Top Things to do in Quintana Roo
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10 Ancient Ruins in Quintana Roo That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula including Dzibanche, Zona Arqueologica Kohunlich, Ruins of the Temple of The Goddess Ixchel, Zona Arqueologica de Coba, Las Pinturas, Tulum Archaeological Site, Kohunlich, Centro Ceremonial Kohunlich, Zona Arqueologica de Muyil, Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben.
Restaurants in Quintana Roo
1. Dzibanche
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Ancient Mayan city with impressive pyramids and buildings.
Reviewed By 679randye
I have now been to 10 Mayan ruins!! This one is breathtaking!! Two temples to climb and we could hear the monkeys fighting for territory! Well worth the trip, very few tourists!
2. Zona Arqueologica Kohunlich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By markpN8874JB - Denver, United States
This site is a bit more accessible than some of the other nearby site and more extensively restored. You can see an acropolis, several residential areas and the Building of the Figureheads. There you will see several 6' tall figureheads that are well preserved since they were entombed by a later structure.
3. Ruins of the Temple of The Goddess Ixchel
4. Zona Arqueologica de Coba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,221 reviews
Coba (pronounced cō-bǝ) is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in what is now northeastern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The site is the nexus of the largest network of stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world, and it contains many engraved and sculpted stelae that document ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period (AD 600-900) of Mesoamerican civilization.[1] The adjacent modern village bearing the same name, reported a population of 1,278 inhabitants in the 2010 Mexican federal census.[2]
Reviewed By Antonio251990
The coolest thing about this site it's the bicycle ride through the jungle it's a most to get on the bikes plus is only 30 pesos to rent it.. the view at the top of the main pyramid its amazing all you can see its miles of pure green in every direction it's kind of hard to climb all the way up but totally worth the effort... if you're staying in the tulum area definitely should go to coba ruins, just try to be there early because gets packed..
5. Las Pinturas
6. Tulum Archaeological Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,609 reviews
Tulum (Spanish pronunciation: [tu'lum], Yucatec: Tulu'um) is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba.[1] The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.[1] Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned.[citation needed] One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.[1]
Reviewed By discoveringdest - Montreal, Canada
Oh yeah guys, we were in Tulum last week! We were blessed with a perfect sunny week in Riviera Maya. Our idea was to spend a week relaxing on the beach. Then we saw pictures of Tulum and found out it was 20 minutes away. So... “Why not” ?!? We never know the next time we'll be in Mexico. Tulum for a 1/2 day tour with guide was $69usd per person. Expensive we thought, but we got a nice van, with a good driver and a really knowledgeable guide Jazmin. She studied history in Mexico and was clearly passionate about that. In Tulum are ruins of an ancient Mayan port city just next to wonderful Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Some go to visit the remaining structures and others to enjoy the beach. The tour was 4 hours in total. That includes the drive to Tulum, the guided tour and 1h30 of free time to spend walking around. With this time, we could go around, take pictures, swim and shop around in one of the local shops. We decided to walk around to enjoy the astonishing views of the coastline. We were mesmerized by the turquoise green and blue water and multicolour iguanas that gaze at the sun as though they were kings of the Mayan city! According our guide and in Wikipedia, Tulum is one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites and is really famous touristic point. The important part of Tulum is its history, since the city has access land and sea trade routes, making it an important trade hub. It was really cool to hear our guide speak about the Mayan history. She described a mystical place on a beautiful sunny day just like the one we were experiencing. We took the tour from the hotel so everything was pre arranged for us. Alternatively, you can always rent a car and drive over. Our Ratings Serge: 5 Eli: 5 Recommend: Absolutely. Tulum is a very unique historical Mayan ruin, feel free to view the grounds or go for a swim. Important Tips: 1. Tulum in a sunny day is really “Hot”, so get your sunblock ready and if possible, an umbrella. 2. Please, “Do NOT forget” an insect repellent because Tulum is a mix of Beach & Jungle, we are the bite marks to prove it. 3. Bring water and if you decide to go swimming, make sure have some protection (sun block and repellent). 4. If you have a professional or semi professional camera (GoPro counts), you will need to pay a extra tax. The tax is calculated per camera.
7. Kohunlich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
This ancient Mayan city was built around 500 AD and is famous for its Temple of the Masks.
Reviewed By 733ruthh
We visited this site when vacationing in Bacalar. There is well-marked signage to this site via Highway / Road 186. After you take the exit off of Highway 186, you will be driving another 9KM to the archaeological site. GPS Coordinates are at the end of this Review. Tickets are $75 Mx pesos per person. Parking is free. There are restrooms at the ticket booth. There is also a main map located at the ticket booth. We took a photo of the map with our cell-phone and referred to it when we explored. I will post the photo with this Review. This is a wonderful site that requires significant walking. The site is in the thick of an amazing Jungle, and the walking paths are very clear and easy. As it is in the jungle, you get a lot of shade, however I would recommend that you bring a bottle of water. Most of the structures you can explore and there are some truly amazing photo opportunities here. Make sure that you visit each structure. Other than one other couple, we had the whole site to ourselves !! Bonus ! GPS Coordinates: Road turnoff: N 18 28.680. W 88 50.206 Parking: N 18 25.220. W 88 47.614
8. Centro Ceremonial Kohunlich
9. Zona Arqueologica de Muyil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 388 reviews
Reviewed By Dandylonglegs
We had the place all to ourselves as we went early. Beautiful secluded Jungle setting and great staff. Complete opposite of the Tulum ruins. Took the board walk into the Sian Kaan reserve which starts behind the castle and that was even more amazing. Paid 1000 pesos to take the boat ride/canal float tour which was also fantastic. Expensive morning but it was all together the highlight of the trip. Go early tho. 8am.
10. Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
There are 3 outstanding sights you should see while your cruise ship is docked at Costa Maya port: Chacchoben ruins, Bacalar lagoon (7 blue lagoon) and Mahahual beach. Here, I'll give precise tips how to do all 3 in 7 hours, based on our great experience from Jan 2020. First advice is do NOT book via your ship or third party - DO it yourself: you'll save a lot of money, see more and have comfort over your time. - on the Costa Maya docking date get up early, have your breakfast and bring with you beverages from the ship (suppose you have a drink package paid), - be among the first to disembark the ship (this is important for later crowds at the archeological site), - skip (just walk through) the whole Costa Maya port. It's a pretty big labyrynth style shopping area, built in Mayan theme-park like houses with inflated prices catered to cruising passangers. You can visit it on your way back when embarking the ship if you want, - ignore the taxi drivers inside the port, they're more expensive, - walk to the port gates and ramp and exit, there're plenty of taxi drivers waiting, - haggle with them for day hire, telling the route you want: Chacchoben-Bacalar laggon-Mahahual beach, ask 7,8 of them until you reach a favorable offer, - to have a picture - their offer is around 200$, we managed to negotiate 140$ (paying is at the END of the tour), - first stop is Chacchoben archeological site (around 40 min drive). Here you have to pay taxi's parking fee 8$, plus 6$ pp entry fee. You can opt for a guide (30$), but no need, you'll see them around and can put your ear close to hear the story, moreover there are few explanation plaques, - we reached the ruins at around 9.30 AM, almost the only one there (therefore is getting up early important). Count on around hour and a half for visit. The site is great, like Chichen Itza on a much smaller scale, but in a lush jungle. The driver waits you on the parking lot, - when exiting around 11 AM huge crowds, no parking space, no place for pics with noone around (see my pics and get up early), - second stop Bacalar lagoon - the 7 blue lake color lagoon (slightly more than an hour drive from the ruins). 2 hrs free time - terrific swim in crystal lake water, rent a kayak (10$ only), - third and last stop is Mahahual beach (less than an hour from the lagoon) - more relax time before embarking (see my reviews on that page). All the drivers we spoke to (haggled) were very nice, not pushy. That was also the case with our Xavi, very honest and decent man, only downside he didn't speak English, but we made it on our poor Spanish. At the end when paying we tipped him extra 10, so rounded the whole trip to 150$ - real bargain. Do not be afraid, do that trip on your own and have a great time with no rush for much less money and in your own comfort without groups. For your info, only Chacchoben (WITHOUT Bacalar and the beach) costs 119$ pp if booking via ship.
