In our travels it is often a slice of unassuming, everyday life that delivers the unexpected, and satisfying, taste of a destination.
Staying inside the archaeological site at Chichén-Itzá more than lived up to our expectations, but we had no idea the pièce de résistance awaited just outside the site’s boundaries.
At our lodging we were appropriately thrilled at the fact that relics were right outside our door, and our proximity to the remarkable pre-Columbian city meant that we could visit early in the morning and later in the afternoon, before and after the crowds.
Still, after a day of ruins rambling we were thwarted in our usual desire to wander around and get a feel for local life, because once the park closes there is nothing around except a couple of hotels.
Luckily, the town of Pisté is only a few minutes away by taxi.
Since it serves as the gateway to Chichén-Itzá, we expected the village to be dominated by hotels, restaurants, and tourist traps, but what we found was nearly the exact opposite.
Pisté seems nearly untouched by the swarms of activity and visitors at its nearby, ancient neighbor. We could hardly resist spending an evening enjoying some genuine Yucatán life.
The town could be the least touristy of any place we have been in Mexico.
No doubt, some of this was due to the fact that we had come in the off season, but there was no hiding the fact that the town square is lined with little shops selling goods and services to the residents as opposed to the usual trinkets and such for the visitors.
We walked all the way around the plaza, checking out the church that, as nears as we could tell, doesn’t have a name.
It seems to be known as simply Iglesia Catolica, or Catholic Church, and like its name (or lack thereof) is a very modest little chapel in the style of the missions of the southwestern United States.
After our stroll we were ready to eat, and from what we could tell by far the most popular place to strap on the old feedbag was La Gran Chaya de Pisté.
The sign proudly proclaims Cocina 100% Yucateca, and they weren’t kidding, the food was most definitely one hundred percent authentic Yucatán.
We started with the region’s most popular dishes, and certainly the most popular soup, Sopa di lima.
Though the name means lime soup, this is good old chicken soup, but with a twist.
As with most dishes in the Yucatán the origin likely traces back to the Mayans however, the lime that gives it its name, and the chicken, were both introduced by the Spanish in the sixteenth century. The Maya people may have used wild turkey and local spices.
Another staple from the Mayan era made the base for our next dish, corn tortillas.
Strips of them were used like noodles in the soup, but they served as the entire delivery system for our second course, salbutes.
We would probably call them tostadas, but size and place of origin seem to make the distinction. Salbutes are small, with two or three served at a time, and are unique to the Yucatán.
If the tortillas are allowed to puff up while cooking, then stuffed with beans before topping with other goodies, they are known as Panuchos. For gringos like us they were hard to distinguish, so we ordered both for good measure.
In addition to the delicious authentic food, La Gran Chaya had another quality that made it perfect for whiling away a few hours, the location.
Sitting right across from the main square, on the busiest corner in town, made for some perfect people watching.
By far the bulk of the traffic was traveling on scooters and bicycles, and it seemed like every last one of them went through this intersection several times.
The motor bikes seem to be most popular, and regularly carried up to three passengers.
We never saw four riders, but would bet it has been done.
With some modifications, these usually two-wheeled vehicles have become the public transportation and delivery system for the town.
Many of the motorcycles have been transformed into taxis by adding a back wheel and an enclosed cab.
On some bicycles, an extra front wheel has been added to support a cargo area…
David’s pants are courtesy of Bluff Works.
He really gave these puppies a workout on this trip. He wore them on the plane over, spoke in them at the TBEX convention, rambled the ruins in the heat of Chichén-Itzá, crammed them in his suitcase, rode in them on the bus to Valladolid, and STILL looks stylin’ – wrinkle free!
…or the extra space can be used for passengers.
Vendors have adopted this modification to become mobile shops, moving their wares to wherever the customers may be congregating.
After a few hours of observation, we felt satisfied that we had discovered the Pisté résistance of the center of the Yucatán.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
See all of our adventures in Mexico!
YOUR TURN: Don’t you love those quiet travel days when soaking up local culture is a proirity? What do you think about the cycle action in Piste?
Thank you for your blog, we are just finishing up staying here as well and had some time to read your article ( we where double checking to see if we missed anything :). Piste is a seemingly nice and authentic town with seemingly nice people. We stayed here to see clichen iza and stayed at an air bnb ( mexs house) super simple house with everything we needed. It’s about a block or two off the main road. From the main road it’s 70 pesos for a cab to chichen izta (2023) and the same going home.
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Ah! Ha! I finally found the note about the pants. I just received my first pair of BluffWorks Pants! They are spectacular! Thanks for trying them out and making the suggestion! Bluff On!
Glad to show them off. They are great.
Love your vibrant photos! My mouth is watering!
Thanks Suzanne!
The picture with the blue wall and man in the blue chair is my favorite. Looks like a lovely visit 🙂
You described just the kind of Mexican town I love! The authenticity really came through here. I loved both the descriptions and the photos of the panuchos and salbutes. I can see that I am WAY overdue for a trip to the Yucatan.
Thanks Donna, we really fell in love with the Yucatan.
No, not authentic. I used to live there. This is north Mexicans invading. Motor bikes? Piste is so small, that this would be noisy & polluting. Sad. I walked & rode bicycle, (after 6pm, due to heat).
Love this! Especially all those awesome modes of bicycle transport! Sometimes taking a few steps away from the main drag gives such a vivid show of colorful everyday life. Thanks for sharing this!
We loved it too Lisa, such a great slice of life.
Experimenting with local foods always make me feel at home. Generally, chatting about it is a perfect ‘ice breaker’.
Unexpected detours are frequently the story one hasn’t – until then – been able to find.
Now…I’m hungry! 🙂
I’m going to Playa del Carmen in early July for a wedding and you got me excited about going back to Mexico even if I won’t be going to Chichen Itza. The bikes, scooters and combos make me think of things I saw in Cuba.
Hey Kay, Tulum is right nearby Playa del Carmen, you could get a shot of Mayan ruins there. https://www.gypsynester.com/tulum.htm
Great post, makes me want to explore the Yucatan for authentic flavors and experiences.
We spent several months in the Yucatan area in 2012 and 2013 and LOVED the Yucatecan food. By far my favorite meal was the Sopa di lima (who would think hot soup on a hot day was appetizing?) but I also loved the Salbutes and Panuchos and …!
We love it too. I think the lime makes it refreshing, even on a hot day.
Loved your food photos now I have a craving for avocados. Thanks! 😉
What an exciting discovery. I didn’t know there was lodging on the grounds of Chichen Itza. Your feast at La Gran Chaya de Pisté sounds alone worth the journey to the Yucatan. And I loved the images of the various vehicles. Nice post!
Staying on site at Chichen Itza was surprisingly reasonable too. Worth every penny.
Panuchos and cochanita pebil are two of my favorite Yucatan dishes!
Love them both too!
Your excursion certainly turned out to be rewarding. Sometimes the unplanned detours are the best times while traveling!!
The town of Pisté looks wonderful! I have not been to the Yucatan in many years, I am overdue for a visit!
Thanks for sharing your fabulous adventure. Love your photos!
Thanks Nancy!
Another fascinating look at authentic daily life. The food looks wonderful!
I totally prefer the days when we can play at being locals when I travel. Our last trip to Tortola, BVI found us walking, nearly daily, to the local grocery/gas station for our food and getting info from the residents on the best way to get around on the island. It was sometimes uncomfortable and unnerving – especially when cooking ‘some sort of beef’ for dinner but so much more rewarding than grabbing a burger at the Holiday Inn!
Great photos of Piste. It certainly looks genuine, not touristy. I’d enjoy visiting. And the food sounds and looks delicious.
Pisté absolutely looks like the real deal. How did you figure out to go there? Wherever I am in Mexico, I look for Yucatecan food, cooked in the pibil style because I can’t eat chile—which is pretty difficult to avoid in Mexican cuisine
We found it because its the only thing near Chichen Itza. You’re right, the food descendent from the Mayans is not overly spicey, but it is very tasty!