Travelers Can Visit These Mayan Ruins South Of Cancun For The First Time Ever Next Year 

Last Updated 1 year ago

One of the top attractions for travelers visiting Cancun is the many Mayan archeological sites that can be found throughout the Yucatan peninsula.   

Mayan ruins like Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, and more draw visitors from Cancun to other parts of the Riviera Maya region to see these historic wonders.   

And now travelers will be able to visit a new Mayan ruins site south of Cancun for the first time ever next year. 

The Ichkabal Archeological Site 

The Ichkabal archeological site is not a new discovery, but it has yet to be opened to the public since it was found in the 1990s.   

The ruins are located near the Magic Town, or Pueblo Magico, of Bacalar, which is about four hours south of Cancun.   

The site currently consists of a number of large buildings, including a pyramid that stands more than 130 feet tall, that have been uncovered so far.   

@nayeliblancorealtor Ichkabal 😻 una de las nuevas zonas arqueológicas que abrirán próximamente. Se sitúa cerca de la laguna de los 7 colores en Bacalar 😃😃 #bienesraicesmexico #vacaciones #invierte #inversiónturística #quintanaroomexico #tesorosencontrados ♬ original sound Nayeli en Playa 🥰🤪

The Importance Of The Ruins 

While the Ichkabal site was discovered in the 90s, it wasn’t until 2009 that researchers really started to understand the importance of the site.   

It was at this time that the true age of the pre-Hispanic site’s unearthed buildings was revealed, with estimates dating back 2,400 years or more.   

The age, combined with the massive size of the buildings, the Ichkabal pyramid measuring significantly larger than that of Chichen Itza, are what led researchers to determine how significant this site had to have been for the Mayan people.  

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@cizko1975 #parati #fyp #vacation #cancunmexico #rancho_cañitas#quintana_roo ♬ оригинальный звук – Good Game

The Magic Town Of Bacalar 

Bacalar is one of only three Magic Towns in the state of Quintana Roo.   

Magic Town is a designation given to certain cities and towns in Mexico that have some sort of historical, natural, or cultural significance that makes them special.   

Bacalar, in addition to the new archeological site that will soon be able to be explored, has some other amazing sites to explore as well.   

@carlos_memories 🇲🇽❤️ #bacalar #mexico ♬ How deep is your love – tommasoreplica

Things To See In Bacalar 

Bacalar is a town that has a little bit of everything.  For the history and architecture buffs, there is the Church of San Joaquin and the Fort of San Felipe.   

For nature lovers, there is the Bacalar Lagoon, or the Lagoon of 7 Colors,  and Cenote Azul to explore, and that’s only the beginning….  

An eco-park, numerous cenotes, a lake, and a charming downtown area add to the overall experience of Bacalar. 

Expected Opening Date 

No specific date has been chosen for the opening of the Ichkabal archeological site, but estimates are for August of next year.   

According to the Director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Diego Prieto Hernández, “Ichkabal is not open to the public because it is not easy to access the area.”  

Officials were originally hoping to have the site open by the middle of this year.   

@ademar_figueroa ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE ICHKABAL BACALAR QUINTANA ROO #travel #fake #me ♬ Phonky Tribu – Funk Tribu

The Opening Of An Important Archeological Site 

The announcement that the site is set to open next year now also came from Mr. Hernández.   

He stated that currently, they are working on a deal with the local population in terms of how they will benefit from the opening of the site.   

In his announcement, he said that “The instruction of the Federation is that the opening of the archaeological zone of Ichkabal, be in August 2024, so we work with the ejidatarios to reach an agreement.”  

@irivieramaya El redescubrimiento de hace meses de la zona arqueológica Ichkabal, en el tramo de construcción del proyecto del Tren Maya a 40 km al occidente de la Laguna de Bacalar se convertirá en uno de los mayores atractivos en esta ruta, de acuerdo con palabras del presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador primero se restaurará para después aperturar y que así el turismo aprenda más sobre está increíble cultura maya. De acuerdo con expertos este vestigio data de la época preclásica, clásica y posclásica de la civilización prehispánica. Sin duda este increíble atractivo será un lugar que generará gran afluencia turística, lo que lo convierte en una excelente opción para la inversión inmobiliaria. ¡Contáctanos y descubre las oportunidades que tenemos para ti!  #zonaarqueológica #tren #naturaleza #turismo #lagunadebacalar #culturamaya ♬ Marisola – Remix – Cris Mj & Duki & Nicki Nicole

Getting To Bacalar 

Currently, the best way to get to Bacalar is by flying into Cancun Airport, although that could change when the Tulum Airport opens because it’s closer.   

Still, Cancun will continue to have the best connectivity from the United States and Canada.   

And either prior to or upon arriving at Cancun Airport, all you’ll need to do is secure transportation to Bacalar.   

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