Top 5 Mayan Ruins to Visit in the Yucatán Peninsula
Visiting some of the incredible Mayan ruins during your trip to the Yucatan Peninsula is an absolute must. From the world-renowned 7 Wonder of the World, Chichen Itza to more under-the-radar ruins like Uxmal and Kabah, there are so many archaeological sites to uncover and thousands of years of history within them. This Mayan ruins travel guide covers the top 5 sites to explore, with key details on tickets, accommodations, personal experiences, and essential tips to help you make the most of your visit.
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Yucatan PEninsula: Top 5 Mayan ruins
#1: Chichen Itza
El Castillo, the main pyramid in Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza, translating to “at the mouth of the well,” is an ancient Mayan ruin city located centrally on the Yucatan Peninsula. Rediscovered in 1842, this city contains five main squares connected by roads and two large open cenotes, believed to have been a water source for the 35,000-plus residents of the time.
El Castillo also referred to as the Temple or Pyramid of Kukulkan, is the iconic building within Chichen Itza that is world-renowned today. This structure stands around 30 meters tall (98 feet) and functioned as a calendar for the Mayans, utilizing its’ 9 platforms, 52 panels, 18 terraces, and sunlight.
However, the archaeological site has much more to uncover than just the famous El Castillo, including a Great Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, and my personal favorite, El Caracol.
Tip: You can find Chichen Itza’s official location here.
This structure is a pyramid surrounded by pillars that were carved to resemble Toltec warriors. A famous Chaac Mool lays before the structure’s main entrance.
ENTRANCE FEES:
There are 2 fees you must pay to enter Chichen Itza.
For foreigners, the entrance fee is 548 pesos plus an additional 95 pesos for the INAH fee.
Residents of Mexico can enter the ruins for 285 pesos, and Yucatan locals pay as little as 95 pesos. Don’t forget your I.D.!
OPENING HOURS:
Chichen Itza is open Monday - Sunday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
TIME NEEDED:
I spent 2.5 hours wandering Chichen Itza. I consider myself a fast explorer, but I explored the area more slowly while listening to a free self-guided audio tour on an app that explained the wonder’s history in more depth (more on this app later). I recommend planning to enjoy anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 hours here (depending on interest).
WHERE TO STAY:
I highly recommend staying in Valladolid for easy access to the ruins. Valladolid is a cute but small historic city, located 53 km from Chichen Itza. Accommodations are affordable, with plenty of food options and fun things to do. There is also an inexpensive Colectivo that heads to Chichen Itza hourly more on this in the complete Chichen Itza Travel Guide.
CAN I GO ON MY OWN OR DO I NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
El Caracol (The Observatory)
Personally, I think the tours are overpriced and the price does not include the entrance fee to Chichen Itza, which is already 35 USD. The best option is to head there on your own and use a self-guided tour.
Best Self-Guided Tour Options:
Self-Guided Chichen Itza Audio Tour
Self-Guided Bundle Audio Tour
This one is great for people who plan to visit Coba, Tulum Ruins, and Ek Balam as well.
FREE Self-Guided Audio Tour Via SmartGuide app.
I LOVE this app—I used it for my Chichen Itza self-guided tour. You can easily download the app to your phone and find A LOT of self-guided tours all over the world. It can track your location within Chichen Itza and will make a ping noise when you reach a new site and need to press play on the next audio.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget headphones to connect and listen.
If you prefer a guided tour you have a few options:
There are hundreds of tours outside of the site that offer transportation, water, and sometimes a local cenote. However, they rarely include the Chichen Itza entrance fee.
For the complete Chichen Itza travel guide with everything you need to know, head here!
#2: Ek Balam
Ek Balam, or black jaguar, is a Mayan ruin located in the Yucatan Peninsula, near the charming city of Valladolid. It is often overlooked by the ancient Mayan ruins nearby, like Chichen Itza. While I was exploring the ruins, I saw only 10 other people the entire time, compared to the hundreds at Chichen Itza. So if you are looking for a Mayan ruin to explore, but want to avoid the crowds, this one is for you!
There are over 40 structures within Ek Balam, with the main structure, the Acropolis, stretching over 90 feet high, containing unique carvings and stucco facades, including the large “monster mouth” that is well known today. The structures in Ek Balam are very well-preserved, allowing for climbing and exploration in and around them.
You can climb to the top of the Acropolis for an incredible 360 view over Ek Balam and the surrounding jungle. It shows you how the Mayans were truly building something out of nothing—there is only jungle for miles.
Tip: You can find the official Ek Balam location here.
ENTRANCE FEES:
There are 2 fees you must pay to enter Ek Balam.
For foreigners, the entrance fee is 461 pesos plus an additional 95 pesos for the INAH fee.
The entrance fee for children is 95 pesos.
Residents of Mexico can enter the ruins for 127 pesos, plus the INAH fee (95 pesos). Yucatan residents can enter for 95 pesos. Don’t forget your I.D.!
OPENING HOURS:
Ek Balam is open Monday - Sunday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TIME NEEDED:
I spent 1-1.5 hours wandering Ek Balam—I consider myself a fast explorer. I recommend planning to enjoy anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours here, depending on your interest level.
Sadly, this incredible structure was under restoration while we were there! However, you could still see how unique and intricate the carvings were. This particular photo displays the monster mouth that is found within the Acropolis.
WHERE TO STAY:
Again, I highly recommend staying in Valladolid for ease of access to the ruins. Valladolid is a cute but small historic city, located 27 km from Ek Balam. Accommodations are affordable, with plenty of food options and fun things to do. There is also an inexpensive Colectivo that heads to Ek Balam often. You can find more information on the Colectivo, here.
CAN I GO ON MY OWN OR DO I NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
Reflecting back, I sort of wish I had opted for some form of tour, even if it was just a self-guided audio tour. I downloaded a guided tour from a website, but I prefer to look at something and listen to its history so I can take in both at the same time. I recommend opting for some form of tour whether that be a self-guided audio tour, a group tour, or hiring a private guide.
Best Self-Guided Tour Options:
Self-Guided Ek Balam Audio Tour
Self-Guided Bundle Audio Tour
This one is great for people also heading to Coba, Tulum Ruins, and Chichen Itza.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget headphones to connect and listen.
If you prefer a guided tour you have a few options:
Includes the entrance fees and stops at Ek Balam and Chichen Itza.
For the complete Ek Balam travel guide with everything you need to know, head here!
#3: Tulum Ruins
Tulum is renowned for its ancient Mayan ruins perched on a seaside cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This popular tourist destination is the most visited archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula, making it a must-visit during your time in Tulum. Depending on how quickly and thoroughly you want to explore, you can see the ruins in 1-2 hours.
These ancient ruins are part of a Mayan city dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, which focused on maritime trade with other tribes throughout Mexico and Central America. This trade mainly consisted of obsidian alongside other important natural elements, facilitated by Tulum's coastal location. The ruins also played a significant role in spirituality and religion for the Mayans, providing a space to worship the sun, moon, and other gods, symbolizing essential natural elements.
ENTRANCE FEES:
The entrance fee into the ruins is 95 pesos per person. You will be handed a receipt for this INAH ticket, which must be paid in cash. You will pay another 60 pesos for the CONAP fee (protected area entrance fee) and the bracelet you must wear while visiting. This bracelet allows access to the ruins and the Tulum National Park area, including its nearby beaches. You can choose to pay with a card for this fee. The parking fee is an additional 100 pesos.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday-Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The ruins get crowded as the day progresses, with tours arriving around 9:30 AM. I suggest going right when they open at 8:00 AM. Tulum Ruins closes at 5:00 PM.
TIME NEEDED:
Only 1-2 hours depending on interest.
WHERE TO STAY:
Tulum of course! You can find all the information you need on where to stay in Tulum, here!
CAN I GO ON MY OWN OR DO I NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
You do not necessarily need a tour guide to visit the ruins. There is plenty of signage around for you to read up on the history of the buildings and surrounding area. I did not hire a guide.
#4: Uxmal & Ruta Puuc
Uxmal
Ruta Puuc refers to the entire 60-kilometer-long collection of ancient Mayan ruins sites, including Uxmal. This UNESCO World Heritage site begins at Uxmal, making it one of the more accessible sites to visit along the route. Uxmal has the tallest building in the area, standing over 100 feet! I believe this is taller than Chichen Itza. Following Uxmal are Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Loltun caves, all open for visitors.
Distance Between Each Site:
Uxmal: Around 80-90 KM from Merida, depending on where you are (a 1 hour drive)
Kabah: 22 KM from Uxmal
Sayil: 9.4 KM from Kabah
Xlapak: 5 KM from Sayil
Labna: 3.4 KM from Xlapak
Loltun Caves: 20 KM or so
The term 'Puuc' translates to mountainous, mound, or mountain range, symbolizing the hilly terrain where the site was discovered.
The sites differ from its neighbors like Chichen Itza, because of their intricate and diverse carvings that are unlike the others–now referred to as Puuc style. You can find numerous geometrical configurations, Chaac (the Mayan god of rain), and other symbolic animals and symbols carved into the structures. They are truly mind-blowing considering how these structures and facades were built so long ago with stone on stone.
Kabah
ENTRANCE FEES:
There are 2 fees you must pay to enter Uxmal and an additional fee per each other Ruta Puuc site you wish to visit.
For foreigners, the Uxmal entrance fee is 461 pesos plus an additional 95 pesos for the INAH fee (556 total).
Children under 13 may enter for free.
Mexican Residents can enter for 157 pesos, plus the INAH fee (95 pesos).
Yucatan residents can enter for 95 pesos. Don’t forget your I.D.!
OPENING HOURS:
Ruta Puuc is open Monday - Sunday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The ticket counter closes at 4:00 PM.
TIME NEEDED:
I recommend dedicating 1.5 to 2 hours per site, depending on interest. I spent around 2 hours in Uxmal and 2 hours in Kabah with a guided tour. For those planning to drive themselves to see all five open ruins, I recommend dedicating an entire day to exploring Ruta Puuc.
WHERE TO STAY:
Merida is around 1 hour from the Uxmal and Ruta Puuc, making it the perfect place to stay.
CAN I GO ON MY OWN OR DO I NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
I opted for the guided tour for ease and peace of mind. However, if you do want to see all of the Ruta Puuc, and not just Uxmal or Kabah, you would likely need to rent a car to go on your own or search online for a more expensive guided tour of them. There are guides available at Uxmal when you arrive, and supposedly Kabah (I did not see them), but I do not believe the other sites along the route have any guides available.
You can find the tour I did here!
For the complete Ruta Puuc travel guide with everything you need to know, head here!
#5: Coba Ruins
Coba Ruins are extremely old ruins (500-900 AD), covering over 80 KM (30 square miles). There are around 50 sacbé, ancient white limestone roads, throughout Coba with one stretching over 100 KM to another archaeological site, Yaxuná. The main structure, Nohoch Mul Pyramid, stands over 42 meters tall (137 feet) and is open for climbing. You can hike up the 130 steps to the top for some awesome views over the ruins.
Aside from the main pyramid, there are 4 main areas with ruins structures open for exploring. However, it is believed that there are still 6,500 uncovered structures around the site.
ENTRANCE FEES:
There are 2 fees you must pay to enter.
The entrance fee is 100 pesos plus an additional 95 pesos for the INAH fee.
OPENING HOURS:
Sunday-Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM— I recommend going earlier to avoid the tour crowds and to beat the midday heat. Although the ruins close at 5:00 PM, you cannot enter after 4:00 PM.
TIME NEEDED:
I would say around 2 to 3 hours since these ruins are quite spread about.
WHERE TO STAY:
The best spots to stay for Coba Ruins are either in Tulum (47 KM) or Valladolid (60 KM).
CAN I GO ON MY OWN OR DO I NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
I would recommend a tour guide for this one, alongside some bicycles (65 pesos) if you want to explore the ruins in their entirety. The tour guide will give the ruins more meaning and historical significance. If you hire a guide on-site, it is around 700 pesos (36 USD).
Tuk-tuks are also available for 150 pesos per 2 people. The drivers will bring you around the ruins but I am not positive if they will act as a guide as well.
You can find an awesome guided tour that includes transport here. Otherwise, there are tour guides available at the entrance as mentioned above.
Mayan Ruins Tips
Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen!
Mosquito spray is essential.
Sundays are a busy day! Mexican and Yucatan residents can enter all ruins for free.
The ruins do not have any specific dress code, but I recommend loose and comfortable attire.
Most ruins will require an additional fee for bringing professional cameras larger than an iPhone. These range from 30-100 pesos.
