If you've only heard of one Mayan site on the Yucatan Peninsula, it's likely to be Chichen Itza. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been aptly dubbed one of the Seven Wonders of the World. And what a wonder it is — notably the iconic Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, or The Castle. The soaring 365-step pyramid is the site's main attraction, though visitors are also apt to check out the ancient Great Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, and the Observatory. Spanning over four square miles, Chichen Itza was once one of the largest cities in the Mayan World, estimated to be home to around 50,000 people, though abandoned sometime in the 15th century.
Another once mighty city, Coba is believed to have reached its apex between the 5th and 12th centuries. There you'll find an ancient pyramid with 130 steps, one of the tallest Mayan structures located in the north of the peninsula and available for you to climb, rewarded by soaring views from the top. As it is somewhat more remote than other Mayan sites, you are likely to find fewer visitors, and probably more spider monkeys, who call the jungle landscape home than people. A once thriving trading hub, Coba is known for its limestone roads connecting it to other Mayan settlements.
If you've heard the name Tulum lately, it's probably been on the Instagram feed of an influencer, staying at a boutique hotel before white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. And Tulum is all about that. But it's equally famous for its Mayan ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean. Newer than most Mayan structures — the site dates to the 13th century — Tulum is also one of the most accessible, a simple stroll away from some of the Yucatán's best beach accommodations. And after you check out the state's structures, such as the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God, you can walk down a staircase to a popular beach spot.
A drive of about 40 minutes from the vibrant city of Merida delivers you to Uxmal, once a major city that is thought to have been home to around 25,000 people. What they left behind is impressive, including the Pyramid of the magician, which stands out among Mayan temples in that its sides are rounded instead of sharp. While only one-story high, Uxmal's Governor's Palace impresses with stone carvings, adorned with depictions of birds, snakes, flowers, and more.
Mayan for "Black Jaguar," Ek Balam is home to some of the region's best-preserved structures, such as the main temple known as El Torre (The Tower), rising 95 feet high and available for you to climb. Differing from other sites that are constructed of pure stone, Ek Balam was made with limestone mortar and stucco. Ek Balam is also notable as one of the easier sites to get to, located less than 20 miles from the town of Valladolid. So you can go from city to jungle with ancient history in a short time.
One of the less-visited — but not less-impressive — Mayan ruins is Calakmul. Tucked into the jungle about 20 miles from Mexico's border with Guatemala, the site was once one of the region's most powerful cities, rivaling Chichen Itza with an estimated population of 50,000. You can climb Calakmul's two tallest structures, the 150-foot-tall Great Pyramid and its neighboring 130-foot-tall pyramid. Take in the jungle scenery with a variety of monkeys and over two hundred species of birds. Perhaps imagining what will one day be unearthed — much of Calakmul remains excavated.
Don't be put off by the touristy nature of Xcaret; while this is primarily a theme park, there are some substantial Mayan ruins there that merit checking out. Even if they are situated in a Disneyland-like experience. Its tallest pyramid is small by the standards of other sites, but offers a unique view into the lives of the Mayan people who called this place home going back centuries. In fact, lots of small buildings have survived, giving visitors a glimpse of everyday life here. Plus, there's a replica of an authentic Mayan village, shows, and lots of theme-park attractions.
Are you ready to discover ancient Mayan ruins? From Caribbean shores to the Yucatan jungle, Maya pyramids are waiting.
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