Espita

Espita is a fantastic Pueblo Magico in Yucatán just north of the Valladolid station of the Tren Maya. The town is ancient, dating from well before the Spanish invasion and mention is made of a small village for workers here already between 462 and 522 CE.

The colonial-era settlement dates from 1549. But most of the historic buildings for which the town is now rightly famous come from somewhat later. People come just to stroll the bright sunny town center, and especially around the San José de Espita Church. 

Nearby are the Ya-axche Senderos Celestes - a garden area and park with trails to the Hats-uts cenote, one of the most important attraction. The Rancho Santa María Aktún-toh and the Cenote Dzonotoch and the Jardínes de Ixchel round out the center of the town, although just strolling the gardens and center streets is often a treat. Beyond the central church of the town, visitors take to the Casa de Cultura near the Municipal Palace. The Hacienda Santa Teresa Kancaba is also open for tours.

The Espita culinary scene centers around Maya specialties like Xupik, Kots-ob, and Salbutes. The town is also alive with artisans with a great variety of goods on offer in the streets around the town center and near the market. The Feria Tradicional de la Villa de Espita takes places in the latter half of each December. But a few other year round events make it always a wonderful town to visit.

On the Tren Maya, Vallodolid is between two and 2.5 hours from Cancun or from Mérida. All of that is to say, then, that Valladolid is just about in the middle! From the Tren Maya station, the trip to Espita is just under an hour. This country is increasingly teaming with small inns and resorts and many of these will offer transportation. If not, the same country is also plied by a number of taxi and combi service vans, any number of which will be happy to help you on your way.