Cancn archaeological sites

El Meco

5 Km. from Cancun, has a pyramid, El Castillo (The Castle), with fans encrusted in its facades ? a symbol of commerce- since the city was a strategic commercial enclave until the arrival of the Spaniards.
El Rey

In the hotel zone, between the ocean and the lagoon, the monuments of El Rey (The King) were erected, apparently, upon an only paved roadway. The facades still retain vestiges of bright coloured mural painting. The zone today is home to a multitude of placid iguanas.
Yamil Luum

In the gardens of the Sheraton Hotel a rebuilt structure of great elegance was erected: Yamil Lu?um (Wavy or rolling ground in Maya).
Pok ta Pok

On the playing course of Golf Cancun, also known as Pok ta Pok, golfers have the good fortune of finding a temple isolated in the rolling lawns.

Tulum
Tulum sits on the edge of a cliff facing looking out over the vast turquoise ocean. No wonder Tulum is one of the most-visited Mayan ruins in Mexico -it truly is one of the most magical places on Earth. Tulum is located 82 miles south of Cancun on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the edge of the Caribbean Sea and was formerly know by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn.
Tulum - the walled city

Tulum is also the ancient Maya word for wall. This is apt because the walls surrounding the site allowed the fort in Tulum to be used as a defense against invasion. Tulum was protected on one side by steep sea cliffs and on the other by a wall that averaged about three to five meters in height. The wall was about eight meters thick and 400 meters long on the side parallel to the sea. This shows how important defense was to the Mayan people. There are also small structures used as watch towers showing again how well defended the city would have been.
El Castillo (the Castle)

El Castillo stands some 7.5 meters tall and has a small shrine which appears to have been used as a beacon for incoming canoes. This shrine marks a break in the barrier reef that is opposite the site. Right below El Castillo there is a cove and landing beach in a break in the sea cliffs that would have been perfect for trading canoes coming in. This characteristic of the site is probably one of the reasons the Maya founded the city of Tulum here in the first place, for later Tulum would become a very prominent trading port. El Castillo as well as the Temple are decorated with figures of the Mayan diving god. You see stuccos and figurines of this god all around Tulum. He was associated with the god of the

bees and to the planet Venus, guardian of the coast and of commerce. Many ancient murals are visible, some vivid enough to make you wonder how recently the Maya actually left this amazing place.
Tours to Tulum

Its naturally beautiful surroundings, easy access and daily tours to Tulum from Cancun have made it the third most visited Mayan archaeological site in Mexico, after Teotihuacan, and Chichen Itza. For more information regarding how to get to Tulum or how to book a tour you can contact one of the many tour companies in Cancun. Make sure you fit this piece of Mayan culture into your Cancun vacation you will be inspire

Chichen Itza & the Pyramid of Kukulcan

Chichen Itza is a World Heritage Site located in the Yucatan Peninsula, about 117 miles west of Cancun. It was named last year as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This is of little surprise as its size, symmetry and astrological importance are a testament to the Mayan civilization. There are many tours available, many stopping at the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid where you will also get to see some of the cenotes for which this area is famous. A visit to this grandiose Mayan city is a must for anyone traveling to Cancun.
The Temple of Kukulcan

Dominating Chichen Itza is the instantly recognizable Temple of Kukulcan, which is the Mayan name for Quetzacoatl, and also known as El Castillo. The stepped pyramid has a staircase on each side and at sunrise and sunset during both the Spring and Autumn equinoxes visitors gather from all over the world to observe an unprecedented archaeo-astronomical phenomenon not to be missed. The corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of a plumed serpent Kukulcan- and as the sun moves, the shadow of the serpent slithers down the side of the pyramid to fertilize the earth. Be sure to arrive early as Chichen Itza becomes packed for this remarkable event.
The Great Ball Court

The Great Ball Court is the largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica and can be found in Chichen Itza. It measures 166 x 68 meters and is 12 meters high with stone rings for the game and intricate carvings of intertwined serpents on the walls.
The Temple of the Warriors

The Temple of the Warriors is a large stepped pyramid with a row of carved columns at the front depicting the ancient warriors. At the top of the pyramid, protecting the entrance to the temple, is a Chac Mool.
El Cenote Sagrado

The Cenote Sagrado is the most impressive of the cenotes found in this area and measures an amazing 60 meters in diameter with sheer cliffs dropping down 27 meters to the water below.

The Cenote Sagrado was used by the Mayans to conduct sacrifices to Chaac, the god of rain, during times of drought. Many objects such as gold, jade, obsidian as well as skeletons have been found at the bottom of the cenote by archaeologists.
Tours to Chichen Itza

These are just some of the Mayan architectural wonders you will encounter here. Ensure to take the time to explore Chichen Itza during your Cancun vacation truly one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! For more information on tours to Chichen Itza departing daily from Cancun please contact one of our tour operators listed below.

Coba
Coba is an ancient Mayan city in the state of Quintana Roo, located 172 km from Cancun, and about 90km from Chichen Itza. Enveloped in the deep green of the tropical jungle, this ancient Mayan city rises up between two lagoons. In its era of splendour the site extended over 75 sq. km.
History of Coba

During its history, Coba had more than 50,000 inhabitants, and was as important as Tikal in Guatemala, with which it maintained tight cultural ties. Coba exercised economic control over the region through a complex network of elevated stone and plaster roads, known in Maya as sacbe, radiating from the center of Coba to many other Mayan cities. The longest of these ran over 100km and led to the city of Yaxuna. Coba traded extensively with other Mayan communities, particularly the ones further south along the Caribbean coast in what is now Belize and Honduras. It utilized the ports of Xcaret, Xel-H, Tancah, and Tulum.
Mayan Archaeology in Coba

Coba remained an important site in the Post-Classic era. The Mayan archaeology in Coba is truly inspiring. New temples were built and old ones were maintained until at least the 14th century, probably as late as the arrival of the Spanish. The site remained relatively unknown due to its remoteness, until the first modern road was opened up to Coba in the early 1970s. Once the major resort of Cancun was planned the Mexican government realized that clearing and restoring some of this enormous Mayan archaeological site would make it an important tourist attraction. The city is composed of various Mayan communities: Cob, Chumuc Mul, Nohoch Mul, Las Pinturas, Macanxoc and Kukulcan being some of them. From Nohoch Mul, the tallest pyramid on the north of the peninsula with its 42 metres (46 yards), the view over the jungle that extends to infinity is unbeatable. This is the one shown in the photo.
Tours to Coba

To visit Coba it is advisable to take a tour with one of our recommended tour operators (see below). It takes about 2.5 hours to get there from Cancun, and the guided visit takes at least 1.5 hours to cover the main buildings. Tours to Coba are often combined with a visit to Tulum

for archaeology lovers, or with one of the ecoparks or other natural attractions in the zone to make it a full days excursion.

Ek Balam
The most recent great find, it is barely starting to reveal its secrets. Its principal buildings, temples and palaces are located inside a walled area; the three walls are evidence of protection of this sacred centre and seat of power, where the governors and priests lived. The common people lived in the surrounding areas in flimsy houses similar to those we see currently on the peninsula. Located some 145 Km. (90 miles) from Cancun and approximately a 2 hour run on the tollway, Ek Balam takes its place as the most recent archaeological zone in the region to be opened to the public. Its architectural style is unique in the zone; it takes a minimum of an hour to cover the principal structures. It has no service zone nearby. It is regularly combined with Valladolid, some cenotes, Rio Lagartos or eco-tourism activities in the zone to make it a full day?s excursion. There are various options on the market already organized to visit Ek Balam different days of the week.

Eating Your Way Around Mexico: Antojitos from A to T

To those of us from the southwestern United States, Mexican food is a daily comfort food: tacos, enchiladas, and burritos are as familiar as burgers and fries, as American as NASCAR and apple pie. We eat them when were in a rush, as theres a taco shop on almost every corner of towns from San Diego to San Antonio.

But not everyones as fortunate. Some must read the fine print of menus to distinguish a taco from a tostada, and what the heck is a torta? The foods that foreigners are most familiar with are snacks called antojitos, literally little desires or fancies. These are served from push-carts specializing in one dish only as well as from cafes and roadside diners. In finer restaurants, antojitos share the menu along with more elaborate dishes made in the home by Mexican mamas or their maids.

Most antojitos are corn-based. Corn is quite literally the staff of life in Mexico, and has been for 5,000 years. Salsa, a concoction of chile and often tomatoes, probably comes in more configurations than any other condiment in the world. Both chiles and tomatoes are full of antioxidants and Vitamin C, so salsa is good for your health.

So, are you ready for the fine print? Heres the 411 on Mexican antojitos!

ANTOJITOS MADE OF CORN TORTILLAS Tacos

Smallish corn tortillas heated on a lightly oiled griddle and filled with any of a wide variety of meats.

Tacos dorados (golden tacos) are deep fried. Taquitos are usually rolled into tubes deep-fried tacos. Usually served with guacamole, grated cheese, and/or sour creme. Tacos de papas: A lucky vegetarian might stumble across a potato taco. Tacos al pastor: pork tacos Tacos de pescado: fish tacos; the fish may be grilled or battered and deep-fried.

Enchiladas Et Al
This dish is made of tortillas dunked in hot oil and then rolled up, covered with a distinctive sauce, and then baked. Traditionally served with a sprinkling of dry, crumbly white cheese and topped with fresh chopped cilantro, onions, and sour creme. Modern versions and those in restaurants outside Mexico have a cheese or meat filling, too.

Enchiladas rojas have a distinctive red sauce. Enchiladas verdes have a green tomatillo (a small green tomato with a papery husk) sauce Enchiladas suizas (Swiss enchiladas) are filled with chicken or cheese and topped with a creamy sauce.

Enfrijoladas are much less common on tourist menus; in this dish the tortillas are covered in a black bean sauce rather than a chile-based sauce. Entomatadas are covered in a mild, tomato-based sauce.

Tostadas
Tostadas (literally toasted) are made by piling beans, meat, or chicken on a crispy corn tortilla. In Mexico, the classic tostada might have just a smudge of beans, a sprinkling of dry white cheese, a little chopped cabbage and onion, and a delicious salsa. Tourist-oriented restaurants pile on mounds of grated lettuce, yellow cheese, and often guacamole (avocado dip) or sour creme.

Tlayuda
From Oaxaca, this extra-large corn tortilla is cooked until leathery and then piled with condiments like a tostada.

CORNMEAL-BASED ANTOJITOS Cornmeal Snacks

A huge variety of cornmeal-based snacks are made throughout Mexico; they have different names depending on the region. They are usually thick, fried, and may be shaped like boats, circles, or even shoes! Usually topped with a smudge of lard, beans or meat and topped with finely grated cabbage, crumbled cheese and of course, salsa! (Tourist-oriented joints often omit the lard, but a) a little goes a long way; b) its delicious; and c) what you dont know cant hurt you. Here are just a few varieties of the popular snacks.

Garnacha: Circle-shaped, from the Yucatan Peninsula Gordita: Literally means little fatty

Chalupa: Named for its canoe shape

Huarache: Literally means sandal it is a giant, foot-shaped version of the above Memela: Found mainly in Morelos and Oaxaca states Panucho: A Yucatan specialty where savories are inserted into a slit or pocket of the corn masa before it is fried Sope: Popular in central states; more of the same ingredients Tlacoyo: Same as a Chalupa

Tamal
A bit of meat cooked in one of many sauces is put in a rectangle of cornmeal, or masa. The tamal is then wrapped in corn or banana leaves and steamed. A healthy alternative to greasier antojitos, this classic Mexican snack is subtly delicious and comes in sweet versions, too.

OTHER ANTOJITOS Burritos

These are more of an American innovation, but you do find burritos in Mexico, especially in northern Mexico, where flour tortillas are big (both literally---big enough to roll inside your whole meal of meat, chicken or seafood---and in popularity).

Chimichanga
In Texas and Arizona, a fried burrito.

Flauta
Usually like a mini deep-fried burrito, made with a flour tortilla stuffed with meat, shrimp, or another filling.

Quesadilla
A tortilla (usually flour) cooked or heated on the griddle with cheese melted inside. Fancy versions may also have mushrooms, squash blossoms or other ingredients. ? Pescadilla: Popular in coastal areas, its a quesadilla with fresh fish inside.

Torta
We teased you in the intro, asking if you know what a torta is. Congratulations on reading this article through to the end! A torta is a breadroll sandwich.

BUEN PROVECHO!

ENJOY YOUR MEAL!

10-Day Forecast for Mexico City, Mexico

NEW: Larger Radar Maps & No Ads High / Low (C) Today Jul 27
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10-Day Forecast for Cancun, Mexico

NEW: Larger Radar Maps & No Ads High / Low (C) Today Jul 27
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10-Day Forecast for Villahermosa, Mexico

NEW: Larger Radar Maps & No Ads High / Low (C) Today Jul 27
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Precip. % 60 %

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