· MEXICO ·
The Nine Best Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan (and how to choose your best one)
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 11 Sep 2024
Are you planning a trip to Mexico’s Yucatan and want to visit some of the incredible Mayan ruins in the region? Well, we’ve got you – this is our list of the best Mayan ruins in the Yucatan – with pros, cons, costs, transport options and more, to help you choose!
One of the highlights of planning any itinerary across Mexico is picking at least a couple of Mayan ruins in the Yucatan peninsula to visit.
There are hundreds of these Yucatan Mayan ruins to choose from, so how do you decide which ones are best? Maybe you have limited time or are on a budget; maybe you hate tourist traps (like we do!); maybe you just don’t want to spend weeks on end looking at Mayan rocks! To help with your decision making, we’ve written about our favourites and noted any that we feel you shouldn’t miss.
Below, in order, are our top Mayan ruin suggestions. We hope it is helpful!
IN THIS GUIDE //
The Best Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan
BEST MAYAN RUINS IN THE YUCATAN – MAP
CALAKMUL
YAXCHILAN & BONAMPAK
UXMAL
EDZNÁ
EK’ BALAM
PALENQUE
TULUM
COBA
CHICHÉN ITZÁ
FINAL THOUGHTS – MAYAN RUINS
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Best Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan – Map
Below is a savable Google Map with all the ruins on this list marked.
To save the list, select the star next to the title.
1. Calakmul
What Calakmul is best for | remoteness, off-the-beaten-track, adventurous vibes
Calakmul is one of our absolute favourite Mayan ruins, not just in the Yucatan but in all of Latin America, for multiple reasons.
Getting there | even the journey to reach the ruins is noteworthy, with abundant potential wildlife sightings including ocellated turkeys, tapirs and jaguars (If you are super lucky, like we were). Keep an eye out for the turkeys when driving because they seem to hang out on the roads a lot! The denseness of the surrounding jungle on every side gives the journey an isolated, predator-esque kind of vibe which I found built a sense of anticipation that I hadn’t experienced at other sites.
Crowds | the ruins at Calakmul have less tourists than other sites due to their proximity (or lack of) to the major cities of the Yucatan, such as Tulum, Merida and Cancun.
Ticket price | considering the size and quality of these ruins, the trip is well worth the price of admission.
Structures | a major draw to this Mayan site is that you can climb the temples for some extraordinary canopy views, all the way into the jungles of Guatemala. Of all the Mayan temples I have climbed (including Tikal), this felt the vastest from the top, although I’m unsure what exactly made me feel that way.
Wildlife | the Calakmul ruins also had the most wildlife we have ever witnessed at a Mayan site (the ruins are set deep inside a biosphere). We saw an uncountable number of howler and spider monkeys, a jaguar, a tapir and what felt like a million ocellated turkeys.
Is Calakmul the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Journeying through untouched wild jungle
◊ Loads of monkeys and other wildlife
◊ The overgrown jungle gives the ruins an adventurous vibe
◊ Has the tallest temple structure in the Yucatan
◊ Value for money
◊ Hardly any other people
◊ Large site
◊ Many climbable structures
Cons
◊ The journey in is long and requires attention for potholes and other hazards (often turkeys)
◊ Need to stay nearby (not that many options) as it is a long drive into the ruins themselves
◊ The easiest option is to rent a car which bumps up the cost (plus you need a driving license)
Has this piqued your interest? If you fancy visiting, check out our Calakmul guide.
CALAKMUL FAQ
Ticket cost – 215+100+90 MXN
Nearest town – Xpujil
Distance from nearest town – 118 kilometres
Recommended hotel – Hotel Cabanas Aldea Maya
Highest pyramid – 45 metres
Car required – yes, preferred (or a tour)
2. Yaxchilan and Bonampak
What Yaxchilan and Bonampak are best for | full-on jungle adventures, exploration in a wild setting, off-the-beaten-track
This was our joint favourite Mayan ruin trip in the Yucatan Peninsula, along with Calakmul. The larger complex is Yaxchilan, which is spread out along the banks of the Usumacinta River, separating Chiapas in Mexico with Guatemala. With almost no paths in overgrown jungle, it’s a magnificent setting. Bonampak is a smaller, but no less impressive site, with exquisite murals – Bonampak means ‘painted walls’ in modern Mayan, apparently.
Hiking | there’s a fair bit of muddy climbing if you’re up for it and the best part is you’ll likely be alone! Everything here feels hidden away; it genuinely made me feel like an explorer in a way that no other ruin listed here did.
Getting there | at around three hours from the town of Palenque, these sites are a bit of a trek to get to. It is possible to do this trip by public transport but is far, far easier (and, for once, cheaper) to get a tour. This is because you must get a boat to reach the site and it is much quicker and easier to be in a group. You can also visit this site if you are heading to cross the border with Guatemala.
It goes without saying, but this site is very thin on crowds.
Is Yaxchilan and Bonampak the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ One of the most rugged, adventurous Mayan Ruins in Mexico (Yaxchilan)
◊ Exquisite, unique murals (Bonampak)
◊ Masses of wildlife
◊ Very few tourists
◊ The journey along the river, with Guatemala on one side and Mexico on the other, is beautiful
◊ Lots of shade, not as hot as we were expecting
◊ Can climb on almost everything
Cons
◊ Difficult to reach – a tour is the most sensible cost and time wise
◊ The tours don’t come cheap
◊ The trip is a very long, more than 12-hour day
◊ No facilities really
◊ Might be difficult if you are less fit/have physical disabilities (I’m not that fit though and survived)
YAXCHILAN BONAMPAK FAQ
Ticket cost – 35 +75 MXN (but is best to take a tour)
Nearest town – Palenque
Distance from nearest town – no direct roads
Recommended hotel – Hotel Villa Mercedes Palenque
Highest pyramid – unsure
Car required – no, tour is best
3. Uxmal
What Uxmal is best for | Photography, lack of crowds, intricate carvings
This site was an absolute stand-out among the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan because of the intricate detail of the structures. We were genuinely blown away by the quality, preservation and detail; winding snakes, detailed patterns and faces cover the exteriors (slightly reminded me of some southeast Asian structures I’ve seen).
Unusual | Uxmal also has an example of a rounded building, which is unusual for Mayan architectural structures and is, again, extremely well-preserved.
Wildlife | along with the beautiful buildings, there are plenty of lounging lizards as well as a huge amount of avian wildlife. Birds nest inside many of the structures, so they kind of ‘chirp’. From atop the climbable temples there are also some exceptional views.
We stayed in nearby tiny Santa Elena to get to Uxmal early to beat the crowds (there were only four cars in the car park when we arrived at opening) and the drive to the ruins was straightforward.
The ruins are reasonably large, giving anyone who visits plenty to see for the (admittedly steep) price of admission – it would be easy to spend a good few hours here.
Is Uxmal the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Nesting birds
◊ Almost completely empty at opening time
◊ Unique and intricate architecture
◊ Easy to reach by car
◊ We saw no tour buses during our trip there
Cons
◊ More expensive than most other Mexican ruins
◊ Have to pay for parking in addition to entry fee
◊ Easiest to reach with a car, which adds to the already steep cost
Have a look at our in-depth Uxmal guide.
UXMAL FAQ
Ticket cost – 561 MXN
Nearest town – Merida
Distance from nearest town – 84 kilometres
Recommended hotel – The Pickled Onion
Highest pyramid – 35 metres
Car required – no, but is easiest
4. Edzná
What Edzná is best for | very quiet, spectacular main pyramid architecture, well maintained, affordable
Getting there | we made our way to Edzna via an easy collectivo from Campeche, on the south western side of the Yucatan Peninsula, and arrived a few minutes before the site opened.
Crowds | there were no other tourists for the entire time we were there. Visiting a completely empty Mayan ruin in the Yucatan Peninsula is something you should absolutely experience; the atmosphere is incredible. I’ve only ever been completely alone before in Tikal (super-weird story) and Uxmal; both of which are absolute stand-out moments for me.
Grounds | the grounds at Edzná are well manicured, which creates a distinctive backdrop for the buildings compared with other, more jungly sites. There are also the largest number of lizard friends we had yet to experience – each time we moved you could hear so many of them scrambling about. A large snake also slithered across our path a few feet ahead of us.
Price | Edzná is easy to visit on public transport and the entry ticket is cheap, making it one of the most economical Mayan ruins you can visit.
Structures | one negative for me was that you cannot climb the main structure, however it was really striking and I’m glad it is being preserved
Another cute thing to note is that we got the early morning collectivo with a bunch of the site staff who were all lovely and helpful (plus they were kind to the semi-wild dogs). I’m honestly a huge fan of this Mayan site.
Is Edzná the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Manicured surroundings make it easy to get around
◊ Easy to get to by bus or collectivo
◊ Cheap entry and transport
◊ Lizards lizards lizards
◊ Distinctive and beautiful main pyramid
◊ No crowds
Cons
◊ Currently it isn’t possible to climb the main temple
◊ If you don’t have a car then collectivo is the only other option
◊ Small-ish site
◊ Very hot, not much shade
We’ve written extensively about Edzná. Check it out if you are interested in visiting!
EDZNA FAQ
Ticket cost – 100 MXN
Nearest town – Campeche
Distance from nearest town – 52 kilometres
Recommended hotel – Castelmar Hotel
Highest pyramid – 31.5 metres
Car required – no
5. Ek’ Balam
What Ek’ Balam is best for | variety of temple-top views, photography, quieter alternative to Chichén Itzá
This is a fantastic Mayan ruin to visit in the Yucatan if you are staying in Valladolid, and can easily be combined in a day trip with some local cenotes such as Suytun and Zaci, or the more famous Chichén Itzá ruins.
Site | this compact site is in an unmanicured jungle setting which makes the views from the top of the temples across the canopy similar to Calakmul and Tikal. I particularly love the views from one temple to another here – they are all so close together so the vistas are spectacular and makes for some amazing photos.
There are also some ornate carvings on the way up the largest pyramid, El Torre, which is also one of the tallest structures in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Wildlife sightings | these were fewer than at other ruins, probably because of the proximity to Valladolid – we have only seen lizards here.
Crowds | it can also be busy if you arrive at the wrong time, as Ek’ Balam is on the major Cancun tour circuit (just wait until the groups leave and it becomes wonderfully peaceful for a while).
Is Ek’ Balam the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Set in unmanicured jungle surroundings
◊ Easy to get reach by taxi, bus, tour or car
◊ Wonderful views from the tops of the structures
◊ One of the tallest pyramids in the Yucatan
◊ If you are patient, then it can be quiet between tour arrivals
◊ Free parking
◊ Most structures are climbable
Cons
◊ More expensive than other ruins
◊ Busy with tour groups even first thing in the morning
◊ Minimal wildlife
◊ Reasonably compact site
EK’ BALAM FAQ
Ticket cost – 561 MXN
Nearest town – Valladolid
Distance from nearest town – 28 kilometres
Recommended hotel – Casa Tia Micha
Highest pyramid – 32 metres
Car required – no, but preferred
6. Palenque
What Palenque is best for | exceptionally beautiful structures, howler monkeys, pretty manicured spaces, views and easy paths.
The site at Palenque is said to be many people’s favourite Mayan Ruin in the Yucatan. The structures are exquisitely preserved and feel far grander than many others on this list. It is also really intricate (not to Uxmal’s level, but still outstanding).
The Palenque ruins are straightforward to reach if you stay in Palenque town – a non-descript, but perfectly pleasant little base in Chiapas, between Campeche and San Cristobal.
Wildlife | the region is jammed full of howler monkeys, so you are likely to hear them, particularly if you opt to stay in one of the many lodgings in the jungle. We stayed up half the night eavesdropping on their conversations and watching electrical storms pass overhead. It was magical.
Adventure | although I found this pristine site impressive, it was lacking a certain sense of adventure that other ruins had in abundance. It is more of a well-manicured walk rather than a romp through a muddy jungle, and we prefer the latter! It is fairly easy to walk around if you have physical limitations or are just not in the mood to be challenged – it gets very, very hot.
Is Palenque the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Very easy access from Palenque town
◊ Moderately priced
◊ Cheap transport to the ruins
◊ Beautiful, amazingly restored Mayan Ruins
◊ Lots of other amazing day trips from Palenque, like Yaxchilan and Agua Azul
◊ Howler monkeys in the surrounding jungle
Cons
◊ Some vendors inside the site itself
◊ Kind of overly manicured for my liking!
◊ Hot hot hot
◊ Mostly not climbable
◊ Palenque is out of the way if you are not heading to San Cristobal or Campeche (and is not that exciting as a town)
◊ Can be busy with tour groups
PALENQUE FAQ
Ticket cost – 315 MXN
Nearest town – Palenque
Distance from nearest town – 8 kilometres
Recommended hotel – Hotel Villa Mercedes Palenque
Highest pyramid – 27 metres
Car required – no
7. Tulum
What Tulum Ruins are best for | unique coastal setting, super-easy access, walkable to/from Tulum beach
This site has one of the most impressive, unique and picturesque settings of any of the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan; right on the coast, a short distance from Tulum town. It is located on a beautiful section of the Riviera Maya coast with the added bonus of untouched, protected beaches within the site.
The structures themselves are not as impressive as other Yucatan ruins on this list, but the views of the buildings combined with the ocean are hard to beat.
Tip | we stayed nearby, so were able to walk directly to the Tulum ruins, allowing us to avoid the overly aggressive parking ‘attendants’. These are people that wait at the road entrance and try to get you to park in their lot. Just ignore them if they wave you over – they are not official staff.
After exiting the ruins, it is a very short and easy walk to the public beach.
Is Tulum the Best Mayan Ruin For You?
Pros
◊ Accessible from Tulum town without a car (long walk, bus or very short taxi)
◊ Easy to get to the local beach from the ruins
◊ Cheap entry compared to other Mayan ruins in the Yucatan
◊ Very pretty and unique setting
Cons
◊ No climbable structures
◊ Incredibly busy if you come at the wrong time (always go early)
◊ Forceful parking attendants, no free parking
◊ Tulum town just sort of sucks generally
◊ Very hot, no shade
◊ Unimpressive structures
◊ So many military and police in the area
TULUM FAQ
Ticket cost – 515 MXN
Nearest town – Tulum
Distance from nearest town – 1 kilometre
Recommended hotel – Glamp Ikal Tulum
Highest pyramid – unknown
Car required – no
8. Coba
What Coba is best for | accessibility, cycling, long walks, spider webs
The Mayan site at Coba is split into three separate zones and, unlike other Yucatan Mayan ruins, are accessible through cycling routes in addition to walking paths through the jungle.
Site | Coba is home to one of the tallest temples in the Yucatan which is within unmanicured jungle, although it does not feel as wild as others in this list, such as Ek’ Balam. The site at Coba is also known for long, raised up roads called Sacbeob – the longest of which is over 100 km in length. The structures are interesting and feel wild, plus there are a few smaller ball courts scattered about in the jungle. Some of the buildings are impressively tall, too, but are not climbable.
Bikes | bikes are available to hire for a small fee; and this is a lovely place for cycling, albeit busy.
Our experience at Coba was not overly great – it is full of Tulum tourists, so is bustling and loud. There are many guys waiting around near the beginning to try and get you into their bike-taxis, although not particularly aggressively. The crowds tend to put a bit of a dampener on the general vibe, plus the site has also recently increased in price and in addition there is a steep parking charge.
Is Coba the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ Fun cycle routes between the zones
◊ Has the second highest temple in the Yucatan
◊ Accessible for disabled visitors via tricycle taxis
◊ Ocellated turkeys
◊ Some quieter walking routes (a lot of people take bikes)
Cons
◊ Pay parking
◊ Busy with day trippers from Tulum and Playa Del Carmen
◊ Currently not able to climb up the main temple
◊ Most structures are not particularly remarkable compared with other sites in this list
◊ Not much in the way of wildlife
COBA FAQ
Ticket cost – 100 MXN
Nearest town – Tulum
Distance from nearest town – 48 kilometre
Recommended hotel – Glamp Ikal Tulum
Highest pyramid – 42 metres
Car required – no
9. Chichén Itzá
What Chichén Itzá is best for | tours, exquisite structures, massive ball court, World Wonder
There’s a reason why over two million people visit Chichén Itzá every year. It is a World Wonder; has a perfect cenote within the grounds and the Mayan structures are some of the most remarkable, not just in the Yucatan, but the whole of Mexico. The ruins at Chichén Itzá are part of a rich local history and you will be hard-pressed to find a more grandiose site.
However, this Mayan marvel is at the bottom of our list and you may be questioning why?
Crowds | it is incredibly busy; even getting here early in the morning nowadays will not save you from the crowds. Often there are long queues even before opening time.
Vendors | there are also some of the most aggressive hawkers I have ever experienced – not just by the entrance but throughout the park. The most common sound you will hear is ‘one dollar, one dollar’ rather than birds or monkeys. This makes for an seriously unpleasant experience – just so you can buy multiple ceramic penises with NFL football logos on (seriously who buys those?).
A few years ago we visited by collectivo from Valladolid, before opening hours in summer and it was not *too* bad – most of the stalls were just setting up as we left. The weather was so humid, though, and the crowds as we left were unreal, even during low season.
I’ll never visit again despite the impressive structures. It is surprising how few people are honest about their experiences here and only sing its praises, without a touching on the reality of the situation.
Is Chichén Itzá the Best Mayan Ruin for You?
Pros
◊ World wonder
◊ Great if you are not comfortable travelling independently, tours are available from EVERYWHERE
◊ El Castillo is one of the most perfectly preserved temple structures in Mexico
◊ Large site
Cons
◊ Entry price is super high – the most costly Mayan ruins in the Yucatan and the whole of Mexico
◊ Crowds are crazy and unpleasant
◊ Extremely aggressive hawkers, I was angry constantly
◊ Very hot
◊ Tours; just so many tours
◊ Utterly unenjoyable as an experience
◊ No climbable structures
◊ Minimal wildlife
CHICHEN ITZA FAQ
Ticket cost – 100 MXN
Nearest town – Valladolid
Distance from nearest town – 45 kilometre
Recommended hotel – Casa Tia Micha
Highest pyramid – 30 metres
Car required – no
HAVE WE HELPED YOU SIFT THROUGH the many mayan ruins?
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Final Thoughts – Best Mayan Ruins
Despite all the cons listed above, we loved something about every Mayan ruin we visited, even when they were crazy hot, crowded or expensive. If you want my honest opinion, though, Tikal, in Guatemala, is the best Mayan ruin in the Yucatan – no doubt about it. However, this post is only about Mexican ruins, so I had to miss it out.
If you are travelling across Mexico, don’t forget that there are other opportunities to see some incredible ancient ruins, like Monte Alban in Oaxaca and Teotihuacan in Mexico City (both of these are high on my favourites list!).
We hope our list of pros and cons help you decide which of the major Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula to consider for your visit. There is a Mayan site to suit every need.
We hope you have a really fantastic time!
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Thank you, Claire + Nick
