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| Chetumal Travel Guide |
Version Español |
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| Hotels, restaurants, travel services, tourist attractions, videos, maps, climate, etc. |
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| CHETUMAL TOURIST INFORMATION / TOURISM IN CHETUMAL |
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Doorway to Central America from Mexico, Chetumal is a large cultural center that still conserves its provincial flavor in the midst of that modern city. "Old Chetumal" is located in the heart of the town where there are buildings of the Colonial Romantic English style of the architecture which typically uses high quality wood and channeled roofing made of painted red metal.
To visit Chetumal isn't just a visit to the beginning or the end of a country; it's discovering and enjoying a magical zone bathed in colors of the jungle and the sea. Those who consider Chetumal their city have taken care of it to help it grow into a prosperous city, one that they can pass down to their children.
This is also where many important things in history happened such as the Spanish Conquest and the rupture of the Mayan Empire. The legend goes that the initial mixing of the races happened when the Spanish soldier Gonzalo Guerrero married the Mayan Princess, Zani Ha. This led to the interaction between peoples and the eventual classification that Chetumal is the place where the first mix between these two cultures took place thus becoming the birthplace of the mixing of the cultures.
The history of Chetumal is tied to the uprising of the Maya People against the Spaniards and the Mestizos resulting in the "Caste War". It served as an arms trafficking center from Belize. To curb this, the government set up a military command post in this inhospitable zone. It was only until 1898 that the Mexican Army sent Lt. Othon Pompeyo Blanco to head the mission. In the process, he founded the town of Payo Obispo which rapidly became a town of peasants and immigrants from the center of the country as well as from Belize and Lebanon.
In 1936, the city officially becomes Chetumal and in 1947, the name of Payo Obispo officially changed its name to Othon P. Blanco. Then in 1955, after the devastation suffered from Hurracane Janet, Chetumal was reconstructed and then declared capital of the burgeoning state of Quintana Roo.
Chetumal and Belize are the intermediate points between Mexico and Central America, creating a strong link between the two cities, which include cuisine, architecture, music and local traditions. Reggae, Zanebay (festive Samba music) and Punta Rock (music with lyrics in both English and African dialects) are just some of the types of music adopted by Chetumalans.
There is also pasacalle and calabaceado, which are some of the more popular types of dance music in the zone. |
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- HOTELS
- ATTRACTIONS
- RESTAURANTS
- NIGHTLIFE
- SHOPPING
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Mision del Sol Resort & Spa Cuernavaca 
Address: Av General Diego DÃaz González 31, Col José G. Parres, Jiutepec, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Mision Cuernavaca Morelos
Address: Hermenegildo Galeana #29, Col Acapantzingo, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Racquet Club Cuernavaca
Address: Av Francisco Villa #100, Fracc Rancho Cortés, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Aristos El Mirador Cuernavaca 
Address: Nardo #202, Col Rancho Cortes, Cuernavaca, México
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Camino Real Sumiya Cuernavaca
Address: Int Fraccionamiento Sumiya s/n, Col José Parres, Jiutepec, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Gran Hotel Tamayo
Address: Rufino Tamayo 26, Col Acapatzingo, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Holiday Inn Cuernavaca
Address: Blvr DÃaz Ordaz #86, Cuernavaca
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Hosteria Las Quintas Cuernavaca
Address: Blvd DÃaz Ordaz # 9, Col Cantarranas, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Ilebal Cuernavaca 
Address: Chulavista #112 Col Centro, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Casa Colonial Cuernavaca
Address: Netzahualcoyotl #37, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Fiesta Inn Cuernavaca
Address: Carr México-Acapulco km 88 s/n, Col Delicias, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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Barcelo Cuernavaca Ejecutivo
Address: Coronel Ahumada #203, Col Lomas del Mirador, Cuernavaca
Location: Cuernavaca | Map View |
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| TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CHETUMAL / PLACES TO VISIT IN CHETUMAL |
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Museum of the City
To protect as well as to circulate information about the history of this city, this museum is located in the facilities of the Quintana Roo Institute of Culture, housed in one of the oldest buildings in town. It has six galleries where there are historical documents, photographs, furniture, weapons and other objects that have significance to local lore.
Museum of Maya Culture
Here you can find everything you need to know about the Maya Culture and the discoveries made, most with the help of new technologies, to bring you closer to faraway cultures and see the daily lives of the Maya. It is a tribute to the artistic contribution, knowledge and the age-old wisdom of these people.
Bacalar
Bacalar is a town of pre-Hispanic origin located 20 minutes north of Chetumal, was founded in the year 500 AC by the Itzae Maya. It served originally as a trade and supply center from the Honduras-Guatemala Route.
The Fort of San Felipe de Bacalar was founded in 1727 to protect the locals from repeated attacks from pirates and European smugglers. Today, it's a charming museum that houses 260 years of history on the Maya, the Spanish and the pirates as well as some colonial and pre-Hispanic pieces.
In the Laguna de Siete Colores (the Lagoon of the Seven Colors, also known as the Lagoon of the Rainbow), fresh water mixes with the Caribbean Sea creating vibrant greens and blues. It's filled with mangroves and lush vegetation. It's perfect for a tranquil ride or acuatic sports, especially scuba diving. There are also caves and grottos for the spelunker in you.
Cenote Azul
Next to Bacalar Lagoon, you will find this natural marvel where an experienced diver can go scuba diving. Go exploring and we promise you'll want to come back.
Dzibanche
Dzibanche is one of the most important archeological sites in Quintana Roo, an hour away from Chetumal. These beautiful buildings are faithful witnesses to the complex socio-political system of the Maya and an example of their advanced archeological development. En route, you will see the Templo de los Dinteles (Temple of the Thresholds) which still has a plinth decorated with figures and glyphs, similar to those found in Teotihuacan. Farther back, you can find a well-preserved temple which dates back to the year 554.
Kohunlich
69 kilometers from Chetumal, you will find the most researched archeological site in Quintana Roo. You will find structures such as the Ya'axna, which was a site of political importance. The Templo de los Mascarones (Temple of the Masks), Plaza de las Estelas and Acropolis were also buildings of symbolic and ritualistic importance. There are also a series of residences where it is supposed that elite governors had lived, such as the buildings also referred to as "27 Steps" and Pixa'an.
Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve
The reserve is located right on the coast of the Caribbean in Chetumal where you can find shipwrecked boats along the length of the sandy beaches. There are also hatcheries for turtles and fish in Cayo Norte, Cayo Centro and Cayo Lobos. There is also a large variety of flora, fauna and coral in this zone and it's an absolute paradise for divers.
Casinos in Belize
The free zone of Belize is an ideal place for the gambler at heart, and for those looking for a good time. So if you're itching to play for money, poker, roulette, blackjack or just a simple slot machine you can find them all here. The Casino also features shows, bars and restaurants with scrumptious menus. |
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| RESTAURANTS IN CHETUMAL / PLACES TO EAT IN CHETUMAL |
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Forasteros
Come and enjoy the best dishes of a truly countryside atmosphere. Split between family or friends a delicious "Tablita Grill" which consists of tender cuts of beef, pork, pastor meat (normally pork basted with a sauce and cooked on a stake in front of an open fire), chorizo (pork sausage), roasted Cambray onions, guacamole, a succulent roast potato, cheese fondue and delicious charro beans (a kind of barbecue bean prepared usually with bacon). Ask about the wide variety of drinks and cocktails served.
Las Arracheras de Don Jose
Enjoy the best arracheras (a cut of tenderized beef) in the region as well as good service. Ask for one taco or a whole order and try them with the homemade salsa. It is ideally located on the seawall, facing Chetumal Bay.
Mahahuana
Manahuana is an open air restaurant bar where you can have an arrachera taco or a variety of dishes such as gringas or nachos. An ice-cold beer would be an ideal accompaniment to your meal in this very laid-back environment. The quality and the unbeatable service of the Manahuana personnel has made this restaurant the preferred locale of the Chetumalans.
Sergio's Pizzas
Without a doubt, Sergio's Pizzas is one of the most typical restaurants of the city. Its cuisine is a mixture of Italian and Mediterranean and has dishes for even the most difficult to please. Pizzas are the specialty of the house. |
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| NIGHTLIFE IN CHETUMAL / BARS & CLUBS |
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kua
An excellent locale to hold a birthday bash or any sort of get-together you might have in mind. Delicious food, great music and chilled drinks will have you coming back for more.
Cat's
Come on down to the be-all, end-all of Chetumal's nightlife. We've got high-tech digital audio equipment and laser shows for all your exclusive events so that you can party till the break of dawn.
El Ruedo
El Ruedo is a fashionable place in Chetumal, and a great option for a night out of dancing and fun, with a real northern Mexican feel. So, wipe the dust off those Texan boots and hats, grab your favourite jeans and enjoy with friends a few icy-cold beers, while you dance to the unique rythms of Banda Sinaloense, Quebradita and Pasito Duranguense.
Rock Shots Cafe
If you're looking for other types of entertainment, Rock Shots may just be the place for you. We feature shows with impersonators who do Madonna, Whitney Houston and Shakira.
Sky Bar
Endowed with a fantastic view of Chetumal Bay, Sky Bar, with its architectural design, offers singing and dancing to the latest hits. |
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| SHOPPING IN CHETUMAL / WHERE TO BUY IN CHETUMAL |
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Handcrafts
Handcraft production makes up a big part of the preservation of the local Maya culture. The majority of the handcrafts produced are normally textiles such as naturally-dyed cotton. There are also the decorated ostrich eggs that are made into jewelry cases, lamps adorned with pink snail shells and crafts made of tropical wood.
Markets
In the city of Chetumal, you can find several markets where they sell regional clothing, dishes and items for your home decorating. You can also find a richness of color and aromas from the flowers, herbs and spices sold in these different stands.
Plaza las Americas
Here, you will find a number of stores, as well as a movie complex, a restaurant area, a fast food area and a series of other services. Come with friends or family and have a little fun.
Free Zone
Only five minutes from downtown Chetumal, you will find the border with Belize. Crossing the Sub Lieutenant Lopez Border Bridge will take you to the Free Zone of Corozal, Belize. Tax-free merchandise and service can be found here and people from far and wide come and take advantage of these prices. Check before buying whether you can bring a particular product back to Mexico. |
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