| Chances are, your little ones won't appreciate the | | | | perimeter.In addition to animals, the zoo has several |
| Toltec influence on the Mayan pyramids at Chichen | | | | playgrounds, an area for rollerblading and toy vendors |
| Itza, nor will they delight in the architectural beauty | | | | galore. Entrance to the park is free, but some of the |
| of Merida's colonial buildings - but that doesn't mean | | | | activities like pony rides, bumper boats and go-carts |
| the city has nothing to offer them.First of all, though | | | | charge a few pesos per person. You can treat |
| they might complain about the heat and their lack of | | | | yourself to traditional carnival fare like corndogs, |
| interest in a pile of rocks, don't miss the chance to | | | | popcorn and cotton candy, or enjoy Mexican treats |
| watch their faces light up when they see the Castillo | | | | like chicharrones, tacos and panuchos. And on a hot |
| at Chichen Itza in real life. Climbing the main | | | | day, all those beautiful trees provide shade for the |
| attraction, checking out a real Mayan hut, and seeing | | | | animals and for you and the kids.Close to the Hyatt |
| the cenote where human sacrifices may have been | | | | and Fiesta Americana Hotels, Salvador Alvarado |
| made once are sure to interest most children. Some | | | | Stadium and Park features an Olympic-sized |
| kids may find the huge machine on display by the | | | | swimming pool, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, |
| bathrooms interesting when they learn it was used | | | | a softball diamond and two soccer fields, in addition |
| to dredge the cenote and take out the treasures | | | | to facilities for weight lifting, boxing, aerobics, |
| found at the bottom.And while the majority of kids | | | | gymnastics and dance. As part of the Yucatan State |
| may not appreciate the excellent museum and the | | | | Sports Institute, this 65-year-old establishment has |
| peaceful ruins as much as you will, most kids cannot | | | | served as both a training grounds for local athletes |
| resist the cenote at Dzabilchaltun. Bring some snorkel | | | | and a recreational center for the public.The center is |
| gear and let them see the little freshwater fish that | | | | located on Calle 62 in the Buena Vista neighborhood |
| live there. But please watch them and don't take | | | | and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with peak |
| children who can't swim. The cenote is shallow on | | | | hours between 3 and 8 p.m. when local sports teams |
| one end, but very deep on the other. Be sure to | | | | come to practice. While there is no official charge to |
| bring your own towels, sunscreen and water to drink | | | | use the facilities, they do ask that patrons make an |
| as well.Part of the educational value of travel is being | | | | occasional donation - in whatever amount possible - |
| able to see how people live differently around the | | | | to put toward maintenance costs, and use of the |
| world. If you can, drive from Chichen Itza to Merida | | | | pool is $12 pesos per visit. Month-long courses in |
| on the "free" or "libre" road, you'll have a chance to | | | | various sports, even including salsa dancing, are |
| drive through and stop in some small Mayan towns or | | | | offered to the public, meeting once a week for |
| pueblitos (pweh-BLEE-toes). Children will learn a lot | | | | around $150 pesos.Never underestimate the pleasure |
| from seeing how children their own age live and play | | | | of a swimming pool to children. If your hotel has a |
| in the Yucatan. Stop in one of the towns for an ice | | | | pool, and most do, why not take a day to enjoy |
| cream or helado (ay-LA-doh) and take that chance | | | | yourselves poolside and really concentrate on what |
| to interact with the local people at the store. You'll all | | | | vacations are all about: being together with family. |
| learn something!Once you are back in Merida, the | | | | And if your hotel doesn't have a pool, then spend a |
| Centennario Zoo, located near the southern edge of | | | | day at the beach in Progreso or one of the |
| downtown, is a wonderland of fun activities for | | | | surrounding towns. Your kids can have fun picking up |
| parents and children alike. This huge park is home to | | | | shells, swimming in the shallow water or maybe even |
| hundreds of exotic animals including giraffes, lions, | | | | renting a boogie board or waverunner. The beach at |
| bears, chimpanzees, crocodiles, hippos, tigers, turtles | | | | Progreso is shallow and the waves are seldom more |
| and snakes. Each animal pen has its own placard in | | | | than a foot at best. You can have fresh guacamole |
| Spanish and Maya with facts about the creature's | | | | with chips and a cold beer right on the beach while |
| environment, diet and lifestyle. Patrons are also | | | | you watch your kids play. What could be |
| welcome to meander through the zoo's huge aviary, | | | | better?After you've enjoyed these activities, there |
| a tropical garden filled with parrots, peacocks and | | | | are still several tried and true methods of entertaining |
| other beautiful birds. You can stroll through the park | | | | kids. |
| on foot or catch a ride on the train that circles the | | | | |