Mayan Ruins

Playa del Carmen has some interesting Mayan ruins, but if you want to see some truly magnificent pyramids you'll want to visit these three sites.

TULUM
Is about a 45 minute ride (by bus, taxi, or rental car) south of Playa del Carmen. The only Mayan city built directly on the sea, Tulum is thought to date from 400-900A.D. After exploring the ruins and enjoying the spectacular view from atop EL CASTILLO. you can take a refreshing dip in the Caribbean from the pristine beach in front of the site.

COBA
Is about a 30 minute ride northwest of Tulum, and well worth visiting. Unlike most archeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, Coba is in the middle of the jungle, and a totally different experience. Take some mosquito repellent with you for this one, as the moist jungle environment supports quite on insect population. Also bring along some water, as you'll be doing a lot of hiking. What will you see? The highest pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula, for one thing, (Nohoch Mul). You may see or at least hear, howler monkeys and an incredible variety of jungle birds. The top of the gigantic Temple of the Churches affords a fantastic view of Lake Ma Can Xoc to the east and of Lake Cobo to the southwest. You'll also see many stelae, glyphs, and sculptures, some showing detailed relieves and complicated inscriptions. One stelae is dated November 30, 780 A.D. in Mayan glyphs.

CHICHEN ITZA
Is probably the best known and most visited of all the Mayan ruins, and with good reason. Although it's due west of Playa del Carmen, you'll have to go north to Cancun to get the main highway to Chichen-Itza. It's about a three hour ride, so leave early to give yourself plenty of time to explore this fascinating site. We recommend you hire a guide, or at least buy a booklet to better understand what you are seeing.

On your way back to Playa you may want to walk through the delightfully cool caves of BALANCANCHE, and if you have on accommodating taxi driver, ask him to stop at one of the many beautiful cenotes (swimming holes) along the way for on invigorating, fresh water swim.