Tizimin is a small town in Yucatán, Mexico. It is a transportation hub whose bus station links first-class bus routes from Cancun and Merida to the second-class buses servicing small coastal communities that draw naturalists as well as budget travelers, and active travelers wanting to learn kiteboarding or surfing. It is also near some lesser-known Maya archaeological sites.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]
The nearest airports with commercial service are Cancún International Airport and the international airport in Mérida. From those destinations, you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus.
By bus
[edit]ADO and its subsidiary bus lines offer direct first-class and second-class buses to Tizimin. Autobuses Noreste Yucatán (locally known as "Noreste") is a second-class bus line serving communities along the Gulf of Mexico coast, including El Cuyo and Rio Lagartos. Buses go to major tourist resort destinations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. To make a bus connection in Tizimin, exit the station and walk around the corner to the other bus station, the two terminals are within a few meters of each other. If you arrive after the last connecting bus has departed, a taxi sitio is available. The fare to El Cuyo should be about M$550 for up to 3 passengers (but always ask fares before getting in).
- 1 ADO Terminal Tizimin (Bus station), Calle 46 No.367. Small but modern bus station with a small waiting area and restrooms that cost M$7 to use. Buses go to Cancun and Merida.
- 2 Noreste Terminal Tizimin (Bus station), Calle 47 No. 377, Centro. Small bus station with waiting area and restrooms. Buses go to small coastal towns and nature reserves, including Rio Lagartos and El Cuyo.
Get around
[edit]A taxi sitio is at the main plaza (Zocalo) and taxis are always to be found outside the bus station. Hotel staff can also call a radio cab for you.
See
[edit]
- 1 Parque Zoologico y Botanico Tizimin, Benito Juarez. Tu-Su 09:00 - 16:00, closed M. Pleasant zoo and botanical garden with modern facilities including spacious enclosures that are clean and well-maintained for the animals. Miniature train ride through the park. Snack bar available. Ample free parking. Petting zoo available. Great place to take kids. Free.
Kulubá archaeological zone
[edit]Kulubá, also spelled Culuba, is a lightly visited, medium-sized Maya ruins near Tizimin. The city was at its height around 600-1000 AD. The site features a palace, an altar, ruins of two residences, and an odd round-shaped structure that archaeologist surmise was an oven. Only one structure has been restored. Structures have different elements that seem to reflect different architectural styles including Chenes, Puuc, and Chaac styles.
The site is owned and administered by INAH. It is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00 and there is a fee of M$60 charged for site admission. The site does not, however, have a site museum (probably due to the small number of visitors). The site is 35 km east of Tizimin and is best reached by taxi.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal de Tizimin, Calle 47. Daily 05:30 - 16:00. The town's traditional marketplace is the place to find fresh produce, meat, seafood, and dairy items as well as clothing and household items. The main hall has stands for fresh produce while a separate area at the back is devoted to prepared regional dishes. This is the place to get a cheap breakfast or lunch with flavors and ingredients prepared by Mexicans for local Mexican tastes.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Casa Makech, Calle 51 #403 x 52 y 50, Calle 51, Centro (across the street from Plaza Principal), ☏ +52 986 113 7131. Daily 08:00 - 00:00. Contemporary restaurant with traditional Mexican cuisine and international offerings like burgers and fries. The tortilla soup was nicely rich and spicy and the drinks included aguas frescas blended with fresh fruits. Spacious garden patio as well as sidewalk dining in front. M$200.
- 2 Yepez, Calle 49 #400, Centro, ☏ +52 986 863 4027. Daily 18:00 - 03:00. Casual 2-story restaurant with traditional Mexican antojitos and drinks. M$200.
- 3 La Verengas, Calle 48-A 334, 8 Calles, ☏ +52 986 105 2585. Daily 06:30 - 00:00. Casual palapa style restaurant with a large outdoor patio area. Serves traditional Mexican cuisine with some regional Yucatecan specialties. The tacos al pastor are recommended. M$200.
- 4 Colibri, Calle 79 entre 48 y 46b, Adolfo López Mateos, ☏ +52 985 115 0456. W-M 07:30 - 13:00, closed Tu. Breakfast cafe on the outskirts of town. Standard Mexican breakfasts like chilaquiles along wth Yucatecan specialties like motulenos. Fresh squeezed juices and Mexican grown coffees. Some vegetarian options. Casual outdoor garden setting. M$200.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Batallas Bar, Calle 54 No. 387, Centro, ☏ +52 986 103 1284. Daily 12:00 - 22:00. Local watering hole with snack (antojitos) served as long as you keep drinking. M$100.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel San Carlos, Calle 54 #407, Centro, ☏ +52 986 863 2094. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Attractive hotel with spacious, clean rooms, but needs maintenance as air conditioners are frequently broken and plumbing often has issues. Economical, but has shortcomings. M$800 (Mar 2025).
- 2 Hotel Roazi, Calle 33 356-x 64 y 66, Santa María, ☏ +52 986 115 0274. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel that is a good choice for travelers because it is fairly modern and well maintained with spacious rooms with hot showers and cold air conditioning. On-site restaurant is available. Off-street parking is available. M$1250 (Mar 2025).
- 3 Villa Mercyta, Calle 39 410A-por 50 y 52, Centro, ☏ +52 999 272 7502. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Budget accommodations in a hostal or outdoors in a camping area. .Small outdoor swimming pool available. Limited kitchen facilities, but usable. Laundry facilities available. M$250.
- 4 Hotel San Jorge, Calle 53 #414, Centro, ☏ +52 986 863 2037. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Budget hotel with central location but few amenities and rooms that cry out for an update.
- 5 Hotel El Herradero, Calle 48 #417, Centro, ☏ +52 986 863 2098. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Budget hotel with clean rooms that include air conditioning, cable TV and hot water. Off-street parking is available. M$700.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- El Cuyo - remote beach community with a laid-back vibe, popular with surfers, fishermen, naturalists, and kiteboarders
- Rio Lagartos - biosphere reserve with protected lagoon where thousands of pink flamingoes feed and nest
- Ek Balam - Maya ruins just north of Valladolid
- Chichen Itza - large, well-preserved Maya archaeological site