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 The
Maya Civilization is one of the most prominent ancient cultures,
with a distinct style, complex religion, and rich mythology.
The Maya achieved great accomplishments in the fields of
mathematics, astrology and architecture.
Their nation extended through an area known as Mesoamerica,
which includes the Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche,
Yucatán and Quintana Roo as well as Belize, Guatemala
and Honduras. The legacy of the great Maya nation can be seen
in their ruins, which remain scattered throughout these countries.
Visitors to Cancun are fortunate that some of the most spectacular
Maya ruins are within easy reach. Click on the names listed
below for details of each site.
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| Chichen Itza |
 This
is one of the most famous of the Mayan ruins, visited by millions
of people each year, many who come to the Yucatán
solely to visit Chichén Itzá. The city was
inhabited by a number of different Maya groups who each
left their mark, creating a unique architecture. The name
means “the mouth of the well of the Itzás”.
More information.
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| Tulum |
 Tulum
is another famous Maya ruin, attracting more than 2 million
visitors a year. The name means walled city, and while Tulum’s
architecture is not as sophisticated as other sites, its cliff-side
location by the blue-green waters of the Caribbean is breathtaking.
First known as Zama (city of the dawn). More
information. |
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| Coba |
 Cobá
translates from the Mayan as "water stirred by the wind."
Surrounded by five lakes, this great city covered 70 square
kilometers and grew into a powerful economic center controlling
most of the region. It is considered to be the sister city
to Tikal in Guatemala. At least 16 sacbé (white limestone
roads) have been found, some connecting as far north as Chichén
Itzá and as far south as Tikal. More
information. |
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| Paamul |
 This
gorgeous beach frames an almost undiscovered bay. There are
a few rustic rooms, restaurants and camping facilities available.
Paamul's private white sand beach has been recognized nationally
as a natural reserve where giant sea turtles lay their eggs.
Located on one of the most beautiful bays of the coast, here
you will find a white sand beach that extends for miles. One
of the top 100 dive destinations in the world according to
Scuba Diving Magazine, Paamul offers diving instruction, certification,
daily dive trips and snorkeling. More
information.
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| Actuchen |
 As
with many natural settings in the region, the park has several
facets to its make-up, including three “Cenote”
Caves, a Wildlife Zoo, over 900 acres of natural Rainforest,
and a restaurant. The name "Aktun Chen" is the
Mayan translation of "cave with an underground river
inside" and that is what is really amazing here. More
information.
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| Palenque |
 Set
in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of Chiapas
Mexico, Palenque is situated on a ledge overlooking the swampy
plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast.
Perhaps it is this positioning between two worlds, that gives
Palenque a mystical charm that enchants scientist and tourist
alike. More information.
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| Tikal |
 Tikal
is among the world’s travel wonders, many calling Tikal
one of the most spiritually powerful spots on earth. The monumental
site with its towering pyramids looms out of the thick jungle
canopy like stoic sentinels of ancient mysteries. More
information. |
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| Uxmal and the
Puuc Route |
 The
Puuc Route is located in the southwestern part of the Yucatán
below Mérida. It consists of a number of ruins: Kabah,
Sayil, Labná and the famous Uxmal. More
information.
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| Ek Balam |
 Ek
Balam ("Black Jaguar") is a little-visited ruin north of Valladolid.
It’s a beautiful site with rare carvings of full figures
and well-preserved wall paintings. Construction at Ek Balam
began during the late Pre-Classic Period (100 BC –
AD 300) and continued well into the Late Classic period
(AD 700 – 900). More
information.
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| Rió
Bec Route |
 The
Río Bec Route has one of the largest concentrations
of Mayan ruins, spanning the states of Quintana Roo and Campeche,
yet only a small portion has been cleared. Rió Bec
is famous for its towers adorned with roof combs resembling
latticework, its doorways carved to look like monster mouths,
underground passageways that lead to temples atop the pyramids
and false narrow staircases lining the front of its towers
and pyramids. The ruins located in Quintana Roo are known
as the Valley of the Masks and consist of Kohunlich, Dzibanche
and Kinichná. More
information. |
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| Oxtankah |
 Oxtankah
is one of the newer ruins uncovered along the shores of
Chetumal bay. First discovered by Raymond Merwin in 1913
and again by Thomas Gann in 1926, it was left abandoned
until the early 1983 when work began on the site. By 1996,
full excavations were under way. More
information.
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| Muyil |
 Muyil
is an overlooked site about 30 minutes south of Tulum, quite
lovely and very photogenic. Its name is Maya for “place
of the rabbits” and is often referred to by the locals
as Chunyaxché (Trunk of the Green Tree) also the
name of a nearby village. The 1926 Mason-Spinden Expedition
is credited with its discovery, but Muyil was not excavated
until 1987. More
information.
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