Along the way we saw this casita and stopped to take a closer look. The owner, a Mayan man, came out to greet us and to tell us about his land which had lots of fruit trees, mainly mango and lime.
Maxcanu (the "x" is pronounced "Sh" in Mayan) boasts a regional mercado. You can't miss it's bright green color in the city center. This market serves many small towns in the area. There are a couple of places to stay and to eat, but it's pretty out of the way, so if you stay there, you should expect a slow pace and tranquil setting.
Another stop on the way to Chunchucmil was Hacienda Santa Rosa. We parked and walked onto the grounds. It was rather misty there and the jungle had such a magical feel. Sometimes when I visit archeological zones or very old buildings, in the quiet of the moment I can almost feel the presence of the people who built and lived there. Santa Rosa is a luxury hotel in a mid-19th century building which was formerly an important property for nobility during the height of the hennequin boom. Here are a few photos:
End of Part I, Aventura a Chunchucmil.