This tradition serves as a space for socializing among family members, neighbors, and anyone passing by your house. It is common to see children playing in the middle of the street, playing soccer, hide-and-seek, “hunt the deer,” or other typical Yucatecan games while adults chat.
Many take the opportunity to bring out a radio to listen to music, news, or a baseball game commentary. Others, more modern, bring out their televisions to watch a program or their favorite soap opera.
Main parks and plazas are also ideal places to cool down in the evenings. Many people stop at the Plaza Grande in the Historic Center of Mérida to feed the pigeons, have an ice cream, or enjoy a refreshing drink.
Unlike other parts of Mexico, the tranquility and security that still exist in many areas of Yucatán allow people to feel safe being outside, even until late at night, if the mosquitoes allow it.
Although this tradition is very representative of Yucatecans, it is becoming less frequent to see these gatherings outside homes in the city. However, in the interior of the state, it still prevails.
With the high temperatures in Yucatán, ‘tomar el fresco’ brings relief. In the afternoons, the temperature drops, and after taking a bath, going out to the street and feeling the breeze is a respite from the heat, especially in the months of May and June.
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