American World Traveler Winter 2021-22 Issue

8
Son Pa’l Corazon: Discover Mexico’s Yucatán
Article and Photography by Steve Gillick
In the historic centre of Mérida, a slogan
appears on the wall of the restaurant,
Micaela Mar y Leña. “Son Pa’l Corazon”
literally means “they are for the heart”, but
the words can refer to “music for the heart”,
“food for the soul” or “travel that fills you with
happiness”. The expression connotes a feeling
of joy and fulfillment, two words that are
no strangers when describing the unique
quality of Mexico’s Yucatán State.
On a first visit in 2019
(https://worldtraveler.travel/mexicos-magicalyucatan-state/),
we explored Mérida,
Valladolid, Izamal, the Celestún Biosphere
Reserve, and Chichen Itza. On a second trip
in 2021, further interactions were captivating!
From our base in Mérida, we traveled to
Mayapan, one of the last of the 60,000 sites
occupied in the Mundo Maya. While Chichen
Itza, about 100 km away, attracts thousands
of visitors on day trips from Cancun and area,
Mayapan is a tranquil, inviting alternative
(150-500 visitors per day), filled with archeological
wonders.
The word ‘Mayapan’ literally means “the flag
of the Mayas” and derives from one of the
frescoes at the Temple of Kukulcan, showing a
man holding a flag or banner. The 30-meter
high temple can be carefully ascended by 60
World Traveler - Already 20 Years!