Felipe Carrillo Puerto is a place where Mayan origins are still very much alive.

Located close to Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve, this village is considered as the meeting and departure point to all the Mayan communities of the area.

The many small villages in this region keep the same customs, traditions and way of life as two centuries ago. A visit to Felipe Carrillo Puerto gives you an insight of the Mayan culture.

Felipe Carrillo Puerto was founded in 1850. Its original name was Chan Santa Cruz, which means "little holy cross".

It was the sanctuary and capital city of the cruzoob during the Caste War, and the place where the "talking cross" appeared.

In this area, the Mayan people fought against the government for more than 50 years.

When they were eventually defeated in 1901, there were stone buildings, a large main square, wide streets and a church reportedly built by the native people of the area. The temple can still be seen and visited in the central area.

In 1932, Chan Santa Cruz was renamed Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a governor of the State of Yucatán. Felipe Carrillo Puerto has several sites of interest such as the Sanctuary of the Cross and the ceremonies that the Mayan priests celebrate at certain times of the year, in honor of the Talking Cross.

Its people are proud of their Mayan origins and warmly welcome all visitors with a smile, invite them to visit the area again, and greet them with these words "¡Ki´imak k-óol úuchik a taa!" Welcome!