Mayan Ruin Sites in Cancun

Thu, July 15, 2010 at 8:58 am

If you've been thinking of traveling to Cancun to see some fascinating Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza but thought there were none in Cancun, think again. Contrary to popular belief, Cancun has more than one ancient Mayan site within its city limits.

The first Mayan archaeological site in Cancun is El Rey, which means “the king” in Spanish. It is located nearby many hotels in the Cancun hotel zone and offers daily guided tours for travelers. This ancient Mayan city is smaller than the more significant Mayan sites of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum, and is mainly comprised of platforms with large stone columns, but it is still an authentic ancient Mayan site. In addition to its Mayan structures, El Rey is home to the largest concentration of iguanas. Hundreds of iguanas lie sunbathing among the ruins and will even let you get near enough to take close-up photos.

Another small ancient Mayan city in Cancun is El Meco to the north which contains a few pyramids. One of its structures is the tallest in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. This archaeological site was just opened to the public in 2009 and offers a more private experience for travelers, since it is not as large as some of the well-known Mayan sites. Access to El Meco is fairly easy, although there are no official tours available yet.

So if you're thinking of visiting the Mayan ruins in or near Cancun, consider staying at one of Cancun Soon's premier hotels (Ocean Spa Hotel or Laguna Suites Golf + Spa hotel) and taking advantage of our exclusive online travel deals. Right now, you can book a 5-day, 4-night Cancun travel package that includes two kids for just $299. All of our Cancun travel deals include 2 complimentary, 30-minute massages at one of our worldclass spas, and free airport shuttle service to and from the airport.