Izamal, a magical town to live in Yucatán

Living in Yucatán is the gateway to dozens of magical towns waiting to be discovered. 70 kilometres from central Mérida lies a land where colour, art and food are the main characters.

Legend says that before archaeological sites had been discovered, the old inhabitants believed the town was surrounded by hills.

We’re talking about Izamal, a magical town that has gradually become a reference point of Yucatecan culture, and which welcomes thousands of tourists every day to its historic sites and cobbled streets.

Izamal’s charm has led more and more people to settle here. The calm you breathe, along with the quality of life and its relative closeness to Mérida, make Izamal an ideal place to live.

This magical town is also known as “the city of hills” — because years ago its ancient inhabitants saw what they thought were hills.

It would later be discovered that these were not hills but Maya pyramids which, while not the size of Uxmal or Chichén Itzá, do stand out in a region known for its flat terrain.

What is it like to live in Yucatán? Choose Izamal

If you love history, art, food and architecture, Izamal is the place for you.

Its cobbled streets and the distinctive yellow of its houses make Izamal a place where harmony and peace reign.

Imagine living just minutes from the impressive Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, a 16th-century building that welcomes visitors with its imposing pillars and forecourt.

This convent has witnessed countless religious and cultural events over the years, and is an obligatory stop for tourists and locals who set out to discover this town.

Besides the convent, Izamal offers a varied food scene for every taste and budget. In general, restaurants serve traditional Yucatecan food, though you’ll also find smaller places offering all kinds of dishes.

Izamal is a relatively small town, which means you can get around by car, bike or on foot, since distances aren’t as long as in bigger cities.

It also has basic health services provided by IMSS and ISSSTE, though for more specific treatment you may be referred to a nearby city with a more complete medical team.

Property prices in Izamal vary: you can find houses from 600,000 pesos, while better-located residences can cost between 1 million and 3 million pesos. If you rent through a platform like Airbnb, the price can range from 400 to 2,000 pesos per night, depending on the area.

Living in Izamal is an experience reserved for lovers of art and culture, and for those who want to settle in a small town.

Since 1990, Izamal has seen gradual growth in its population, from about 3,000 inhabitants to a census of 16,000 in the last decade, and the number seems to keep rising. The trend is expected to continue, with more residents arriving in the next decade.

Now you know what you need to set out on the adventure of living in one of Mexico’s 121 magical towns — a great adventure indeed!

You may be interested in: 6 places to go if you like nightlife.