Things to do in Izamal
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Santuario de la Virgen de Izamal
The monastery's principal church is the Santuario de la Virgen de Izamal, approached by a ramp from the main square. The ramp leads into the Atrium, a huge arcaded courtyard in which the fiesta of the Virgin of Izamal takes place each August 15. There's a sound-and-light show here three days a week. In the small courtyard to the left of the church, look up and toward the Atrium to see the original sundial projecting from the roof's edge.
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Convento de San Antonio de Padua
When the Spaniards conquered Izamal, they destroyed the major Maya temple, the Ppapp-Hol-Chac pyramid, and in 1533 began to build from its stones one of the first monasteries in the New World. Work on Convento de San Antonio de Padua was finished in 1561. Under the monastery’s arcades, look for building stones with an unmistakable mazelike design; these were clearly taken from the earlier Maya temple.
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Tourist Center
If you want a real jungle experience, ask at the tourist center for Esteban Abán, the jewelry maker, who offers guided trips to Ox-Huadz, an unexcavated ruin. You’ll need to make arrangements at least a day in advance, depending on Abán’s availability, but the trip offers great bird-watching and Indiana Jones-style ruin-hunting.
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El Toro
This small family-run establishment at the southeast corner of the roundabout in front of the monastery specializes in Yucatecan fare (with a few international favorites thrown in to keep the tourists happy). Try a twist on the traditional with the pozole con coco (Maya corn stew with coconut overtones).
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Museo de Los Grandes Maestros del Arte Mexicano
Southeast of the Convento de San Antonio de Padua on the plaza is the small Museo de los Grandes Maestros del Arte Mexicano, an art museum and gallery showcasing pop art from around Mexico.
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museum
A small museum commemorates Pope John Paul II's 1993 visit to the monastery. He brought with him a silver crown for the statue of the patron saint of Yucatán, the Virgin of Izamal.
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Kinich-Kakmó
The largest Maya pyramid is the enormous Kinich-Kakmó. You can climb it for free most of the time. If a guard is there, it’s nice to make a M$20 donation.
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