Tekax is a small town in the southern part of Yucatán. It is a Mayan community in an area of dense tropical jungle. Travelers will enjoy the colonial historic town center, an abundance of biodiversity, caving, hiking and exploring 1,000 year old Mayan archaeological sites. The town is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
[edit]After the Mexican Revolution, the town adopted the pompously long name Tekax de Alvaro Obregon, but of course, nobody but local politicians have ever uttered the phrase. Everyone calls it Tekax, and you should too. It's a small city with a population of about 25,000 (2010).
Get in
[edit]The town is 120 km south of Mérida, which has an international airport (MID IATA) with good connections to major Mexican cities and international service via Houston, Dallas, Miami, and Toronto (WestJet). Merida is also served by the Tren Maya railway with service to Cancun, Campeche and other Chetumal.
By car
[edit]From Merida, drive south on Carr. Mérida-Chetumal (federal highway MEX-184) for 120 km. The road is in good condition and easy to drive. The trip will take about 90 minutes.
By bus
[edit]ADO has frequent buses to Tekax departing from Merida TAME (Merida Unica). Buses depart every hour on the hour. The 2-hour trip costs as little as M$60 (on ADO's Mayab subsidiary, price as of January 2025).
- 1 Terminal Autobuses Tekax, Calle 57 #205, Centro. Bus terminal for ADO and it's affiliate bus lines (particularly Mayab). Frequent arrivals and departures with as many as 3 buses per hour to Merida and less frequent service to Cancún, Chetumal, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and other destinations. The terminal has ticketing, baggage service, and a spacious waiting area with wooden benches and restrooms (M$7).
Get around
[edit]
The historic downtown area (Centro) is easy to get around on foot, but would be more fun by renting a bike. Local taxis are readily available and can usually be found at a sitio near the main plaza (zocalo) or at the corner of Calle 52 and Calle 53. There are also combis operating on regular schedules to nearby towns.
See
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- 1 Hermitage of San Diego de Alcala, Calle 63, La Ermita. Small chapel in an enclosed compound on top of a hill. The chapel was built in 1645 when an image of San Diego de Alcala was found in a nearby well, taken to the church, disappeared, then somehow re-discovered on top of the hill. Locals took it as a sign that San Diego wanted a shrine built, so they built the Hermitage. A festival honoring San Diego takes place each November. The hill is about 80 meters high and a stone staircase climbs the hill (careful, the stones can be slick). Excellent panoramic views are afforded at the top.
- 2 Parroquia San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist Church), Calle 50, Centro. The town's main church was built by Franciscan missionaries in 1564. It is an imposing baroque stone structure built of stone and red brick. Inside are elaborate mosaic tile floors, rows of carved columns, pastel walls with old biblical paintings and iconic statues. It is an impressive structure and a tranquil spiritual retreat.
- 3 Town Square (Parque Benito Juarez (Zocalo)), Calle 50 #246, Centro. Pleasant town square with stone walkways set around a central obelisk, iron park benches, plenty of shade trees. Many photo spots nearby of colonial buildings, the church, archways and more.
- 4 Chacmultun Archaeological Zone, Chacmultun. Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Ruins of a Mayan city, about 6 km southwest of the town. The city was part of the Tutul Xiu dynasty, which is better known for larger sites like Uxmal and Kabah. Combis and taxis will take you there. Buildings were constructed of pink granite with Puuc architecture. Buildings cluster in four groups: Chacmultún, Cabalpak, Xethpol, and Centra. Groups were built on hilltops. Some buildings contain faded murals similar to those found at Bonampak. The city reached its peak during the 10th century AD and was abandoned by the 15th century. M$80.
- 5 Callejon de Murales (Mural Alley), Calle 53. In keeping with Mexico's muralist tradition, the town has a pedestrian block with colorful murals painted by local artists. Some portray historical events while others celebrate the region's natural splendor.
Do
[edit]- 1 Grutas Chocantes, Carr. Kanek, ☏ +52 997 117 2756. Daily 09:00 - 15:00. Cave system on the edge of town. Offers two cave expeditions, one requiring about 2 hours and a more extreme tour requiring about 7 hours along a 7 km tour route that departs at 9am (don't be late). Rapelling is available in the Gruta Toro, there are hiking trails to a lookout atop the mountain, and a canopy zipline tour is available.
Festivals
[edit]- Festival de San Diego de Alcala - each November, an image of San Diego is paraded through town. Food, drink, games, music and other merriment ensue.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal, Calle 50, Centro. Daily 06:00 - 21:00. The town's traditional marketplace was renovated and updated in the early 2020s. Vendors fill two floors with stalls selling fresh produce, meats, grocery items, and local crafts. The second floor features a terrace where visitors can sit and enjoy food and drink outside while taking photos of the plaza and scenery.
Eat
[edit]- 1 El Huinic (inside Posada del Carmen), ☏ +52 997 974 0312. Daily 07:00 - 02:00. Cozy deli-style restaurant next to the Hermitage. Serves regional Yucatecan cuisine, mostly simple dishes. Full bar with good margaritas and other cocktails. Ample parking available. M$200.
- 2 Muldzinick, Calle 54 between Calle 47 and Calle 49, ☏ +52 997 974 0794. Daily 11:00 - 18:30. Casual family-style restaurant in an outdoor palapa. Regional Yucatecan cuisine with some traditional antojitos (light food). M$200.
- 3 Amorentia, Calle 33 between Calle 48 and Calle 50, ☏ +52 997 118 3690. Tu-Su 07:00 - 23:30, closed M. Comfortable, casual restaurant with an outdoor patio dining area and an eclectic international menu that included burgers, pastas, and tasty mezcal cocktails and micheladas. M$200.
- 4 El Yuca, Calle 56. Th-Tu 11:00 - 17:00, closed W. Casual seafood restaurant with full bar. M$200.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 El Sultan de la Sierra, Calle Quincuagésima 211, Centro, ☏ +52 997 974 2169. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel is a bit dated, but rooms are generally clean and have cold air conditioning but no seat on the toilet. Outdoor swimming pool available. Street parking.
- 2 Posada del Carmen, Calle 61, La Ermita, ☏ +52 997 974 0953. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Traditional hotel next to the Hermitage. Rooms are rather basic and though they have air conditioning, they lack hot water. Flaky WiFi. M$800.
- 3 Hotel Cielo y Selva, Calle 51, ☏ +52 997 979 0010. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable, modern hotel with rooms set around a central courtyard with large outdoor swimming pool. On-site restaurant available. Mellow house dogs will follow you to your room. M$700.