Kohunlich & Dzibanche Mayan Ruins & Scenic Drive
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Port
Costa Maya, Mexico
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Experience two exciting archaeological sites few visitors have been privileged to see -- Dzibanche, with its pyramids and landscaped grounds, and the multi-leveled Mayan city of Kohunlich, surrounded by magnificent cahoon palms. This active introduction to the Yucatan Peninsula is an adventure fit for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
The Dzibanche ruins, located in the Valley of the Masks in Quintana Roo, will pique your curiosity. Once hidden by the jungle, Dzibanche was known for its beautiful pottery and splendid temples. Explore to your heart's content, climbing the tallest temple for a view of the Temple of the Owls and the Temple of the Captives. Let your imagination carry you back to the days when the city was a bustling ceremonial center. Dzibanche, which means 'writing on wood,' includes numerous pyramids and palace structures grouped around a series of plazas running east to west across a densely-forested hillside. The city was settled before AD 200, but most of the larger structures date from the Classical Era between AD 300 and 800.
The nearby ruins of Kohunlich were a once mighty Mayan city. This recently-excavated archeological site is named after the giant cahoon palm trees that cloak the vast, manicured grounds of about 21 acres. The city appears to have functioned as a regional center along trade routes between the Yucatan, Guatemala and Belize. It was elaborately planned and engineered, with raised platforms and pyramids, citadels, courtyards and plazas all laid out to channel drainage into a system of cisterns. There is also an enormous reservoir to collect rainwater. The most famous structure is a classic pyramid -- the 5th-century Temple of Masks -- whose central stairway is flanked by eight 10-foot-tall masks that represent a composite of Kohunlich's rulers. Study the cosmic symbolism of the masks and other decorative elements and ponder the skill and artistry of the architects. Your experienced guide explains the glory days of this still awe-inspiring Mayan city.
A light snack is provided. When it's time to leave the ruins behind, rejoin your air-conditioned transportation and return to the pier.
Notes:
Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Bring bio-degradable sunscreen and insect repellent. Travel time is two hours each way with no stops. The coach is restroom-equipped and air-conditioned. Flash photography is not allowed at the ruins.