There are incredible ancient Mayan ruins across all the three states of the Yucatan Peninsula that will blow your mind. I’ve written about the archaeological sites of each state separately but here we’ll look at just the very best Mayan ruins across Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche with a round up of the top 10 best ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula. 

Wherever you’re staying on the Yucatán Peninsula, you’re going to want to plan a day trip to see at least one of the incredible Mayan ruins so let’s figure out what your options are. 

🚗 Driving Around the Yucatán Peninsula

Of course, renting a car brings the ultimate freedom to do what you want, see what you want and go where you want. And yes, driving on the Yucatán Peninsula is safe. Yucatán in general is very safe and driving is no different. Follow the rules, never drink and drive, stick to the speed limit and you’ll be fine.

The toll roads (cuota) are well maintained and rarely busy. Smaller roads are likely to have potholes and topes (speed bumps) but as long as you’re aware of these, they aren’t generally a problem

➡️ Check rental car options on the Yucatán Peninsula

🚌 Public Transport on the Yucatán Peninsula

The ADO bus service around the Yucatán Peninsula is excellent. It offers well maintained, modern coaches serving the bigger towns. Between smaller locations you will have to rely on older buses or colectivos (minibuses) that don’t run to strict schedules, rather they leave when they’re full.

➡️ Check bus timetables in English or Spanish

🚂 Maya Train

As of 2024 the Maya Train is serving the Yucatán Peninsula, offering a new option for people wishing to explore the peninsula. It stops at both the big cities and many of the major tourist sites including near ruins.

➡️ Read more about the Maya train

⭐️ Guided Tours of Ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula

It is entirely possible to see all the ruins without a guide. You can book a guide in advance through the internet or you can pick up a guide outside the larger sites (but remember, you’ll need to pay in Mexican pesos for this service).

Why Hire a Guide

A local (accredited) guide will be full of fascinating facts about the history of the place you’re visiting. They’re also likely to share stories about modern life and local culture that you might otherwise never learn. A local guide really lets you connect with the place and culture you’re visiting and of course, you’re putting money into hands of local communities.

Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula

#1 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichén Itzá 

What makes Chichén Itzá Amazing

📍 Chichén Itzá is the most famous ruin in all of Mexico. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is the reason many people visit the Yucatán Peninsula and one of the first tours people think of booking when they get here. 

Chichén Itzá is waaaaaay more than just the Great Pyramid. I highly recommend taking your time here because the site is huge and there is a lot to see including two cenotes (one of which was used for human sacrifices), the great ball court (and other courts) an observatory, the Temple of Warriors and the Wall of Skulls.

Tips for Visiting Chichén Itzá

📍 Arrive as early as possible because these most famous ruins sit in the number 1 slot for the top 10 best ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula for good reason. Everyone and her mom is visiting Chichén Itzá so if you are to have any chance of seeing the Great Pyramid ( also known as El Castillo Pyramid and the Temple of Kukulcan) without tour guides waving their umbrellas in your face, it’s early. 

Can You Climb at Chichén Itzá?

No. Nothing is climbable at the Chichen Itza ruins. Please don’t climb on any of the ancient structures here, you will get in trouble. 

How to Visit Chichen Itza

Chichén Itzá is in the state of Yucatán near the small town of Piste and Valladolid. 

🏝 The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) – Take the 180D towards Valladolid and Mérida. 200km from Cancun

⭐️ Mérida – Take the 180 and 180D towards Valladolid. 120km

⭐️ Valladolid – It’s just a short drive from Valladolid to this archaeological site along either the 180 or the 180D. 45km

#2 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Tulum

What Makes Tulum Amazing?

📍 Tulum is the only ancient ruins built overlooking the Caribbean Ocean. It is also the only walled city the Mayans ever built. This is one of the most visited archaeological sites in all of Mexico. Of course, its proximity to beautiful beaches doesn’t hurt its popularity! 

Tulum is a much smaller site than Chichén Itzá but it was a major trading post for nearby city states including Chichen Itza, Coba and other states in Central America. It was actually an incredibly powerful ancient city that was likely still powerful when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Yucatán. 

The biggest and most imposing remaining structure is El Castillo (The Castle), located on the edge of a 12 meter cliff. Don’t miss the Temple of the Frescoes where, if you look inside you’ll find a mural representing the Mayan understanding of the world: the worlds of the dead, the living and of the gods including the Temple of the Descending God. 

The Maya people called the site Zamá (Place of the Rising Sun) – if you’re thinking you’ve heard this word before, you’re entirely right, it’s the name of a modern residential area of Tulum.

Tips for Visiting Tulum

📍 Like Chichén Itzá, it’s a good idea to visit Tulum first thing or last thing if you’re trying to miss the crowds as there can be up to 2000 people a day visiting this Maya ruins. 

There are more tourist stalls here than at any other site I’ve ever visited. You can even grab a Starbucks on your way in! And if the sargassum isn’t too bad then be sure to take your bathing suit as the Tulum ruins have the added bonus of an absolutely gorgeous secret beach that can only be accessed from within the Tulum site. 

Can You Climb at Tulum?

No, you cannot climb over the Tulum ruins. 

 

How to Visit Tulum

The Tulum ruin is in the state of Quintana Roo just outside Tulum town on the Caribbean Coast. 

🏝 The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen) – Take the Carratera Tulum for 130km from Cancun, 60 km from Playa del Carmen

⭐️ Mérida – Take the 180 and 180D towards Valladolid, carry on on 180 to Tulum. 260km

⭐️ Valladolid – It’s just a short drive from Valladolid to this archaeological site along the 180 towards Tulum. 100km

#3 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Calakmul

What Makes Calakmul Amazing

📍 Calakmul might be a surprise entry at #3 on the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula but honestly, I’d have put it at  #1 if that wouldn’t upset the time space continuum.

Calakmul is absolutely incredible and is anyone who visits will never forget the experience but it’s also really quite hard to get to. The Maya Train route includes a stop near Calakmul so this may open it up to more visitors in the future. For now though, Calakmul remains delightfully under-visited. 

Calakmul is a very large site deep in the Campeche Biosphere Reserve near the border with Guatemala. In 2002, the Biosphere Reserve was given UNESCO World Heritage Site Status. Covering more than 14% of the state of Campeche, this is one of the largest protected areas in all of Mexico.

Calakmul is actually one of the most important Mayan cities ever discovered as well as being the largest Mayan city found in Mexico to date. It is considered to be one of the most outstanding pre-hispanic cities of the Mayan Classic period. 

Tips for Visiting Calakmul

📍 The two pyramids are located on the Great Square (la Gran Plaza) so if that’s really what you’re visiting for, I recommend heading here first. We opted to see them last and we were exhausted by the time we reached them.

Visiting Calakmul is not for the faint hearted. Just getting to the entrance to the reserve is hard enough work but once you’re there you still have a two hour drive until you reach the entrance to the ruins. Be sure to have a full tank of gas, plenty of water and snacks when you enter the biosphere as there is nothing available once you’re in there. 

Can you Climb Calakmul?

Yes, there are plenty of pyramids and impressive ruins for you to climb on here. If anything is roped off, please respect the ruins and don’t climb. 

How to Visit Calakmul

Calakmul is in the state of Campeche in the jungle of the Biosphere Reserve. The nearest town of any size is Xpujil. The directions given here are to Xpujil. Add two hours drive time more or less to get to the actual ruins.

🏝 Bacalar – Take the 307 then the 106. 2hr10

⭐️ Mérida – The best route is the 261 from Mérida to Uxmal, Holpechen and down onto the 269 (355km 5 hrs). Also possible via Campeche and Champoton but this takes longer (6hr30 475km)

⭐️ Valladolid – 295 then 307 to Bacalar and then follow the Bacalar instructions above (380km 5hr35)

⭐️ Campeche – Take the 269 all the way (266km 4hr) or go via Champoton and Escarcega (toll road) on the 180/186 (all around 4hr and 300km)

#4 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Coba

What Makes Coba Amazing?

📍 This incredible and complete Mayan city is located deep in the dense jungle of Quintana Roo. Coba is home to the tallest pyramid in Mexico  (137 ft, just over 41 m tall) and yes, it’s still climbable although there are regular talks of closing it to visitors.

The 120 steps to the top are well worth it if you enjoy incredible views over the canopy. (look out for howler monkeys as you explore this the Coba Mayan ruins) 

This Mayan site is not only home to the tallest pyramid and some incredible stelae (carved stone tablets) but it is also the intersection of the largest network of sacbés (sacred paths) of the ancient Maya world. 

Tips for Visiting Coba

📍 Coba can either be visited on foot, by bike or by bici-taxi. It’s possible to see the Coba ruins without a guide or with one. We went without a guide but our bici-taxi driver was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. 

Can you Climb at Coba?

Yes but always follow the rules

How to Visit Coba

Coba is in the state of Quintana Roo about half way between Valladolid and Tulum.

🏝 The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) – From Tulum 50km on the 109 from Tulum to Coba.

From Cancun, take the 180D and the 109 (135km 2hr). From Playa del Carmen, drive to Tulum and onto the 109 (1hr30).

🏝 Bacalar – 3hr30 on the 307

⭐️ Mérida – Drive to Valladolid and then take the 180 towards Coba (2hr30)

⭐️ Valladolid – 50 minutes on the 180

#5 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Uxmal

What Makes Uxmal Amazing?

📍 The Uxmal ruins are classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a great place to explore alone or with a local guide. Uxmal is technically a part of the Puuc group of Maya ruins although it tends to be visited separately, probably due to its sheer size. 

The Sorcerer’s Pyramid / Pyramid of the Magician is the first thing you see when entering the Uxmal site. It’s a huge and very striking pyramid, which was built over a long period of time with successive stages being covered over with newer ones. The long building you’ll see towards the back of this magnificent site is the Governor’s Palace.

Tips for Visiting Uxmal

📍 Make a day of it and visit the Choco Story Museum on the other side of the road. Stop in Muna for lunch at La Finca Puuc and definitely take your swimming stuff and stop at a cenote on the way home. 

Can you Climb at Uxmal?

You can climb a few structures at Uxmal but watch out for signs telling you where not to climb.

How to Visit Uxmal

Uxmal is in the state of Yucatan as you get towards the Campeche border in the area known as the Puuc route. It’s not generally somewhere people visit from the Riviera Maya unless they’re also spending a few days in Mérida.

⭐️ Mérida -1hr on the 180 and 261 south

⭐️ Valladolid – Best route takes 2hr45 via Mérida

⭐️ Campeche – 2hr drive on toll roads. 180 to Maxcanú

🐾 If you’re wondering about whether your dog is welcome at archaeological sites, the answer is that they’re not admitted. However, there is one small ruin you can see with your fur baby in Mérida.

#6 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Ruta Puuc

What Makes the Puuc Route Amazing?

📍 The Ruta Puuc is a collection of four other ruins in southern Yucatán that can be visited in one day either on a tour or if you have your own car. 

Puuc is the Mayan word for hills and although you’d be forgiven for laughing at the idea of hills in Yucatan, it is slightly hillier here than anywhere else in the state.

The Ruta Puuc sites are:

📍 Kabah: Kaba was inhabited for around 200 years between 750 – 950 CE and was an important city in the area. It’s the closest of all the Ruta Puuc sites to Uxmal and the site is split by the road. Be sure to visit both sides. It is thought there was also a sacbé (elevated road) between Kabah and Uxmal in one direction and Labná in the other.

📍 Sayil: My favourite of the Puuc sites. It is best known for its huge Palacio (apparently 85 m long) and its enormous expanse of grass in front. We also explored other sections of this site, which require a willingness to walk around. We checked out El Mirador and Grupo Sur.

📍 Xlapak: Xpalak means ‘old walls’ in Mayan. The architecture here is very typical of this region.

📍 Labná: Labná was a small population site dating from around 750 – 1000 CE. It is a truly stunning place and well worth a visit. Most people interested in Maya sites will have seen photos of El Arco (below), an arch that once will have separated two buildings. Labna was built in the purest Puuc style. In Mayan, Labna means ‘old house’.

Tips for Visiting the Ruta Puuc 

📍 Get ready for some glorious exploring and a more peaceful visit than you might have at any of the other sites on this list. 

Can you Climb the Ruta Puuc?

Yes, most of the sites in the Ruta Puuc allow visitors to climb

How to Visit the Ruta Puuc Sites

The Ruta Puuc ruins are in the south of Yucatán, near the border with Campeche. It’s not generally somewhere people visit from the Riviera Maya unless they’re also spending a few days in Mérida. Given that Uxmal is the first and most famous Ruta Puuc site, the directions are more or less identical for these ruins.

⭐️ Mérida – 1hr on the 180 and 261 south

⭐️ Valladolid – Best route takes 2hr45 via Mérida

⭐️ Campeche – 2hr drive on toll roads. 180 to Maxcanú

#7 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Xcambo

What Makes Xcambo Amazing?

📍 Xcambo is a small site to visit but it was the biggest coastal Maya settlement built. This was a salt and salted fish distribution centre, supplying larger Maya sites with much-needed supplies.

As you cross the Laguna Rosa on your way to Xcambo you can see the salt flats that are still in use today. 

I include Xcambo in this list of the top ten ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula because the atmosphere here is always magical and it’s rarely visited by more than a handful of people at a time yet it’s really very easy to get to. There’s nothing more spectacular than having an ancient Maya ruin all to yourself, right?

Tips for Visiting Xcambo

📍 Take bug spray. 

Stop to check out the cool salt flats and to marvel at the flamingos in the estuary.

Can you Climb at Xcambo?

Yes you can climb here

How to Visit Xcambo

Xcambo is in the state of Yucatán, between Telchac Puerto and Progreso on the Gulf Coast. Unless you’re staying in Mérida or Progreso you’re unlikely to visit this gorgeous little site.

⭐️ Mérida – Inland Route: 176 to Baca (stop for great Thai food) and Dzemul and up. (1hr)

Coastal Route: Drive to Progreso and turn right along the coastal road until you hit Xtampu. (1hr)

⭐️ Progreso – 35 minutes along the coastal road

#8 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Izamal

What Makes Izamal Amazing

📍 While many visitors to Yucatán do choose to visit Izamal, the yellow pueblo magico, they do it because it’s a yellow city, not because it’s home to a number of excellent Maya ruins and pyramids. In fact, I’ve read many blogs telling people not to bother climbing Kinich Kakmo, which breaks my heart because it’s the third largest (by volume) pre-hispanic structure in all of Mexico and the views from the top are great. Frey Diego de Landa wrote of being able to see the Gulf of Mexico from the top in the 16th century. 

Over 80 pre-Hispanic structures have been found in Izamal including two other pyramids (Itzamatul and Habuk). 

Tips for Visiting Izamal 

📍 Take a full day to visit this gorgeous small city. Climb the pyramid, visit the convent, have lunch in Kinich, an excellent restaurant in town. 

Can you Climb Izamal?

Yes, you can climb

How to Visit Izamal

Izamal is in the state of Yucatán to the west of Valladolid.

🏝 The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) – From Cancun it’s a 3 hour drive to Izamal but well worth adding onto a Chichén Itzá day trip or checking out on a trip to Mérida.

⭐️ Mérida – Take the 180 to Hoctun then the 11 to Izamal (1 hr)

⭐️ Valladolid – Take the 180D to Kantunil and the 53 to Izamal (1hr30)

#9 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Muyil

What Makes Muyil Amazing

📍 While Tulum might be the main archaeological attraction in Quintana Roo, on the other side of Tulum pueblo is Muyil, a small jungle site on the edge of the glorious Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Muyil was one of the earliest and longest inhabited Maya sites on the east coast of Yucatán. 

This site is not only barely visited but it’s also perfectly wonderful to explore and then head into the biosphere for a walk and a gentle swim down the Maya canals.

Tips for Visiting Muyil 

📍 Enjoy the solitude, the howler monkeys and the biosphere. 

Can you Climb Muyil?

​It’s not possible to climb the pyramid but there are other areas in this jungle site that can be climbed. 

How to Visit Muyil

Muyil is in the state of Quintana Roo just south of Tulum.

🏝 The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) – From Tulum it’s 30 minutes drive on the 307

#10 in the Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula: Becán

What Makes Becán Amazing

📍 This is probably my ultimate wild card for the best ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula. I hadn’t even heard of Becán until researching for a trip to Calakmul but now it’s truly one of my favourite sites on the peninsula.

Becán was the political, economic and religious center in the Río Bec area and the earliest archaeological evidence here comes from 550BCE. 

While not many people know about Becán (or the other sites around here), in my opinion, this is one of the “must visit” sites on the peninsula. If you love solitary exploring of atmospheric locations then you will fall in love with Becán.

Tips for Visiting Becán

📍 Don’t miss it or the other archaeological sites nearby

Can you Climb at Becán?

Yes

How to Visit Becán

Becán is in the state of Campeche in the jungle of the Biosphere Reserve. The nearest town of any size is Xpujil. The directions given here are to Xpujil.

🏝 Bacalar – Take the 307 then the 106. 2hr10

⭐️ Mérida – The best route is the 261 from Mérida to Uxmal, Holpechen and down onto the 269 (355km 5 hrs). Also possible via Campeche and Champoton but this takes longer (6hr30 475km)

⭐️ Valladolid – 295 then 307 to Bacalar and then follow the Bacalar instructions above (380km 5hr35)

⭐️ Campeche – Take the 269 all the way (266km 4hr) or go via Champoton and Escarcega (toll road) on the 180/186 (all around 4hr and 300km)

What are the Actual Nearest Ruins to the Major Tourist Destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula?

Now you’ve seen the MexicoCassie Top 10 Best Ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula, let’s look at how it compares to the ruins closest to each of the major tourist destinations.

Cancun – All Inclusives and Caribbean Coast

The two closest ruins to Cancun are El Rey and El Meco

➡️ Read more about what to do in Cancun

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Cancun

Tulum – Caribbean Coast, hipster beach clubs

The two closest ruins to Tulum are Tulum and Muyil

➡️ Read more about visiting Tulum

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Tulum

Playa del Carmen – All inclusives, 5th Avenue, beach clubs

There are very small ruins in Playa del Carmen but the closest that are really worth visiting are Tulum and Cozumel

➡️ Read more about visiting Playa del Carmen and Spring Break in Playa del Carmen

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Playa del Carmen

Bacalar – A gorgeous sparkling blue laguna and pueblo magico

The closest ruins to Bacalar are Chacchoben, Limones and Ichkabal

➡️ Read more about visiting Bacalar

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Bacalar

Mérida – Large and vibrant city full of cultural activities, history and great food

The closest ruins to Mérida are Dzibilchaltun, Ake, Mayapan. Note that it’s worth checking before visiting as these can sometimes be closed due to disputes with local communities.

➡️ Read more about visiting Mérida

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Mérida

Valladolid – Small, yet vibrant city with boutique restaurants, hotels and artisan markets

The closest ruins are Ek Balam and Chichén Itzá.

➡️ Read more about visiting Valladolid

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Valladolid

Progreso – Thriving port city on the north Yucatán coast

Xcambo and Dzibilchaltun are the closest ruins to Progreso.

➡️ Read more about visiting Progreso

➡️ Read more about the ruins near Progreso

Campeche – Quietly elegant walled coastal city full of excellent museums

Edzna is the closest ruin to Campeche

➡️ Read more about visiting Campeche

➡️ Read more about the ruins in the state of Campeche