With lively beaches and an energetic nightlife, it’s easy to kick back and relax in Cancun. But if you’re looking to add a bit of local culture to your trip, there are a few historic Mayan ruins in the area that you won’t want to miss. Here are three great ancient Mayan ruins near Cancun.
Chichen Itza
Roughly a two-hour drive from Cancun, Chichen Itza was once one of the largest cities of the Mayan people. Today, the remaining archeological site is a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. El Castillo is one of Chichen Itza’s most notable remaining structures. This pyramid has 365 steps, representing the number of days in a year, and on spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow in the shape of a serpent descends the pyramid as the sun moves. The site also has a ball court, temples and sacrificial sites.
Tulum
A little more than two hours from Cancun, Tulum was once a walled city perched on the Caribbean Sea. This fortress of Mayan ruins sits against the pristine turquoise sea and the second largest barrier reef in the world, making it a popular day trip choice for tourists staying in Cancun. One of Tulum’s main draws is El Castillo, or “the castle.” A shrine at this seaside castle is aligned with a break in the reef and is thought to have once acted as a guide for canoes. Two of Tulum’s temples – the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God – also draw large crowds.
Coba
Coba, which means “water stirred by the wind” in Mayan, is about three hours from Cancun. This 30-square-mile site is ripe with jungle growth, and its structures have been largely left in their original state. There are a number of temples and pyramids at Coba, and you’ll want to bring your hiking shoes so you can climb Nohoch Mul, the largest pyramid in Coba and the second tallest structure of the Mayan empire. You can also rent bicycles to navigate your way through this expansive site.
(Main image: archer10 (Dennis))
