When it comes to Mayan ruins, there are plenty to choose from around Cancun. Visiting Mayan ruin sites should be a staple for any trip to this vacation destination, but there are a lot of sites to check out, so knowing which ones to prioritize is important. Some Mayan ruins are pretty close to the Cancun resort area where you will likely be staying, but some of them are going to be off the beaten path and quite a drive, which can be difficult on a bumpy bus. However, in order to make your trip to Cancun more satisfying and memorable, we have come up with the top 7 Mayan ruin sites that are the best ones to visit during your next vacation to the tropical paradise that is Cancun. Each of the Mayan ruin sites listed here are completely different, and they are all worth a visit. While some people may think that if they have seen one, they have seen them all, that’s simply not the case with these. Anyone who has actually visited these sites knows that’s not the case at all. Let’s take a look at each of them one by one.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the most iconic sites out of all of the Mayan ruins of Mexico, and it is a UNESCO world heritage site that gets nearly 2 million visitors a year. There are many discoveries and fun facts about Chichen Itza that make it worth visiting even if you only visit one of the ruins and it’s for several reasons, one of which is that the site was one of the largest Mayan cities, but the most compelling reason to visit the site in particular is that it has unique buildings that other sites do not. For example, the Kukulcan Pyramid is located there, and it stands 24 meters high and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You can cross that off your bucket list! This is simply one of the first Mayan sites that you should consider when you are planning for your visit.
Coba
Coba is the next set of Mayan ruins that we will be discussing. Coba is harder to find and harder to reach than Chichen Itza, but don’t let that put you off from visiting this historic site. This is a beautiful ruin site surrounded by jungle that makes you feel like you are in an adventure movie when you are exploring it. There are some really unique features about Coba as well, including the fact that it has the largest number of sacbes, which are raised paved roads that were built by the Mayans, leading from the main pyramid to the more common residential areas of the site.
Tulum
Tulum is another ancient Mayan site that you simply cannot pass up if you are staying in Cancun. This is a site that has been the main focus of archaeologists because of how many treasures that have been unearthed there. But that’s not the only reason that people visit Tulum. The site also has amazing beaches that rival any that you’ll find in Mexico. That means that you’ll be able to visit the site and hang out on the beach at the same time. Enjoy the ruins, the historical significance of the buildings and then take in the amazing white sands of the beach and the perfect waters surrounding the site. This ancient city was once a mecca for merchants, doing a huge trades in jade and turquoise, and it is one that you simply cannot miss.
El Rey
El Rey is a terrific option because it is only a couple of hours away from Cancun. This is one of the easiest sites to visit, and unlike some of the 10-hour trips that you’ll have to take to get to the Mayan ruin sites that are farther out, this site is easy to get to and you’ll be able to spend time there and still get back to your room in time to get some sleep. That isn’t to say that the others are not worth the travel time – they are – but this is still a cool Mayan site for someone who wants to go to a ruin site that is near their vacation site, a good “starter” ruin if you will. Plus, it offers great guided tours that give you insight into the history of the ruins.
Xelha
Xelha is one of the most important ruins in Mexico, holding much of the history of the Mayan culture and especially containing some of the secrets to the Mayan view on spirituality. Xel ha was used as sort of a central location port to allow the Mayans to reach other sites where they performed rituals that were part of their religious infrastructure. In addition, you will find a couple of other attractions in the surrounding area including sinkholes that you can go and see and an ecological park with great swimming areas and cenotes. If you are interested in learning more about the Mayan culture, then you definitely want to check this place out because they had some of the most unique beliefs and interesting religious practices of any historical group.
Palenque
Next up is Palenque. Palenque is a room site that wasn’t discovered until the 18th century by a group of European explorers. The ruins are made up of a network of limestone pyramids that comprise the tombs and temples of the Mayan culture, and it is frequently compared to the lost city of Atlantis. Of course, reports from those earliest explorers are mostly fanciful, but the site still has amazing historical significance and beautiful architecture. You can visit the tomb of the Red Queen and see her sarcophagus as well as check out all of the other buildings that make up the area of Palenque.
Tikal
Finally, there is Tikal, a site that you absolutely cannot miss. This site is about a 10 hour drive from Cancun, but it is definitely worth visiting as it is supposed to be the metropolis of the historical Mayan period, and the size of the city is simply overwhelming and amazing. This is one of the ruin sites that you could explore for hours and never get tired of all the new things you will find. Although this is quite a long drive, and probably not one that should be done with kids, if you really want to see the Mayan culture at the peak of their magnificence then you need to visit Tikal.
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