How many mayan ruins are there in mexico

As such, the Mayas were an advanced civilization all-around, with enormous independent city-states in which religion, power, and warfare played out in oft glorious but bloody ways. Since they lived in what today is known as southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras, there are ancient Mayan archaeological sites spread out across thousands of miles. Here are the most stunning and well-preserved Mayan ruins to visit in Mexico!

Calakmul is a lost Mayan city in the jungle of Campeche, the southernmost state that forms part of the Yucatan Peninsula in eastern Mexico. With its remote location in the dense jungle, towering pyramids, and mysterious — if not eerie — atmosphere, Calakmul has easily become one of my most favorite Mayan ruins in Mexico.

To this day, there are still dozens of mounds that you can actually see lying hidden below the earth as you explore the Calakmul grounds on foot. Just make sure to keep an eye out for spider monkeys and jaguars! You can also climb up to the top of the main structures for epic panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.

If you are like me and crave adventure at every turn, you will be enamored with the Calakmul Mayan ruins. Click the link to learn how to visit this incredible ruins site! One of the best Mayan ruins in Mexico is none other than the Tulum ruins. Perched cliffside overlooking the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea, the Tulum ruins are a marvel to explore and see for yourself. Here, you can see the mesmerizing El Castillo, faint remnants of once brightly-colored murals, stele, temples, and more.

Chichen Itza is one of the Mexican ruins near Cancun, so it makes an easy day trip. For more information, check out our detailed Chichen Itza guide. Its beautiful jungle surroundings and impressive architecture have consistently made Palenque one of the best Mayan ruins in Mexico. Its crown jewel is the Temple of the Inscriptions, where the crypt of the ruler Pacal lies.

For more info check out our in-depth guide to Palenque. One of the tallest Mayan temples in Mexico has its home in Calakmul, and the best part is you can experience it without huge crowds of tourists. While the Mayan ruins of Tulum may not seem as grand as other ancient ruins in Mexico, its Caribbean coastline more than makes up for anything its lacking.

Tulum is highlighted by El Castillo, a cliffside stone structure that overlooks the beach and sea. It includes palaces, temples, a ball court, and an observatory.

Book a Tour to Monte Alban from Oaxaca. While its origins are uncertain, Teotihuacan was once one of the most powerful cities in Mesoameric. For more information check out our detailed Teotihuacan guide. Book a Tour to Teotihuacan from Mexico City. The walled city contains 45 structures, and you can even climb the main pyramid for amazing views. Book a Tour to Ek Balam from Merida. Yaxchilan was one of the most important and most powerful ancient Mayan cities; it even had a rivalry with Tikal, the largest Mayan city located in Guatemala.

Its location on the bank of the Usumacinta River means it had river commerce control and many alliances. The archeology of Yaxchilan draws many visitors because of its embellished roofcombs, facades, and carved stone lintels.

Book a Tour to Yaxchilan from Palenque. Bonampak has some of the most famous Mexican ruins because of its painted murals. The Tulum Ruinas, as they are known in Spanish, are perched on sea cliffs. Tulum does get quite busy since it is a major tourism spot, but getting there early can result in far fewer crowds.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tulum. Uxmal is arguably one of the most preserved Mayan sites in Mexico, and it has been expertly restored at big expense. Uxmal boasts numerous architectural styles, revealing that construction went on for many centuries. The House of the Magician is the tallest and most impressive structure at Uxmal, and legend says that it was built in just one night.

Uxmal is also home to one of the largest remaining Mayan ball courts. Calakmul is a huge site found in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

This is a vast space with countless buildings, but most are still just mounds covered by centuries of dirt and jungle expansion. The Great Pyramid has been uncovered and is now a major attraction, since it is the largest of all known Mayan pyramids.

Climb to the top of the pyramid and enter the palace from which you can see over the jungle and all the way across the border to Guatemala.

Exploring the site is almost overwhelming because of the sheer size, so treat the jungle as its own attraction full of lush greenery and an abundance of wildlife. Another Mayan site found in Chiapas is Palenque. This walled city has an impressive 45 structures on-site, some of which you can even climb!

There are very few ruins in Mexico you can climb, so make sure to put Ek Balam on your itinerary. The town had around 20, people until its fall when the population dropped dramatically. Ek Balam is a relatively new discovery, with only its center having been excavated. However, many visitors come to see the Acropolis, which is the largest structure in the ruins. The entrance to his throne — known as El Trono — is shaped like a giant mouth.

One of the best parts about Ek Balam is that you can climb to the top of the Acropolis. If you visit during a clear day, you might even be able to see the ruins of Coba and Chichen Itza from the top! Another impressive feature of the Ek Balam ruins is the city walls. Ranging from 6. The grounds of Ek Balam are vast, with the walls encompassing around 24 acres of land. Considered one of the best Mayan ruins in Mexico, Uxmal is home to beautifully preserved and ornate structures.

The exact date and population of the city are still largely unknown. Many archeologists and historians believe Uxmal was built between AD and had around 15, residents. It is believed that the city ruled around AD when it was the de facto capital of the Puuc region.

The city was soon abandoned after the Spanish conquest during the mid and s. The original names of the structures are not known since their new titles were given by the Spanish based on their beliefs and thoughts about the buildings. Although many buildings have been restored, Uxmal contains the biggest collection of preserved ruins in Mexico. Many structures are built in Puuc-style, which is noted by their smooth slopes and thatched roof shapes.

This larger-than-life platform has a foot long mosaic, which is carved with pictures of serpents, masks, and many god-like figures. In Uxmal, you can also visit a large ball court, which was often used for playing Mesoamerican ball. Although most of the structure has deteriorated over time, you can still see the sides of the court and the rings that were used to hold the balls. Another notable structure is the Pyramid of the Magician, which dominates the skyline in Uxmal. The pyramid gets its name from various folk legends told throughout Mayan history.