Travel back in time in Pueblo de Maiz Park
Pueblo de Maiz is an interactive theme park that will transport you back in time to learn about the ancient Mayan people’s traditions and culture. A one-of-a-kind tourist attraction that puts you closer to this culture and its rituals on Cozumel. Its name means “land of swallows” and which was once a sacred Maya site with its sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel, the Goddess of Fertility.
Pueblo de Maiz Park: What to expect
During the tour of the park, you will learn about the Mayan face painting ceremony and how they manufactured the natural gum, or sikte. Also, about their planting methods, dancing, and maize grinding, as well as the cenote. Cenotes are sacred spots in Mayan culture and are portals to the underworld. All of this is divided into palapas, which offer a variety of cultural events. Learn about the religion, about participating in an old sport or witnessing holy dance rites. Also, about hand-making chocolate and tamales, this experience provides excellent value for your entry fee.
A little tour
Begin the tour with a “purification,” which the Mayans believe is necessary to purify the soul and spirit. Then, a woman paints your faces, which is how they used to express their social class, power, and hierarchy. Stop at the chicle camp to witness the extraction process; once the offerings are presented to Ixchel, the big sacred ceiba will serve as the link between the cleansing rite and arrival in Pueblo del Maiz.
Each palapa will greet you with a variety of activities that will allow you to immerse yourself in the lives of the locals. Learn how to make tortillas and experience the process firsthand while tasting traditional flavors. You’ll learn the importance of the melipona bee for the production of exquisite honey at the Xunan kab palapa. They will teach you step by step how they extract the fibers they use to produce products that are used in homes today at the Soskil palapa.
To round out the trip, join a game of ancient ball and have fun attempting to pass the ball through the hoop.
Pueblo de Maiz Park: Useful info
This park opens Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can take tours in English every hour. The duration of this tour is 45 minutes, and the cost is 15 USD per person.
Transversal de Cozumel highway km 5, Cozumel, QR 77613
(984) 146-5771
