Discoveries of Mexico's Most Emblematic Mayan Sites
Mexico's Mayan sites are indispensable ancient treasures when exploring the states of Mexico!
The Mayan sites in Mexico are indispensable ancient treasures when exploring the states of Mexico! Accessible on foot, by bicycle or by canoe, nestled in the heart of the jungle or near a cenote: here are some of the most beautiful Mayan archaeological sites in the country…
The city of Chichén Itzá: the unmissable Mayan site in Mexico
The Yucatán is a state located in southern Mexico, between Valladolid and Mérida. Cradle of Mayan culture, this part of the country is home to numerous archaeological sites. Among them? Chichén Itzá! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient sacred city is one of the largest Mayan sites on the peninsula.
It is renowned for its great 9-story pyramid (built in 1050 in honor of the god of Resurrection). A tip? Opt for a guided tour to appreciate all the treasures of this city, considered a "major archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization of the Yucatán" (10th-15th century)1.
Practical Information Address: 97751 Yucatán Access: 115 kilometers from the city of Mérida, via Route 180 (toward the town of Pisté) Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 16:00 Admission Fee: €4 |
The Mayan Site of Tulum: the Ancient City with a Cove
Located in the Riviera Maya, the city of Tulum is one of the most visited in the country. Founded around 564, it was inhabited until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors (between 1523 and 1547).
It benefits from an ideal location along the Caribbean Sea. This strategic position (which once allowed it to monitor the arrival of potential invaders) now offers a superb panoramic view of the open sea!
Its other asset? The city of Tulum is home to Playa Ruinas, a sublime small cove accessible only from the archaeological site… Don't forget your swimsuit, as swimming is permitted there.
Practical Information Address: 5GXP+FV, Caleta Yalku S/N, 77780 Tulum (in Parque Nacional Tulum) Access: the archaeological site is a 15-minute walk from Tulum town center. Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:30 p.m.). The site attracts many visitors, so plan a visit early in the morning. Admission Fees: park entrance €3, Mayan site entrance €4 (€7 total). Free for children under 12 |
The Mayan Site of Uxmal: the City with an Astronomical Structure
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, the pre-Columbian city of Uxmal is one of the best preserved in the country. Founded around the years 700 and 1000 (over an area of 7,500 km²), it once housed 25,000 inhabitants.
It is composed of numerous buildings, but, unlike other cities (ordinarily arranged geometrically), the Mayan city of Uxmal is positioned according to astronomical data, such as the sunset or the topography of the surrounding hills…
The site includes several ceremonial buildings (Sayil, Kabáh, Labná), as well as the Casa de las Palomas - a magnificent dovecote that looks less like a bird roost than a small palace!
Practical Information Address: 97884 Uxmal Access: via Route 261 from the city of Mérida Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission Fee: €4 |
The Mayan City of Muyil: a Site in the Heart of the Jungle
The archaeological site of Muyil (also known as Chunyaxché) is located in the heart of lush nature, just steps away from a lagoon. The location of the city is no accident, as its position once facilitated maritime trade exchanges.
The city is divided into two zones (only part A is open to the public). You can admire three large groups of buildings and numerous birds nestled in the heart of the ancient city.
Practical Information Address: Chunyaxché Quintana Roo Access: located in Sian Ka'an, via Route 307 Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission Fee: €3.50 |
The Mayan City of Calakmul: a UNESCO-Listed Site
In the state of Campeche, you will find the archaeological site of Calakmul. This Mayan city of 391,788 hectares is located in the heart of the Tierras Bajas tropical forest. More difficult to access than other cities, Calakmul is also less touristy.
At its peak (between 250 and 750 CE), the city had more than 6,000 buildings within its walls! Today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city offers superb testimony to the pre-Columbian era, with very well-preserved remains (including stelae adorned with bas-reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions).
Practical Information Address: in the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (located 3 hours from the city of Campeche) Access: allow an additional hour's walk from the reserve entrance Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission Fee: €13.50 To Know: there are 3 tour routes of varying lengths (2, 3 or 4-5 hours). Guided tours are available (approximately €20 additional). |
The Mayan City of Cobá: an Archaeological Site to Visit by Bicycle
The Mayan city of Cobá is one of the rare ones that was inhabited after the classical period, until the 16th century. Rediscovered during the 19th century, the first excavations of the site were conducted only in the early 1930s.
Once inhabited by 50,000 residents, the city is now dominated by nature. You can see a 42-meter-high pyramid (with 120 steps), as well as a ball court. Its special feature? The Mayan site of Cobá can be explored by bicycle! Tricycles and bicycles can be rented at the site entrance.
Practical Information Address: 77793 Coba, Quintana Roo Access: from the city of Cancún via Route 307 toward the city of Tulum, then approximately 47 km via Route 109 (toward Nuevo Xcan). Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission Fee: €4.50 |
The Mayan City of Ek-Balam: the Site Known for Its Ornaments
Abandoned in the middle of the 10th century, the Mayan city of Ek-Balam (which means "black jaguar") was rediscovered in the 1980s. Once, the city represented an important commercial crossroads and was recognized for its craftsmanship (made with local resources, such as jade).
On the site, you can admire richly ornate architecture, the acropolis Sak Xok Nahh, the pyramid Puerta del cielo…. And more than 7,000 pieces of vessels and objects made with shells or in tumbaga (an alloy of gold and copper)! The site is also located right next to the sublime cenote Xcanche, where swimming is possible.
Practical Information Address: 97743 Ekbalam Access: via Route 295 from the city of Valladolid Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission Fees: €24 adults, €4.50 children (under 13); cenote entrance €9 |
The Site of Palenque: One of the Most Remarkable Cities
In the state of Chiapas, south of the Yucatán, you will find the Mayan site of Palenque. Hidden in the heart of lush nature, this city is considered one of the most remarkable of the classical period of the Mayan realm (Palenque has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987).
Through its numerous buildings, the site provides "unique testimony to Mayan mythology and rituals, particularly thanks to the remarkable quantity of reliefs sculptured on the walls"2. To learn more about the buildings and the meaning of the hieroglyphic inscriptions, don't hesitate to take a guide (allow 2 hours for a visit).
Practical Information Address: Carretera a Palenque- Zona Archaeologica Km. 8, 29960 Palenque Access: via Route 190 from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, via 199 from Palenque, via 186 from Tabasco, to the municipality of Ocosingo. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last entry at 4:00 p.m.). Admission Fee: €5 |
The Mayan City of Yaxchilan: the Site Accessible by Canoe
The Mayan city of Yaxchilan stands on the left bank of the Usumacinta River… and is only accessible by lancha (motorized canoe)! Located in the jungle, it is home to numerous animal species: you can admire birds, howler monkeys, and even crocodiles during your boat ride…
Once the crossing is complete, you will walk on the lands of a city inhabited from 300 BCE to 900 CE! The site has 120 buildings… Monuments not to be missed? The labyrinth (structure n°19) and the superb carved lintels of structure n°33.
Practical Information Address: 29935 Chiapas Access: via the main road from Palenque and Chiapas Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission Fees: €5 for the archaeological site; €63 for 1-2 people for the canoe crossing / €78 for 3-4 people, etc. A tip? Make the crossing with other visitors to reduce costs. |
Note: to visit archaeological sites in the best conditions, prefer the dry season (between October and May). Also note that the admission prices mentioned above are subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
Chichén Itzá is the most famous Mayan site in Mexico. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient sacred city is known for its large 9-story pyramid built in honor of the god of Resurrection. It is located in the state of Yucatán, 115 km from the city of Mérida.
Yes, some Mayan sites offer the opportunity to swim. At Tulum, the Playa Ruinas (accessible only from the archaeological site) allows swimming in the Caribbean Sea. At Ek-Balam, the nearby cenote Xcanche is accessible to visitors. Other cenotes are also found near many sites on the Yucatán peninsula.
The best time to visit Mayan sites in Mexico is the dry season, between October and May. Temperatures are more pleasant, rainfall is rare, and trails are more passable, especially for remote sites like Calakmul or Yaxchilan, accessible by canoe.
Calakmul, located in the state of Campeche in the heart of the Tierras Bajas tropical forest, is one of Mexico's least touristy Mayan sites. More difficult to access (3 hours from Campeche, then 1 hour on foot), it offers an immersive experience with its well-preserved remains, stelae, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, away from the crowds.
The Yaxchilan Mayan site is accessible only by lancha, a motorized canoe. From Palenque or Chiapas, you must reach the Usumacinta River, then cross by boat (plan €63 for 1 to 2 people or €78 for 3 to 4 people). It is advisable to share the crossing with other visitors to reduce costs.
Yes, it is entirely possible to combine multiple Mayan sites on a single trip. The sites in the Yucatán (Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Ek-Balam) and Riviera Maya (Tulum, Cobá, Muyil) are relatively close to each other and easily accessible by car or bus. For Calakmul, Palenque and Yaxchilan (Chiapas), plan additional days as these sites are more remote.
