Added: 01/10/2006 |
San Felipe and other interesting places in Yucatan, MexicoYucatan is the name of one of the 31 states of Mexico, located on the north of the Yucatan Peninsula. The term The Yucatan is also used in Mexico to refer to the three states on the peninsula: Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo; all three modern states were formerly part of the larger historic state of Yucatan in the 19th century.
Yucatan State's world-famous archaeological sites, enchanting colonial cities, romantic haciendas and resorts, beautiful beaches and distinct cuisine make it one of Mexico's premier travel destinations.
The best way to discover Yucatan State is to begin at its capital city of Merida, home to an international airport with regularly scheduled flights from Mexico City, Miami, Houston and Atlanta, and charter service from Toronto and Milan.
Called the white city for its white colonial buildings, Merida was founded in 1542 over the ruins of the ancient Mayan city Ichcaanziho and built from the sacred stones of its temples. Examples of the city's beautifully conserved colonial architecture include the House of Montejo, named after city founder Francisco Montejo; the Government Palace; the Jose Peon Contreras Theater; the Canton Palace Museum of Anthropology and History; the Autonomous University of Yucatan and the Cathedral. A horse-drawn carriage tour of the breezy Paseo de Montejo is highly recommended.
Just 20 miles north of Merida is Progreso. Founded in 1840, Progreso was virtually unknown to tourists until recently and has since become a popular stop for visitors arriving by both land and sea. Some of the popular activities at Progreso include participating in water sport activities, walking along the boardwalk, enjoying the many seafood restaurants, visiting colonial buildings and admiring one of the world's longest piers.
Yucatán State offers much for ecotourism and adventure tourist enthusiast. Its climates have produced forest surroundings that support a wide range of fauna. Visitors can enjoy sports in the open sea in Yucalpeten, while birdwatchers can admire the wide range of species found in El Palmar as well as the impressive flamingo population of Celestun. The lack of surface rivers means that the state obtains water from a complex system of underground rivers, which attract scuba divers and snorkelers. Limestone sinkholes, or cenotes, are also great for exploring.
Another place that you may visit is San Felipe. San Felipe is a friendly community of about 15,000. November through April is the ideal time to visit San Felipe. Days are usually warm and sunny, and nights are refreshingly cool. Summers, however, can be extremely hot. It is a remote desert community enjoying the benefits of a warm, dry, winter climate, and a hot, humid (Florida-like) summer. The Sea of Cortez is one of the world's most prolific salt-water habitats with sport fishing tours being available for avid anglers.
San Felipe was founded in 1916 as a commercial fishing port. Still operating a sizeable shrimp-fishing fleet of small pangas, the pueblos' principal income has changed over the past five years, from fishing to tourism and retirement living with as many as 250,000 American and Canadian visitors annually.
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