{"id":861,"date":"2024-12-15T02:05:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T02:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yucatanbackroads.com\/?p=861"},"modified":"2024-12-15T02:20:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T02:20:59","slug":"story-22-architecture-in-the-jungle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yucatanbackroads.com\/?p=861","title":{"rendered":"Story 22: Architecture in the Jungle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We could have taken highways for most of this trip, but that would not be the YBR way!  Besides, our timing allowed for lunch at the beautiful Casa de Los Lotos in Baca, which is always worth a bit more driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our route took us south out of Chicxulub Puerto to the (still unmarked after many years) small road to Chicxulub Pueblo.  From there it’s a route we’ve done many times before, east thru Ixil to To’o, south to Mococh\u00e1, and east to Baca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We nearly always eat on their huge covered terrace, but the heat and humidity drove us into the air conditioned dining room. Service was much faster than usual.\u00a0 At the end we wanted to walk thru their amazing Thai water garden, but it started pouring rain so we jumped in the car and headed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once south out of Baca, we were on some truly back roads that were new to us.\u00a0 We drove thru Tixkunchiel, Yaxkukul, Nolo, Tixp\u00e9hual and Sah\u00e9.\u00a0 (A real shocker was the road suddenly diving down into a very heavy-duty concrete tunnel–going under the Maya Train!\u00a0 If you’re a large vehicle, you’re going to need another way.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just south of Sah\u00e9 we hit the M\u00e9rida-Cancun freeway.\u00a0 There’s no bridge, so you make a right turn and an immediate U-turn (a “jug handle” lane makes it safer).\u00a0 You drive east aa few miles to the Seye turnoff–no exit ramp and the sign is so faded it’s barely readable, so your GPS is helpful!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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It’s a straight shot from Seye to Yabuc\u00fa, where a surprise awaited us.  The Hacienda Yabuc\u00fa has been beautifully restored as a hotel \/ restaurant \/ event center.  We just stopped a minute to take some photos, but may want to return for a night of luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A few minutes west and the VERY small GALOPINA sign invites you to turn into a small gravel road.\u00a0 (Again, the GPS is helpful.)\u00a0 Follow that maybe a mile to their big gated entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This photo is the gate. The sign on the highway is about the same size and appearance as the one you see here, but it’s just a narrow dirt\/gravel road.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ever walk into a place and say “Wow, this place is right out of Architectural Digest<\/em>“?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, in the case of Galopina, you’d be right. Literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.admagazine.com\/articulos\/galopina-casa-silvestre-la-belleza-de-la-sencillez-yucateca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(That title in English: Galopina Casa Silvestre, the Beauty of Yucatecan Simplicity<\/em> ) There are other reviews and stories of Galopina around the Web, but here’s their own site:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CASA – Duplicate – [#56].<\/a><\/blockquote>