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Although Cancun is mostly famous for its stellar all-inclusives and splendid beaches, few are aware that there are a number of key Mayan sites just a stone’s throw away from the city’s hotel zone.
This year, travelers will be able to visit one of Cancun’s best-preserved Mayan sites, the El Meco ruins, as the historical landmark undergoes a major renovation ahead of the launching of the Maya Train.
The ongoing renovations and improvements at the El Meco Mayan ruins represent the largest modification to the area in over 30 years, demonstrating Cancun’s commitment to improving the diversity of the city’s tourism offerings.
@thebeardedvagabond This is a short from my full video at El Meco Archaeological Mayan site in Cancun. In this clip I just discuss some of the history of this ancient city while exploring the ruins all to myself. Watch the full video on my channel The Bearded Vagabond. #elmeco #mayan #mayanruins #cancun #mexico #ancientruins #archeology #history #archaeology #travel #méxico #cancún #travelvlogger #traveler #travelling #travelguide #travelholic #traveladdict #travelbucketlist #traveltiktok #foryoupage #fyp #beautiful #follow #tiktok ♬ original sound – TheBeardedVagabond
With that in mind, here’s a look at what travelers can expect from the El Meco ruins after its renovation.
El Meco To Reopen In May For Cancun Tourists After Major Renovation
Not only will the Maya Train railway system enable a completely new way to explore the Mexican Caribbean, but it will also revive interest in the region’s countless historical sites.
One of them is the underrated El Meco Mayan ruins, which are located just a 20-minute ride from Cancun’s packed hotel zone. The ruins are temporarily closed as archeologists and workers carry out a massive renovation to improve the location’s infrastructure and facilities.
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The ongoing renovation is set to wrap up in May, close to the estimated complete launching of the Maya Train.
El Meco is one of dozens of Mayan sites included in the Promeza program, which seeks to revitalize a number of key ruins across the Mexican Caribbean and make them more appealing for mass tourism.
@eyeoftheserpent Plaza B at the #MAYA Archaeological Site El Meco, #Cancun #ElMeco #EyeOfTheSerpent74 #Mesoamerica ♬ original sound – Edgar Martin del Campo, Ph.D.
The costly renovation program will see the opening of a new visitors center, which will display important information about El Meco’s centuries-long history and cultural influences.
One of the most interesting aspects of the renovation is the construction of a new lookout area, which will provide panoramic views of the nearby Caribbean Sea.
As a result of the huge investment, El Meco will be able to welcome thousands of daily visitors, providing a much-needed boost to Cancun’s tourism offerings.
While traditionally associated with large all-inclusive resorts, Cancun is shaping up to become one of the most exciting destinations for historical and cultural travel.
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The El Meco site is located just north of Cancun’s hotel zone, in the stunning coastal hotspot of Costa Mujeres, which is poised to become a leading alternative to its southern counterpart.
Home to some of the newest top-rated all-inclusives, Costa Mujeres offers a quaint retreat from Cancun’s hustle and bustle.
Cancun is home to three stunning Mayan ruins, including San Miguelito and El Rey, all offering a unique window into the Mayan civilization.
@sandsational_travel #greenscreen The high speed train, tren maya is set to start running in December. This train would go through theses states in Mexico; Campeche, Tobasco, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Would you ride the tren maya? #puertomorelos #beachvibes #travelagent #traveladvisor #traveltiktok #merida #xcaret #hotelxcaretmexico #hotelxcaretarte #vacationideas #saveforlater #mexicancaribbean #yucatan #cancun #playadelcarmen #tabascomexico #chiapas #campeche #quintanaroo #mexico #trenmaya #f #foryou #allinclusive #travelmexico ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim
El Meco was discovered in 1877 by archeologists and is widely considered the city’s most significant Mayan ruins. The archeological zone first opened to the public in 1990 and has seen its popularity grow steadily since then.
And with interest in the ruins expected to skyrocket in 2024, officials are keen on preserving one of Cancun’s most historic attractions.
That’s why experts will soon have a state-of-the-art laboratory that will help authorities to preserve El Meco’s historical value for generations to come.
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While not much is known about the ruins, new investments in research will help experts to uncover more mysteries of the Mayan civilization.
El Meco will thus become one of the most interesting sites for visitors to Cancun, in addition to Tulum’s hugely popular Archeological Zone.
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