There are many day trips listed in the Yucatan Today magazine. Trips that we have taken include:
Merida on Sunday – approx. 1.5 hr. drive - Fiesta time and dancing in the square in Centro, carriage ride – very affordable (approx. 45 minutes);
Rio Lagartos Nature Reserve – about a 2 hr. drive from Santa Clara, $70 per boat load up to 6 people, view a large variety of water birds, including a flock of flamingoes, and perhaps a crocodile thrown in, about a 2 hr. boat ride through the mangrove swamps;
Dzibilchaltun approx. 1 hr. drive; parking is 10 pesos per car and admission is 60 pesos each, the closest Mayan ruin to the city of Merida, guides available for an additional rate, about a 2 hr. walk and you can swim in the Cenote, bring your bathing suit;
San Crisanto Mangrove Tour - approx. 20 minute drive, 30 pesos each, about 1.5 to 2 hours by pole boat with a stop at the crystal clear cenote to see the 2 ft. tarpon fish and thousands of smaller fish;
Chichen Itza - approx. 2.5 hr. drive, parking is 10 pesos per car and admission is 98 pesos each, can spend 3 to 4 hours easily and take pesos to barter with the locals. The only ruin with souvenir vendors inside the gates. A Must See.
Izamal - approx. 1 hr. drive, visit the church where Pope John Paul II visited in 1993 and the nunnery as well as taking a carriage ride to see 4 of the Mayan hills located within the city for 120 pesos, tour the downtown with all of it’s egg-yolk coloured buildings and walls, enjoy a late lunch at Kinich restaurant located 3 blocks from the main square, many artisan work shops are located in the town, for ex. Tin smith, paper mache, etc.
Progreso - approx. 1 hr. drive, visit the Malacon and spend some time on the beach, view the 5 mile long pier built to accommodate cruise and cargo ships, visit the souvenir and specialty shops before/after you do your shopping at the Aurera Bodega (Wal-Mart), this trip affords you a look at all the gorgeous beach homes along the coast road.
Grocery Shopping:
- There is a small convenience store (tienda) next door to the house which sells water jugs, pop, munchies and a few staples. The Six, two blocks to the west of the house, sells beer and some staples.
- The grocery stores and fruit stands in the market in Dzidzantun provide most of our grocery needs.
- For specialty items, like mozzarella cheese, bacon, wine and imported beers we usually shop at the Chedraui on the Paseo de Montejo, just off the periferico (ring road) at the Merida exit.