Town 10 km northeast of Maní
The village where one of the Chilam Balam books, a key Maya chronicle, was kept; a quiet stop with a colonial church.
Chumayel is a small village about 10 kilometers northeast of Maní, and its name is known far beyond Yucatán because of a book. The Chilam Balam of Chumayel is one of the books of Chilam Balam, manuscripts written by Maya scribes in the Maya language with the Latin alphabet during the colonial period. They gather prophecies, history, calendar knowledge, myths and rituals, and they are among the most important sources for understanding Maya thought after the conquest. The Chumayel copy was kept in this village, which gave it its name.
The village's church, the Templo de la Purísima Concepción, is one of the colonial churches of the Convent Route. It houses the Santo Cristo de la Transfiguración, an image venerated across the area, whose feast on August 6 brings pilgrims, processions and a village fiesta.
There is not much else in the way of sights, but Chumayel is a pleasant stop on a loop from Maní through Teabo and Mama, and a chance to see the setting of one of the great texts of Maya literature.
What to see and do
Visit the church of the Purísima Concepción and the image of the Santo Cristo de la Transfiguración.
Come on August 6 for the feast of the Christ and its procession.
Walk the main square of the village where the Chilam Balam of Chumayel was kept.
Combine it with Teabo and Mama on the Convent Route.
Getting there
Chumayel is about 15 minutes from Maní by car, on the local road east toward Teabo and then north. The church is usually open during the day; hours depend on the parish.
10 km northeast of Maní
Directions from Maní on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Chumayel shares the climate of Maní, 10 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Maní your base
Chumayel is an easy trip from Maní, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.