My Yucatan Culinary Tour Itinerary - for Joe in Maine

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:47 pm

Culinary Tour of the Yucatán Peninsula
February 19th– March 2nd, 2006

Sunday February 19th
Transfer to Isla de Mujeres via the Ultra Mar Ferry.

Arrive at Na Balam, our Maya haven on the beach. Try to be there by 5 pm.

Meet to relax, enjoy the sunset with cocktails, and an introductory lecture by Doña Pilar Rodriguez, the executive chef of the hotel on the deck above the bar.

Our welcome dinner will follow in the beautiful dining room of the hotel.

Monday February 20th
** Early breakfast in hotel. Boat ride to know the island and try a little snorkeling. Dock for a lunch at Restaurant Verradero, where we will learn the exotic fish dish Tik‘nXik and its accompaniments from the owner and chef Victor.

Return to hotel to travel back to the mainland and on to Valladolid (2 hours). Check into El Meson del Marques on the town square. Cena in the fine restaurant in this hotel.

Tuesday February 21st
**Optional early morning market tour to try the Lomitas de Valladolid, por breakfast at the hotel. Cool off in the local cenote Dzitnup (sacred pool)

** Mid morning departure to Chichén Itzá where we will have a guided tour of the ruins.

After a light lunch in the town of Piste, we will continue on to Yaxunah, where we will learn some ancient Mayan recipes from the cocineros in this archeological camp, now turned into an interesting ecotourism inn. Menu items taught by the Mayan chefs are Dzotobichay, Sikilpak, Papadzules and Pollo Pibil. Local artists will come and display their crafts and give a demonstration.

We will visit the ruins, and then continue on to the capital city of Yucatán - Mérida. We will check in to Hacienda San Pedro Nophat for the next two nights. Beer and wine or teas will be served upon arrival.

Wednesday February 22nd
Travel to Tixkokob and tour the market with Silvio Campos and have a cooking class to learn about the famed Cochinita Pibil and other Yucatecan dishes, by this famous and fun chef from this village. We will see and buy if you wish, the hammocks made in this village.

Return to Hacienda San Pedro to relax.

Evening ride in the moto taxis over to nearby Kanasin, to enjoy village life and have an evening cena. .

Thursday February 23rd
**Early morning departure to Campeche via la Ruta Puuc, visiting Labna, Loltun caves, Ticul, and Santa Elena with our local guide Alfonso Escobedo.

We will eat at the famous Los Almendros, a Yucatecan restaurant in Ticul, a town known for pottery and leather goods.

We will stop and tour Uxmal, one of the finest Mayan archeological sites.

Late afternoon arrival in Campeche, where we will check into Hotel Baluartes for two nights.

Dinner at the Cenadurias in San Francisco, after an evening tour around the city looking at the fortresses.

Friday February 24th
Morning tour of San Miguel Fort and a visit to the Campeche regional Museum.

We will have an early lunch at the famed La Pigua trying many of their famous specialties and have a talk with the chef or owner.

Afternoon free to shop in this colorful city. Our first Carnaval parade is the children’s parade in the afternoon that passes right by our hotel.

Dinner at a local eatery.

Saturday February 25th
**Early departure to Celestún to take a boat ride to see the famous pink flamingos and many other types of native birds.

We will learn how to prepare and then enjoy a special seafood menu under the guidance of Chef Gilberto of Eco Paraiso Xixim, a gorgeous resort in Celestun.

Return to Mérida and check in to the Casa Del Balam right downtown and get ready to enjoy Merida’s Carnaval Fantasy Parade.

Sunday February 26th
**Morning free to relax, shop, and see the Carnaval day time parade (if desired).

Late afternoon return to return to the tranquility of Hacienda San Pedro Nophat, after visiting one the famous Botanerias on our way.

Cena at the Hacienda San Pedro Nophat prepared by the cocineras there, teaching some native salsas.

Monday February 27th
**After breakfast at the hotel, travel to an old henequén hacienda to meet the family of Don Victor Dzul and his wife Doña Celsa in the town of Cuzama. There we will ride an old horse drawn flatbed train through the fields to visit three cenotes (sacred water holes) and take a dip if desired. Then we will return to the kitchen and have a cooking class with Doña Celsa on country Yucatecan cooking.

Regional Night Parade and dinner in Merida at Alberto’s Continental.

Tuesday February 28th
**Early morning trip to Chiquila, (4-5 hour drive) stopping halfway in the town of Izamal, the oldest village in Yucatan.

Chiquila is where we will catch the ferry (1/2 hour ride) to the Island of Holbox. Upon arrival there, we will check into private bungalows and relax.

Optional birding expedition on the Isla Pájaros (Bird Island) for the afternoon.

Evening dinner at Carioca.

Wednesday March 1st
Morning trip on a local fishing expedition and cooking class follows.

Relax in the afternoon.

Evening farewell dinner. cooking our catch with the Capitan.

Thursday March 2nd
**Early ferry departure and (½ hour ride) and transfer to Cancún International airport (2½ hours) to fly out of Quintana Roo. Please make your departures after 1:00 or 2:00pm. We expect to be at the airport between 11:00 and 12:00. Adiós!! Que te vaya bien!!

** Have suitcases packed and ready before departure. Have a day bag packed to take with you with whatever is needed for the day’s activities. A bathing suit is always advisable to have on hand.

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:01 pm

Wow! That is going to be one helluva trip. Brings back memories, we've been to a lot of those places. Have big fun in Merida, I think that's our favorite city. Izamal is gorgeous,easy to see why they call it the yellow city. Loltun caverns are an eye opener. And Uxmal is amazing. And the food....aaaah! If you've never cooked pibil style you're in for a treat.
Thanks for sharing.

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:57 pm

I've been to Izamal before. It was fun. Loltun will be a new experience, as will Campeche and Celstun. I haven't been on Mujeres since we flew over from Holbox to have breakfast with Critter and Chris one morning about 3 years. We were in Merida a few years ago and will be there again next month for 5 or 6 days shopping for replacements for the house and vacationing too, I hope.

Mainly I'm looking forward to the different food experiences, classes, and new restaurants. No, I've never cooked pibil style, so that will be interesting also. I plan to keep a journal, so I should be able to put together a trip report. It will be a matter of making time for it.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:26 am

Hi JAH,

Your trip sounds really fantastic. I'm hoping to take some cooking classes next year with my daughters, so I 'm looking forward to your trip report.

We had dinner at Albertos in Merida a few years ago and the food (middle eastern) was excellent. Best baba ghanoush and hummus I ever tasted.

Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Best,
Carole
http://CasaTropical.com

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:50 am

Mmmm....I'd gain 20 lbs on a trip like that. We love El Meson in Valladolid.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:08 pm

How kewl is your trip, I have been to some of these places but would love a trip like this some day. Enjoy and learn.....Thank you for posting this....

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:10 pm

We love El Mesón too, Suzanne. In fact, we are spending New Year's Eve there this year in one of their Junior Suites before heading to Holbox to see how everything is going there. Then it is on to Merida to buy appliances large and small plus whatever else Wilma thought it was necessary to destroy.

I better not gain 20 lbs! I just lost 10 and hope to lose more before February. I do not want to gain it all back in 11 days! I will have to be extra-vigilant.

Carole, my oldest son was an Arabic interpreter in the Navy for 5 years and spent quite a bit of time in Bahrain. He became addicted to fresh pita, hummus, and baba ghanoush. Maybe someday I'll get to take him to Alberto's!

Advanced Member Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 205

That sounds like a fantastic trip Judy - can't wait to hear about it! Too bad you dont have more time around Ticul - Labna, Kabah are really nice too. Plus there is the old Hacienda Tabi, and the restaurant in Mani near the convent that serves the best Pok Chuc around. It is a huge place and apparently is full on the weekends and holidays. A few years ago we did our little Ruta Puuc bike tour and stayed in Santa Elena and rode to the ruins and did our own little restaurant tour. It was great ! I just love that area!

Joe - I hate to add insult to injury but we are planning on a couple of nights in Santa Elena one the way down- maybe some more biking and re-visiting favorite spots and restaurants! We'll think of you!

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:11 am

We stayed in Ticul last March, so we've been in the area before, Ann. We did a circuit south out of Valladolid, over to Oxcutzcab, Ticul and Uxmal, up to Hacienda Yaxcopoil and Motul, on to Izamal and back to Holbox. We saw a lot and covered a lot of territory. In particular we were wanting to see the Museum of the Caste War in Tihosuco. It was fascinating. Missed the restaurant in Maní, but we did check out the church in Santa Elena.

Advanced Member Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 172

Church in Santa Elana

Flycatcher Inn - Santa Elana

Hacienda Tabi

Advanced Member Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 205

Isnt that church something! It is so huge and interesting. We went to the roof for the sunset and watched the town as it was getting ready for Carnaval that night. Last year when we were there is was just an overnight to drop off bikes to our friend in Santa Elena. I am looking forward to more time there!

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:31 pm

Ann, your killing me! I wish we had more time to get out in the countryside and poke around some more this time down. When we did the Ruta Puuc a couple of years ago we tented at the Sakbe Inn outside of St Elena. That was after a few nights in Merida and an awesome day crawling around Uxmal. Never did get any of the great pottery in Ticul though. I guess this time we'll just have to content ourselves with hanging around the Roo. Its a tough job, but someone has to do it Wink

Advanced Member Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 205

Great pics Steve! Mexico is sooo photogenic! Joe, I am hoping we'll have room in the car for some new barros from Ticul- mine are getting a bit old now. We'll be at Sac Be again this year too. We love that little place. Plus our friend is now living there and we are taking him more bikes , he is in the process of setting up little bikes tours from there. Something for you to do next time!

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 4:05 pm

And here I was thinking that the Sak Be was our own personal discovery. Camping there was a lot of fun, and we met some nice folk there.