Social Program and Touristic Activities
Celestún
Celestún
Boats, big pink birds, and a swim in a mangrove spring all followed by a play on the beach.
Saturday, August 21, 2021
09:00 – 17:00 hours
Biciruta
Biciruta
Every Sunday from 8 am to 12:30 pm more than 5 kilometers of roads in Mérida are closed off to traffic, allowing cyclists to enjoy a morning of cycling in a family-oriented ambiance that is healthy and safe. Yucatan Today is proud to support Bici-ruta.
Sunday
August 22, 2021 | 08:00 – 12:00 hours
August 29, 2021 | 09:00 – 17:00 hours
September 5, 2021 | 08:00 – 12:00 hours
Musical Memories
Musical Memories
With a variety of rhythms to enjoy, from the “cumbia” to shake things up a little, to a smooth “bolero” to dance with your partner. That is exactly the attitude you will see among the attendees that enjoy a musical evening full of life…and memories…every Tuesday in Santiago park
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
20:30 hours
Videomapping: Sacred Stones
Videomapping: Sacred Stones
Sacred Stones is a video mapping projected over the Cathedral of San Ildefonso. It mixes several techniques of 3D and 2D animation to deliver an historic recounting of its construction, performed with the stones of Thó, the Maya ancient city, and its special meaning to Mérida’s citizens. The visual journey is driven by a narrative of 12 verses written exclusively for the show, and the music is enriched by the members of the official chorus of Mérida and its sacred chants.
Friday, August 27, 2021
20:30 hours
Welcome
Welcome
Welcome reception of the Conference & RILEM Week
Monday, August 30, 2021
Chaya Maya
Chaya Maya
Ask for suggested activity to Chaya Maya
Thursday, September 02, 2021
Mayapan and Mucuyche Cenotes
Mayapan and Mucuyche Cenotes
This newly opened site, known locally as Little Chichén Itzá, features a variety of structures and a pyramid you can climb.Float, swim and snorkel: Float along the underground river in an inner tube, marveling at the amazing stalactites and stalagmites; stop for a swim in crystal-clear waters or enjoy some unforgettable cave snorkeling (gear included).
Sunday, September 05, 2021
09:00 – 17:00 hours
Mexican Night
Mexican Night
Mérida is also Mexico. And in it, music and national folklore have top-level exponents who every week enrich the traditional celebration of the «Mexican Night», a celebration that summons music, voices, traditional dances from other entities and regions of the country, singers and composers.
Saturday
August 21 & 28, 2021
September 4, 2021
19:00 – 23:00 hours
Mérida en Domingo
Mérida en Domingo
Every Sunday, since 1980s, the historical downtown of Mérida closes its streets to vehicles and transforms itself into a big urban carnaval with a large offering of activities.
Sunday
August 22 & 29 | September 5, 2021
09:00 – 15:00 hours
Videomapping : Conqueror Dialogues
Videomapping : Conqueror Dialogues
The facade of Montejo’s House is a jewel of the plateresque art and it’s an allegory of the history of Francisco de Montejo’s family. The video mapping explains the elements sculpt on the facade, and the building is used as a stage for a dramatic dialogue between Francisco de Montejo a native leader, both protagonists of our foundation. The show ends with a folkloric ballet that clearly represents the fusion between the two cultures. The show is presented in Spanish with English subtitles.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
20:30 hours
Uxmal Cenote and Haciendas
Uxmal Cenote And Haciendas
The haciendas have their origin with the parcels upon the arrival of the Spaniards, they extended to America during the process of colonial expansion.Uxmal, is located in an area of hills called Puuc, which breaks the monotony of the Yucatecan plain. It is the most important city in the area because it reached 20,000 inhabitants in its splendor (600 – 900 AD). We will visit the Sambulá cenote in the small community of Peba; easily accessible for adults and children.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
09:00 – 17:00 hours
RILEM Banquet/Dinner
RILEM Banquet/Dinner (approx. 70 to 100 pax) at Temozon Hacienda.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Technical Day
Izamal magic town
Izamal magic town
Izamal is sometimes known as the “City of Hills”, referring to the covered pyramids found by the Spanish past on their arrival and also as the “City of the Three Cultures”, for the prehispanic, Colonial traces of its past, as well as contemporary influences.
Sunday
August 22 | September 5, 2021
09:00 – 17:00 hours
Vaqueria ( Traditional Dance)
Vaqueria ( Traditional Dance)
Two notable traditions of the Yucatecan people are the “jarana” and “vaquería”. They go inevitably hand in hand, making it impossible to think of one without the other. Today, the vaquería consists of three celebrations: it begins with a mass, then a bullfight, and it ends with the dance, during which, with their famous “jaranas”, the Yucatecans display their great ingenuity and joy. Currently there are events in the historic center of Mérida, displaying these and other traditions, in order to rescue and preserve them from the mutations they have experienced over time.
Monday, August 23, 2021
21:00 hours
Serenata
Serenata
Yucatecan Traditional Dance since January 14, 1965, Santa Lucía plaza plays host to the most emblematic of all traditional events: the “Serenade of Santa Lucía.” This program was created to offer a permanent space to listen to the music of Yucatecan composers in an incomparable setting: the 17th Century arches of the park, where as well as the contemplation of the beautiful architecture, they make the most of the acoustic quality of the thick walls of the construction.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
21:00 hours
Chichen itza
Chichen itza
Archaeological zone that is approximately 1553 years old and is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It is located just 120 km from the city of Merida. The name Chichen Itza comes from the Mayan language Chi – boca, Chen – pozo and Itzá – is the tribe that inhabited the area.
Sunday, August 29, 2021
09:00 – 17:00 hours
Sotuta de Peón
Sotuta de Peón
Hacienda Viva: is the restoration project of a historic monument located in the heart of the old henequen area of the state of Yucatan.Here, you can witness each step of the Henequen transformation process, you can see the machinery ancient that has been rescued from the ravages of time and visit a typical Mayan House; In addition to the secret attraction, the Cenote
Saturday, September 04, 2021
09:00-16:00 | 12:00-18:30 hours
Travel tips
Prepare your light clothing, comfortable shoes, cap or hat. We recommend the use of sunscreen. Take mosquito repellent with you.
We recommend that you always carry water with you, drink fluids and stay hydrated.
Have your camera or phone close at hand to capture the best moments of your trip.
Mérida offers different types of tourism: ecological, health, convention, cultural and nature
Yucatán is characterized by the seasoning of its traditional food, if you are not familiar with this type of condiments, do not rush and ask the staff who provide service for recommendations.
To go to other destinations from Mérida use the bus lines.
Language
In the Capital of the State of Yucatan, Mérida, the predominant language is Spanish, however in rural communities the Mayan language is still preserved. Maya is an Amerindian language derived from the Mayan stock that is spoken mainly in the peninsular Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo, as well as in Belize and some areas of Guatemala. It is widely used and taught, and there are even academies that are dedicated exclusively to its teaching and dissemination.
Currency
The Mexican peso is the official currency of Mexico