Directions within Izamal
We are located on Calle 22 between Calle 33 and Calle 35, 4 blocks east of the convent.
FROM THE CANCUN ENTRANCE: If you are arriving from the Cancun cuota or the free road from Chichen Itza, you will come in to Izamal on Calle 24. You will not need to go into the center of town. The streets are not well marked but when you pass the IMSS (clinica or hospital) than take your next right onto Calle 35. Take the following left onto Calle 22 and you are there!
From Mérida "The Fast Way"
Wherever you are in Mérida, to get to Izamal you want to get on Highway 180, the Mérida-Cancun highway, often called the "carratera" or the "autopista." I'll give some detail below on how to get on the carratera from the airport and downtown, but for now, let's assume you've gotten yourself to the interesection of the Periferico and Calle 65.
The Quick Version:
The road is well-marked with signs along the way for Izamal. Just stay on the road until you see the sign for the Izamal exit. This is just past an underpass(at this writing, under construction). The exit is to the left. Take the left-hand turn and double back along the road (don't get back on the carratera) exiting to the left. You will now be on the spur road to Izamal. Stay on this road and you'll arrive in Izamal on Calle 31. See the section below for directions once you get to Izamal.
The Details:
(If you like to know about the sights along the way, read this section. If you're a person who just wants to get here, skip this part and go to the directions within Izamal section above.)
From Mérida "The Scenic Way"
This route takes you through Tixcocob (this is the town where most of the commercially-available hammocks are made), past the ruins of Aké and Hacienda San Jose Cholul, through some small, but very charming pueblos and into Izamal.
The Quick Version:
Get to the Periferico and Avenida Quetzal (between Calle 65, the main road in from the east, and Calle 59, the main road out to the east). The sign will be for Tixcocob. The road to Tixcocob is very good. You'll pass through Tixpehual on your way. At Tixcocob go to the main square and look for signs to Izamal. On route you'll pass through Euan, the exit for Hacienda San Jose Cholul, Cacalchen and Citilcum where you'll join the spur road to Izamal. Figure about 1-1/2 hours straight through.
The Details:
(If you like to know about the sights along the way, read this section. If you're a person who just wants to get here, skip this part and go to the directions within Izamal above.)
The first major pueblo along the way on this route is Tixcocob. Tixcocob is where most of the commercially sold hammocks are made. You can find many in the town square or look for the "factories" along the road.
Just as your about to leave Tixcocob, you'll see a road that diagonals back on your right. This is the road to Aké. We've been told that its not marked from this side, so if you've passed out of Tixcocob, double back and you'll see the sign. You can read more about Aké on our excursions page. Its one of our favorite ruins, very ancient and generally you'll have the place to yourself. There's also a working hennequin factory there. If you stop to visit Aké, take the road back to the main road and take a left.
Next you'll pass through Euan and about 5 Km before you get to Cacalchen, look on your left for the sign for Hacienda San Jose Cholul. This is one of the Starwood collection of restored Haciendas. The grounds are beautiful and they have a pretty good (and pricey) restaurant as well. Its down a good dirt road about 3 Km.
Back on the main road now, you'll pass Cacalchen. If its late December they will be having their fiesta in the main square. Do stop and check it out! From Cacalchen you'll come to Citilcum and then merge onto the spur road to Izamal. From there you'll enter Izamal on Calle 31. Refer to our "Directions within Izamal" for the route directly to Macan ché.