The ancient Mayan culture is fascinating to study and if you are planning to visit Mexico, there are many Mayan sites that you can explore. It might surprise you to learn that there are around 7 million Mayan people living today and their community still speaks Mayan and follow the ancient traditions of their ancestors.
The Mayan Civilisation
The Mayan civilisation was centred in what is now Guatemala and was at the height of its power in the 6th century AD, which spread into Mexico. The people flourished and evidence showed they were very advanced for that era. They worshipped gods (some say they were ETs that wanted to help us develop as a species) and human sacrifice was practiced throughout their kingdom. The Mayans were fierce warriors, as well as being farmers.
Ancient Mayan Ruins In Mexico
The Ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico are a testament to the impressive architectural and engineering skills of this ancient civilisation. These ruins provide an insight into the religious, cultural, and societal practices of the Mayans, who occupied this region thousands of years ago.
Today, these ruins remain a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world to marvel at their beauty and historical significance.
Chichen Itza
There are extensive ruins of an ancient Mayan city that cover approximately 6 square miles where there were hundreds of buildings, which include the Kukulkan Pyramid, which stands at about 75 feet. This was used for astronomy and sacrificing to the gods. It can be very busy, as the ruins are only a couple of hours from Cancun, where there are many resorts.
Tulum Ruins
Only a few hours’ drive from Chichen Itza, the walled city of Tulum is a great place to visit; a beautiful coastal location that was once a major trading hub between the 11th and 16th centuries when they traded jade, cotton, copper, chocolate, axes and food. This is a small venue and it gets very busy during the day, due to the coastal location.
Mayan Ruins Of Coba
About 40km west of Tulum lies the Mayan ruins at Coba, which covers 80 square miles and with 5 big lakes around the site, this is an ideal place for some rest and relaxation. You can climb to the top of Nohoch Mul, which is the highest pyramid on the peninsula and enjoy a spectacular jungle view, which is an Instagram-worthy shot.
Palenque
This is a UNESCO Heritage site with a long and colourful history. The Temple of Inscriptions was constructed by King Pakal’s son and in this building there is over 180 years of recorded history. If you are looking to plan a holiday admiring Mayan ruins, there are guided Mexico escorted tours by a leading tour operator, which you can find with a Google search.
Calakmul Mayan Ruins
The main feature is two large pyramids, along with an irrigation system of reservoirs that once served 50,000 Mayans. This site is far away from any tourist areas and is within the boundaries of a jungle preservation region, where an abundance of animal life resides, including howler monkeys and jaguars.
Monte Alban
This ancient city dates back to 500AD, with the population relying on farming, and developing many agricultural systems to make life easier. The site is in the Mexican state of Oaxaca; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and definitely a venue to add to your itinerary.
If you would like to visit all of the above Mayan ruins, start with an online search to locate an established Mexico tour operator, then browse the many tour packages that include an English-speaking guide and arrange a cultural experience like no other. They handle every aspect from transport to accommodation, while the guides are very experienced and are dedicated to making sure you have everything you need for the duration of your holiday.