Ancient Mayan civilization is recognized throughout
the world, above all for its precise mathematical calculations; knowledge
that has transcended time and that can still be seen in its perfect structures
and complex calendar.
The southeast of Mexico—the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana
Roo, Tabasco and Yucatán—is the principal area for discovering the Mayan
World. These states were witnesses to the birth of the grandeur, knowledge
and splendor of this millennia-old culture, and to this day they are home to
priceless heritage that visitors must experience at least once in their lives.
From approximately 2000 BC to 1546 AD, the Mayans shaped a civilization
whose architectural forms are the most tangible part of Mexico’s ancient
heritage, and to this day, enormous palaces, richly detailed murals, imposing ceremonial centers and the ruins of grand cities remain. Every discovery in southeast Mexico sheds light on the depth of the Mayans’ scientific
and astronomical knowledge and confirms what we already knew: that Mayan society achieved greatness in ways that few other civilizations have.
Secrets that lie within pyramids and temples, in the depths of the jungle,
in the beauty of its streets and in the warmth of its people are a genuine source of pride to Mexico and every Mexican. Thus as always, the Mundo Maya
opens its doors to receive any and all who look for surprises and adventure
in the place where Mayan civilization still dazzles.
Named a unesco World Heritage Site in 2002, this
archaeological site is just beginning to reveal the
glories of an ancient city full of splendor. It dates from
the Classic period and yet this urban center—thought
to be Mexico’s largest—is magnificently preserved,
particularly its temples, which tower over the
surrounding jungle density. La Gran Plaza, focal point
of five architectural complexes, lends cohesion to this
ancient political and religious center. And you simply
can’t beat the view at 50 meters up, atop Estructura II.
Featuring some of the region’s most beautiful coasts, jungles and cenotes, as well as a strong
colonial influence, the state of Campeche, along with its capital, seems protected by a wall that
safeguards it from time’s passing. Traces of Mayan culture discovered here date from the midpre-Classic period, an epoch that witnessed important advances in agricultural development
and ceramics techniques. It was during the Classic period that many surviving structures were
developed; they have made Campeche one of the very best destinations for discovering the
The residents of the state’s eleven municipal jurisdictions, heirs to mestizo tradition and known
throughout Mexico for their hospitality, also hold the secrets to traditional cuisines that center on
seafood delicacies like cazón fish and shrimp.
Campeche’s state capital city was a seat of Mayan civilization from roughly 900 AD, under the jurisdiction
of the Edzná political center. The city’s founding, however, occurred during the Spanish Conquest of Mexico.
The combination of the Spaniards’ arrival and indigenous cultural heritage has led to a marvelous outcome:
Campeche still retains its small-town, relaxed atmosphere. The compact downtown area — protected by
the famed city wall and constructed between 1686 and 1704, in reaction to a long history of pirate attacks
— hides well-preserved houses whose façades seem always to have just been painted. The city’s Plaza de la
Independencia fills with life on afternoons, and its imposing cathedral is bathed in light as night falls. In addition
to being Mexico’s sole fortified city, unesco declared Campeche a World Heritage Site in 1999.
This enormous archeological site, whose oldest remains date back to 400 AD, reached its greatest splendor as a
major religious and political center around the year 1000. Its abundant structures, from temples to administrative
and even residential complexes, are especially noteworthy. That said, what impresses most in Edzná — and which
is a testament to Mayan knowledge and technology — is its advanced drainage system that helped empty the
valley during the rainy season and channeled rains to irrigate fields in this rich agricultural region. Among other
structures, the Edificio de los Cinco Pisos — located in the complex known as the Gran Acrópolis — supports
a temple at its upper levels. The building is of enormous importance to the region at the spring and autumnal
equinoxes; its symbolic ceremonies of renovation attract hundreds of visitors seasonally.
This protected area, home to the eponymous Mayan
city, is Mexico’s largest jungle and unesco declared it a
biosphere reserve in 1989. The surrounding 700,000
hectares shelter more than 230 bird species and
some 90 varieties of mammals, including one of the
world’s largest jaguar populations. Plant life is even
more notable: the reserve is home to some 15,000
botanical species, many of which are endemic to the
state of Campeche and can be seen nowhere else.
There’s an abundance of treasure in Chiapas, in everything from its pre-Hispanic heritage preserved
by its indigenous peoples, to the Colonial-era influence in its towns and cities, and the magnificent
diversity of its plant and animal life. Mayans inhabited the region starting from around 600 AD and
vestiges of Mayan civilization are particularly evident in the state’s northern region.
Chiapas’s singular cuisine must not be overlooked, so be sure to try pork with chirmol, as well as
toro pinto or picte tamales, plus chipilín in all its varieties. What’s more, Chiapas is rapidly on the
rise as a favorite spot for ecotourism enthusiasts.
Quite close to the Guatemalan border and Tolcaná
volcano, this ancient Mayan city surprises visitors with
a significant number of mounds (nearly 130), many
of which house temples. There’s a lot that still needs
be restored, but it is known that the architectural
compound encompasses more than one square
mile, a considerable size that alludes to the site’s
importance. Pyramid bases, ball courts and plazas
have been discovered, but the most exceptional
discovery is Estela 5: a monolithic monument weighing
1.5 metric tons that, it is believed, records a creation
myth. Izapa’s buildings and ruins are surrounded by
dense vegetation, notably cacao, which has perennially
grown here in abundance.
One of the most beautiful of all Mayan cities lies
amid dense jungle at Palenque, whose principal
constructions date from the Classic period. The site
is famed for its ball court and aqueduct, but above
all for its temples and palaces that are still in quite
good condition. The Templo de las Inscripciones
is considered the archaeological zone’s most
important structure and is also the largest; its name
comes from hieroglyphics that are preserved within
it and which narrate the history of the city’s nobility.
Between the humidity, the verdant surroundings and
the heat, no visitor can fail to wonder how it was that
a civilization could erect these buildings under such
harsh climatic conditions. The beauty of the site —
unesco declared it a World Heritage Site in 1987 — is
only enhanced by the leafy backdrop and turns
every visit into a marvelous adventure.
de las Casas
This colonial town, quite pre-Hispanic in spirit,
is vastly enriched by its variety of local cultures
that have found a place to express themselves to
the appreciation of visitors who stroll its streets.
Brightly colored traditional dress in Mayan textiles
and a variety of styles are proof of the diversity
of the peoples who inhabit the area. Declared a
‘Magical Town’ by the Mexican government in
2003, San Cristóbal also evinces a rich Hispanic
heritage that is most fully appreciated in the city’s
architecture. One example is the Cathedral of San
Cristóbal Mártir, a baroque masterpiece first begun
in 1528. Its first parish priest was Friar Bartolomé de
las Casas, whose name the city honors in its own.
lagunas de montebello
In the Chiapas highlands, 4,500 feet above sea level,
is one of the state’s most beautiful natural regions.
Its national park protects more than fifty bodies of
water of varying sizes that form between grottoes,
caverns and changes in elevation, taking on a wide
range of hues from lime green to cobalt blue. Nestled
in mountainous surroundings, the area is a haven
for pines and encino oaks as well as some species
of liquidambar; in sum, this is one of Mexico’s most
astonishing landscapes, also home to turtles, frogs
and salamanders as well as mammals such as
opossums, armadillos and white-tailed foxes.
Long before its huge resorts sprouted up, before Cancún and the Riviera Maya, the state
of Quintana Roo was one thing only: the jungle, where it met the Caribbean Sea. Today the
corridor receives thousands of visitors from all around the world who thrill to its turquoise
seas. But there’s more than just water: the state is a full-fledged part of the Mundo Maya; its
modern-day territory was one of the most populous at the zenith of ancient Mayan civilization
and today it is home to numerous archaeological zones that are blessed with some of the most
spectacular views anywhere.
From Cancún to Bacalar, the range of travel options in Quintana Roo is enormous. Along the way
there is cuisine as varied as the state’s diverse population.
With its complete riches still in the process of
being discovered, this city, which reached its
zenith around 623 AD, encompasses surprising,
unparalleled beauty and is thought to be the state’s
oldest religious center. The complex is famed for its
astonishing aesthetics as well as its ancient roads
that — linked to its strategic placement amid lakes
— led Cobá to become an important commercial
center as well. All these elements allowed Cobá’s
power and influence to spread throughout much of
what is modern Quintana Roo. The site’s pyramids
and inscriptions withhold still undiscovered secrets.
A small community on the island of Cozumel that
is particularly fascinating because of its incredible
cenotes, or sink wells, and its wide variety of plant and
animal life. Its impressive archeological zone, from the
Mayan Classic period, is one of 20 that remain on the
island; ecologically minded visitors find its pristine
nature particularly attractive. Not least of all, the site is
home to the annual El Cedral Festival and its long list
of cultural activities and observances.
Tulum is an ancient commercial port and walled city
that was largely constructed during the post-Classic
period. Among other functions, it was an important
astronomical center and to this day is a privileged
setting for stargazing or observing equinoxes and
solstices. Other attractions include diverse plant and
animal life, and dazzling white sands, all of which
frame the imposing archaeological zone’s main
structure, known as El Castillo, which served as a
lighthouse that helped merchant vessels avoid the
nearby coral reefs. Another standout structure is the
Temple of the Descending God, whose namesake deity
is celebrated in numerous intriguing inscriptions.
A unesco World Heritage Site since 1987, this
biosphere reserve is a protected area between land
and sea, Mexico’s largest wetland encompassing
some 530,000 hectares. Its coral reefs, mangrove
swamps, beaches and lagoons create an ecosystem
like no other, a perfect nesting area for a wide variety
of bird species. Just offshore is the Mesoamerican
Reef System — the world’s second largest, and one of
the reserve’s most impressive areas — that is home
to seahorses and starfish, sea snails and rare tortoise
varieties. Some archaeological remains attest to
traces of Mayan culture that date back to 2300 BC.
The most important trace of Mayan culture in
Tabasco is this vast necropolis, whose construction
began somewhere around 700 AD, featuring
an enormous pyramid known as Templo I. Also
notable is the Gran Acrópolis, which bears evidence
of the different eras during which the city was
constructed and used as a ceremonial and funerary
center. Interestingly, the structures preserved at
Comalcalco are made of adobe bricks, and not
stones, as at other archaeological sites in the area.
Take the time to visit temples, the palace and other
buildings and mounds that make up the compound.
A visit to the on-site museum — featuring artifacts
from every epoch in the city’s history — rounds out
your panorama of the Mayan World.
Tabasco is a state where the jungle takes a starring role whether you’re in the city or in a tiny
coastal village. Ancient Mayan civilization established itself here, largely in the Classic period, and
numerous archaeological zones attest to this presence in Tabasco.
The cuisine of the state is a reflection of its verdant and varied nature, and visiting Tabasco is a
great way to immerse yourself in a flood of exotic flavor — everything from freshwater gar with
squash and epazote herb to sea bass tabasqueña style — in a state that promises surprises for
anyone who loves nature with all five senses.
Pantanos de Centla
Pantanos de Centla is one of Mexico’s most
important biosphere reserves and features 302,706
hectares brimming with rivers, lagoons, swamps and
wide-ranging wetlands, making it not only one of
Mesoamerica’s most important freshwater reserves,
but also a key habitat for the nation’s aquatic and
sub-aquatic vegetation, including magnificent
mangroves over 90 feet high. More than 560 plant
and animal species inhabit its ecosystem, sheltering
endangered species like the Caribbean manatee and
the Central American river turtle. The area is home
to 20,000 Chontal Mayan-speaking farmers and
This late Classic period ceremonial city is in fact
made up of six architectural compounds whose
distinguishing feature is the distance that separates
them. Their divergent construction techniques and
materials are impressive, ranging from brick, to
limestone, and more. Ruins, framed splendidly by
abundant plant and animal life, make for fascinating
study and hold clues to the Mayans’ highly complex
culture. Much of this compound’s history remains to
be discovered; the site museum boasts pieces found
here that offer intriguing insights into its history.
Tabasco’s state capital unites rich cultural life with modern visitor infrastructure in a fascinating natural mosaic
on the banks of the Grijalva river. Take in the splendors of its past along quaint streets as you sample its vibrant
regional cuisine. The Carlos Pellicer Museum is one of the city’s most important, and holds a number of pieces
from surrounding Mayan archaeological zones. Another must-see is Parque Tomás Garrido Canabal, whose
architecture speaks to the city’s mixed-ethnicity character. Take in the beauty of Laguna de las Ilusiones from its
Today it’s considered one of the Seven Wonders
of the Modern World. But what we in Mexico have
known all along is that few visitor attractions
can compete with this magnificent Mayan city
that unesco named a World Heritage Site in 1988.
Founded in 525 AD, the compound is famous above
all for its main structure, the Templo de Kulkulcán.
The pyramid presents a stunning spectacle during
the spring and autumn equinoxes, when in a
vision of light and shadow, the legendary plumed
serpent descends the pyramid’s nine levels, a
phenomenon that reminds us of the Mayans’
extraordinary powers of astronomical observation
and their unparalleled ability to express this in their
Yucatán state was the scene of the ancient Mayan civilization’s greatest splendor, where its
most impressive and powerful cities were constructed during the post-Classic period; thus
remains of the culture at stunning archaeological zones such as Chichén Itzá are no surprise.
It’s also no surprise that the people of the Yucatán take pride in the history that emanates
from every corner of the state.
Eating an ice cream on Mérida’s Paseo Montejo or trying local delicacies like panuchos,
papadzules, stuffed cheeses and Mexico’s very best cochinita pibil are just a sample attraction
in a state made famous by its independent spirit and delicious cuisine. The Yucatecans, heirs of
Mayan culture, blend unparalleled hospitality with a particular vision, different from that found
elsewhere in Mexico, yet perceived everywhere in its cities and towns.
The most impressive site at the so-called Yellow City
is the huge Nuestra Señora de Izamal convent, where
visitors appreciate a series of mountains that are, in
fact, Mayan pyramids that encircle the city. The
Mayans settled here around 550 AD, and although
the city came under Spanish control at the time of
the conquest, it never completely lost its indigenous
character. Today it is famous for its enormous openair chapel, designed to evangelize the largest possible
number of indigenous converts; its impressive, 75arch convent compound, dating from 1561, and the
cultural mix it preserves: its streets present traces of
pre-Hispanic as well as Colonial-era heritage that
harmonize in the lives of today’s residents.
As impressive as Chichén Itzá — and just as important
within Maya civilization — this ancient archaeological
zone, dating from the 7th century, is awe-inspiring
for its regal character and its rich, smooth-walled
architecture that testifies to its importance as a
political and religious center in antiquity. One of
most important structures is the Pyramid of the
Magician, erected on five different levels and with an
equal number of temples, that shows that multiple
generations worked to construct it. Its structures’ wellpreserved state and the exuberant surrounding nature
make this one of the Mundo Maya’s most striking and
Yucatán state’s natural gems are its thousands of
subterranean rivers, accessed through sink holes
known as cenotes, and found across the peninsula.
Whether they hide in limestone grottoes or are open
to the skies, they are an attraction like no other,
famed for their refreshing, pristine waters. Among
the most beautiful is Xlacah, around which the
Mayan city of Dzibilchaltún was built; the Chichén
Itzá archaeological zone has conserved its Sacred
Cenote; and nearby there is open-air Ik-kil, featuring
hanging plants and diminutive waterfalls. Near the
town of Valladolid — whose Zací cenote is right
downtown — are Samulá and Xkekén, with crystalclear waters and large subterranean chambers that
sunlight can barely penetrate.