEX-180. Usually dry cenote. No swimming.
Festivals
[edit]- Fiesta de San Bernardino de Siena - Late May (May 17-24 in 2024), the town's biggest festival honors its patron saint with parades, a midway with carnival games and rides, concerts and traditional dance, and of course, plenty of food and drink
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal "Manuel Romero Ancona", Calle 21, No. 38. Daily 08:00 - 16:00. The town's traditional marketplace where farmers bring fresh produce every morning for direct sale to housewives and restaurant owners. There are also vendors selling prepared food featuring some of the most authentic Yucatecan regional cuisine available anywhere.
Hammocks
[edit]The town is known for its traditional Mayan hammocks. There are small workshops and larger factories that you can visit and take home an authentic slice of Mayan culture. There are also numerous hammock shops in town (and a wholesaler). Hammocks are big business in Tixkokob!
- 2 Juan de Dios Pool Hammock Factory, Calle 27 entre 16 y 18, Espalda de la Concha, ☏ +52 991 106 7373. "Factory" may be a bit of a delusion of grandeur since Don Juan Pool and his family make hammocks in their home-based workshop. Learn how hammocks are made, the weaving pattersn, materials, and cultural heritage behind them. Many colors and unusual designs are available. Different sizes, from small chair-style hammocks to large "matrimonial" hammocks that sleep two.
- 3 Hamacas Mezeta, Calle 13 No.98. Daily 09:00 - 19:00. Artesanal hammock weavers. Wide variety of colors and thread materials. Makes new hammocks and will also repair hammocks.
Eat
[edit]Tixkokub is famous for its panuchos, refried tortillas stuffed with black beans, shredded chicken, tomatoes, lettuce and sliced pickled red onion. Although you can find panuchos served throughout the Yucatan region, Tixkokob claims it for their own. You can find panuchos at casual restaurants around town and sold as street food at stands around town (usually in the evenings). Seek them out for a genuine slice of edible local culture.
- 1 Pueblo Pibil, Calle 21 & 28, N ° 180, Centro, ☏ +52 991 611 0805. W-M 12:30 - 18:00, closed Tu. Upscale restaurant in a restored historic building with foot-thick stone walls and rough-hewn dark woods. The food is traditional Yucatecan regional cuisine with an emphasis on dishes cooked in the pibil style, which is a kind of pit barbecue in which marinated meats are seasoned with achiote, wrapped in banana leaves and slow cooked for several hours. The restaurant also has a full bar with innovative cocktails and some unusual Yucatecan deserts. M$200.
- 2 La Cocina de Gollis, C. 16 96, ☏ +52 999 918 1002. Brunch 08:00 - 11:00, closed 11:00 - 19:00, dinner 19:00 - 23:00, closed M. Casual, friendly restaurant serving a mix of basic Mexican foods and international offerings that include pasta, burgers, and sandwiches. Breakfast is hearty and affordable with a buffet on Sunday mornings. M$200.
- 3 Celestial P Cocina Eclectica Jardin, Calle 27 entre 18 y 20 #100, ☏ +52 999 906 4139. W-Sa Brunch 07:30-15:30, Dinner 19:30 - 22:30, closed Su-Tu. Casual eatery with an outdoor garden dining area serving traditional Mexican cuisine. The pastel Azteca is recommended. M$200.
- 4 La Isleña, Calle 24 94A, ☏ +52 991 108 8716. Daily 07:30 - 12:00. Bright, cheery open air street restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Food is typical Mexican antojitos, including tacos, quesadillas, etc. M$150.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Puerto Tixkokob, Calle 24 No. 70, ☏ +52 999 648 8075. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate modern hotel on the northern side of Tixkokob. Rooms are spacious with air conditioning, WiFi, microwave oven and TV. Outdoor swimming pool. Outdoor patio with hammocks available. M$1500.
Splurge
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Tixkokub has several historic haciendas that have been restored and converted to luxury boutique hotels. These hotels represent an opportunity to experience a little bit of 19th century Mexican history.
- 2 Hacienda San Antonio Millet, Domicilio Desconocido s/n, San Antonio Millet (South side of Tixkokob), ☏ +52 551 079 0063. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Upscale bed and breakfast in a restored historic hacienda from the early 19th century. Immaculately maintained with period furniture and manicured gardens. On-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. M$2500.
- 3 Hacienda Ticum, Calle 2, ☏ +52 999 553 9593. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Boutique hotel in a restored 19th century henequin hacienda. Very large rooms with high ceilings, spotlessly clean with period furnishings and modern bathrooms. Three outdoor pools set amid manicured gardens and lawns. On-site restaurant serves breakfast and lunch with high-end Yucatecan regional cuisine. M$2500.
- 4 Hacienda San Jose Cholul, Km 30 Carretera Tixkokob-Tekanto, ☏ +52 999 924 1333. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury boutique hotel in a restored 19th century hacienda where henequin was once grown. Large rooms with period furnishings and modern touches. Outdoor swimming pool with hammocks under the porticoes. Manicured gardens set among encroaching jungle. Many tropical birds, iguanas, and monkeys around the property. On-site restaurants serve breakfast and dinner. M$5000.