18 Ruins you must visit in Quintana Roo

What is the first archaeological site that comes to your mind when you think about Cancún? Chichén Itzá, right? Well, surprise! Although it is pretty close to Cancún it is not in Cancún. It's not even in the same state! Chichén Itzá ruins are located in Yucatán. Quintana Roo (the state where Cancún & the Riviera Maya are located) has 18 archaeological sites that surprisingly, are not that common! Have you been to all of these sites?

El Meco

Photo Credit: "El Meco" by HJPD is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Where is it? North of Cancún. Around 20 - 25 minutes from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: The site is open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs. Restrooms are available.
Fee: $55 MXN.
Why visit it? Given its location, it’s highly probable that it had an important significance in the navigation route along the coast. Don’t forget to take a picture of “El Castillo”!
Interesting facts: “El Meco” is actually a nickname that was given to a caretaker in the XIX century. In México, “El Meco” is a pejorative nickname given to people with genu varum (bow-legged).
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. No food or drinks are allowed. No flash pictures.
Plan to stay: 1 hour

San Miguelito

Where is it? Cancún Hotel Zone. At Museo Maya de Cancún. 15 - 20 minutes from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: The site is open from 9:00 - 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $55 MXN. Restrooms, parking lot, lockers & rest areas are available.
Why visit it? Conjunto Norte, Palacio Chaak, Conjunto de los Dragones & Conjunto Sur are must-see structures!
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing & sunscreen.
Plan to stay: 1 hour

El Rey

Photo Credit: "El Rey" by Xe3osc is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Where is it? Km. 18 on the Cancún Hotel Zone. 20 minutes away from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: The site is open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $55 MXN. Restrooms are available.
Why visit it? 1 of the 2 archaeological sites in the Hotel Zone!
Interesting facts: The name of this site was given due to an anthropomorphic figure that resembled a king.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing & sunscreen.
Plan to stay: 1 hour

Playa del Carmen

Photo Credit: Xaman - Ha" by Amazing Templates

Where is it? Playacar, Playa del Carmen. 1 hour away from the Cancún International Airport.

Why visit it? Closest ruins to Playa del Carmen!

Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent.

Plan to stay: 1 hour

Xcaret

Photo Credit: "Xcaret" by AMAPO is licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 

Where is it? Next to Xcaret Park. 1 hour from Cancún International Airport.

Things to consider: The site is open from 9:00 - 15:00 hrs.
Fee: $65 MXN. Restrooms are available. This fee covers only access to the archaeological site, not the entrance to Xcaret Park.

Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent.

Plan to stay: 1 - 2 hours

Rancho Ina - CALICA

Photo Credit: "La Casa Azul" by Luis Adrián Rojas Yáñez.

Where is it? Tulum - Cancún Highway, South of Playa del Carmen. 15 minutes from Downtown Playa del Carmen.
Things to consider: The site is located within CALICA’s property, so it is not formally open to public access. Visits must be arranged through INAH at least 7 days beforehand!

Why visit it? CALICA is a representative site of the Mayan post-classic mural painting of the area.

Recommendations: All visitors must be accompanied & follow the instructions given by a CALICA member staff.  Sandals are prohibited, wear tennis or closed shoes.

Plan to stay: 1 hour

San Gervasio

Photo Credit: "San Gervasio" by Banja-Frans Mulder licensed under CC BY 3.0

Where is it? Cozumel. Around 30 minutes from the Cozumel Ferry Pier.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $70 MXN + additional fees charged by the Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel. Restrooms, parking lot, handicrafts store & convenience store are available.
Why visit it? Manitas, Chichán Nah, El Álamo & Nohoch Nah are some of the must-see structures at San Gervasio.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

El Caracol - Punta Sur

Photo Credit: https://www.encirclephotos.com/image/tumba-del-caracol-at-punta-sur-near-san-miguel-cozumel-mexico/

Where is it? Punta Sur, Cozumel. 30 min from the Cozumel Ferry Pier.
Things to consider: There are no restrooms on the site. There is no cost for visiting the site, but since the ruins are located within the Ecological Reserve of Punta Sur, the entrance to the park must be paid.  -Adult: $14 USD    -Child: $8 USD
Why visit it? Although it is a rather small structure, the peculiar decoration of the roofing of the building makes it a unique structure in the region. El Caracol at Punta Sur offers a marvelous sight of the Punta Sur Sea of Cozumel!

Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Xelhá

Where is it? 115 Km. South of Cancún. 16Km. to the North of Tulum. 1 hour from the Cancun International Airport.
Some things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hours.
Fee: $70 MXN. Restrooms and parking lot are available.
Why visit it? Take a look at the Mural Painting in "Los Pájaros" building
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 1 - 2 hours

Tulum

Photo Credit: "Tulum" by Popole Chien is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Where is it? 128 Km. South of Cancún. 1:30 hours from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hours.
Fee: $70 MXN. Restrooms and parking lot are available.
Why visit it? Privileged location & great shape of the structures & mural paintings.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 1 - 2 hours

Cobá

Where is it? 109 Federal Highway to Nuevo Xcan. 47 km north-west of Tulum. 2:10 hours from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:30 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $70 MXN. There is a parking lot (fee must be paid) & restrooms. There are some near places with food & handicrafts for sale. There are guides available also.
Why visit it? You can climb the ruins!
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Muyil

"Muyil" by Pierre-Selim Huard licensed under CC BY 4.0

Where is it? Federal Highway 307. 25 Km southeast of Tulum. Around 2 hours away from Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $45 MXN. Restrooms, rest areas & parking lot are available.
Why visit it? Less visited than Chichén Itzá & Tulum!
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Chacchoben

Photo Credit: "Chacchoben by Texcarson licensed under CC BY SA 3.0"

Where is it? 293 Federal Highway to Chunhuhub - Merida. 37 Km. North of Bacalar. 3:30 hours from Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $60 MXN. Restrooms, touristic information, handicrafts, food & parking lot available for an extra charge.
Why visit it? Las vasijas, la gran plaza, gran basamento & los gemelos are must-see structures!

Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Kinichná

Photo Credit: @andresv.marin

Where is it? Chetumal - Escárcega Federal Highway 186. Close to the town of Morocoy. 5 hours away from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $60 MXN. Restrooms are available.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Dzibanché

Where is it? Chetumal - Escárcega Federal Highway 186. Close to the town of Morocoy. 5 hours away from the Cancún International Airport.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $60 MXN. Restrooms are available.

Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Oxtankah

Photo Credit: Vist Chetumal

Where is it? Chetumal - Calderitas Highway. 5 hours from Cancún International Airport. 25 min from Chetumal.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $55 MXN. Restrooms, parking lot & information center are available.
Why visit it? Oxtankah is the city with more relevance discovered in Bahía de Chetumal. Also, there's a round temple with a spiral ramp.
Some recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Chakanbakán

Where is it located? Chetumal - Escárcega Highway. 5 hours from Cancún International Airport. 1:10 hours from Downtown Chetumal.
Things to consider: The site is not open for public access. Visits must be arranged through INAH. No restrooms available.
Why visit it? It is considered an ecological reserve. Don’t forget to visit: Acrópolis, Ukuchilbaxal, Kihuiksinan, Uchbenbut & Kulpool.
Interesting facts: Most of the structures in this site haven’t been explored!
Recommendations: Bring water.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

Kohunlich

Where is it? Chetumal - Escárcega Federal Highway 186. 5 hours from the Cancún International Airport. 1 hour from Bacalar.
Things to consider: Open from 8:00 - 17:00 hrs. Last access is at 16:30 hrs.
Fee: $70 MXN. Restrooms are available.
Why visit it? Visit Temple of the Masks, 27 steps & residential buildings.
Interesting facts: The name of this site comes from the english “Cohune ridge”, which is related to the existence of Cahoon Trees in the area.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen & insect repellent. No food or drinks allowed. No flash pictures.
Plan to stay: 2 - 3 hours

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Festival of Life and Death Traditions, 2018.

The Festival of Life and Death Traditions began in 2005 as a way to recover and honor the traditions of different Mexican communities through contemporary art expressions. The Festival aims to display the Day of the Dead Tradition, which has been considered part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2008. This year, Xcaret will present the 13th Edition: "Festival of Life and Death Traditions: Almas de Plata (Souls of Silver)" with the state of Zacatecas as the special guest.

Year after year the festival offers a wide variety of cultural activities and artistic expressions, and this year is no exception. The 13th Edition with Zacatecas as its special guest will have:

•     Dance performances: Folkloric ballet, pre-Columbian and contemporary dance, traditional rituals and festive dances.
  

•     Theater: Circus, Clown, Puppets, narrated and regional theater from Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Zacatecas and artists from Quebec, Canada.

•     Music: authentic corridos of the Mexican revolution, Yucatecan and Zacatecan traditional songs, jaraberos (ancestors of the Mariachi), special guests from Colombia & percussion ensemble. And if that were not enough, there will be 3 Gala concerts at the Gran Tlachco Theater.

•     Expositions, exhibitions, and workshops: altars, food sale with the most representative dishes of Zacatecas and Quintana Roo. There will also be interactive workshops, photography and painting exhibitions.

•     Cuisine: This year with Zacatecas as a special guest, the culinary demonstration will offer gorditas, brujitas from Sombrerete, condoches, tacos envenenados, traditional asado de boda, etc.

In this year's edition, Eugenia León and Ely Guerra will perform. On October 31, Eugenia  León, one of the greatest exponents of Mexican music, will perform solo at the Tlachco Theater.  On November 1, both Eugenia León & Ely Guerra will perform together! Finally, on November 3, Ely Guerra will perform solo in an intimate piano & voice concert.

This year's edition (as all have been) will be memorable: the state of Zacatecas will display the state's customs, its mining culture influence (hence the name of Souls of Silver), and its Revolutionary Period (the Battle of Zacatecas was decisive in the Mexican Revolution). Music, theater, dance, and other artistic expressions will be the medium for this memorable nights.

... And as if 4 days of celebration weren't enough, the Festival will continue with 2 extra days (November 3 & 4) in two official secondary venues: Teatro de la Ciudad de Playa del Carmen and Teatro de Cancún. But that's not all! For the first time, Hotel Xcaret Mexico will also be a secondary venue for artists will perform from October 30 to November 4.

If you want to assist to Xcaret during these days, you can book a private tour that includes: fully-air conditioned, private van, English speaking drivers AND Festival of Life & Death Traditions entrance here.

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4 Events you Can't Miss in October!

Triatlón Cozumel, 2018

This year Cozumel will host the AsTri Cozumel Triathlon 2018, a competition where swimming, cycling and running meet. The race will take place on Saturday, October 6 and there will be 5 categories open for registration: junior (ages 14 - 15), sprint (ages 16 - 17), olympic (ages 18 – 24), relay, and novice women (a women's only category). 

The race distances for the junior & novice women are 400 m for the swimming part of the race, 10 km for the cycling segment, and 2.5 km for the running stage. The distances for the sprint category are 750 m for the swimming segment, 20 km for the cycling stage & 5 km for the running part of the race. As for the olympic category, the distances are 1.5 km for the swimming stage, 40 km for cycling and 10 km for the running segment. 

The running & cycling segments of the race will take place on the cycle path located between the Mexico Whale Shark and Tortugas Beach, while the swimming part will be at Parque Chankanaab. For more information visit the official website.

Gran Canaria Big Band at the Cancun International Music Festival

With over 20 years of experience, and a complete success at the Canarias Jazz Festival 4 years in a row, the Gran Canaria Big Band will be the guest honor of the Cancun International Music Festival. 

The Cancun International Music Festival began in 2013 with 2 weeks full of music and culture. This year, from October 18 to October 27, we will celebrate the Festival’s 6th edition with the participation of 319 musicians from 13 nationalities, 43 activities & 22,000 spectators.

As a part of this festival, Teatro de Cancún in the Hotel Zone will present the Gran Canaria Big Band on Friday, October 19 at 20:30 hrs. If you can’t make it to Teatro de Cancún but want to enjoy the music -especially boleros-, don’t worry! On the 21st at 19:00 hrs, the Band will perform on Playa del Carmen for free! For more information visit Teatro de Cancun Website.

2018 Cancun Open 

After the great success of its first edition, the Cancun Open golf tournament is back! From October 30 to November 3, Cancun Golf Events will present the 2018 Cancun Open. This year, the tournament will be played in 3 different golf courses: Iberostar Playa Paraíso, Riviera Cancun and Moon Spa & Golf Club Cancun. Some of the prizes for Closest to the Pin include 8 cars, 8 trips to St. Andrews, Scotland; and stays at the Moon Palace Cancun.

Cancun Golf Events offers great all-inclusive packages at Moon Palace Cancun to enjoy the tournament. The packages include:

- 5 nights all-inclusive: all the food and drinks (at any of the 2 cafés, 4 bars & 10 restaurants available) on the hotel 24/7 and on the golf courses during the tournament rounds.

- 3 golf tournament rounds at 3 different courses.

- Round Trip Transportation to and from the Cancun International Airport.

- Round Trip Transportation to and from the Hotel to the Golf Course for each round.

- Shared Golf Cart for all 3 rounds.

- Welcome kit, special events during the tournament, amazing prices, and more!

There are 8 categories open for registration, and for each category, there’s the possibility to win any of the prizes. The categories are:

AA for professionals with no handicap index, or golfers with a handicap index of 0-5.7
A for golfers with a handicap index of 5.8 - 11.4
B for golfers with a handicap index of 11.5 - 16.4
C for golfers with a handicap index of 16.5 - 22.4
D for golfers with a handicap index of 22.5 - 28.9
E for golfers with a handicap index of 29.0 - 36.0
SENIORS 60+ YRS for senior golfers with a handicap index of 0 - 36
LADIES for female golfers with a handicap index of 0 - 36
For more information, visit the official website, or the official Facebook page.

Day of the Dead

One of the most iconic celebrations throughout Mexico is Día de Muertos, a celebration that honors life as it celebrates the life of the beloved ones that were once with us. From October 31 through November 2, the country is filled with colors, textures, and scents from the incense, food and flowers left on the altars. Every year, Xcaret Park presents the Festival of Life and Death Traditions. If you've been to the festival and want to experience Día de Muertos in a different way, you're on the right track! Here are some other places for you to visit and live an authentic Day of the Dead.

In Cancun, the celebration of Día de Muertos extends from the homes of (some) cancunenses to the local cemetery. This results in a variety of cultural activities & demonstrations throughout the city. Last year’s celebration in Cancun was called “Day of the Dead Festival: Dinner of Souls”, over 450 artists performed in different programs at different venues, all within walking distance: Plaza de la Reforma del Palacio Municipal, Teatro 8 de Octubre (near the local fire station), Parque de Las Palapas, Parque Bohemio (near La Habichuela in downtown), Parque del Pintor, Luum Pakul, and the Centro Cultural de las Artes. The festival included altars, and the traditional Day of the Dead food and cultural performances.

Although there is no official program for this year's celebration yet, Plaza de la Reforma del Palacio Municipal & Luum Pakul always offer cultural activities and altar demonstrations this time of the year.

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Cenote Cristalino: Peaceful Getaway.

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping from everything? Get away from work, school, responsibilities… or even better, going on an adventure with friends or with that special person. Now, imagine yourself escaping to the Riviera Maya! That’s better huh?

The Riviera Maya is so much more than crowded beaches and nightclubs; there are hidden places in this paradise that promise to be perfect to find that calm and peace that you are looking for. Yup, I’m talking about a cenote, the Cenote Cristalino.

Cenote Cristalino (Crystal-clear Sinkhole) is located on the Cancun-Tulum highway, 3 km away from Puerto Aventuras (a 5 minutes car ride). You need to be very cautious because its sign is a bit small and hidden, so be careful or you might miss it.

The entrance fee is 100 pesos for kids (6 USD) and 150 for adults (8 USD). You can take your snorkeling gear and life vest or rent them for an extra 50 pesos (3 USD). Besides the cenote, you’ll find convenient facilities including a changing area and very clean bathrooms. Also, you are free to bring your own food along and have lunch, but if you forget to do so, you can buy some snacks here.

The cenote is pretty wide and you can swim freely without being worried about the crowds. As its name says, the water in this sinkhole is crystal-clear, allowing you to see the many fish living in it. If you stay quiet enough for a while, they will approach you and suck on your skin giving you tiny kisses that will make you tickle. They are very friendly!

Last but not least, for the adventurous travelers, you will find a 4-meters cliff (12 feet) where you can test your courage and dare yourself to jump into the water. It is very fun!

via GIPHY

But wait a minute, is the cenote safe?

Yes, it is! The water is not very deep at some points, and there are some rocks that you can step on if you don’t want to swim. Plus, there are lifeguards around that are always alert.

Is it good idea taking kids?

Of course! Cenote Cristalino is 100% familiar. They’ll be completely safe and have a great time.

Can I go any day of the week?

Yes, it is open all week from 9 AM till 6 PM. However, Sunday is the day people visit it the most, so if you want to avoid big crowds, we recommend you go on weekdays.

Visit this paradise and enjoy a day filled with fun and rest! If you need a ride to get there, contact us and we’ll give you a quote.

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Ruins in the Riviera Maya and Yucatan

There are many kinds of travelers: those who prefer to spend the whole day at the beach, shopping at the malls, or taking the sun at the hotel pool; and those who rather go outside and find some adventure. If you belong to the second group, then the Riviera Maya is the perfect place to be! 

Everybody thinks that this destination is just beautiful beaches and fancy hotels, but there’s another side to it, THE RUINS SIDE!

The remains of ancient Mayan cities are now perfect places to take long walks, listen to amazing stories, and overall, have fun! These are the four ruins you must visit on your next vacation to Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

1.- Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is located in Yucatan, just two hours away from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The most popular building among this group of ruins is “El Castillo,” one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it’s supposed to be a temple built in the name of Kukulkan. This temple has 18 terraces that represent the 18 months in the Mayan calendar and, on specific dates, a shadow in the shape of a snake is formed on its sides.

If you are interested in the whole story, you can go on a trip with an expert guide. He will tell you everything about this event and the history of this place. You can also find some near caves and cenotes, as well as restaurants and shops where you can buy some souvenirs.

2.- Coba

This ancient Mayan city is located in Quintana Roo, 76 miles from Playa del Carmen. It’s surrounded by a dense jungle and two large lagoons that you can watch from the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. Climbing this building is the main attraction in Coba, but not the only thing you can do. There are guides who can give you a tour through the site and you can rent bikes so you can have a more comfortable trip.

3.- Ek Balam

Near the city of Valladolid in Yucatan, 30 min away of Chichen Itza, you will find the archaeological site of Ek Balam. A beautiful and well-preserved group of buildings make up this place from which only the central portion has been completely discovered. The most important structure here is “Acropolis” or “The Tower,” an impressive palace with over 500 ft of height.

The name Ek Balam comes from the Mayan language and is usually translated into “Black Jaguar,” although, some experts also translate this words into “Jaguar Star.” It’s the less known ruins site in the surroundings, but it has as much beauty and interesting information as any other.

4.- Tulum

Tulum is one of the most known Mayan ruins in the Riviera Maya. The translation of Tulum is “wall,” making reference to the three walls located around this city. However, the original name of the town is “Zama,” which means “dawn.” The combination of beautiful beaches and amazing ruins offer an amazing landscape that you won’t find in any other place. This site is the only Mayan city built at the edge of the beach.

The ruins in the Riviera Maya and Yucatan are just stunning and filled with beauty, but sadly, many people don’t know the history behind those amazing structures. So, when coming to the Riviera Maya, don’t miss the chance to visit those wonderful places and learn more about the Mayan culture. You won’t regret it!

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