Most people picture one thing while planning a trip to Mexico: El Castillo at Chichen Itza, assuming it to be a quiet, serene place with no one around. However, what they don’t consider is the presence of several thousand other people who made the same plan. Mexico’s Mayan ruins have a lot to offer. They are enormous, ancient, and mostly unvisited except for the well-known ones, and the less-explored ones are where the beauty lies.
Before you begin to lay out your plans, make sure you have your FMM Mexico tourist permit, the entry card that all UK visitors must have to enter Mexico. It’s easy to do online, and getting it means one less thing to worry about when on the trip.
Mexico’s Mayan World Goes Beyond the Touristy Spots
Travellers usually think of “Mayan ruins” as a destination that covers three or four tourist spots. However, there are hundreds of archaeological sites spread across the Yucatán Peninsula, Campeche, Chiapas, and other regions. Some of these are even thoroughly excavated and marked on a map.
The trick is to know where to go – and be willing to drive.
The Puuc Route: A Blend of Architecture And Silence
If you have to take the off-beaten path only once, then make sure you don’t miss the Puuc Route in western Yucatan. This scenic route takes you through a low limestone range, but are every bit as beautiful. The highlight is Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Governor’s Palace, which is a long, carved structure, widely considered as one of the greatest examples of pre-Columbian architecture in the Americas.
Kabah will blow your mind with its Codz Poop temple, where an entire side has rain god masks carved into stone, and each one of them is different from the next. Sayil and Labná round out the route, both largely deserted and also atmospheric.
Rent a car, carry water and sunscreen, and keep a whole day for it. You will surely have some of the world’s best ancient sites to yourself.
Calakmul: History Rooted in the Deep Jungle
For a more impressive experience, visit the south of the state of Campeche and the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. They are one of the most amazing Mayan ruins ever found, one which happens to be the former capital of the Snake Kingdom and a powerful force in the lowland Maya civilisation.
Two massive pyramids pierce the jungle canopy, visible from miles away. It is an hour-long drive through unbroken tropical jungle, and you can find animals popping up alongside the road: toucans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and coatis. For the best experience, try visiting it at dawn: it’s cooler, the animals are more active, and the light filtering through the trees looks magical.
Your sun tan will fade, but this destination will stay with you for a long time.
Tulum: The Cliffside City That’s Worth the Hype
Tulum is truly a place that lives up to the hype. This tiny, fortified Mayan city perches on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, and at sunrise, it’s nothing short of breathtaking, literally. If you check out the Temple of the Frescoes, you’ll be wowed by many of the best pieces of Mayan art in Mexico.
Any seasoned traveller will recommend that you reach there when the gates open at 8 am. Because by 10 am, it’ll be a completely transformed place with hundreds of tourists all jostling for space.
Tips for UK Travellers
- There are direct flights from London to Cancun all year round, making the Yucatan Peninsula very easy to reach.
- The Puuc Route and Calakmul are not accessible by public transportation, so car rental is necessary
- Get an International Driving Permit in the UK before travelling, as it makes things much easier.
- Try to travel between November and February. The humidity is much lower, and the dry season light makes every picture look like one from a travel magazine.
The Ruins Reward Those Who Look
Mexico doesn’t keep its ancient cities a secret. It’s just that it doesn’t market them all. The traveller who goes beyond the popular sites is sure to find something that a ‘vacation’ wouldn’t offer: silence in a special spot, witnessing actual history, and the feeling that the jungle has been here much longer than any of us, and will continue to stay like that.
