DEADLINE MONDAY, 1/19!!
The Yucatan
Merida, Valladolid, Izamel, Ria Celestun Biosphere, and all the Cenotes in Between
Molly Roberts Instructing
February 4 – 10, 2026
STATEMENT
This workshop offers the opportunity to delve deeply into an ancient culture, exploring the history and the beauty of a place that reveres and encourages our connection to the natural world. Our days have been specifically curated to include architecture, portrait, landscape, nature, and street photography.
The Yucatan has many desirable characteristics, but these two apply well for our workshop. First, it is the safest region in Mexico, possibly all of Central America, with a crime rate lower than most major cities in the United States. Secondly, the US dollar remains strong against the peso (as of this writing, the Peso to US dollar is .054) making travel and leisure there more affordable.
We’re all striving to satisfy economic needs and desires in the smartest way possible as we navigate the uncharted waters these days present. Molly and I understand that – we’re right there with you. So we’ve approached this workshop with that in mind.
We’ve included accommodations in the fee. We’ve rented a large home, with a private pool and full kitchen, in the historic city of Merida. The fee includes a double-occupancy bedroom and full bath. Molly and I enjoy spending leisure time with our workshop participants, talking photography into the evening, sharing an easy breakfast at the start of the day. This will not only afford us plenty of those opportunities but also makes the trip more affordable for all.
We’re not including meals in the fee. Five-star restaurants in Merida will cost @$50 (US) for a 3-course meal. Street tacos, of which we’ve both eaten our fair share, will run you a dollar or so. And there’s a cornucopia of choices in between. By not including meals, you’ll be able to set your own budget for how much you’re comfortable spending.
Included is just about everything else. A private van with our local guide will pick us up each day for 8-10 hours of travel and shooting. All road tolls, taxes, and entry fees for historic ruins, the Celestun biosphere boat trips, swims in the cenotes, and much more are covered. See more below.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Nancy (nancy@sxsemagazine.com).
And we hope to see you in the Yucatan soon!
Please Note: there will be a drawing from the entries for the current SxSE Call for Entry, Winter Wonderland(s), for a free workshop! For more info on the Call please go to www.sxseshop.com!
Day 1, February 4th: Arrive Merida
Molly and I will be waiting at the house with refreshments! Later in the afternoon, after we’e settled in, Molly will give a presentation of her work, and talk with us about the upcoming days. This will be a perfect time for last minute questions before we head out for dinner.
DAY 2, February 5th : Sunrise over Chichen Itza, Cenote Yakdzonot, and an afternoon in Merida
followed by a late morning swim at Cenote Yokdzonot
Day 3, February 6th, the historic city of Valladolid, the Yellow City of Izamal, and an afternoon swim at Cenote Zaci
Valladolid
Casa de los Venados is home to the largest-ever private collection of Mexican folk and contemporary art. And it’s open for guided tours by appointment. Over 3,000 pieces, mostly wood and clay and all museum quality, are placed throughout the giant home, not far from Valladolid’s main square. A nice opportunity for still lifes, and architecture.
The photo opps are endless in marketplaces. And there’s no better place to learn about a new place than the local market. This is where you’ll find the true people of the region selling their wares – fresh fruits and vegetables, honey from the famous Mayan bees, hand-made clothing, and more. Great for people-watching, and street photography.
3. Templo de San Bernadino
The Templo de San Bernardino and the adjacent Convento de Sisal are about 700m southwest of the plaza. They were constructed between 1552 and 1560 to serve the dual functions of fortress and church. The church’s charming decoration includes beautiful rose-colored walls, arches, some recently uncovered 16th-century frescoes and a small image of the Virgin on the altar. These are about the only original items remaining; the grand wooden retablo (altarpiece) dates from the 19th century.
Izamal
Known as The Yellow City as almost all the buildings are painted a beautiful shade of yellow.
Izamal remains a place of pilgrimage within the state of Yucatán, now for the veneration of Roman Catholic saints. Several saints statues at Izamal are said to perform miracles. An early colonial era statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (“Our Lady of Izamal”) is particularly venerated, and is the state’s patron saint.[8]
The Yucatec Maya language is still heard at least as much as Spanish in Izamal. It is the first language in the homes of the majority of the people. Most signs are in both languages.
Day 4, February 7th: Sunrise at Uxmal + Cenote Mulix + Bee Portraits
Uxmal (Yucatec Maya: Óoxmáal [óˑʃmáˑl]) is an ancient Maya city of the classical period located in present-day Mexico. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture.
Cenote X/’batun
San Antonio Mulix, Yucatan, has two beautiful cenotes very close to each other. We’ll cool down after walking the grounds of Uxmal with a soak in one or both of these.
Bee Portraits
Argel, our guide and driver for the week, is also a beekeeper – of the stingless Melipona honey bee. Argel will take us to his apiary and allow us to photograph him with his bees.
Day 5, February 8th: Ria Celestun Biosphere + Flamingos, Flamingos, Flamingos! PLUS boat rides through the Mangroves!
What do you call a group of flamingos? A flamboyance!!
Upon arriving at Rio Lagartos, a quaint fishing village nestled along the coast, travelers are greeted by the stunning natural beauty of the area. Here, they embark on a boat tour of the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its diverse wildlife and pristine mangrove forests. Along the tranquil waters, visitors have the opportunity to spot an array of bird species, including flamingos, herons, and egrets, as well as elusive crocodiles basking in the sun along the banks of the river.
After exploring Rio Lagartos, the tour continues to Las Coloradas, a mesmerizing natural wonder known for its vibrant pink salt lakes. As travelers approach the lakeshores, they are greeted by the surreal sight of crystalline waters tinted with hues of pink, creating a truly unforgettable spectacle. Here, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the salt extraction process and witness firsthand the intricate patterns formed by crystallized salt deposits.
Throughout the tour, participants are treated to opportunities for photography, swimming, and leisurely exploration, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region.
Day 6, February 9th: Merida day tours, and the Group Review before a Farewell Dinner
All the things you’ve noticed in Merida during the week but haven’t quite had the time to go back and shoot – that’s what’s on deck for today! We’ll retire back to the house by 3 to prepare for our Group Review from 4-6. We’ll have an early dinner before packing up the last of our things in preparation for early flights out on the 10th.
Day 7, February 10th: Home again, home again …
MOLLY ROBERTS:
Molly Roberts is a visual communications professional residing in Baltimore, Maryland. She has worked in the DC metropolitan area as a photographer, photography editor and director of photography at The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine and National Geographic Magazine. She has curated exhibitions for SXSE Gallery, Photoworks Gallery, 1448 Gallery, Artworks Gallery, and others. In 2019 she was awarded a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation fellowship to study and teach photography and multimedia at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She received a masters degree in Visual Communication in 2021.
Roberts has led workshops in photo editing for long term visual projects and photo books. She taught photography, photojournalism and photo-editing at Ohio University and Loyola University. Committed to the power of visual communication to educate and inform, Roberts created Humaneyes USA, a small non-profit using artistic and innovative approaches to inspire informed discussion, encourage civic engagement and create solutions for pressing American issues.
Roberts continues to teach and mentor photographers through her work with Women photojournalists of Washington, Social Documentary Network and La Luz Workshops.
FEE: $2399
*please note: There will be a drawing from entries in the current SxSE Call for Entry, Winter Wonderland(s), for a free workshop! Go to www.sxseshop.com for more information.
Click Here to pay via credit or debit card (a 3.8% card fee of $92 is added to base fee): $2491.
Click Here to pay via check (email nancy@sxsemagazine.com for instructions): $2399
INCLUDED IN FEE:
- Instruction, guidance, and advice all along the way from our estimable instructor Molly Roberts. Also, her critique of your images at the Group Review the last evening.
- 5 days with an English and Spanish-speaking licensed private tour guide and private van, 8-10 hours of our choosing depending on if we’d like a sunrise, a sunset, or something in between.
- All taxes, fees, and road tolls. Entrance fees to Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ria Celestun Biosphere, Cenote Yokdzonot, Cenote Mulix, and Cenote Zaci.
- Private boats with tour guides to view the flamboyance of migrating flamingos at Ria Celestun.
- Also, boat rides through the mangrove forests in the Ria Celestun Biosphere – good bird-watching territory.
- Double accommodation in our private home in the historic city of Merida. If interested in a private room please inquire with Nancy
- Continental breakfast foods, coffee, and tea will be provided for breakfast each day.
- Portfolio review with Molly and Nancy via Zoom post-workshop
- Inclusion in a feature article in South x Southeast Magazine including your images, bio, and a statement about your experience shooting in the Yucatan
NOT INCLUDED IN FEE:
- Travel to and from your home to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
- Transfer to and from the Merida Airport to our house in Merida – cabs and Ubers are readily available at the airport and reasonably priced.
- Travel insurance to cover any cancellation of any part of this trip. Also, medical insurance to cover all costs of medical care in the Yucatan, and transport back to the US if needed.
- Lunches, dinners, and alcoholic beverages. Breakfast foods will be provided at the house. There will be many opportunities to enjoy excellent food and beverage with the group at reasonable costs.
- Mexico Tourist Card (more info will be provided once you’re registered)
Questions?
Just email nancy@sxsemagazine.com!
