If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path in Yucatan, consider taking a day to explore Tizimin. Tizimin is in the northeast of Yucatán and is about the same size as the beautiful Valladolid yet most people have barely even heard of it, let alone visited it. So if you’re in the mood for adventure, let’s get on with planning your day trip to Tizimin!

I lived in Mérida for many years and spent as much of my time exploring Yucatán as I possibly could. Tizimin came onto my radar when I met Rodrigo, the genius behind Subterra Helados, who is from there. He encouraged me to visit (ok, ok he bribed me with ice-cream) and I’m so glad he did. 

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About Tizimin

📌 Tizimin is also known as the City of the Three Kings and when you’re there you’ll see plenty of evidence of this. The city is known locally for its traditional fair for the Magi (3 Kings), which is celebrated in late December – early January, hence the nickname. 

📌 Tizimin actually means ‘Place of the Tapir’ in Mayan.

📌 The city is the same size as Valladolid and is known for its beef cattle – as you’ll notice as you drive around this region of Yucatán. 

Where is Tizimin?

🚗 Mérida – Tizimin: 2 hr drive along the 176

🚗 Valladolid – Tizimin: 50 minutes on the 295

🚗 Pueblo Magico Espita – Tizimin: 35 minutes

🚗 Cancun – Tizimin: 2hr30 via Valladolid (180D to Valladolid then the 295)

It is possible to visit Tizimin as part of your 1 week Yucatan itinerary if it tickles your fancy.

What to Pair with A Day Exploring Tizimin

Because Tizimin has only a few activities for the visitor, it is worth considering Tizimin as part of a day trip or road trip around the area. Why not also check out:

🧭 Las Coloradas – Mexico’s famous pink beach

🧭 El Cuyo – one of the most beautiful beaches in Yucatán

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

🧭 Espita – one of Yucatán’s newest pueblos magicos – check it out for yourself

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

If you love day-tripping and are looking for some new adventure ideas, then you’ll love my cheatsheet to five fun day trips from Mérida ⬇️

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➡️ Let’s talk safety in Yucatán for a second. Yucatán is Mexico’s safest state, making it a perfect spot for a vacation. If you’re interested in reading more about whether Yucatan is safe and how to look after yourself while in Yucatan, you know I’ve got you covered!

What Is There To Do In Tizimin?

Catacumbas de Tizimin (Tizimin Catacombs)

I have to say that the Tizimin Catacombs are the weirdest tourist attraction 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.

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.

📌 Contrary to what you’ll find everywhere else on the web, there are actually three catacomb sites in Tizimin. 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.

Catacomb Los Tres Reyes

📌 Once you have got the attention of the owner. pay your 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)

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.

Cenote Kikil

📌 6 km out of town north there is a community-run cenote that comes highly recommended. I am sad we didn’t get a chance to visit but due to our excessive beach exploration, time ran out. I asked around and was told that the cenote is particularly lovely, is set in 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.

If cenotes are your thing then be sure to check out some of the many cenotes that surround Mérida.

Mayan Ruin Kulubá

📌 This is a Maya archaeological site that is south-west of Tizimin and in its heyday was closely linked to nearby Ek Balam and Chichén Itza.  The site only opened in 2018 and it has a tiny museum. There are small rooms you can enter and a frieze to see. The Palacio de los Chenes is the main building on the site.

Ek Balam

📌 Obviously, this is a more famous and well-known Yucatan Maya ruin just forty minutes from Tizimin.

Where to Eat in Tizimin

🍽 On the plaza principal you’ll find Tres Reyes and Casa Makech. Both serve good food. 

🍽 Las Varengas (Al Carbon) – BBQ

Where to Stay in Tizimin