The Mayapán Mayan Ruins (Zona Arqueológica de Mayapán) are an archaeological treasure trove of stone carvings, decaying buildings and painted murals. Visit to imagine how this Mayan city must have looked before the Spanish arrived.
Enter the complex via the ticket booth. You’ll immediately be struck by the size of the central El Castillo, a pyramid structure that served as the city’s main temple. It strongly resembles the Kukulkan Castle in Chich’en Itza. Climb to the top of the pyramid, 50 feet (15 meters) high, for a view of the site’s layout. From here notice the remains of the 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) perimeter wall that once ringed the entire urban center.
Return to ground level to explore the fascinating government buildings and smaller temples lining the main square. Examine murals in the Temple of Five Niches, where colorful scenes hint at the city’s grand past. Other sites include the Temple of Venus and the Temple of the Fisherman. These sites give clues to the importance that religion played in daily Mayan life. Wander to the circular building, El Caracol, which housed the Observatory and tracked the seasons.
Notice how the buildings become less grand away from the main square this is where ordinary townsfolk resided. Excavations of some of the 4,000 buildings have found that a diverse range of people lived and worked in Mayapán, including farmers, domestic servants, craftsmen and slaves. Roughly 12,000 lived inside the walls, and another 5,000 just outside. The marketplace was once a busy commerce center and a hub of activity for residents. Evidence of a bustling trade in luxury and basic goods has been found here, buried and long forgotten.
Take a break with a bottle of cold water. Escape to a shady spot to watch colorful birds flitting in and out of the surrounding jungle.
Access this site from the town of Telchaquillo, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) away. The inviting nearby pools of the Cenotes Noh Mozón can provide a refreshing stop after a hot day of sightseeing. Visit the Mayapán Mayan Ruins to see ancient history away from the usual tourist hordes.
