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These Mayan Ruins Near Cancun Are Trending With Travelers

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Interest in the Mexican Caribbean’s centuries-long Mayan history is skyrocketing this year as the government continues to improve the region’s stunning main ruins.

Top view of Tulum ruins and beach with a lot of visitors

New figures show that more and more travelers are visiting places like Tulum and Chichen Itzá for a historically and culturally enriching experience.

With that in mind, here are some of the trendiest Mayan ruins this year for travelers.

Cultural And Historical Tourism Rising In Popularity In Cancun

Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo are mainly known for their stunning white-sand beaches and world-class hospitality. However, a growing number of travelers are opting for the region thanks to its beautiful and rich history.

Tourists on a Beach in Cancun, Mexico

In fact, Cancun is one of the best destinations for history lovers, with ancient Mayan ruins found just a stone’s throw away from the sun-soaked region.

Quintana Roo’s Secretary for Tourism recently published new figures that reveal a sharp growth in the number of travelers visiting the region’s well-preserved ruins.

According to the authorities, nearly half a million travelers – some 435,000 – visited one of Quintana Roo’s famous archeological zones during the first two months of the year.

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Aerial View of Tulum Beaches in Mexico

That number represents a growth of over 100,000 compared to last year, as the local government invests more resources in improving the region’s main ruins.

Tulum’s Archeological Zone remains the most significant and popular Mayan ruins in the Mexican Caribbean, with more than 350,000 travelers flocking to the coastal destination during the first few months of the year.

Surprisingly, some of the fastest-growing Mayan ruins are found in Cancun, with the El Rey Archeological Zone seeing its popularity skyrocket compared to last year. The second-fastest growing ruins are those of San Gervasio, found in Cozumel, which saw a 120% growth rate compared to last year.

Drone view of the El Rey Archeological zone in Cancun

Meanwhile, officials are carrying out a massive investment program aimed at sprucing up popular ruins, improving accessibility, and upgrading aging facilities.

The program, known as PROMEZA, is all the more important as the completion of the Maya Train in December is expected to boost Tulum’s popularity further.

With hundreds and thousands of travelers projected to flock to the historical destinations, officials want to preserve the ruin’s delicate artifacts and temples while making the site more visitor-friendly.

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Tulum’s Archeological Zone was closed for over a week in May as officials made significant improvements to the ruin’s infrastructure and monitoring systems.

The Mexican Caribbean government is currently investing millions of dollars in improving some of the region’s most significant archeological zones, including Kabah and Chacmultún, which are projected to soar in popularity once the Maya train is complete.

Cancun travelers can enjoy several stunning Mayan ruins located in the vicinity of the sun-soaked region. Some of the top-rated sites include the San Miguelito ruins, located in the southern portion of the city’s hotel zone.

The Archeological site of Maya Ruins, San Miguelito in Cancun

Travelers can easily visit the El Meco Archeological Site situated just north of Cancun, in Costa Mujeres. The site is also a hotspot for nature lovers, with iguanas roaming the ancient grounds.

On rainy days, Cancun’s Mayan Museum is one of the best places to learn more about this ancient civilization that once populated the Mexican Caribbean. With admission costing just $4 per person, the museum is one of the most affordable educational experiences in town.

Those wishing to explore more far-away ruins can book a day trip or excursion to Tulum. This [all-inclusive top-rated half-day tour ]combines some of the Mexican Caribbean’s most famous attractions in one package, and at just $129 per person, it’s an unbeatable deal.

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