The Most Awaited Weekend: Chichen Itza and Cenotes

The most awaited weekend, the overnight trip! This time, our students had the opportunity to visit another of the most important cities of Yucatan, a wonder of the world and a natural sanctuary.

On Friday after school, we departed to Valladolid, the second city built after Merida, where dinner was waiting for us. Students had free time to explore the city before returning to the hotel.

On Saturday, we woke up early in the morning and after breakfast, we headed to Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. We were received by our guide who explained the history behind the ancient city and its temples. They then had free time to explore on their own, look at the different souvenir stands and take lots of pictures. It was lunchtime so we went to a near restaurant where students enjoyed a regional food buffet. We were surprised by the staff who performed a jarana dance for us.

Bellies were full and so we headed to our next stop, Otoch Ma´ax Yetel Kooh, the spider monkey sanctuary guarded by a Mayan community. Here, students went into the forest where many native species live, including the spider monkey and jaguars. Did you know that jaguars were sacred animals in the Mayan culture? During our visit, three different activities took place. First, our students canoed through a lagoon to get to a different zone where they hiked to the highest point and then ziplined! Thrills were all over the place.

They canoed back to the main zone and during a short walk through the trees, they were able to spot the famous spider monkey. 

Before heading to the cenote, the local guides performed a Mayan ritual to ask for permission and give thanks to enter the cenote. Once it was done, we walked to the cenote where students enjoyed diving into the cool waters. In the end, they had time to swim and play in the lake before heading back to the hotel for dinner.

Sunday was our last day in Valladolid, so after breakfast, we went to another cenote, Xcajum. Students were jumping, diving, and swimming in the crater-like cenote. Lunchtime came and we enjoyed a Yucatecan buffet before going back to Merida. But the fun didn´t stop there: on our way back, students were karaoking! And so the adventure came to an end.