Things to Do in Izamal, the Yellow City of the Yucatan

The first thing you notice about Izamal isn’t a building or a ruin — it’s the colour. Every wall, archway and colonial facade in the historic centre is painted the same warm ochre-yellow, so the whole town glows gold in the late afternoon light. Locals call it Ciudad Amarilla — the Yellow City — and once you’ve seen it, every other colonial town in Mexico looks a little muted by comparison.

Izamal sits about an hour from Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula, and it rewards travellers who slow down. This isn’t a place to tick off in forty minutes between bus transfers — it’s a town of Mayan pyramids rising out of residential streets, a 16th-century convent built directly on top of one of them, and a quiet, unhurried pace that makes it one of our favourite stops in the Yucatan.

Quick Facts Before You Go

Why Is Izamal Painted Yellow?

The story has two chapters, and both are true.

The first goes back roughly 1,500 years. Izamal was already a major Mayan pilgrimage centre by AD 300–600, one of the largest cities in the northern Yucatec plains. Its temples were dedicated to Itzamná and Kinich Ahau — deities tied to the sun — and pastel tones, not solid yellow, were originally used on the buildings.

The second chapter is much more recent. In 1993, word came that Pope John Paul II would visit Izamal as part of his tour of Mexico. The town gave itself a makeover for the occasion, repainting the historic centre — including the convent — in a single, unified yellow. The colour was chosen deliberately: yellow represents the sun, and it’s also the colour of corn, a staple of Mexican life. The look was never undone, and today it’s Izamal’s defining feature.

There’s also a quieter, older story layered underneath the tourist-friendly one. Some locals attribute the town’s near-mythical run of “miracles” not to the Spanish colonial saints but to Itzamná, the Mayan god of healing, whose shrine once stood on the very site the convent now occupies. Ask a Yucatecan guide about it, and you’ll usually get a knowing smile rather than a straight answer.

Top Things to Do in Izamal

Climb the Kinich Kakmo Pyramid

Just a few blocks from the main square (Calle 23, between 27 and 28), Kinich Kakmo is dedicated to the sun god and was built between AD 400–600. The base measures roughly 200m x 180m, with the upper platform standing about 34 metres high — making it one of the largest pyramid bases in the Yucatan by footprint, even though it’s far less visited than Chichen Itza or Uxmal.

This is one of the few Mayan pyramids in the region you’re still allowed to climb, and we’d put it at the top of your list. The steps are uneven in places, so take it slowly, but the reward is a rooftop view over a sea of yellow buildings that you won’t get anywhere else in Mexico.

• Cost: Free
• Time needed: 30–45 minutes
• Tip: Go in the late afternoon for the best light over the rooftops, and wear shoes with grip.

Four smaller, less-restored pyramids are scattered through the town’s residential blocks if you want to seek them out: El Conejo (Calle 22, between 31 and 33), Itzamatul (Calle 26, between 31), Habuk (Calle 28, between 35 and 37) and Kabul (Calle 31, between 30 and 32). None have the scale of Kinich Kakmo, but they’re a reminder of just how significant this city once was.

Visit the Izamal Convent

The Convento de San Antonio de Padua is the town’s centrepiece — and its origin story is genuinely startling. Spanish friars built it in 1553 directly on top of one of the existing Mayan pyramids, using the levelled platform as its foundation. It took eight years to complete.

Wandering the grounds and the vast atrium is free. Inside, a small paid hall houses the Virgin of Izamal — the image credited with the miracles that made this a major pilgrimage site — along with relics from the Pope’s 1993 visit.

• Cost: Free to enter grounds; small fee for the miracles hall
• Time needed: 45 minutes
• Tip: The small entrance fee goes toward upkeep, so it’s worth paying even if you’re not religious.

Time Your Visit Around the Pilgrimage (or Avoid It)

Every year from 1–8 December, Izamal hosts its biggest religious event: pilgrims climbing the convent steps on their knees, day-and-night masses, fireworks, and live music in the main square. It’s an extraordinary thing to witness — but every hotel, guesthouse and Airbnb in town books out months in advance, and overflow pilgrims end up sleeping in City Hall, the convent halls, and the park.

If you want the spectacle, book your stay as early as possible. If you’d rather have the town to yourself, plan around it.

Wander the Town on Foot or by Horse-Drawn Carriage

Izamal is compact and genuinely walkable — cobblestone streets, low colonial buildings, almost no traffic. If you’d rather sit back, antique horse-drawn carriages loop past the two most visited pyramids, Kinich Kakmo and El Conejo, for a slower, more atmospheric way to see the town.

Browse the Museo de Artesanías

Opposite the main square, this restored colonial building (opened 2007) houses a strong collection of Yucatecan handicrafts, with high ceilings, original frescoes, a courtyard, small café and spa. A small entrance fee applies.

• Cost: Small entrance fee
• Time needed: 30–45 minutes

Sample Local Mezcal

Izamal is a centre for artisanal mezcal, distilled from the heart of the agave plant using traditional methods. If you’re a mezcal drinker, this is one of the better places in the Yucatan to try a proper local pour rather than a tourist-menu version.

See the Statue of Fray Diego de Landa

Behind the convent on Calle 33 stands a statue of Diego de Landa, the controversial 16th-century Bishop of Yucatan whose actions — including the burning of Mayan texts — remain one of the most debated chapters of the colonial period. Worth a few minutes if you’re interested in the more complicated side of the town’s history.

Where to Eat in Izamal

Izamal isn’t a culinary capital like Merida, but there’s good, honest Yucatecan cooking to be found around the main square.

• Restaurante Zamna (Parque de Los Cañones, C. 31 336, Centro) — a family-run spot serving some of the best regional Yucatecan dishes we tried anywhere on the peninsula. Good for cochinita pibil and a relaxed, unhurried lunch.
• Kinich Restaurant — a long-standing local favourite near the centre, known for traditional Yucatecan specialities served in a leafy courtyard setting.
• Restaurante El Toro — a solid, casual option for regional dishes at fair prices, popular with day-trippers.
• Look for smaller loncherías (informal local eateries) around the main square for cheap, fresh Yucatecan snacks like panuchos and salbutes.

Where to Stay in Izamal

Given how much there is to see, an overnight stay lets you experience the town in the golden early morning or evening light without the day-trip crowds.

• Boutique guesthouses in the historic centre — several restored colonial homes near the main square offer a handful of rooms each, typically with courtyards and pools, and a genuinely local feel.
• Mid-range hotels just outside the centre offer easier parking and slightly lower rates.
• If you’re stretched for time, Merida (about an hour away) has a far bigger range of accommodation, including international chains, and works well as a base for a day trip.

(For current availability and prices in Izamal, check listings on Booking.com or Airbnb directly, particularly if you’re travelling around the December pilgrimage dates.)

How Far Is Izamal from Other Yucatan Towns?

Getting to Izamal

The closest airport is Merida International (MID), about 66 km away — the easiest gateway if Izamal is a day trip or short stopover. Cancun International (CUN) is roughly 222 km away and makes sense if you’re combining Izamal with the Riviera Maya.

• Self-drive: Easiest option if you’re already touring the Yucatan by car; roads from Merida are in good condition. Book your hire car here
• Bus: ADO buses connect Izamal with Merida and other regional hubs — reliable, comfortable, and affordable. Book your bus tickets here
• Organised tour: Widely available as a half-day or full-day add-on from Merida or Cancun if you’d rather not drive.

Budget Guide

A rough per-person daily estimate for Izamal (2026 prices):

Entry fees for the pyramids and convent hall are minimal (often free or just a few dollars), so most of your budget will go toward accommodation and transport rather than attractions — one of the reasons Izamal is such good value compared to Chichen Itza or Tulum.

When to Visit Izamal

November to April is the most comfortable window — drier, cooler, and the peak season for Yucatan travel generally, which means it’s also busier at major sites (though Izamal itself rarely feels crowded). May to September is hot, humid, and prone to afternoon rain showers — bring a light rain jacket and expect higher humidity, especially midday.

Izamal FAQs

Is Izamal worth visiting? Yes — it’s one of the most distinctive towns in the Yucatan, combining a climbable Mayan pyramid, a convent built directly on top of another pyramid, and a genuinely unique visual identity you won’t find anywhere else in Mexico.

How many days do you need in Izamal? Half a day is enough to see the main sights if you’re passing through. An overnight stay lets you catch the town in soft morning or evening light and enjoy it without day-trip crowds.

Can you climb the pyramid in Izamal? Yes. Kinich Kakmo is one of the few Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan that visitors can still climb. Watch your footing — some steps are uneven — and it’s best avoided in the midday heat.

Is Izamal safe for tourists? Izamal is generally considered a safe, easygoing town with low crime rates, popular with solo travellers, couples and families alike. Usual travel precautions apply, as anywhere.

How do you get from Merida to Izamal? By car it’s about an hour via a well-maintained road. ADO buses run the route regularly, and it’s a common half-day or full-day tour add-on from Merida.

Is Izamal better than Valladolid? They’re different experiences rather than direct competitors. Valladolid is larger, with more restaurants and cenotes nearby; Izamal is smaller, quieter, and built around its yellow colonial core and pyramids. Many travellers visit both.

Final Thoughts

Izamal doesn’t try to compete with the big-name Mayan sites, and that’s exactly its appeal. It’s a town you walk through rather than tour — climbing a 1,500-year-old pyramid in the morning, wandering yellow streets at midday, and watching the convent glow gold as the sun goes down. If your Yucatan itinerary is built entirely around Chichen Itza and the coast, Izamal is the detour that makes the trip feel complete.

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Related Reading:

Read more: 5 cities in the Yucatan Mexico that you may have missed visiting.

If you enjoy visiting Mayan ruins, you should consider visiting the Palenque Ruins in Chiapas State – equally impressive and another one of our favourite sites.

Before you travel to this part of Mexico, some historical information on the Aztec and Mayan people might be helpful.  Our research assisted us in understanding this area of Mexico, its people and its sites.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).

Where to next in Mexico? 

Oaxaca

Morelia

San Miguel de Allende

Puebla

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Our thanks to Visit Mexico and Yucatan Turismo for assisting us in visiting the state of Yucatan over 4 days.  Complimentary transport was provided for our visit to Izamal.

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