7 Easy to Visit Mayan Ruins Beyond Chichén Itzá

Escape the crowds of Chichén Itzá to discover these other, equally as monumental, Mayan Ruins.

Easy to Get to Mayan Ruins Beyond Chichén Itzá

The Great Mayan Civilization: one of the most storied and mysterious societies the world has ever seen. The ancient people roamed the lands of the Yucatán Peninsula and beyond for thousands of years – and their remnants can still be found today.

You may have heard or seen the most famous of these: Chichén Itzá. After all, it’s been designated as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And believe us, it’s totally worth seeing. But oftentimes, the grounds of the ancient Mayan city are flooded with overwhelming crowds. Honestly, to the point where it may spoil the experience. So when you go, here’s how we avoided the crowds at Chichén Itzá.

Additionally, there’s good news if you can’t beat the crowds. The Yucatán Peninsula is filled with amazing, easy to get to Mayan Ruins that you can visit beyond Chichén Itzá.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea of a Mayan Site you can easily visit on your next trip to Mexico. Whether you’re staying in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum, Valladolid, or Mérida, a staggering Mayan Ruin is within your vicinity.

1. Mayan Ruins in Cancún: El Rey

Believe it or not, the wild, spring break centric town of Cancún is home to its very own Mayan Ruin!

El Rey once served as a religious and political center for the Mayan civilization before being driven inland by the Spanish. Years following, pirates took haven in the abandoned city as they pillaged the Spanish fleet cruising by.

If visiting Cancún, El Rey is easily accessed by walking from your hotel or hopping on the public bus.

2. Mayan Ruins on Cozumel: San Gervasio

San Gervasio rests in the thick of the bush on Cozumel after taking a beating from a few hurricanes over the years. At its prime, the Mayan city served as a unique site for Maya women.

Women would travel to the city to climb the steps of the Ka’na Nah to seek advice from their fertility goddess, Ixchel. Additionally, this was the point of first contact when Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, landed on Cozumel.

Today, all sorts of tours can be arranged to visit the Mayan Ruins on Cozumel.

3. Mayan Ruins in Tulum: Tulum

Wondering where the city of Tulum got its name? Look no further than the rocky beach side cliffs.

The temple’s walls indicate a shift on emphasis for the Maya people: defense. Tulum’s construction was the direct result of the rise of the Aztecs and Toltecs, while also serving as a port to traders from the sea.

Visiting the Mayan Ruins in Tulum is an incredible experience, although it’s becoming more and more popular with cruise ships and day trips from Cancún. The blue backdrop of the ocean is unique to most Mayan Ruins making it our favorite in Mexico.

4. Mayan Ruins near Tulum: Cobá

47 km northwest of Tulum is the active archeological site of Cobá. Spreading an astounding 80 km, the majority still waits for excavation.

At the center of the city is the northern Yucatán’s tallest pyramid buried in the thick of the jungle. The best part? As opposed to Chichén Itzá, you can actually climb Cobá’s pyramid! Just pack bug spray and good shoes!

Many tours are leaving from Tulum daily or the ADO runs from the central bus station directly to the grounds for self guided tours. Check for tickets on BusBud.

5. Mayan Ruins near Valladolid: Ek’ Balam

Ek’ Balam is likely the best alternative to visiting Chichén Itzá. Its historical significance, grandiose structures, and 100 foot climbable pyramid are just a few of its features that put it right on par with the famous Mayan ruin.

It’s easiest to get to Ek’ Balam from the city of Valladolid, whether it be from a tour or bus. We actually rented a moped from Scooter Valladolid to make the trip. It added an exciting flare to our self guided excursion.

All in all, Ek’ Balam goes surprisingly unnoticed compared to other sites. A refreshing change of pace, honestly.

6. Mayan Ruins near Mérida: Dzibilchaltún

Just north of Mérida is the Mayan Ruin of Dzibilchaltún (don’t even ask me how to pronounce that). Dzibilchaltún likely served as the Mayans gateway to salt producing areas of the north, while also providing habitable farming ground.

Today, residents and visitors from Mérida enjoy the nearby cenote and unique architecture of the Temple of Seven Dolls. Access to the Mayan Ruin is easily achieved by bus or taxi from Mérida.

7. Mayan Ruins near Mérida: Uxmal

Right up there with Ek’ Balam as the best Mayan Site to visit beyond Chichén Itzá, Uxmal is a perfect encapsulation of the ancient civilization.

A once flourishing Mayan city, Uxmal was one of the largest of the era but oddly enough, had no source of water. It’s surprising since most Mayan cities were built on top of cenotes, which still puzzles archeologists to this day.

Getting to Uxmal from Mérida is easiest by bus. Departures and arrivals are every few hours between 6 AM and 6 PM. The trip takes an hour and a half so be sure to time out your day correctly. Check for tickets on BusBud.

Where to Stay Around the Mayan Ruins

As backpackers, our usual mode of accommodation are hostels where we meet and interact with other travelers. Hostelworld is the best tool to compare hostels in any given area – and the reviews are strikingly accurate.

If that’s not your thing, no worries. For hotels or guesthouses, do a search on Booking.com.

Getting to the Mayan Ruins from Your Accommodation

The local buses that run throughout the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán are surprisingly reliable – with many stops to the popular ruins. BusBud is our favorite resource on searching for bus tickets.

Or if buses aren’t your thing, give yourself the ultimate freedom: rent a car! Discover Cars compares rental prices all over the world, giving you the cheapest option possible.

Resources for Visiting Mayan Ruins

What to pack on any trip to the Mayan Ruins:

• Good shoes – lots of walking!
• A hat to block the sun – the Yucatán sun is scorching!
• An environmentally friendly water bottle – we’re advocates against plastic here.
• Coral reef safe sunscreen – harmful sunscreen gets into the cenotes which eventually ends up in the oceans, harming coral reef. Use the code “oceanwide”at checkout to get 10% off.

Additionally, a great reference I used throughout the Yucatán Peninsula and beyond is National Geographic’s Map for the area. The back of the map even has references for all of the Mayan Ruin sites I’ve listed in this article!

Yucatán Peninsula Adventure Travel Map

Final Thoughts

Chichén Itzá is certainly worth visiting, if it’s done right. These other Mayan ruins can be an equally as great experience, though. We really enjoyed visiting them and we hope you do too!

Happy traveling, explorers!