Where is Tizimín?

How long do you need in Tizimín?

As ever, this really depends on the time you have. If you want to stop somewhere for lunch and a quick walk around on your way to somewhere else, that’ll do nicely but if you do feel like staying a night or two here, you won’t be disappointed either, particularly when you take a look at my top recommended hotel option – Rancho Kuxtal.

Tizimín makes a good alternative, off-the-beaten-path stop on a 1 week Yucatan itinerary.

Where to stay in Tizimín

What is there to do in Tizimín?

Catacumbas de Tizimín (Tizimín Catacombs)

The Tizimín Catacombs are one of the weirdest tourist attractions I’ve ever visited. Seriously. This is, of course, what makes them so fascinating.

So, first off, they’re not really catacombs. If you go expecting to see bones and bodies you’ll be disappointed but if you go with an open mind and a curious heart you’ll come out smiling with joy at the sheer absurdity of the whole thing.

Contrary to what you’ll find everywhere else on the web, there are actually three catacomb sites in Tizimín. Two of them are open to the public, the third is/was a bar and isn’t open to visitors. 

To find both the two below, head to the corner of Calles 59 and 54. Look right and see Escondidas and left to see Tres Reyes. For both, stand at the gate and yell out “¡hola!” and someone will come to let you in. Yes. Really.

☠️ If bones and bodies are what you’re after then a day trip to Pomuch, between Mérida and Campeche might be right up your alley. 

Catacomb Los Tres Reyes

Once you have got the attention of the owner. pay your small entry fee the owner will open the door and turn on the lights. Head down the stairs and spend a few moments just wandering and wondering. You’ll find yourself in a stuffy cave where numerous models and sculptures have been carved out of the rock. It’s weird and absolutely fascinating.

The owner told me that 125 years ago his grandfather decided it would be a fun thing to do to hollow out caves under his land and charge people to come and look at his statues. If you were hoping for a more exciting story full of daring and maybe pirates or heroes, I’m sorry!

🏴‍☠️ For pirate stories, head to Campeche or Bacalar

Catacombas La Escondida

 It is exactly the same deal here; lights go on, you go down and walk around absolutely baffled as to why anyone would do this but in a truly good, smiley kind of way.

 These catacombs are only 75 years old. The cave here is apparently natural but was extended by the granddad of the current owner. This time the carver did it to make a bar for his friends and family to enjoy (the tables and benches are all carved out of the rock).

Our kids absolutely adored running around and exploring. We saw bats, the kids loved the carvings and the feeling of exploring somewhere random.

⭐️ You can join MexicoCassie on an amazing 13 day tour through Chiapas & the Yucatán Peninsula in Feb 2026 → details are here

Plaza, church, letters

As with any Mexican town, the centre of all activity is the main plaza. Here in Tizimín it’s called the Plaza Principal Francisco Canton. On one side is the primary church – Parroquia de los Tres Santos Reyes as well as the Tizimín letters (photo at the top of the article).

Enjoy strange ice cream flavours

🍦 It’s no secret that Mexicans love ice cream and that you’ll find odd (to foreigners) flavours all over the country. Tizimín is no exception. Subterra Helados makes wild, wacky and wonderful flavours that you can’t miss while you’re in town. The creative genius behind the ice creams also makes ‘normal’ flavours so don’t worry!

If we’re lucky, there might even be another fería del helados in Tizimín – keep your eyes open for this banger.

Adventure on horseback

🐴 Rancho Kuxtal offers 2 hour guided horse riding adventures around their working ranch.

→ Book here

Have a peaceful swim in Cenote Kikil

🤿 6km out of town north there is a community-run cenote that comes highly recommended. The cenote is particularly lovely, and is surrounded by delightful gardens and has a very tasty restaurant.

Cenote Kikil is an open cenote that hits around 50 metres deep and about 30 metres wide. The water sits around six metres below ground level.

🤿 MexicoCassie cenote guides

Explore Mayan ruins

Kulubá

This is a Maya archaeological site to south-west of Tizimín and in its heyday was closely linked to nearby Ek Balam and Chichén Itzá. The site only opened in 2018 and it has a tiny museum to explore too. The Palacio de los Chenes is the main building on the site.

Ek Balam

This is a more famous and well-known Yucatan Maya ruin just forty minutes from Tizimín and it’s a great place to spend the day. Here you can marvel at the ancient site, swim in the gorgeous nearby cenote X’canche.

➕ 🐅 There is a zoo in Tizimín. I haven’t personally been because small town zoos make me sad.

What to pair with a day exploring Tizimín

And if this isn’t enough, or if you’d like to explore around here using Tizimín as a base, let’s check out nearby adventures.

Having access to a car would absolutely make these adventures smoother:

🦩 It’s easy enough to drive to Las Coloradas – Mexico’s famous pink lakes where you can learn why the water is pink, see flamingos & even swim off a secret beach.

🏝 El Cuyo – one of the most beautiful beaches in Yucatán is within easy reach of Tizimín

 🎣 Río Lagartos and San Felipe – two traditional fishing villages within the Rio Lagartos biosphere. Enjoy mangrove tours, nature and gentle walks.

➕ Espita – one of Yucatán’s newest pueblos magicos

 ➕ Valladolid – Yucatán’s second city and a gorgeous colonial town with cenotes, ruins and great food.