Mayapán, the last great capital of the Mayans in Yucatán
The Mayapán ruins are one of our favorite archaeological sites in Yucatán. It’s indeed a unique place offering incredible panoramic views of the area. We always enjoy our visits to Mayapán and we went back multiple times😊
This is why we are very excited to share all we know about the Mayapán archeological site, how to get there and the best way to visit.
Important notice: Mayapan is temporarily closed
Mayapan immediately surprised us with its resemblance to Chichén Itzá, giving us the feeling of visiting a miniature Chichén. However, Mayapán is full of unique features and incredible panoramic views.
The ruins of Mayapán have some unmissable gems and an interesting history. Mayapán was, in fact, the last great capital of the Mayans in the Yucatán Peninsula. Although there were other cities when it was the capital, they were more modest settlements.
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SOME HISTORY OF THE MAYAPAN MAYAN SETTLEMENT
All the buildings we see in Mayapán nowadays correspond to the last construction stages. The previous buildings were demolished, and stones were used to build the new ones. Mayapán became the Mayan capital of the region from 1200 to 1450 AD and it was the last great settlement of the Mayan world.
To give it a historical context, Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, the other large cities in this area of Yucatán, went into decline around 1200 AD: Chichén Itzá around 1200 AD and Uxmal a little before.
CHRONOLOGY: 300 B.C. -1450 AD Middle Preclassic to Late Postclassic
APOGEE: 1200 AD. – 1450 AD Late Postclassic
The INAH began the Mayapán Archaeological Project in 1996, and the restorations and research have led to progress and improvement. The studies are giving more information about the place.
INAH – National Institute of Anthropology and History: public body dedicated to the investigation, conservation, protection, and dissemination of the prehistoric, anthropological, archaeological, and historical cultural heritage of Mexico
A very probable cause that led to the decline of Mayapán was a drought in the region from 1400 to 1450 AD. Food began to become scarce due to the severe drought, and this affected the crops, the lack of food, the trade routes… triggering a lot of pressure on the population and its rulers, causing the abandonment of Mayapán around 1450 AD.
Mayapán did not manage to obtain the quality and architectural finesse of Uxmal and Chichén. Ancient Mayan knowledge endured, but this last great Postclassic capital city of the Mayan world has not preserved the sublime engineering of the other two.
Did you know?
👉🏽The Mayapán archaeological zone extends 4 km² (to compare it with others we see that Uxmal was 15 km² and Ek balam 12 km²).
👉🏽The population is estimated at 12,000 people at its peak (1200 AD – 1450 AD)
👉🏽Just like Uxmal and Ek Balam, it was also a walled city. The wall of Mayapán is 9 km in circumference.
👉🏽There are 4000 structures in the city.
👉🏽Workshops have been found where flint and obsidian tools and shell ornaments were made. There is evidence of goldsmiths who worked copper for personal ornaments. This places us before an important commercial city.
👉🏽Many censers and other pieces have been recovered, and they are very beautiful. It is worth seeing some of these pieces that are now in museums.
The Mayan architectural style of Mayapán Ruins
It is said that the Cocomes, the Mayan lineage that lived in Mayapán, built their city in the “image and likeness” of Chichén Itzá. We clearly see it in the Kukulcán castle and in the so-called Observatory. These two emblematic buildings of Mayapán are a mirror of their counterparts in Chichén Itzá.
Other influences from people in central Mexico are also seen, both in the architecture and in the culture of the place. On some columns, you can see carved Toltec warriors. The murals in the Hall of Frescoes show a death cult typical of the Altiplano.
In Mayapan we also find the Chaac masks, an influence from the Puuc architectural style.
Meaning of Mayapán
Mayapán, in the Yucatecan Mayan language, derives from the words:
Ma‘ means no
ya’ab means much, a lot, abundant
pan means flag, standard, or banner.
It translates as: the flag of the Mayans.
Mayab is what the ancient Mayan called the Yucatan Peninsula.
Here is an interesting fact about Mayapán that not many know
Not many know that also in Mayapán you can enjoy the solstices and equinoxes, a very popular show in Chichén Itzá, where we see at the equinox how a shadow of a snake descends down the side of the Kukulcán castle.
In the Kukulcán castle of Mayapán, you can also enjoy the phenomena of lights and shadows, although they are not as spectacular as in Chichén. The good part is that there will be fewer people since almost no one knows about it.
HOW TO GET TO MAYAPÁN
The pre-Hispanic settlement of Mayapán is located 42 km (26 miles) southeast of Mérida, in the Tecoh municipality, 2 km south of the town of Telchaquillo.
🚗 42 km (26 miles) southeast of Mérida (40 minutes by car)
🚗92 km (57 miles) south of Izamal, the yellow village (1 hr by car)
🚗183 km (113 miles) from Valladolid (2 hours by car).
STATE: Yucatán, México
HOW TO GET TO MAYAPÁN BY CAR
From Mérida, take federal highway 184 (Mérida-Peto). Upon arriving in Telchaquillo, follow the signs towards the entrance to Mayapán. It is well indicated.
However, remember, if you decide to getting a car rental, make sure you include full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress.
➣ When renting a car in Mexico we recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.
HOW TO GET TO MAYAPÁN BY LOCAL BUS FROM MÉRIDA
From the Northeast station, 7 blocks from the Historic Center of Mérida (67th Street, between 50th and 52nd Street), buses leave daily and pass 200 meters from the entrance to Mayapán. Hours starting at 6:30 in the morning. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Tell the driver that you will get off at the Mayapán archaeological zone.
Returning by bus is possible, but not so simple: many return full and you will have to wait in full sun on the other side of the road. It is not the most recommended.
HOW TO GET TO MAYAPÁN BY TAXI
From Mérida you can get there by taxi, although it is not very common. Our advice is that you agree on the price so that they wait for you on site, because there is no return taxi.
We do not have a price reference to help you.
Compare the difference between going on a tour or by taxi, that can be a good way to decide which option is best for you
HOW TO GET TO MAYAPÁN BY TOUR
From Mérida, several tours can take you to Mayapán. These tours normally combine the day with a beautiful cenote along the way, the perfect combination. Here are the most highly rated for you.
MAYAPAN MAP
Just like in other archaeological zones, we’ll share our recommended itinerary. Obviously you can just follow your instinct and go where you please but this is how we like to do it.
There are some buildings and details that we recommend you should not miss. These are:
Fisherman’s Temple
Entering the enclosure on the left there is a building with a palapa on its roof, which is guarding one of the most beautiful treasures of Mayapán: a painting of a Mayan fisherman in a sea so blue that it entangles your eyes. Don’t miss it ⭐⭐⭐
Kukulcán Castle
The Kukulcán Castle is the most emblematic building of the Mayapán ruins. At the pyramidal base you can enjoy frescoes and figures carved in stone and stucco. From the top of the basement you can enjoy wonderful views, a cool one 💚
Ch’en Mul cenote
The Ch’en Mul cenote, right at the foot of the Kukulcán Temple, is a good place to observe some of the most beautiful birds in the area: the toh bird, which lives near fresh water. April and May is the best time to see them.
Observatory
A path that leaves the Observatory to the east leads you to another small observatory, in case you are one of those people who likes to explore everything.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Mayapán has free parking at the entrance. At the entrance, there are vendors offering juices, water, soft drinks, and some food, especially junk food such as chips, cookies, and so on.
FACILITIES
✅ Free parking
✅ Toilets
✅ Possibility to hire a Certified Guide
If you want to hire a guide, there are no guides there, as you would find in Chichen Itza and Uxmal, but we are happy to share Eric’s phone number. He’s a certified guide that’s been working in Mayapan for years. Sandra has known him for a long time, he’s trustworthy and speaks English. 📞+52 1 999 126 0139
MAYAPÁN OPENING HOURS
Open every day from 8 am to 5 pm Last access at 4.30 pm
MAYAPÁN ENTRANCE FEE
💲65 MXN
✔ On Sundays, the entrance is free for Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residence.
✔ Access to the Mayan ruins is open every day for kids up to 12 years old, students, teachers, and seniors (must show ID).
ALSO FREE ENTRANCE TO MAYAPAN FOR :
Mexicans: over 60 (with official ID) • Retired people with official documentation • Mexican Professors and students (with official ID) • Kids up to 12 ys • Researchers and scholars (with a special permit from the INAH) •
Mexicans and foreigners: with disabilities
Special permission is required to enter with a tripod and professional camera. Drone flying is not allowed.
Tips for visiting MAYAPÁN
- Use comfortable light clothing and shoes, a good hat will also help with the high temperatures. There is not much shade in Mayapán
- Sunshades, hat.
- Bring a bottle of water and keep in mind that you cannot walk in with food or alcoholic drinks,
- Big backpacks are not permitted
- You can hire a certified guide at the entrance
- Do not forget the swimsuit if you want to swim in some cenote before visit Mayapán ruins
How much time do we need to visit Mayapán
Consider between 1 hour and 90 minutes. If you walk fast for 1 hour, if you like to take it slow, like we do, even 2 hours. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy and take pictures, and you are allowed to climb to almost all the temples, which may take some time.
The best of Mayapán
The best thing about Mayapán is the panoramic views that allow you to overview the entire space and see the entire city from above as if you were a drone. It happens in places like Uxmal or Ek Balam, in a few others. This is the best feature for us⭐🙌🏽
We also have a predilection for the Fisherman painting, we simply love this corner.
The worst of Mayapan
It’s difficult to find something we don’t like. There is little shade, so keep an eye on the heat, especially from April to November.
Climb the Kukulcán Castle carefully, the steps are somewhat worn. The right side, if we take the entrance to Mayapán as a reference, is the optimal one to climb. The other sides are a bit rough.
WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY
You will find a lot of interesting sites in the surroundings.
- X-Kanchakán: in this charming little town, there is a hacienda with one part renovated and in use, and another part in ruins that you can visit. You will see a couple of craft workshops. We really like this corner 8 km/ 5 miles 10 minutes by car
- Tzabnah Caves: This adventure through different cenotes awaits you in the nearby town of Tecoh. 16.5 km/ 10 miles 15 minutes by car
- Uayalceh: in this town is the abandoned Hacienda Uayalceh, which is from our corners of Yucatán. 25 km/ 15.5 miles 30 minutes by car
- Cenote Kankirixche: 22 km/ 13.5 miles 35 minutes by car
- Mucuyché Cenotes: 21 kilometers/ 13 miles 20 minutes by car
- Cenote Yaal Utzil: 18 km/ 11 miles 25 minutes by car
