How to Visit the Mayan Ruins of Kuluba, a Hidden Treasure
The Kulubá ruins are among the most beloved places for adventurous travelers. They are not very well known, and hardly anyone visits them.
You reached them by a narrow path off the main road that leads to one of the most magical places.
And, of course, the Kuluba ruins are among our favorites. Since 2010, the INAH has been working on its conservation.
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
To date, Kuluba has a free entry, but it is scheduled to be the following paid archaeological site in the state of Yucatan.
At the entrance of Kulubá, you will find Willi, the guardian of the place. We don’t know how he does that, but he always shows up, even when you don’t see him. He keeps track of visitors.
Don’t miss this incredible adventure in the Kulubá ruins 🙌
SOME HISTORY OF THE KULUBÁ MAYAN SETTLEMENT
The Kulubá archaeological zone is one of the most important in the northeastern region of Yucatán.
It is one of the few places in this area that preserve many of its structures, in addition to those restored in recent years by INAH.
It was particularly influenced by Chichén Itzá, as it was part of its commercial network and controlled the northern zone during the Terminal Classic and the Postclassic.
- First indications of occupation during the Late Preclassic (300 BC to 300 AD)
- The settlement is consolidated in the Early Classic (from 300 AD to 600 AD)
- Kuluba experienced significant growth during the Late and Late Classic (from 600 to 1000 AD), under the influence of Ek Balam and Cobá.
- Its expansion and boom are under the influence of the emerging Chichén Itzá during the Terminal Classic (800 to 1000 AD), as shown by the remains of ceramics, obsidian, and murals from Kulubá.
- In the Postclassic period (from 1100 to 1450), the place was sporadically occupied and mainly used as a center of pilgrimage.
Kulubá is located in an area of rejolladas (sort of sinkholes with no water). They were part of the worldview of the ancient Mayans, who were closely connected to nature.
cenote – sinkhole filled with water (reaching water table/phreatic depth)
rejollada – old eroded cenote, infilled with sediment and no visible surface water
These places were used for rituals and ceremonies, where deities such as Chaac (rain deity) or Yum Kax (maize deity) dwelled.
They were considered sacred places, getaways to the underworld.
In Kuluba, there is a sort of overlap or connection between the natural and cultural landscape. The largest rejollada is associated with the most notorious buildings, indicating a strong connection between culture and nature in those civilizations.
This pattern is repeatedly found in ancient cultures, and unfortunately, we have been losing it over time.
The disconnection of modern man from nature surely affects us negatively.
Did you know?
The rejolladas were portals to the underworld, sources of water, and fertility. They were also land for the cultivation of cocoa, a sacred product. This area is full of these kinds of formations.
Meaning of Kuluba
The ancient name of Kuluba is not known, and the city is not mentioned in the ancient chronicles. It gets its name from one of the neighboring ranches, as it lies between the ranches of Kuluba and Emmanuel.
Kuluba means “water from the Kulu wild dog.”
The Mayan architectural style of the Kuluba Ruins
Various architectural styles are seen in the Kuluba ruins, such as Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc styles. Also the Mayan-Toltec style is characteristic of the Itzaés of Chichén Itzá.
KULUBA RUINS EXPLORATION HISTORY
The well-known archaeologist and epigrapher Wyllys Andrews IV, who dedicated a large part of his life to the Mayan world, first reported Kuluba in 1941, publishing a sketch and notes on the place he visited in 1939.
Until that date, there is nothing written about Kuluba. In 1980, the first interventions were carried out by the rescue brigade of the Southeast Regional Center of the INAH (today the INAH Yucatan Center).
At the end of 1999 and the beginning of 2000, the archaeological work continued, and it continued in 2001 and 2002.
The INAH has continued to carry out maintenance work and interventions that have greatly changed the look of the place.
Here is an interesting fact about Kuluba that not many know
Spider monkey families live in this area. The spider monkeys usually return in the afternoon after spending the day out looking for food in the surrounding area. If you go around 3 o’clock onwards, it is very likely that you will see them in a specific area of Kulubá.
Later in this post, we tell you where you can see them.
HOW TO GET TO KULUBA
The Kuluba ruins are located in the municipality of Tizimín, between the city of Tizimín and Colonia Yucatán. You must take a detour at the sign on the road to Tixcancal. The closest towns where to sleep are Tizimín and Puerto de El Cuyo.
STATE MEXICO: Yucatan
How to get to Kuluba by car
The Kuluba ruins are located at
► 37 kilómetros (23 millas) from Tizimín (40 minutos)
► 205 km (127 miles) from Mérida (3 horas)
►90 km (56 miles) from Valladolid (1 hora y 30 minutos)
► 74 km (46 miles) from El Cuyo (1 hora y 15 minutos).
Renting a car on the Riviera Maya is a good option if you want to be free to move around and discover all the amazing sites in the region. It’s a relatively safe place to drive, the roads are good, and the sites are well-marked.
Therefore, traveling by car is a very good option.
However, remember: if you decide to rent a car, make sure you include full insurance with 0 deductible so you can drive without 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 Kuluba by local bus
It is a bit complicated to get to the Kuluba ruins by public transport. Near the Parque de los Niños Héroes de Tizimín is the collective taxi stop that takes you to Tixcancal (they are 4-passenger taxis or 12-passenger vans).
You must tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance of the Kulubá ruins.
From here, you must walk less than 2 kilometers to the archaeological zone along a dirt road.
On the way back, you must wait on the road for some transport to Tizimín. It’s not easy, but it can be done.
How to get to Kuluba by taxi
You can agree on a price with a taxi driver in Tizimín to take you and wait for you. We do not really know what this service may cost you, but definitely, you shouldn’t pay more than 800 pesos.
KULUBA MAP
Here is a photo of the ruins’ entrance to help you find them, as there is no sign.
It is a very simple wooden ranch door; you may sometimes find cattle grazing on the site.
You can park where you see the Culubá ranch sign. When you take the dirt road towards the ruins, a moment after 1.5 km, there is a building on your right.
The next wooden door on the right-hand side is the entrance to the ruins
We can see about 2 areas in Kuluba (to explain the place better)
From the entrance of the wooden door, there is a path that leads you to the main group, where the Building of the Masks and the Building of the Chenes are. It is the most visible and clear area of Kuluba, among some sporadic vegetation. These are the main buildings of Kulubá.
- Entering on the right-hand side, there is a path that you can follow that leads you to the Palacio de las U, a wonderful place immersed in the vegetation. In this area, there is also a square, where you can explore around. The building’s bedrooms are usually occupied by birds, including the elegant Toh, a mythical bird of the Yucatan Peninsula.
- The latest work from the INAH was to reconstruct an area of vestiges where burials have been found, which you reach by another path. This is where good Willi comes in, the guardian of the place knows us because we have visited Kuluba several times, so he’s always kind enough to take us around, even though he doesn’t have to. Since we know the area, we could go on our own but It’s also nice to be escorted. And also we are happy to give will a tip for helping us. This area is also where you can see the spider monkeys.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
As always, we share information about the places to help you plan your trip. Keep in mind that there is no official access here, so you have to find your way around a bit. Always tell Willi before entering, he’s usually by the Museum, if not, just give him a shout and he’ll show up 😊
Facilities
There is a small but interesting museum with pieces from the place on the Ranch where Willi is. He keeps the visitor log. We really like it.
Kulubá opening hours
From 8 am to 3 pm every day
Kulubá entrance fee
There is no official fee at the moment but a tip to Willi is more than welcome.
Tips for visiting Kulubá
Take water with you
It’s advisable to have hiking shoes and long pants, as the vegetation can get tall
A hat duringthe wet season will also be helpful
How much time do you need to visit Kulubá?
Depending on the area you are going to visit from 1 hour to 2 hours (if you see it all)
INSIDER TIPS_ Be very careful because, in the area where the kattle hangs out, there are a lot of ticks and other nasty bugs. They can crawl up your feet even when wearing boots! There is no exact remedy for them, but you can try spraying your clothes with hairspray, mineral oil, lemon, or apple cider vinegar. Or that’s what we have read about remedies against these bugs.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE ABOUT
Those damn bugs that at times ate us alive! 🙈
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT
In Kuluba, one feels adventurous, with many buildings to see and enjoy in the middle of the jungle of Yucatan. We love it, although we know it’s not for everyone.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF KULUBA
The Palacio de las U area is our favorite. Those U still retain the red color, and are part of snake scales, as some archaeologists point out. This place is magic 💚
WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY
➡️ Ek Balam 73 (45 miles)
➡️ Cenote Aka’ab Che’en 13.5 km (8 miles)
➡️ Tizimin 37 kilómetros (23 millas)
WHERE TO STAY NEAR KULUBA
The closest town near Kuluba is El Cuyo, which is actually the perfect spot to combine beach life and some exploration of the surrounding wonders, including the Kuluba archeological site. Here below some hotel ideas
Can Cocal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The perfect luxury stay at El Cuyo, where Sandra and Fausto, the owner, will make you feel like in your home away from home. The spacious rooms are attentively decorated with love and good taste.
Cabañas Ca Nikte ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cabañas Ca Nikte offer cute and cozy cabins located just 5 minutes’ walk from the beautiful El Cuyo beach, with a very comfortable queen-size bed and a hammock on the wooden mezzanine, a sofa bed, and a well-equipped kitchen.
El Hotelito ⭐️⭐️
A cute, simple hotel run by an Italian family. It’s located in downtown, a minutes walk from the beach, which is perfect for budget travelers. The best part of this hotel is the cafe-restaurant offering Italian premium delicacies, including homemade cakes and delicious sandwiches with homemade bread and fresh cold cuts.
