Maya civilization, which once occupied much of Central America, left remarkable traces of its power scattered throughout much of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Southeast Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, and parts of El Salvador and Honduras. Following is a list of the major Mayan ruins in Mexico.
List of Mayan Ruins in Mexico: the Northern Yucatan
Chichin Itza
One of the most remarkable and well preserved sites, the ruins at Chichen Itza designate a settlement which was twice inhabited, between the seventh and twelfth centuries AD. Remarkable structures, including the famous Temple of Kukulkan, remain well preserved at Chichen Itza.
Coba
Located near Cancun and Playa del Carmen, the pre-Columbian city of Coba was once a major settlement of the Maya civilization in the Northeastern Yucatan. With inland lagoons nearby allowing ancient irrigation, Coba has several large temples and two sports courts in the center of the ruin.
Mayapan
Mayapan, the most influential city in the Yucatan Peninsula from the early thirteenth through the mid fifteenth centuries AD, is now a popular ruin in the state of Yucatan, found southwest of Chichen Itza. The city, which rose to power after the fall of Chichen Itza, was mainly dedicated to the Maya god Kukulkan (who corresponds to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl), a deity who resembled both serpent and the once sacred Resplendent Quetzal. Mayapan is located in the very center of the Yucatan Peninsula, easily accessible from Merida.
Tulum
The Mayan ruins of Tulum, Mexico are some of the most beautiful traces of the lost civilization. The ancient Mesoamerican structures here are located on a Caribbean beach, overlooking the sea. Tulum is less than two hours south of Cancun by car, in the state of Quintana Roo.
Uxmal
Uxmal, once major city of the Maya civilization, is one of the best preserved sites in the Yucatan. The ruin at Uxmal used to be a fully operational settlement, with temples, pyramids, and even a government palace known as the Nunnery Quadrangle. Uxmal is located in the Northwest Yucatan, not far from Merida.
List of Mayan Ruins in Mexico: the Southern Yucatan and Southeast Mexico
Calakmul
Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico, found in Campeche. It has many restored structures, a large pyramid, and a ball court. Calakmul was once one of the mightiest cities of the Maya civilization, with the religious center surrounded by residential structures, which may have been home to as many as 50,000 people. The ruins at Calakmul are found not far to the north of Tikal, Guatemala, another major site.
Palenque
Located in present day Chiapas, Palenque was once a Maya city. The site has been largely restored, and resembles the pre-Columbian settlement that used to occupy the grounds. Beautiful temples and religious stone carvings are some of the main attractions at Palenque.
Tonina
Tonina, found southwest of the Yucatan Peninsula, was once a major city that has all of the features of classic ruins of the Maya civilization. Temples, pyramids, a ball court, and religious stone carvings are found well preserved at the ruin, which was settled earlier than were most of the other major archaeological sites. Tonina is less than one hour south of Palenque in the state of Chiapas.
The above sites are all popular Mayan ruins in Mexico. All of them top tourist destinations because of their beauty and history, visitors, who are given glimpses of the might of the Maya civilization, are seldom disappointed.
