Convent Route
The Convent Route is a day trip that will take you somewhat off the beaten path and into the heart of the Yucatán. Meandering through the countryside of the west-central part of the state, you will visit Mayan villages and archaeological sites, colonial churches, cathedrals, convents, courtyards, and cenotes. The Convent Rute and the Ruta Puuc are off the same road, taking smaller roads off of the Mayapan Road.
Sotuta de Peón
Hacienda Sotuta de Peón is the only henequén fiber hacienda in the area continuing to work as it did 100 years ago. They do a two and a half-hour guided tour. After the tour of the main house you will get onto the horse-drawn platforms and take a ride into the henequén fields. Along the way, they will stop off at a Mayan home where you will be shown the simple daily life of the Mayas. The last stop on the ride takes you to a cenote where you can swim. There are changing rooms and towels provided. The tour ends at the main house of the hacienda where, if you like, you can go to the restaurant and have a Yucatecan meal.
Acanceh
Acanceh in Mayan translates to “moan of the deer”. The main attraction is the Plaza de las Tres Culturas. Note the temple dedicated to our Lady of the Nativity and the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Several blocks away are more archaeological sites with hieroglyphs that you can climb. Ask around for the Temple of the Stuccoes, which is about four blocks away. Acanceh is 1 mile down the road from Sac Chich.
Tecoh
Tecoh 8 km. down the road from Acanceh is Tecoh, which has a market and a very ornate church and convent dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. The carved stones and altar, along with the statues and painting, are impressive. This church is built on a very large Mayan pyramid.
Mayapán
Several kilometers out of Telchaquillo off to the right you will find the Mayan archaeological site of Mayapán. This walled city has 4,000 mounds, of which six are in different stages of advanced restoration. Mayapán is the size of Chichén Itzá, and you will find the buildings are similar. Visiting this site allows you to observe many mounds in their original state (covered with trees) and to see others in transformation with the archeologists actually working on them. Mayapán is considered the last great Mayan capital. You can climb the pyramids here. This is about 20 minutes down the road from Sac Chich.
Tekit
Continue 30 km to Tekit, a large prosperous-looking village. There you will find the parish of “San Antonio De Padua”, with a large temple that houses many ornate statues of saints in their individual niches. The altar itself is very simple. Tekit is also known for it’s Guayabera workshops and stores.
Mama
The next village is a little over 7 km. away, and it is a small one named Mama. Mama is famous for its large beautiful bell-globed church containing a large garden, a well, and a closed atrium along with frescos on the wall, statues of saints in the niches, and a very ornate altar. It is believed this is the oldest church on the route. The temple and ex-Franciscan convent show the beautiful bell tower as well as a closed atrium, which is the most famous in the region.
Teabo
Teabo is known for its two sacred buildings: the Parish and the ex-convent of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, built during the XVII century. The interior boasts an altarpiece with a pair of caryatid columns and the Chapel of the Indians from 1617. This area is also known for its dresses and embroidered huipiles (women’s dresses).
Chumayel
Following the route for 10 more km., you will next come to Chumayel (Place of the Seeds) where the famous document “Chilam Balam” was found, the sacred book of the Mayas. Here you can see the Temple of Immaculate Conception built in the XVI century. This is an example of the medieval religious architecture brought to Yucatán by the first Spaniards. In the interior is the black wooden Christ, especially interesting.
Maní
The final stop on the Convent Route is Maní, where you will find a large church, convent and museum with explanations in various languages. The convent, Temple of the Convent of Saint Michael Archangel, dates from 1549. This is the place where Fray Diego de Landa ordered the burning and destruction of many Mayan statues and documents during the Franciscan movement to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity. They destroyed 5000 idols, 13 altars, 27 deerskin parchments, and 197 vessels of varying shapes and sizes. Upon realizing his great error, Fray Diego began to write everything he could recall. This document is called “History of the Things of Yucatán.”