Ruta PuucThings to do

Things to do in Ruta Puuc

  1. Xlapak

    From the entrance gate at Sayil, it’s 6km east to the entrance gate at Xlapak. The name means ‘Old Walls’ in Maya and was a general term among local people for ancient ruins. The ornate palacio at Xlapak ( shla -pak) is quite a bit smaller than those at Kabah and Sayil, only about 20m in length. It’s decorated with the Chac masks, columns and colonnettes, and fretted geometric latticework of the Puuc style. The building is interesting and on a bit of a lean. Plenty of motmots (a colorful bird) brighten up the surrounding forests.

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  2. Labná

    This is the site not to miss. Archaeologists believe that, at one point in the 9th century, some 3000 Maya lived at Labná. To support such numbers in these arid hills, water was collected in chultunes. At Labná’s peak there were some 60 chultunes in and around the city; several are still visible.

    reviewed

  3. Sayil

    The ruins of Sayil are 4.5km from the junction of the Ruta Puuc with Hwy 261.

    reviewed