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