Ticul: Pottery, Shoes and Colonial Chapels

Ticul is the leading pottery center in the state of Yucatán. The town combines pottery and shoemaking with colonial-era architecture and public art. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ticul, you can start planning your trip around your interests: crafts and ceramics, colonial chapels, or a combination of these themes.

Pottery and Shoes in Ticul

Calle 23, known as the “Street of Crafts,” offers a practical starting point. Workshops and shops selling handmade pieces line the street. This lets you experience crafts as part of the town’s character, not just as individual items on display. Shoes are also made in Ticul, including sandals and military-style boots.

Shoe and pottery workshops are often located in family-run homes. The artisans who work there are happy to show interested visitors how they work; however, access may vary from one workshop to another. So if you’d like to see a particular craft in practice, check with the workshop itself rather than assuming every workshop will offer access.

Planning for larger purchases can also be useful when organizing your trip: artisans in Ticul can pack and ship items that travelers cannot take with them to their destination. Ask the seller whether they offer this service and what conditions apply.

See Ceramics and Experience How They’re Made

At the entrance to Ticul is Arte Maya, a collection with a museum-like character. It features replicas of Maya gods, Jaina figurines, bowls and ceramics. The collection focuses on finished objects and their forms. At Ratinxul, visitors can view displayed pieces and, in the back, see artisans working with clay and the kilns. If you plan to visit this workshop, it’s advisable to check in advance whether visits are possible.

The two places have different focuses: Arte Maya displays a collection of replicas and ceramics; at Ratinxul, working with clay and the kilns are also part of the visit described. If you’re interested in both the objects and how they’re made, these details offer a helpful guide for planning your trip.

Colonial Chapels and Art Around Town

The Capilla de San Enrique and the Capilla de San Juan are colonial-era architectural landmarks in Ticul. Both chapels give your trip a historical focus, while workshops and shoemaking put local crafts in the spotlight. When planning, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the crafts or include the colonial-era buildings as well.

Statues of Maya gods and heroes, created by Arte y Decoración Maya, can also be found at various locations around Ticul. These works add public art to the collection and workshops. Individual displays may change, so as you explore the town, you can also look out for the statues in the streetscape.

Regional Context and Getting There

Ticul is part of the state-protected biocultural area Reserva Estatal Biocultural del Puuc. This designation provides the regional context; the workshops, shoes and chapels described here are specific ways to explore the town.

For travel without your own vehicle, a 2020 travel report mentions a combi or shared taxi from Parque de San Juan at Calle 62 por 69 in central Mérida to Ticul. Check the departure point before your trip and find out about current departure times.

Discover more destinations: Ticum, Chichén Itzá, Acanceh, Tixkokob, Tinum, Chelem, Xoy, Oxkutzcab.

For the main travel overview: Yucatán.