Many mythologies mention the presence of winged beings, even the Mayan civilization has representations of these mysterious beings, which until this day we have not been able to unveil the mystery. Were they angels, extraterrestrials, or the Mayan gods themselves?

 

In the year 770, the sovereign Ukit Kan Lek Tok ‘, assumed the power of the city of Ek B’alam at age 30. The records call him “Jalomté”, which could be translated as “a king of kings”. Although many of the details of his reign are unknown to us, we know that he was a very powerful ruler, proof of this are the objects discovered in his tomb, almost 7000 jade objects, beautiful shells and ceramics as well as a very strange gold pendant from the Oaxacan jungles as well as the very detailed decoration of his tomb.

It would seem as the entrance to his tomb resemble the jaws of a jaguar (Ek ‘Balam means Black Jaguar) devouring the bodies as they cross to the underworld as well as the representation of a macaw, which the Mayan believed existed since before the sun was created. There are also corn cobs representing the cycle of the corn, as it dies to be reborn as a new plant as they believed that Ukit Kan Lek Tok’ would do as well being a son of the corn to serve as spiritual sustenance to his people. This tomb is considered to be a divine temple and possible one of the most imporant ones, the “temple of creation”.

There are also these winged beings that popular tradition has called “the angels of Ek ‘Balam” or the “winged Warriors of Ek ‘Balam”.
In most ancient cultures, there are symbols or energies that can be attracted, repelled or represented by hand gestures. The Viking runes or the sign that Christians make with their hands when crossing themselves, for example. The Mayans also knew these “magical passes”: At the top of the tomb we can see, on the right side, a mysterious being representing this sign with his hand the glyph “Mih” of the Mayan symbols that represents creation.

What or who are these winged beings guarding the tomb of a Mayan King and what do they represent?

What do you think?

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Most of our customers ask us if they can pay in USD, CAD currency or if they should bring Pesos to pay for services.

 

We accept all three currencies but most establishments will only accept USD or Pesos, so what to do?

 

The best option would be to go to your local bank and change some money there, they will most likely have the best exchange rate and some of them will even deliver your currency to your home. Keep in mind that if you live outside a major city, the bank may need to order the currency from their brand office and it may take a while for the cash to arrive, so plan ahead and call them before hand.

 

You can also wait until you get here and either go to the bank, which will offer probably the highest rate, or look around for a money exchange booth, they all have different exchange rates but most of them will be better to exchange it at the hotel.

 

If you are going shopping and don’t have any pesos left, go to your hotel’s front desk, their exchange rate is lower than the banks but it will be much better than paying for your souvenirs in USD.

 

Please do not exchange your money at the airport as they offer the lowest exchange rate and you will end up losing some dough.

 

Whatever exchange rate you see on Google, XM.com or any other online financial company, does not apply here.

 

Every single stablishment have its own exchange rate, being a bank, supermaket, souvenir shop, all rates will be different.

 

If your currency is either Euros, Sterling Pounds, Yens, Rubles, Rupees, try to change it back home to Pesos or USD before you travel. Euros and Sterling Pounds are accepted at most banks and some exchange rate booths but most establishments will not accept any other currency.

 

If you have any Pesos left at the end of your holiday, you can change it back at home with your local bank to ge the best rate, however, they will probably not accept any coins, so try to bring back only paper money.

 

If you are eating out of your All Inclusive resort, consider a 15 to 20% gratuity for the waiter (depending on the service of course), he will split it with the bar and kitchen, they will gladly accept Pesos but everyone loves those green bills.

 

Do you have any advise for exchanging money?

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