Izamal, located in Yucatán, Mexico, was the first designated Magic Town (Pueblo Mágico) in the state of Yucatán in 2002. Known for its yellow buildings, colonial architecture, and close access to Mayan ruins and cenotes, Izamal has been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Izamal is named after its founder, who, according to UNESCO, was a priest called Zamná, associated with the Maya creator god Itzamná.
Also known by three nicknames:
- City of Three Cultures
- City of Hills
- Yellow City
It is an important archaeological site of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Originally founded by the Mayans, it was a center of great spiritual significance. The name Izamal comes from the Mayan word for "dew falling from the sky".
It is one of the oldest cities in the area and combines Maya history, colonial architecture, and modern life. This blend of Mayan, Spanish Colonial, and Modern-Day Mexican cultures is the reason this fascinating town is often referred to as the City of Three Cultures.
Izamal is known as the City of Hills in Yucatán because its ancient pyramids appear to be small hills. It’s said that for a very long time, the city’s many Maya constructions were abandoned to the point that they looked like mounds.
Izamal's third moniker is the Yellow City, and it’s easy to see where that comes from: every building in the city is painted in this bold bright color. There are countless legends explaining why the buildings are yellow. However, the truth is that the buildings have been yellow since the 1960s, with a specific yellow hue standardized in 1993 for the visit of Pope John Paul II to the city.
Izamal tells a story spanning over 2,500 years of occupation — let your imagination transport you into its storied past.
