Tizimín
The ancient home of the Tapir is still a major seat of Yucatan culture, arts, and farm goodness, with all the color and authentic walk-ability of places that only dream they can be this alive.
Tizimín is a town of some 50,000 residents on a broad flat plain that has been inhabited for some 4,200 years. The local museum tells some of that story in vivid detail. The name, in the Mayan language, can be translated as Place of the tapir, for the jungle animal whose range extends only a little to the north of here, and southeast from here to the jungle coasts of Colombia.
Tizimín is a marvelous organic walk-able town, some one hour north of Valladolid. As such, it's often a supply stop for visitors en route to the coast at Las Coloradas, or to the ruins at Ek Balam. What you'll find upon stopping is a lively town about its business. The Cathedral Church of the Three Holy Kings (Tres Santos Reyes), has no bell tower and is, outside, nearly unadorned, but it does set a dramatic tone for the village. The feast of the Three Kings is celebrated by people who come from across the peninsula, and lends its name to the entire town known sometimes as the City of the Kings. But here, it is widely known that the three kings of the ancient near East are conflated with the ancient Maya deities: Yum Chac (god of rain ), Yum Kaxx (god of the field) and Yum Ik (god of the air).
Not far away, the Municipal Market is circular and makes visitors think every local market ought to be just like this one. It's easily the best place to find a local meal.
The zoo, unlikely as it seems, was actually opened by Queen Elizabeth of England, back in 1975. But the town is best known for the livestock industry that is still centered here. This is celebrated in a giant fair that starts before the Feast of the Three Kings (Epiphany) and lasts until nearly the middle of January. All kinds of religious, cultural, and social events go along with it, and it is still one of the most important fairs of its kind in Yucatan.
Most visitors today will arrive via the Tren Maya to Valladolid. This is increasingly served by transit services that can whisk you up to Tizimín in about 50 minutes. The town offers a variety of lodging options from the rustic to the luxe, and it's a very good base for setting out to other places in the region.
