Temozon: Temples, Smoking Tradition and Woodworking

Temozon brings together historic religious architecture, a tradition of smoked meat and sausages, and local furniture-making. This gives you several concrete ways to plan your stay: the town center is home to two temples, while smoked pork and other sausages are central to the local food culture. You can therefore focus on local culture, cuisine, or a combination of the two.

Getting to the archaeological zone

From Mérida, the route to the Ek' Balam archaeological zone follows Highway 295 toward Tizimín. After Temozon, take the turnoff toward Santa Rita; the turnoff to the site is then two kilometers north of the archaeological zone. As road conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the route again before setting out. X-Canché, in the municipality of the same name, is 1.6 kilometers from the Ek' Balam archaeological zone.

Temples in the town center

Temozon’s center is home to the Templo de San Antonio de Padua and the Templo de San Román. The Templo de San Antonio de Padua is one of the town’s architectural monuments. The Templo de San Román dates from the colonial period and is probably from the 18th century. Its classification as colonial refers to the broader historical period; the more precise attribution to the 18th century remains probable.

Smoked meat and tastings

One of Temozon’s culinary specialties is succulent pork smoked over a wood fire. Businesses along the road into Temozon sell smoked meat, and restaurants serve it as a starter or main course. Chorizos, longanizas, and other sausages are also sold in Temozon. Individual businesses may change, so check specific places before your visit.

At Condimentos y Ahumados Don Goyo in Temozon, you can learn about the sausage- and smoked-meat-making process, followed by a tasting. Tours are offered year-round; check availability again before your trip. This lets you distinguish between a restaurant meal featuring smoked meat and a tour that offers a look at how it is made, followed by a tasting.

Woodworking in Temozon

Another local specialty is furniture made from cedarwood. A report from 2018 mentions more than 60 carpentry workshops and furniture stores offering fine cedarwood furniture. The 2018 report covers businesses involved in both meat and wood processing: most of the businesses surveyed were reportedly family-run, and most of these family businesses had been operating for several decades. It also mentions preserving and refining woodworking techniques and designs. Furniture and woodworking thus complement the temples and culinary attractions with another perspective on Temozon.

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