Tag: Yucatan

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Lucha Libre, Cancun Style

Lucha Libre is a peculiarly Mexican, over-the-top form of wrestling that recalls the WWF in the United States. Only it’s even weirder, with lycra-clad luchadores wearing colorful masks to hide their identity, raucous crowds, and a macho-man atmosphere.

The name literally means “free wrestling,” and the sport has been around since the late 1800s.

We went to see a show in Cancun while we were visiting. It wasn’t as loud or crowded as the ones we attended in 2019 in Guadalajara, but it was still fun. To really understand Lucha Libre, you might want to see the 2006 sports comedy film Nacho Libre, starring Jack Black as a would-be Mexican wrestling star. It was filmed in Oaxaca, Mexico.

LINKS:

Lucha Libre in Cancun
Lucha Libre general info
Film Nacho Libre
Map for Arena Cancun Lucha Libre TWS

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Exploring the Ancient Ballgame “Ulama”

Walking around downtown Cancun, Mexico, we came upon a ballfield on which a group of men and boys with painted bodies and leather loincloths was playing a very odd game of ball. They hit a heavy rubber ball by bumping it with their hips.

We learned from a knowledgeable spectator that the game was Ulama, a descendant of a 3,500-year-old pre-Colombian game called Ullamaliztli that was popular among the Mayan and Aztec people. Today, Ulama is only practiced in four small towns of the state of Sinaloa in Mexico. But it’s making a comeback!

It was fascinating!

LINKS:

About Ulama
Ulama Making a Comeback
Map

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Inside a Mexican Cenote

On our trip to the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza, Mexico, we took a side trip to a deep Mexican cenote (pronounced She-NOH-tay) called X-Cajum (I have no idea how to pronounce that).

A cenote is a natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock at the ceiling of a cave, that exposes groundwater. For Mexico’s Mayan culture, cenotes were a symbol of duality, since they represented life and death. They were also a water source.

For travelers today, they are a unique swimming experience, providing astounding views, lovely snorkeling, and a great way to cool off.

We visited Cenote X-Cajum, which is very near Chichen Itza and is often bundled as part of the tour to the Mayan ruins.

INFO

Cenotes
X-Cajum Cenote
MAP

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Exploring Chichén Itzá and Valladolid

The archaeological site Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most visited locations in Mexico, so of course we climbed aboard a bus during our Cancún visit and headed there for a day. 

Rich in history and the center of pilgrimage for the ancient Maya civilization for over 1,000 years, this pyramid must be seen to be believed. Chichen Itza was classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and in 1988 was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lisa actually climbed up the steep steps to the top when she visited in the late 80s, but tourists are no longer allowed to get that close. Good thing, too. It’s steep!

On the way back to Cancun, we enjoyed a short visit to the magical city of Valladolid (pronounced Vah-YAH-Doh-Leed), which had a lively town plaza featuring Mayan dance, sport, and music, as well as a beautiful cathedral, and earsplitting birds!

LINKS:

Chichen Itza Tourism 
New 7 Wonders
UNESCO World Heritage 
Valladolid
Map

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