Monte Alban was easily among the largest and most influential city-states during early Mesoamerican history. Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century BCE, Monte Alban flourished for 1,500 years. Its eventual collapse coincides roughly with the fall of the great classic Maya city-states of the Petén, such as Tikal, over 800 miles away….
Uayma is an unassuming town of under 3,000 people best known for its ornate 17th-century church — but big changes are in the works. AR Desarolladora Peninsular has announced its plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in the tiny town of Uayma. The real estate developer has applied for a permit to cut…
Even for most Mexicans and the most intrepid explorers, swaths of the country fly under the radar, and this is a shame. Durango de Victoia, the capital of Durango state, is one of these places. Before last spring, if you had asked me what came to mind when I thought of Durango, my answer would…
After a first listen, I imagine many people would describe Re as bordering on the chaotic — it switches back and forth between genres as diverse as trova, ska, salsa, funk, and metal.
Even the thought of hammocks is enough to get one in a relaxed mood. Hammocks have become synonymous in much of the world with exotic holidays, naps in the sun, and cocktails with those tiny umbrellas in them. But for folks in the Yucatán,they are much less exotic, especially for those in pueblos who sleep…
From the pyramids at Calakmul to the palace complexes in Uxmal or the ballcourt at Chichén Itzá — the grandeur of Maya archaeological sites — is lost on no one. But despite the awe these formidable examples of ancient architecture inspire, sometimes it’s essential to get close, zoom in, and appreciate the details. Some of the most…
Last week, the tiny town of Xocén made headlines after a 100-foot-tall ceiba tree collapsed under its massive weight into a sinkhole. However, being located in Yucatán, it soon became apparent that this was not simply a sinkhole but a previously undiscovered cenote. Speleologists are just now beginning to explore the secrets of Xocén’s cenote…
If you asked most people in Yucatán if they have ever heard of Tahcabó, you would unlikely get many nods. But for locals, Tahcabó is far from some random backwater but rather “an ancient gem, uncorrupted by time,” as described by 72-year-old Don Emilio, who has lived in the community of just under 400 people…
The discovery of an extensive stone panel including 123 Maya hieroglyphs sheds light on previously unknown details about the ancient city of Cobá in Quintana Roo. The ancient stones tell of a previously unknown ruler of Cobá who went by the name of K’awiil Ch’ak Chéen. Thus, the K’awiil dynasty, now known to have comprised…
México’s Institute of Anthropology and History has stopped construction in Mérida’s Plaza Grande. The issue has been reported to be the modern aesthetic of new benches the city has begun to install in the iconic plaza. According to INAH, these new benches simply do not fit with the historic feel of this nearly 500-year-old plaza,…
Atop a ridge overlooking a bountiful lake, Yaxhá grew rapidly to become one of the greatest ancient cities of the Petén during the early Classic period. Belonging to the Maya civilization, Yaxhá is in the municipality of Flores near the Belize border. Yaxhá translates to “green water,” likely making reference to Lake Yaxhá, which the…
Ch’el is a Maya archaeological site that sits inside a 19th-century hacienda property of the same name. Though it is best known by its contemporary name, Sihunchen, the site’s original name is thought to have been Ch’el — sometimes spelled Che’el or Chéel — which means “rainbow.” The Carnegie Institution conducted an archaeological survey of…
Home of the so-called Sistine Chapel of Mesoamerica, the ruins of Bonampak lay deep in the thick Lacandon jungle in Chiapas. The city was founded in the early 2nd century CE and had grown to be large by the time Yaxchilán invaded in the 5th century and installed Yajaw Chan Muwaan I as lord of…
Caracol is a large ancient Mayan city located in Belize’s Cayo District and just a few kilometers from the Guatemalan border.
If you hear howls coming from the nearby jungle, don’t be alarmed. The howler monkeys that inhabit the jungle are very peaceful.
Unlike virtually every other Maya city or settlement, Comalcalco was built using bricks rather than limestone masonry.
Exploring the rarely visited Mayan city of Xoch in the Puuc Valley.
Progreso is growing and has much to offer daytrippers. Here is your Progreso guide with six bright ideas to start you off.
Explore Ek Balam for its famous Acropolis’ elaborate stucco reliefs, which are some of the most striking and well-preserved examples of artwork in all of Mesoamerica.
Tucked between five-star resorts along Cancún’s hotel zone sits the remains of the prehispanic settlement of San Miguelito.
The mountains and plains surrounding Oaxaca de Juárez are jam-packed with archaeological sites. Here are eight of our favorites.
Mexico’s environmental protection agency, PROFEPA, confirmed serious damage to five cenotes in the path of the Tren Maya.
Diego Rivera was a prominent 20th-century Mexican painter most famous for his large-scale murals, controversial political beliefs, as well as being the husband of Frida Kahlo.
High in the arid hills of the state of Zacatecas lies La Quemada, one of Mesoamerica’s most enigmatic ancient cities.
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