Until recently, the ancient city of Ichkabal remained hidden under thick vegetation in the lush jungles of southern Quintana Roo, Mexico. Now an archaeological site open to the public, Ichkabal has received plenty of attention in the national media, with countless headlines hailing it the “new Chichén Itzá.” Part of the fascination with Ichkabal is…
Weeks after a German tourist became the latest self-entitled visitor to sprint illegally up El Castillo’s ancient steps, INAH has implemented new distance rules at Chichén Itzá. The heritage agency is establishing a minimum viewing distance of 15 meters / 50 feet from the base of the site’s magnificent main pyramid. This increased buffer zone…
The ancient Mayan city of Oxkintok is usually overshadowed by Uxmal when it comes to visitors’ attention to the Puuc region. There is no denying the splendor of Uxmal, but Okintok is no slouch, and its size and influence over its region beginning in the 4th century C.E. are imposing. The first thing to consider…
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers in Guatemala have unearthed a Teotihuacan altar in the ancient Maya city of Tikal, shedding new light on the deep cultural and political ties between these two great Mesoamerican civilizations. The altar, dating back to between 400 and 450 CE, was found alongside the remains of three children, suggesting…
At Palenque’s on-site museum, a remarkable exhibit features artifacts from the life and death of perhaps the most famous Maya noblewoman, the Red Queen. For decades, scholars have speculated about the identity of the Red Queen. Was she Lady Yohl Ik’nal, Palenque’s only known female ruler? Lady Sak K’uk’, Pakal’s mother, who ruled as regent…
To the west of Halacho in Yucatán is the timeless Mayan community of Sihó. Far from the bustling tourist trails, this small pueblo offers an authentic glimpse into the region’s rich Maya heritage, colonial history, and rural way of life. Maya Sihó’s cobblestone streets, centuries-old church, and even more ancient Mayan temples give off the…
Campeche’s Museo de Arquitectura Maya is a fascinating museum housed within the Baluarte de la Soledad, one of the eight stone bastions that formed part of the defensive walls surrounding the city during the colonial period. As its name implies, the museum focuses on Maya architecture, showcasing artifacts, stelae, and architectural elements from various Maya…
Xcaret is a Mayan archaeological site located on the Caribbean coast within the privately owned theme park of the same name. In the Yucatec-Mayan language, xcaret means “small inlet.” But in antiquity, the name of the port city was p’ole’, which was derived from the root p’ol, which means “merchandise” or “deal of merchants.”
The Great Museum of the Maya World is a must-visit for lovers of antiquity and curious souls alike when in Mérida
Since prehistory, people have been fascinated with the natural world and made works of art full of meaning based on the animals they shared their region with. Ancient Mesoamerican peoples were, of course, no exception. The Maya, Olmec, Zapotec, Tarascan, Mexica, and others incorporated animal imagery into their temples, everyday objects, dwellings, writing, and calendar…
Chichén Itzá is by far the most famous archaeological site in Mesoamerica, attracting over 2 million visitors a year. But few realize that the name Chichén Itzá itself references a non-Yucatec-Maya ethnic group that only arrived at the city in the 9th century, roughly 1,000 years after the city as we know it was founded….
Xcambó is one of the lesser-visited archaeological sites of the Yucatán, which makes it an ideal spot for visitors wanting to take in Maya history without the crowds. The archaeological site on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, near Telchac Puerto, is roughly an hour from Mérida and 30 minutes from Progreso….
Mérida’s regional anthropology museum, better known as El Palacio Cantón, recently unveiled an exhibit highlighting the importance of trade routes along rivers and coastlines in the Maya world. One of the most unique artifacts on display is an ancient wooden canoe. Though relatively small, it is one of the few preserved of its kind and…
With its large plazas, enormous temples, well-preserved stelae, and opulent decoration, Edzná has long been recognized as one of Campeche’s most impressive archaeological sites. The story surrounding the great Maya city has usually been dominated by its later history. In the 9th century C.E., the Itzá conquered the city, making it a regional capital and…
With no fanfare, Dzibilchaltún re-opened its gates during the last week of 2024. The archaeological site in Chablekal, Mérida’s northernmost ejido, had been closed almost continuously since 2020 due to land disputes and pandemic restrictions. Today, it’s back in operation, although improvements to Dzibilchaltún’s infrastructure have yet to be completed. For starters, the site’s new…
Demanding control over artifacts, tour guides and ticket sales, the Telchaquillo ejido shut down the archaeological site of Mayapan a year ago. And they want the federal government to pay them 40 years of back fees for using their land. At the core of these land disputes is a growing feeling of discontent that Indigenous…
X’catzmil is perhaps the most overlooked archaeological site in Mérida, in the community of Plan de Ayala, near the city’s southern boundary. The fact that X’catzmil is so overlooked is unfortunate since it is home to possibly the largest Prehispanic structure still surviving within Mérida’s city limits — excluding Dzibilchaltún in Chablekal. Reliable sources on…
Anyone with even the faintest interest in history or archaeology surely knows of Yucatán’s archaeological sites, such as Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, and maybe even some lesser-visited sites like Chacmultún, and Labná. But aside from archaeological sites, and even entirely unrestored or vaguely documented remains of Prehispanic cities and towns in the bush — archaeology in…
Image above displays an INAH restoration specialist at work at El Meco Archaeological site. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of media outlets worldwide have reported on the discovery of the ancient Maya city nicknamed Valeriana in Mexico’s Campeche state. Several headlines, even from legacy…
Sitting atop a natural hill high above the banks above the confluence of the Macal and Mopan rivers lay the ruins of one of Belize’s most ancient and unique archaeological sites.
Mexico City is famous for its world-class museums, excellent cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. However, as anyone who has even skimmed the history of this megalopolis knows, its roots trace back further than any other city on its scale in North America. Well before there was Mexico City, also known as CDMX, there was the mighty…
Only 15 spaces are available, so if you are interested, please act fast by emailing Yesica at yesicabenitez@roofcatmedia.com A special zone within Chichén Itzá that requires special reservations, Chichén Viejo offers visitors a completely different experience. You’ll find it tranquil and free of hoards of tourists and vendors. Our small-group tour will allow you to enjoy…
INAH Yucatán Archaeologist Eunice Uc González knows about the scientific and social importance of the archaeological site known as Dzoyilá Granjas. Despite being on private property, the site is of historical and cultural importance, and efforts to protect it have involved both researchers and the local community. Eunice recounts that the first stage of work…
The ancient city of Altun Há was once one of the most important Mayan cities in Northern Belize. Today it’s among the most visited attractions in this tiny Central American country, especially by cruisegoers arriving at Belize city’s nearby port.
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