Puerto Morelos Day Trip:
Explore Izamal, the Magic Yellow City

Most visitors to Puerto Morelos spend their days between the reef and the town square. But a two-hour drive inland opens up one of Mexico's most stunning and undervisited colonial towns, Izamal, the "City of Three Cultures."

 

This February marks 24 years since Izamal received its official Pueblo Mágico designation from the Mexican federal government, one of the first towns in the country to earn the title back in 2002.

 

What Makes Izamal So Special

 

The nickname "City of Three Cultures" says it all. Ancient Maya pyramids sit right inside the city limits. A massive 16th-century Franciscan convent towers over the main plaza.

 

And everyday life buzzes around it all, with artisan markets, horse-drawn carriages, and family-run restaurants.

 

Everything, and we mean everything, is painted the same warm shade of yellow. Walking through the streets feels like stepping into another world entirely.

 

The Convent You Have to See

 

The Convent of San Antonio de Padua is the centerpiece of Izamal. Built in the 1500s directly on top of a Maya ceremonial platform, it has the second-largest closed atrium in the world, following the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square.

 

Pope John Paul II held Mass here on August 11, 1993, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across Mexico and putting Izamal on the international map. The energy of that place is still something you can feel when you walk through the gates.

 

Getting There from Puerto Morelos

 

From Puerto Morelos, head north toward Cancun and pick up the cuota highway toward Merida. Izamal sits about 70 kilometers east of Merida, roughly two hours from Puerto Morelos depending on traffic.

 

Many travelers combine Izamal with a stop at Chichen Itza or a night in Valladolid, making it an easy two-day loop from the coast.

 

Why It Still Feels Undiscovered

 

Unlike Chichen Itza or Tulum, Izamal has managed to stay relatively quiet. The Pueblo Mágico program now covers 177 towns across Mexico, and Izamal remains one of the most rewarding on the list.

 

Local artisans sell handmade crafts, regional food is affordable and authentic, and the pace of life is slow in the best possible way.

 

If you have not made the drive inland yet, Izamal is the reason to finally do it. Pack a bag, leave early, and give yourself a full day to wander.