Cancun may be best known for its fabulous hotels, gorgeous beaches, and stellar nightlife, but it is also the primary gateway to the Maya World. Not only can you make day trips to the Yucatan Peninsula’s most important archaeological sites, Cancun is also home to an excellent museum where you can learn about the Maya civilization, and there are even archaeological sites within the hotel zone. Besides learning about the ancient Maya, on a trip to Cancun, you can also learn about the present-day Maya people, their culture, traditions, and wonderful cuisine.
The Cancun hotel zone is on the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, on a strip of land shaped like the number seven that separates the Nichupte Lagoon from the Caribbean Sea. With fourteen miles of pristine white beaches, stunning turquoise water, practically perfect beach weather year-round, and a bountiful underwater world (the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef lies just off the coast), Cancun’s natural attractions are obvious.
The Cancun area was selected for development as a tourist resort area by FONATUR (Mexico’s National Foundation for Tourism Development) in the 1970s because of its natural beauty and privileged location. Cancun’s history dates back far beyond that, though. The Maya lived here long before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Maya Civilization
Maya civilization was at its peak from around 200 B.C. to 900 A.D. Their homeland stretched over the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond, down through Chiapas and into Central America. The ancient Maya perfected architectural techniques, developed an advanced written language, had the concept of zero, and their calendar allowed them to calculate the occurrence of eclipses and other celestial events with great precision. The Maya are still very much alive and thriving; there are about 6 million Maya living today in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.
The Maya World came into the spotlight in December 2012 when the Maya calendar cycle ended. December 12, 2012, marked the end of the 13th Bak’tun in the Mayan long-count calendar. Many people mistakenly believed that the Maya had predicted this would be the end of the world, however, none of the ancient Maya texts or present-day Maya supported the theory. It was simply the end of a calendar cycle – an important one, of over 5000 years – and the beginning of a new one. Many people gathered at ancient sites to witness the beginning of the new era. The event sparked interest in the Maya World, and many visitors are now hankering to get to know more about this culture and its fascinating legacy.
Here are some of the attractions Cancun holds for visitors who want to experience more than just sun and sand:
Maya Museum in Cancun
The Museo Maya de Cancun is a good place to visit on a rainy day, but even if the weather is idyllic (as it often is in Cancun), you should still make time to go. Inaugurated in November 2012, this museum gives visitors some background into Mayan civilization and development over its over two thousand years of history up to the time of the conquest. You will see artifacts of the ancient Maya in the three main exhibition halls. After surveying the museum, wander outside to see the San Miguelito archaeological site which is adjacent to it, and contains some forty structures, including a pyramid. The museum is located in the hotel zone on Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 16.5, open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Archaeological Sites in Cancun
Besides the San Miguelito archaeological site that is connected to the Maya Museum, there is another ancient Maya site within the Cancun hotel zone. The site is called El Rey (The King) because of a stone carving that was found here that depicts a figure with an elaborate headdress. The site contains 47 structures, and many of the buildings’ facades retain vestiges of brightly colored mural paintings. El Rey archaeological site is on Boulevard Kukulcán, km. 18, and opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
Mayan Cultural Experiences
Aside from exploring the sites that were inhabited by the ancient Maya, a visit to Cancun also offers the opportunity to appreciate present-day Mayan culture. You can sample Yucatecan cuisine, visit a nearby Maya village, take part in a temazcal (a traditional steam bath), or get a spa treatment that brings in elements of traditional Maya spirituality.
Day Trips from Cancun
You can visit many of the most important Mayan archaeological sites on day trips from Cancun. Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the greatest ancient Maya cities, and has outstanding architecture. Tulum, to the south of Cancun, is a smaller site, but no less spectacular with its stunning setting on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean sea. Cobá is located inland from Tulum and features the tallest pyramid in the Maya world, Nohuch Mul.
A visit to Xcaret, an archeo-ecological theme park will allow you to learn more about the natural world of the Maya and the history of the area. See a re-enactment of the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame as part of the Mexico Espectacular show, and demonstrations of pre-Hispanic dances and ceremonies.
Although Cancun’s natural attractions and tourist services and amenities have made it Mexico’s most popular beach destination, it also has much to offer for visitors who are seeking to learn about and experience Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
