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Cancun, Mexico is consumed with amazing Mayan ruins and fabulous archaeological sites. Chichen Itza and Tulum are among the greatest treasures on earth. Where else can you enjoy the warm-water Caribbean beaches and one of the world's seven wonders. Fabulous Mesoamerican culture and exquisite landscapes make Cancun an unprecedented vacation oasis with extraordinary ancient culture and timeless beauty.
Cancun offers tours to the heart of the ancient Mayan empire. The archeological sites provide a glimpse into the Mayan culture that influenced the region. Tours of the Mayan ruins give visitors to Cancun a rare glimpse into the rich heritage of the area.
Chichen Itza
About 125 miles away from Cancun, in the state of Yucatan, you will find the most appreciated Mayan archeological site: Chichen Itza. Its name means "mouth of the well of the Itzaes".
Chichen Itza was once the most important Mayan capital in the Yucatan Peninsula. Invaded by the Toltecs towards the end of the 10th century, the Mayan culture adopted a new series of elements from them, one being the representation of the snake-god Kukulkan.
Highlights:
1. Explore the observatory, the sacred cenote, the ball court and the castle.
2. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its fascinating temples.
Considerations:
1. Photo & video can be taken with restrictions of the government and an extra charge.
2. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
Chichen Itza at Wikipedia.com
Chichen Itza at Panoramio.com
Xel Ha
Situated amongst a tangle of jungle trees, vines and palms, Xel-Ha dates back to the pre-Classic Period and has only been partially uncovered.
Once the largest living area in the Yucatan, structures of interest here are the palace with its tumble of columns, the 'muelle (dock) and jaguar' building groups, and the pyramid which contains a partially preserved mural.
Considerations:
1. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
What to bring:
1. Comfortable lightweight clothing, walking shoes or sneakers, sunglasses and a hat.
2. Biodegradable sun block lotion and repellent of insects.
More Information:
Xel-ha at Panoramio.com
Coba
It is located west of the town and archeological site of Tulum. The city is structured with sets of buildings, some for housing and others for ceremonial and funeral matters. Open to the public are the Coba, the Nohoch Mul and the Macanxoc groups. Within the Coba Group you will find a series of palaces and an 82-feet impressive temple, which proves the size and importance the city would have had on its time.
Considerations:
1. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
What to bring:
1. Comfortable lightweight clothing, walking shoes or sneakers, sunglasses and a hat.
2. Biodegradable sun block lotion and repellent of insects.
3. Extra cash money for souvenirs
More Information:
Coba at Wikipedia.com
Coba at Panoramio.com
El Rey
It is located on the Boulevard Kukulkan, on the km 17.5 of the Cancun Hotel Zone, very close to the Cancun International Airport. Its original name remains unknown and the site was called “El Rey” (The King), because archeologists discovered in that place the upper portion of a sculpture that seemed like a human face with an elaborate ornament in his head, resembling a king or an important functionary. Today the head is kept and preserved at Cancun’s archeological museum.
Considerations:
1. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
What to bring:
1. Comfortable lightweight clothing, walking shoes or sneakers, sunglasses and a hat.
2. Biodegradable sun block lotion and repellent of insects.
More Information:
El Rey at Panoramio.com
Kabah
Kabah is a large classic site, reaching its highest period of development around 800 AD, that has been only sparsely excavated.
A collection of structures designated Grupo de Palacio (Palace Group) is now completely uncovered and shows the architectural advancement of the Mayan builders called the korbel arch.
The edifice, 'Codz-Pop', is located here and has a facade which features 250 intricate masks representing the rain god 'Chaac'.
Considerations:
1. Small admission fees charged may apply.
2. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
More Information:
Kabah at Panoramio.com
Kohunlich Ruins
The ancient site of Kohunlich was an important part of the Mundo Maya in the Yucatan and was occupied largely between 300 AD and 1200 AD.
Only a very small portion of the site has been uncovered but these excavations have revealed many intriguing sculptures.
The main structure at Kohunlich is called Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) and features huge, six foot tall masks of the Mayan sun god in exceptional detail.
Considerations:
1. Photo & video can be taken with restrictions of the government and an extra charge.
2. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
More Information:
Kohunlich at Wikipedia.com
Kohunlich at Panoramio.com
Tulum
It is the best known Mayan ruin in the Cancun - Mayan Riviera zone with an awe-inspiring sea view, located 79 miles south of Cancun. Visitors get impressed by the beautiful constructions overlooking the beach, which provides for a refreshing swimming after touring the ruins.
Tulum means “wall” or “palisade” in Mayan language, alluding to the wall that delimits all the buildings. When you face the ancient pre-Hispanic settlement, you will see the buildings that were the center of the city enclosed by the famous wall.
Highlights:
1. Be sure to get a picture of the temples overlooking the ocean next to beautiful beaches.
2. Snorkeling or scuba diving in a cenote is an experience of a lifetime.
Considerations:
1. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
More Information:
Tulum at Panoramio.com
Uxmal
Considered one of the most striking of all the ancient cities of the Maya, Uxmal dates from the Classic Period and is seen rising magnificently from the hills of the Puuc Range.
The buildings and structures here are in excellent condition and one, the Piramide del Adivino (Pyramid of the Seer), offers the most breathtaking view in all the Yucatan.
The nightly Light and Sound Show will provide you with a different aspect of this mysterious and captivating archaeological site.
Highlights:
1. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its fascinating temples
Considerations:
1. Photo & video can be taken with restrictions of the government and an extra charge.
2. If you have any physical or mental limitation, contact your guide before book a tour.
More Information:
Cancun Toll Free
- 1 888 204 0127
- From the U.S.A.
- 1 866 361 5775
- From Canada
- 01 800 727 5737
- From Mexico