Cenote Ring & Izamal
Convent Route Tours
A Ruta de los Conventos tour follows the 16th-century Franciscan churches and convents that dot the Yucatán countryside south of Mérida and east toward Izamal. We can arrange full-day tours for history fans, photographers and anyone who likes small towns with a story.
Convent Route Tours: our options
The Ruta de los Conventos tour Yucatán guides run links together towns where Franciscans built monumental churches, often on top of Maya ceremonial platforms. In Maní, the Convento de San Miguel Arcángel is tied to Fray Diego de Landa, and the 1562 burning of Maya books there remains a heavy chapter in local history.
Other stops can include Oxkutzcab, Tecoh, Acanceh and Teabo. Izamal, the yellow city with the vast Convento de San Antonio de Padua, is often the highlight and can anchor a separate day trip. We can arrange the route to suit your energy, since churches here are not always open at fixed hours.
- South route: Maní, Teabo, Oxkutzcab
- East route: Izamal and nearby villages
- Combined cenote and convent day
- Photography route at golden hour
What's included
A private vehicle, a driver-guide, fuel and bottled water are normally included. Church donations and entrance fees where applicable are not.
Lunch in a small-town restaurant is a good chance to eat local pork dishes and tortillas; we can add it to your quote.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver-guide
- Route planning
- Bottled water
- Hotel pickup in Mérida
Sample itinerary
A south route could run like this:
- 08:00 Pickup in Mérida
- 09:30 Acanceh: pyramid beside the church plaza
- 10:30 Tecoh or Mama for the colonial church
- 12:00 Maní convent and its history
- 13:30 Lunch in Oxkutzcab or nearby
- 15:00 Teabo or Tipikal stop
- 17:00 Return to Mérida
Prices
Because these tours need long driving days, vehicle pricing is the core cost. Typical market ranges are below.
Long driving days make the vehicle the main cost, so sharing a vehicle among more people lowers the per-person price. Adding a lunch stop, a cenote swim or Izamal on the same day adds to the total. Church donations are voluntary and not included.
| Option | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Private day tour for 2–4 | US$110–190 per vehicle |
| Private day with lunch | US$140–230 |
| Izamal-only half day | US$80–140 |
Who it's for
For travellers with an interest in colonial and Maya history. A ruta de los conventos tour suits those who enjoy quiet churches and slow towns; anyone wanting resort-style comfort will not.
Days are long, so younger children may find it tiring. A cenote stop can break the drive.
When to go
Churches are quieter in the mornings, and the heat is easier. In the dry season, November to April, roads and plazas are easier to walk.
Towns celebrate saint's days with fiestas, which can be vibrant but also crowded. Ask us about festival dates in your travel window.
Related tours
FAQs
Which towns are on the Ruta de los Conventos?
The route usually includes Maní, Oxkutzcab, Teabo, Tecoh and Acanceh, with Izamal as a nearby highlight.
Are churches open all day?
Not always. Opening hours vary by town, so your guide plans around them.
Is Izamal included?
It can be, either as part of a combined day or as a separate trip.
Is the Ruta de los Conventos suitable for kids?
Older children who like history may enjoy it. For younger kids, mix in a cenote stop.
How far is Izamal from Mérida?
About an hour by road. It is often visited as a separate half-day trip or as part of a convent route day.
Want this trip planned for you?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We check availability with local guides and send back a price.