The 10 most amazing pyramids in the Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula is home to hundreds of ancient pyramids, a testament to the ingenuity of the illustrious Mayan civilization. While these pyramids are impressive today, in their time, they would have appeared even more spectacular—covered in stucco and paint, often filled with interior chambers and topped with elaborate crest work.

Maya pyramids are usually referred to as step pyramids and range widely in size and function. Many Maya pyramids exist outside the Yucatán, including the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala. For today’s purposes, we will stick to those in this gorgeous Peninsula southeast of México. The structures are listed in no particular order.

The Kinich Kakmó in Izamal, Yucatán

This colossal ancient structure, which covers over 2 acres (roughly 8,000 square meters), began construction in the 3rd century C.E. The name Kinich Kakmó translates from Yucatéc Maya as the macaw of the solar fire face, and it was an important center of worship for the solar deity Kinich Ahau. 

Given its location near the heart of the colonial town of Izamal, centuries of looting have made it difficult to imagine what the Kinich Kakmó must have looked like in its heyday. But thanks to advancements in LiDAR technology, we now know the structure had multiple internal corridors and chambers and even access to an underground cenote.

The Nohoch Mul in Cobá

Nohoch Mul is the towering centerpiece of the ancient Mayan city of Cobá, Quintana Roo. Unlike many other Mayan pyramids, Nohoch Mul is still open to climbing. Its steep, narrow steps provide a thrilling ascent, rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding jungle and the ancient city below.

Most of the Nohoch Mul is covered in vegetation; even the restored section is still badly damaged. Rumor has it that this 140-foot pyramid will soon join many others and prohibit visitors from climbing it, so it’s best not to put it off for long.

Edzná’s five floored Pyramid in Campeche

Already inhabited in 400 BC, Edzná shows ample evidence of influence from the Peten region in northern Guatemala and southern Campeche. The most iconic structure at the site is the main temple, which is built atop an enormous plaza and surrounded by smaller temples and pyramids.

Edzná’s five-floored pyramid features a large number of rooms and a temple at the summit topped off with a crest, much of which still survives. Part of what makes this particular pyramid so impressive is its location within the city’s great acropolis and the meticulously carved glyphs still visible on many of its steps.

The Pyramid of the Magician in Uxmal, Yucatán

Located in the Puuc, Uxmal is one of hundreds of ancient cities in the valley of the same name—but likely the most impressive. 

The most iconic structure at Uxmal is the Pyramid of the Magician. According to myth, this beautiful structure was built overnight by a dwarven magician hatched from a witch’s egg to demonstrate his great power. 
The Pyramid of the Magician is topped by a chamber representing the rain god Chaac, whose visage is also visible running up the front of this famous temple.

Despite what many believe, the view of the pyramid one sees when entering the site is its back, with its facade facing the intrinsically decorated quadrangle of the birds.

Structure II in Calakmul, Campeche

From its base, Structure II in Calakmul seems large but not out of the ordinary by the standards of southern Campeche. However, this nearly 200-foot-tall behemoth is one of the largest pyramids in Mesoamerica. Although its frontal staircase has been restored, the structure continues to be covered in a thick jungle canopy for the most part. 

Structure II is situated at the heart of Calakmul’s Central Plaza, surrounded by other impressive structures, highlighting its civic and ceremonial importance.

Ek Balam’s Acropolis, Yucatán

The structure known as the Acropolis in Ek Balam is not so much a pyramid per se as an enormous ceremonial complex with hundreds of rooms, some of the best-preserved examples of Maya art in Mesoamerica and a step pyramid placed directly in its center.

The Acropolis in Ek Balam, which translates as Black Jaguar, also houses the tomb of King Ukit Kan Leʼk Tok’, who ruled Ek Balam in the 8th century CE. Recent excavations have uncovered several other earlier tombs of rulers and previously unknown chambers. 

El Palacio, at Santa Rosa Xtampak, Campeche

El Palacio is one of the most beautiful feats of architecture on the entire Yucatán Peninsula. This massive complex has 44 individual chambers spread across its three floors. A large stairway at the front of the structure connects all three levels and ultimately leads to a richly decorated room at the top. Several well-preserved internal stairways allow for more direct movement between chambers.

One of the most unusual aspects of Xtampak’s Palacio is that it appears to have been designed from the outset as a multi-story structure, in contrast to multi-level buildings elsewhere in which various levels were added over time. The structure also features several recessed wall panels, likely richly adorned with brightly painted stucco. Several niches are adorned with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures representing local nobility or deities from the Mayan pantheon.

Kinichná, Quintana Roo

Like other massive structures in Mesoamerica, including those at El Mirador (in Peten) and Toniná (in Chiapas), Kinichná’s grand pyramid resembles a multi-story ceremonial complex more than a conventional or step pyramid. 

The pyramid comprises four large terraces, each containing niches and vaulted chambers. In many ways, each of these levels served as its mini-acropolis, complete with distinctive ornamentation and temples. Though located within its own archaeological park, Kinichná is part of an extremely large site called Dzibanché, whose core can be found roughly 1.5 miles away.

Structure IX in Becán, Quintana Roo

What Structure IX in Becán lacks in originality, when it comes to its name, it more than makes up for with its size and splendor. By far the largest structure in Becán, the summit of Structure IX offers incredible views of the jungle below and the site’s famous moat, which appears to be unique in the Maya world. 

Unfortunately, time has taken its toll on this magnificent structure. However, two massive jaguar heads can still be seen near its base, which suggests that this temple was likely dedicated to deities like Itzamná, who are closely associated with this majestic animal.

Pyramid of Kukulkán in Chichén Itzá, Yucatán

Also known as El Castillo, the Pyramid of Kukulkán in Chichén Itzá is not only the most famous pyramid in México but also one of the first images that come to mind whenever anyone even mentions the Maya. 

It’s then ironic to consider that this most famed Maya pyramid is not really Maya at all but Toltec, at least in its architecture. This is perhaps not entirely fair, but when taken in along with several other structures in what is now considered Chichén Itzá’s core, the similarities with Tula appear more than just simple inspiration. Then again, this is an open debate, and it is undoubtedly true that this famous temple features several hallmarks of Mayan art and architecture. 

The pyramid of Kukulkán is made of a series of square terraces with stairways up each of its four sides. At the top of the pyramid sits an imposing temple. As all four sides of the pyramid have 91 steps, when added together and including the temple at the top, their sum comes to 365, the number of days in the Maya Haab calendar — and of course that of our own Gregorian calendar.

But wait, there’s more!

While these 10 pyramids are undoubtedly impressive, they only begin to scratch the surface of the rich heritage left behind by the ancient Maya. For more on pyramids and everything Mesoamerican, from Durango to Costa Rica, make sure to check out Archaeology Monday, Yucatán Magazine´s weekly archaeology feature.