Mayan Ruins : A Mystery

19 min read

Are you fascinated by the Mayan ruins, their culture and the famous history of the Mayan civilization? If yes, then let me tell you that in this blog we are going to give all the details and important information related to Mayan ruins Mexico, their rich culture and the mysterious story behind it.

If you want to explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, book a Los Angeles to Mexico flight in advance. Since it is a popular destination and a large crowd of tourists from the US visit these sites, it gets crowded during peak seasons.

Maya Civilization- History

Mayan Civilization: Calendar, Pyramids & Ruins | HISTORY

Before getting started, we must go back to 2000 BC when it all started. The Maya Civilization was developed in the Maya region, an area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala, Belize, and western parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The first developments of Mayans in agriculture took place in the Archaic period, the establishment of first complex societies in the Maya region and the cultivation of the staple crops of the Maya diet which comprises maize, beans, squashes, and chilli papers took place in the preclassic period.

In Central America, Nomadic hunter- gatherers had a presence there for around thousands of years and when they started cultivating maize in the preclassic period , it led to the creation of early Maya cities. The first Maya cities were developed around 750 BC and they were responsible for developing monumental architecture and temples for their religious rituals and beliefs. Later, little by little many more cities were developed in the Peten Basin region. Around 250 AD, the Maya were raising sculpted monuments and linked many city-states through a complex trade network.

The Maya people were literate, they even developed a complex system of hieroglyphic writing which was the most modern writing system in pre-columbian America. Not only this, they expanded sophisticated art forms using wood, jade, obsidian, ceramica, sculpted stone monuments, and painted murals. Also, they recorded their knowledge, ritual and history but most of it was destroyed by the spanish rulers. Interlocking ritual calendars were flourished by them and they used to practise human sacrifice as a part of their religion.

Mayan Ruins

Mayan Ruins are archeological residue sites of Mayan civilization which was ruined by the Spanish Empire in the 16th Century when they colonised the Mesoamerican region, which led to the falling of Nojpetén, the last Maya city in 1697. The ruins include extensive cities, fascinating pyramids, and impressive stone work. The ruins can be found at hundreds of locations around the cities of Mexico and Central America. Experiencing the panoramic views of Mayan ruins is a lifetime experience.

Mayan Ruins of Mexico

Mexico was a significant part of Maya civilization due to which we can find around 200 different mayan ruins in Mexico that are worth exploring. Here are some of the enchanting and impressive Mayan ruins in Mexico that you shouldn’t be missing while you are in Mexico.

Chichen Itza 

Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archeological sites in Tinum Municipality, Yuctatan state, Mexico that attracts millions of visitors each year. The reason behind the huge popularity of this site is its unique architectural styles and rich history. It was a pre-columbian city built by the Maya people and had the most vibrant and diverse population in the Maya civilization. In 1998, it was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.

El Castillo, also known as Temple of Kukulcan is a 79-foot Mesoamerican Pyramid of stone that dominates the centre of Chichen Itza archeological site. It was built by pre-columbian Maya civilization and served as a temple to the deity Kukulcan, the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity. It is a great sight to watch as each of the sides of the temple align with one of the cardinal points and there are 52 carved panels on the walls.

Tulum

Book flights to Tulum Mexico and explore this splendid Mayan ruins, located in Tulum. It is the site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city and one of the best preserved coastal maya sites. It was built as a seaport fortress with steep cliffs and limestone walls.The ruins of this site are situated on 39-feet cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean sea. It was one of the last cities built by Mayans and achieved its greatest prominence.

It is one of the most visited archeological zones in Mexico because of its enchanting beauty. The ruins are situated beautifully on seaside cliffs above the turquoise waters. Also, the structures are modest and more influential in comparison to other Maya sites. In Tulum, you will get jungle thrills, exotic wildlife encounters and incredible views.

The Temple of The Frescoes which is a very famous Mayan Site in Tulum has painted murals on its walls which depicts work and life of Maya. All of these sites are worth exploring.

Coba

 One of the most unique Mayan ruins in Mexico is in Coba which is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo. Here, the visitors can climb up to the pyramids and explore the ruins closely. The site is the centre of a huge network of stone causeways of the ancient Maya World. Also, it contains numerous engraved and sculpted wooden slabs that documented the important events and ceremonies of the Mayan Civilization. Moreover, it contains a group of large temple pyramids and it is believed that Coba had mainly women as rulers.

The remote location, less tourists, and the access to the Pyramid’s peak make it one of the most beautiful ruins to explore.

El Rey

It is another spectacular archaeological site of the pre-columbian Mayan culture which is located  in the tourist resort of Cancun, Quintana roo. El Rey is filled with abundant flora and fauna which provide impressive views of natural beauty. Mayan ruins Mexico Cancun was an important Mayan trade route. Named after ‘The King’ stone sculptor found on the site, it is a historical location as well as a great botanical garden. The most important features of this site are two small temples that were supposedly used as watchtowers and lighthouses. Also, it is filled with a lot of iguanas.

Uxmal

Talking about Mayan ruins and not mentioning Uxmal is a big crime in itself. It is an ancient Mayan city located in the Puuc region of the western Yucatan peninsula. It was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, rightfully so. It covers 150 acres and contains mayan structures with beautifully detailed designs. The buildings are famous for their size and typical Puuc style with smooth low walls that represent typical mayan hut.

 

This site has many great pyramids that were used to perform ceremonies as well as sacrifices. If you visit Uxmal at night, it’s going to be a different experience because the pyramids are lit up at night.

San Gervasio

Another exciting archeological site that you can explore is San Gervasio which is in the costa oriental architectural style located on the northern part of the Island of Cozumel, Mexico. It was an important site for Mayan women, who used to travel to San Gervasio to honor Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth, medicine, weaving and fertility. The ruins were once a centre of worship. Mayan women used to travel to San Gervasio and make offerings. Also, it has 9 temples, all settled within the backdrop of the jungle. Within a 13 km distance is Cozumel Mexico Mayan ruins, which are awe-inspiring archeological sites and a must visit place near San Gervasio.

Best time to visit Mayan ruins in Mexico

Since these archeological sites are located on open air sites, the best time to explore these treasures is from November and April when the temperature is at its best and there is no chance of rain.

And avoid visiting this place in the months of September and October which is peak rainy season in Mexico. 

Tips

Here are some of the helpful tips that will help you explore all the Mayan ruins in Mexico without facing any inconvenience.

  • Always take your water bottles along with you, as many of the archeological sites of Mayan ruins don't have any stores or restaurants.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothes because the cliffs are high and the humid weather can lead to dehydration.
  • Try to get there early, so that you can avoid large crowds.
  • Don’t forget to apply sunscreen
  • Bring your own camera
  • If possible, pack a dry bag and an umbrella so that if it starts to rain, you can save yourself and your things from getting wet.

Conclusion

These Mayan ruins are impressive attractions in Mexico which attract millions of visitors each year. It is a famous tourist destination because it offers breathtaking views, historic and complicated architectural design. It is indeed a paradise for all history and culture lovers as it depicts the authentic lifestyle, rich history and fascinating culture of the Mayans.

Are you fascinated by the Mayan ruins, their culture and the famous history of the Mayan civilization? If yes, then let me tell you that in this blog we are going to give all the details and important information related to Mayan ruins Mexico, their rich culture and the mysterious story behind it.

If you want to explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, book a Los Angeles to Mexico flight in advance. Since it is a popular destination and a large crowd of tourists from the US visit these sites, it gets crowded during peak seasons.

Maya Civilization- History

Before getting started, we must go back to 2000 BC when it all started. The Maya Civilization was developed in the Maya region, an area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala, Belize, and western parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The first developments of Mayans in agriculture took place in the Archaic period, the establishment of first complex societies in the Maya region and the cultivation of the staple crops of the Maya diet which comprises maize, beans, squashes, and chilli papers took place in the preclassic period.

In Central America, Nomadic hunter- gatherers had a presence there for around thousands of years and when they started cultivating maize in the preclassic period , it led to the creation of early Maya cities. The first Maya cities were developed around 750 BC and they were responsible for developing monumental architecture and temples for their religious rituals and beliefs. Later, little by little many more cities were developed in the Peten Basin region. Around 250 AD, the Maya were raising sculpted monuments and linked many city-states through a complex trade network.

The Maya people were literate, they even developed a complex system of hieroglyphic writing which was the most modern writing system in pre-columbian America. Not only this, they expanded sophisticated art forms using wood, jade, obsidian, ceramica, sculpted stone monuments, and painted murals. Also, they recorded their knowledge, ritual and history but most of it was destroyed by the spanish rulers. Interlocking ritual calendars were flourished by them and they used to practise human sacrifice as a part of their religion.

Mayan Ruins

Mayan Ruins are archeological residue sites of Mayan civilization which was ruined by the Spanish Empire in the 16th Century when they colonised the Mesoamerican region, which led to the falling of Nojpetén, the last Maya city in 1697. The ruins include extensive cities, fascinating pyramids, and impressive stone work. The ruins can be found at hundreds of locations around the cities of Mexico and Central America. Experiencing the panoramic views of Mayan ruins is a lifetime experience.

Mayan Ruins of Mexico

Mexico was a significant part of Maya civilization due to which we can find around 200 different mayan ruins in Mexico that are worth exploring. Here are some of the enchanting and impressive Mayan ruins in Mexico that you shouldn’t be missing while you are in Mexico.

Chichen Itza 

Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archeological sites in Tinum Municipality, Yuctatan state, Mexico that attracts millions of visitors each year. The reason behind the huge popularity of this site is its unique architectural styles and rich history. It was a pre-columbian city built by the Maya people and had the most vibrant and diverse population in the Maya civilization. In 1998, it was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.

El Castillo, also known as Temple of Kukulcan is a 79-foot Mesoamerican Pyramid of stone that dominates the centre of Chichen Itza archeological site. It was built by pre-columbian Maya civilization and served as a temple to the deity Kukulcan, the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity. It is a great sight to watch as each of the sides of the temple align with one of the cardinal points and there are 52 carved panels on the walls.

Tulum

Book flights to Tulum Mexico and explore this splendid Mayan ruins, located in Tulum. It is the site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city and one of the best preserved coastal maya sites. It was built as a seaport fortress with steep cliffs and limestone walls.The ruins of this site are situated on 39-feet cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean sea. It was one of the last cities built by Mayans and achieved its greatest prominence.

It is one of the most visited archeological zones in Mexico because of its enchanting beauty. The ruins are situated beautifully on seaside cliffs above the turquoise waters. Also, the structures are modest and more influential in comparison to other Maya sites. In Tulum, you will get jungle thrills, exotic wildlife encounters and incredible views.

The Temple of The Frescoes which is a very famous Mayan Site in Tulum has painted murals on its walls which depicts work and life of Maya. All of these sites are worth exploring.

Coba

 One of the most unique Mayan ruins in Mexico is in Coba which is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo. Here, the visitors can climb up to the pyramids and explore the ruins closely. The site is the centre of a huge network of stone causeways of the ancient Maya World. Also, it contains numerous engraved and sculpted wooden slabs that documented the important events and ceremonies of the Mayan Civilization. Moreover, it contains a group of large temple pyramids and it is believed that Coba had mainly women as rulers.

The remote location, less tourists, and the access to the Pyramid’s peak make it one of the most beautiful ruins to explore.

El Rey

It is another spectacular archaeological site of the pre-columbian Mayan culture which is located  in the tourist resort of Cancun, Quintana roo. El Rey is filled with abundant flora and fauna which provide impressive views of natural beauty. Mayan ruins Mexico Cancun was an important Mayan trade route. Named after ‘The King’ stone sculptor found on the site, it is a historical location as well as a great botanical garden. The most important features of this site are two small temples that were supposedly used as watchtowers and lighthouses. Also, it is filled with a lot of iguanas.

Uxmal

Talking about Mayan ruins and not mentioning Uxmal is a big crime in itself. It is an ancient Mayan city located in the Puuc region of the western Yucatan peninsula. It was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, rightfully so. It covers 150 acres and contains mayan structures with beautifully detailed designs. The buildings are famous for their size and typical Puuc style with smooth low walls that represent typical mayan hut.

 

This site has many great pyramids that were used to perform ceremonies as well as sacrifices. If you visit Uxmal at night, it’s going to be a different experience because the pyramids are lit up at night.

San Gervasio

Another exciting archeological site that you can explore is San Gervasio which is in the costa oriental architectural style located on the northern part of the Island of Cozumel, Mexico. It was an important site for Mayan women, who used to travel to San Gervasio to honor Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth, medicine, weaving and fertility. The ruins were once a centre of worship. Mayan women used to travel to San Gervasio and make offerings. Also, it has 9 temples, all settled within the backdrop of the jungle. Within a 13 km distance is Cozumel Mexico Mayan ruins, which are awe-inspiring archeological sites and a must visit place near San Gervasio.

Best time to visit Mayan ruins in Mexico

Since these archeological sites are located on open air sites, the best time to explore these treasures is from November and April when the temperature is at its best and there is no chance of rain.

And avoid visiting this place in the months of September and October which is peak rainy season in Mexico. 

Tips

Here are some of the helpful tips that will help you explore all the Mayan ruins in Mexico without facing any inconvenience.

  • Always take your water bottles along with you, as many of the archeological sites of Mayan ruins don't have any stores or restaurants.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothes because the cliffs are high and the humid weather can lead to dehydration.
  • Try to get there early, so that you can avoid large crowds.
  • Don’t forget to apply sunscreen
  • Bring your own camera
  • If possible, pack a dry bag and an umbrella so that if it starts to rain, you can save yourself and your things from getting wet.

Conclusion

These Mayan ruins are impressive attractions in Mexico which attract millions of visitors each year. It is a famous tourist destination because it offers breathtaking views, historic and complicated architectural design. It is indeed a paradise for all history and culture lovers as it depicts the authentic lifestyle, rich history and fascinating culture of the Mayans.

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