The Mexican state of Yucatán is home to some of the most famous and most visited Mayan archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. But aside from the perpetually tourist-packed Chichén Itzá or the grand capital of the Puuc, Uxmal, dozens of lesser-visited sites offer a more off-the-beaten-path experience ideal for travelers keen on adventure. Chacmultún Meaning “red…

Long before the rise of the towering pyramids of Chichén Itzá or the sprawling city-states of the Classic Maya, the pre-Maya Yucatán Peninsula was a land of wandering hunters, coastal foragers, and early farmers whose stories have been slowly pieced together by archaeologists. These ancient peoples left behind faint but tantalizing clues about their lives…

Loché’s history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Maya civilization. The comisaría (administrative subdivision) of Panabá sits atop layers of Maya ruins. Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered numerous ceramic artifacts and three burial sites containing skeletal remains dating between 300 BCE and 250 CE.  These findings are interesting…

The ancient Maya city of El Naranjo, or Wak Kab’nal as it is known in Mayan, holds a special place in the imagination of those passionate about Mesoamerican history, art, and architecture and the legacy of its most famous ruler, Lady Six Sky. Another reason for its allure is that, despite its status as one…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…