The Best 5 Crowd-Free Archaeological Sites To Explore in Yucatán
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 mound” in Yucatec Mayan, Chacmultún stands as one of the most impressive and under-visited archaeological sites in Yucatán. The site’s name hints at the warm red tones of its weathered limestone temples, a unique feature among major sites in Yucatán, caused by its iron-rich soil in the municipality of Tekax.
Chamultún is divided into three main groups, each perched on natural hills. The Chacmultún Group, the largest and most prominent, features a multi-room palace complex with vaulted ceilings, likely serving as an elite residence or administrative center. Nearby, the Cabalic Group reveals well-preserved residential quarters, some intact chambers with corbel arches. The Xetpol Group is home to the site’s main ballcourt and several other structures, which have yet to be restored.
One of the most interesting aspects of Chacmultún is that, despite being an archaeological site, its ancient ruins sit among plantations belonging to contemporary Maya people who use its rich soil to cultivate maize, squash, and chili peppers—just like their ancestors did.
Walking past these fields and intricately decorated structures, visitors will come upon a steep hill leading to what is, for most, the site’s highlight. Once up the hill, visitors are treated to an artificial plateau that features an enormous palatial complex and a view of the entire site. The hike is worth it, but can be treacherous, especially during the rainy season, so sandals or high heels are out of the question.
Aside from its fascinating Puuc architecture and size, one of the most fascinating aspects of this hilltop complex is the restored pictographic artworks, which have been recovered using high-tech imaging technology and the sturdy hands of INAH art restoration experts in recent years.
Xcambó
Located just past the coastal community of Telchac, Xcambó is one of the few surviving archaeological sites on Yucatán’s coast.
During the Classic Period (250–900 CE), Xcambó thrived as a vital center of the salt trade. The shallow coastal lagoons surrounding the site were ideal for evaporating seawater into precious salt—an extremely valuable commodity for Mesoamerican peoples, used for preserving food, rituals, and, in some cases, even currency. Archaeologists believe Xcambó’s inhabitants, likely a mix of merchants, artisans, and priests, grew wealthy from this industry, supplying inland cities like Izamal and even distant Chichén Itzá.
One of the first things visitors notice when arriving at Xcambó is an early 20th-century chapel, which blends in nearly seamlessly with the ancient city’s architecture in an impressive example of cultural and religious syncretism (merging).
The core of the archaeological site is compact and includes a central plaza flanked by temples, residential platforms, and a unique two-story palace with sweeping views of the coast. A handful of these structures still possess the remains of original stucco masks, which is remarkable, especially given the conditions under which they have survived.
Aside from its ancient temples, Xcambó is a great location to spot pink flamingos because it is surrounded by salt flats and lagoons. So make sure to bring your binoculars.
Oxkintok
Because Oxkintok lies just outside the scope of the famous Puuc route, it receives a small fraction of the visitors to other sites in the immediate region, such as Uxmal or Kabah. The city’s core is split into three areas known as the Ah-Dzib, Ah-Canul, and Ah-May groups.
The most famous feature at Oxkintok is, without a doubt, its enigmatic labyrinth. The structure is divided into three levels and contains several maze-like corridors. Archaeologists found a richly adorned burial in the center of the bottom level, likely belonging to one of the city’s great lords. The structure’s interior is not open to the public, which is understandable as the inside is completely dark and could be dangerous.
The site exemplifies transitioning from traditional Classic Period architecture to the Puuc style. It is an interesting mix of early, late, and terminal classic techniques. But this should be no surprise, as the ancient city is believed to have been inhabited back to the archaic period in the 6th century B.C.E. The Puuc influence is immediately apparent with corbel arches and stone-carved geometric designs.
Aside from Oxkintok’s apparent Puuc influence, it’s also possible to spot the later influence of tablero-talud architecture in the design of the site’s largest step pyramids. This architectural style originated in the great city of Teotihuacan in Mexico’s central valley. The term tablero-talud (Spanish for “panel-slope”) describes a two-part construction technique made up of the talud, a sloping base that angles outward, and the tablero, a vertical panel or framed surface that sits atop the slope, often decorated with carvings, murals, or stucco masks.
Xlapak
Located almost exactly halfway between the archaeological sites of Labná and Sayil, Xlapak is certainly the junior of the trio but no less worthy of visiting. Archaeological evidence suggests that Xlapak’s history dates back to 250 BCE, though monumental architecture would not be constructed until several hundred years later.
The best preserved structure at Xlapak is an elaborately adorned temple featuring rain god masks. These masks follow the general pattern of these types of adornments, but are especially large and include jagged teeth. Though far from the largest structure in the region, the temple evokes a sense of elegance and mysticism capable of standing side by side with just about any other ancient construction in the region.
Xplak is also home to several stelae, partially collapsed buildings and artificial platforms that would have once housed structures made from perishable materials. But actual archaeology aside, one of the greatest joys of exploring Xlapak is enjoying its winding paths full of exuberant vegetation and wildlife. Just make sure to wear good shoes and watch out for snakes.
Chichén Viejo
Also known as La Serie Inicial, Chichén Viejo does indeed belong to Chichén Itzá, but its access is completely cut off from the main site. Because Chichen Viejo is not widely publicized and entrance is only possible with a reservation a handful of days out of the week, very few people visit this remarkable site.
This “elite suburb” of Chichén Itzá is accessed by an amazing oval-shaped archway that leads visitors into its core. One of the first features you are likely to see is a round platform with two turtle heads on each end, one living and the other dead, pointing either east or west.
Like the rest of Chichén Itzá, Chichén Viejo is notable for its Toltec influence, especially given the prevalence of anthropomorphic figures known as atlantes that serve as columns supporting just about every single structure at the site. This includes the temple of la Serie Inicial, which includes a lintel with the inscribed date 0.2.9.1.9 9 Muluk 7 Sak, or July 28, 869 C.E. — likely the date of its dedication.
Other highlights at Chichén Viejo include the Monkey and Owl temples and the temple of the phalluses—feel free to use your imagination on that one.
Visit these marvels with us!
If you are interested in checking out these spectacular and under-visited archaeological sites (or any others), why not set up a tour with our resident archaeology expert (yours truly!) via email at carlosrosado@roofcatmedia.com
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a journalist, photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway.
