How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal, Mexico
A visit to Izamal is one of the best things to do in Mexico. Izamal is a small colonial town in Yucatan, founded by the Spanish on the site of an ancient Mayan city in the 16th century. It is famous for its yellow-painted buildings, photogenic streets, delicious food, and beautiful Convento de San Antonio de Padua. Because you can explore Izamal in just a few hours, it is worth a visit from Merida or Valladolid.
This ultimate guide to visiting the Yellow City of Izamal includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Izamal, Mexico.
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- How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal, Mexico
- Where is Izamal?
- Best Time to Visit Izamal, Mexico
- How to Get to Izamal, Mexico
- Day Trip to Izamal
- Where to Stay in Izamal
- Is it Worth Visiting Izamal, Mexico?
- Why is Izamal Yellow?
- Best things to do in Izamal, Mexico
- 1. Stroll Around the Yellow Streets
- 2. Visit Convento de San Antonio de Padua, Izamal
- 3. Climb the Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid
- 4. Shop at the Mercado Municipal
- 5. Travel to Merida
- Is it Safe to Travel to Izamal?
- How to Get Around Izamal
- How many Days do you Need in Izamal, Mexico?
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Where is Izamal?
Izamal, also known as the Yellow City, is located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, just a 1-hour drive from Merida.
Best Time to Visit Izamal, Mexico
The best time to visit Izamal in the dry season is between mid-November and April. During this period, the temperature in the Yucatan Peninsula is pleasant, and rainfall is rare. From May, the weather is warmer, with lots of rain and high humidity.
We visited Izamal on a hot day, and the temperature was not ideal for walking. For this reason, we recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon and enjoying exploring the Yellow City of Izamal.
How to Get to Izamal, Mexico
You can get to Izamal by bus, train, car, taxi, or private transfer. Most people visit Izamal from Merida (1 hour) or Valladolid (1.5 hours), as the journey time from other cities is at least 3 hours. We drove from Valladolid to Izamal and parked for free on the street.
The nearest airport to Izamal is Merida International Airport (MID), about a 1-hour drive away. The ADO does not run bus services to Izamal, so it’s best to rent a car and drive yourself or join an organized tour that includes transportation.
You can also get to Izamal by Colectivo (shared minivan), which is very cheap and comfortable. The downside is that they don’t have an official schedule and usually leave when they are full of people.
TIP
If you want to book bus tickets or transfers, use Bookaway.
Once you arrive in Merida, you can easily rent a car at the airport/city or pick up your pre-booked car. Car rental will cost around 30-40 USD daily for a basic car with full coverage. Book your car in advance to get the best price!
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Day Trip to Izamal
You can easily join group tours from Merida to visit the famous Chichen Itza, the Yellow City of Izamal, Cenote Yokdzonot, and the beautiful colonial town of Valladolid.
The tour price includes roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, a guided tour in Chichen Itza, a buffet lunch, bottled water, and the entry fee to the cenote.
Book your full-day tour to Izamal via GetYourGuide or Viator.
Where to Stay in Izamal
Most people take a day trip from Merida or Valladolid, but for the best experience, stay in Izamal. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Izamal, Mexico
- Mid-Range: Hacienda Sacnicte
- Budget: Hotel Rinconada del Convento or Hotel Quinta Izamal
Is it Worth Visiting Izamal, Mexico?
Yes, Izamal was one of our favorite places to visit in Mexico.
Izamal is known as the “Hill City” because the urban area has many archaeological sites on the hillsides. It is also known as the “City of Three Cultures” because of its fascinating blend of pre-Columbian (Mayan), Spanish colonial, and modern Mexican cultures. But the most well-known nickname is the Yellow City since all the buildings are painted yellow.
Izamal is one of Mexico’s Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos). The Magical Towns are usually selected for their natural beauty, rich history, traditions, and culture or because they have preserved their original architecture. There are currently 177 Pueblos Magicos in Mexico, all of which are beautiful and worth visiting.
Another Magical Town → Bacalar
Why is Izamal Yellow?
No one knows for sure why the city is yellow. Some people think it was yellow-painted to celebrate the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1993. But it was already yellow before that. Another popular theory is that it was painted yellow in honor of the Mayan sun god, Kinich Kak Moo.
No matter the reason, the Yellow City of Izamal is a unique place and a must-visit in Mexico.
Best things to do in Izamal, Mexico
1. Stroll Around the Yellow Streets
Wondering what to do in Izamal, Mexico? The most important things to do in Izamal are to explore the yellow-painted city, wander the streets, and take many photos.
The Yellow City of Izamal is stunningly beautiful, and every corner provides the perfect backdrop for photography lovers or creative content creators.
Read our → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
2. Visit Convento de San Antonio de Padua, Izamal
One of our favorite things to do in Izamal was to visit the magnificent monastery. When the Spanish conquered Yucatan in the 16th century, they destroyed the important Mayan temple in Izamal. They then built one of the oldest Franciscan convents, the beautiful Convento de San Antonio de Padua, on top of the Mayan temple.
Did you know? Izamal has the second largest enclosed atrium in the world after St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
The monastery of Izamal is free to visit, and the museum costs just 10 MXN (0.50 USD).
See also → Best Tulum Instagram Spots
3. Climb the Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid
One of the best free things to do in Izamal is to visit the Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid. It is one of the largest pyramids in Mexico, and it is dedicated to the Mayan Sun God. The pyramid is about a 10-minute walk from the Convento de San Antonio de Padua.
The Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid is free to visit every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. You can climb to the top of the pyramid and enjoy a stunning view from the platform.
4. Shop at the Mercado Municipal
Next to the monastery is the Mercado Municipal de Izamal, a local market where you buy cheap food, clothes, shoes, and souvenirs. If you don’t know where to eat in Izamal, here are some recommendations for where to try authentic Mexican food.
Best restaurants in Izamal, Mexico
- Restaurante Kinich Izamal
- Restaurante Zamna
- Restaurante La Conquista
- Restaurante Los Arcos
- Restaurant Muul
After lunch, visit Itzamna Park, buy delicious ice cream, and enjoy your time. Be sure to take a photo of the colorful Izamal sign.
5. Travel to Merida
The capital of Yucatan, Merida, is a beautiful city that is completely different from Valladolid and Izamal. Merida has many historic colonial buildings, but there’s no shortage of expensive restaurants, trendy boutiques, and popular events.
We arrived in Izamal from Valladolid, and the journey took about 1.5 hours by car. Then, after spending a few hours exploring the Yellow City, we drove on to Merida.
As there’s not much to do in Izamal, and it is easy to explore in a short time, we recommend spending the night in Merida.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Merida
Is it Safe to Travel to Izamal?
Yes, Izamal is one of the safest destinations in Mexico. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
How to Get Around Izamal
Izamal is a very walkable city, as the main attractions are just a few minutes away. We suggest wearing light clothes and comfortable shoes. Flip-flops are not safe if you want to climb the pyramid.
Alternatively, you can rent a bike or take a horse-drawn carriage around the city if you don’t want to walk too much on a hot day.
How many Days do you Need in Izamal, Mexico?
As Izamal is a popular day trip from Merida, most people only spend a few hours exploring the city. But if you have enough time, we recommend spending at least 1 full day to experience this magical city at your own leisurely pace.
We hope you found our guide to Izamal useful and will inspire you to visit Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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