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Visiting Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Journey Into the Jungle

Last Updated: November 3, 2021 · Mexico, Riviera Maya

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Calakmul is an ancient Maya city hidden deep in the jungle of Campeche, Mexico. Shrouded by thick tropical rainforest teeming with exotic wildlife, the Maya city of Calakmul is a bucket list adventure worthy of a checkmark!

If your visit to Calakmul is anything like my own, you’ll quickly find yourself lost among the ruins surrounded in a mystic stillness with only the loud ruckus of the spider monkeys above to break the silence.

Climbing to the top one of the tallest known Maya pyramids in Calakmul rivals any other Mayan ruin experience I’ve had in Mexico. Even better than Chichen Itza, Tulum, or the Coba ruins.

Here is my complete guide on how to visit the Calakmul Mayan ruins in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve!

Calakmul Ruins Travel Guide - Bucketlist Bri
  • HOURS: 8am-5pm
  • ENTRANCE FEE: The total cost is around $10 USD or $180-200 pesos per person. Includes separate small fees for the Biosphere Reserve, archaeological site, and National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
  • ACCOMMODATION: Nearest places for food and accommodation can be found in the towns of Xpuijl and Chicanna
  • GUIDES: Ask at the Biosphere entrance, visitor’s desk, or in nearby towns
  • WHEN TO GO: Best season to visit Calakmul is between Oct/Nov-Mar/April

The Ultimate Guide: Visiting Calakmul in Mexico

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

A Brief History of Calakmul

Imagine discovering a never-before-seen ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the Mayan jungle. It’s hard to imagine the immense curiosity and wonder from such a discovery! But that was the case for Cyrus Lundell, who in 1931 flew over the area and uncovered one of the most prominent and largest Mayan cities to ever exist, which he named Calakmul. But its occupation and history began thousands of years ago during the Late Preclassic period in 550 BC.

Calakmul in Maya means “Two Adjacent Mounds” which is very much characteristic of the two enormous pyramids among the ruins that emerge majestically from the jungle’s treetops.

Calakmul could only be rivaled by its enemy city in Tikal, Guatemala. The two prominent civilizations would rival until Tikal conquered Calakmul sometime after 700 AD. Calakmul underwent several transformations; reconfiguring its social and political network as leaders and kings (“Lords of the Snake Kingdom”) came and went until eventually the city was abandoned. Slowly over hundreds of years, the earth and the Mayan jungle engulfed the once prominent city.

When Lundell first discovered the ruins, there were giant mounds of earth covered in thick bush and trees. It took many years to carefully uncover the ruins, stelae, and buildings and map out the city’s temples.

But it will take many years more to fully uncover the entire ruins site. And as you explore the Calakmul ruins, you will actually notice very curious large mounds of earth.

What secrets are they hiding, I wonder?

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

How to Get to Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico

You have never seen Mayan ruins quite like at Calakmul—to get there you must travel an hour into the thick, dense jungle via a dusty and holey white road remnant of the sacbe roads once frequented by the Mayas to travel in between other prominent Mayan cities.

From Cancun to Calakmul: Take Hwy 307 south past Bacalar. Then turn west on Hwy 186 just after Xul-Ha toward Xpujil.

The best way to reach Calakmul is by renting a car or carpooling and following the Chetumal-Escarcega highway. Stopping over in the small local Mayan town known as Xpujil is a must.

Xpujil and Chicanna are the closest towns where you can stay to prepare for your early morning visit to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

Where to Stay Near Calakmul (Xpujil)

There are a few places to stay in Xpujil or Chicanna near Calakmul, from hotels and cabanas to remote campgrounds. I highly recommend getting off the beaten track and going more local.

We camped overnight in a remote campsite called Valentín Natural, whose aim is to promote eco-tourism while supporting local families and the environment. Staying overnight here amounted to a truly unique experience.

We saw toucans, heard monkey screeches, bird-watched, learned about the local fauna and flora, and marveled at the bats eating the mosquitos and dragonflies as we watched the sunset from atop a wooden viewing tower in the lagoon.

We slept in comfortable, spacious tents and were provided homemade meals from women in the nearby town.

The only thing to remember is that you’re out in nature with all the mosquitoes, so bring your long-sleeves and eco-friendly repellent!

P.S. The staff didn’t speak much English, but we got by with our broken Spanish and gestures always work too.

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

If you’re uncomfortable wild camping out in the jungle then don’t worry, there are other places to stay near Calakmul. Check out these top hotels in Xpujil and Chicanna (zoom out the map to see more options).


Booking.com


Traveler’s Tip: Once you enter the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and pay your entry fee, you will then drive another 60 km (~40 miles) into the jungle until you reach the small parking lot at Calakmul archaeological site. The journey will take at least an hour due to the potholes.

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

What to See in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

What’s there to do in Calakmul? Calakmul is one of the largest Maya cities and archaeologists have found thousands of ruined sites; structures, stelae, glyphs, which you can now enjoy and explore.

What makes Calakmul extra special though is its remoteness, its mystery, its insanely impressive and climbable pyramids, and its wildlife (don’t forget you are literally deep inside the wild jungle).

Combined, Calakmul offers an unforgettable feeling of adventure!

There is plenty to see in Calakmul, probably more than you’ll be able to soak up in just one day.

Fun Fact: Whereas prominent Mayan ruin sites such as Chichen Itza receive thousands of visitors a day, the Calakmul ruins only receive a couple of dozen visitors per day!

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

Visiting Calakmul Ruins, Pyramids, & Stelae

Calakmul is an enormous site to visit, so start your day early in the morning while the air is cooler and wildlife is more active (if you wish to see some!). We were the first to enter the ruins in the morning and it was so worth it! We saw several monkeys, a wild piglet, and several birds.

Here are some of the things to see in Calakmul during your visit.

Structure II is the tallest structure in Calakmul’s central core. “The Great Pyramid” is a 150-foot tall structure that towers above the rainforest canopy affording unparalleled views of the Mayan jungle, making it the tallest pyramid in the Mayan kingdom ever discovered. It is possible to climb for those not faint of heart!

The Central Plaza houses Structures II – VIII, with Structure II being the largest Maya pyramid (although Structure I comes close). From here, you have the chance to climb up Acropolis Chik Naab for a truly amazing view of Structure II. Numerous stelae depicting the elite kings stand guard at the bottom of the stairs.

Stelae are large slabs typically made of limestone that are meticulously carved out and represent anything from Maya culture, commemorations, to the kings who rose to power over the centuries.

Mayan Ball Court is a large ball court that is a common sight to see in Maya cities. They were once used for ritual purposes and sought to settle quarrels by playing an intense ball game. The victor or the loser (I can never remember which) would sometimes be sacrificed on the spot.

There are dozens of smaller sites to visit, not that I remember them all! Take your time to visit as there’s simply so much to see.

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

Can You Climb Calakmul Ruins?

Yes! There are several climbable ruins in Calakmul. But of course, practice caution and be respectful not to damage the ruins. Structure I and II, the Great Acropolis, and mini Acropolis Chik Naab offer spectacular views and are the best pyramids to climb in Calakmul.

I would suggest you first climb the smaller pyramid – Acropolis Chik Naab – to have an epic view of the tallest pyramid (Structure II) emerging from the treetops directly opposite of you.

Then, climb up Structure II or Structure I to have unparalleled panoramic views of the lush tropical rainforest that surrounds you. You’ll only see the canopy of thick treetops and that top bit of the Chik Naab pyramid from where you just came!

It’s at this moment I truly realized how far into the jungle we traveled to reach these spectacular ruins. If you’re at the top of Structure II, on your right you will see Structure I.

We were also extremely lucky at the time because once we reached the top of the Grand Acropolis pyramid, a curious troop of spider monkeys came directly up to us to visit! We were just feet from them as they danced about the tree branches hovering over the ruins.

Spider monkeys in Calakmul Ruins | Bucketlist Bri
Calakmul Monkeys | Bucketlist Bri
Calakmul Monkeys | Bucketlist Bri

Calakmul Ruins Map

It was a challenge to find a map laying out the main sites in Calakmul but I finally found one courtesy of The Mayan Ruins website which also better explains the history of Calakmul if you want to learn more.

The map below outlines the main Structures, the Great Pyramid, Central Plaza, and the “Juego de Pelota” is the ball court.

  • A – Central Plaza
  • B – Structure I
  • C – Structure II
  • D – Great Acropolis
  • E – Acropolis Chik Naab
Calakmul Map | Bucketlist Bri
PC: The Mayan Ruins Website

Should You Visit Calakmul With a Tour or On Your Own?

At the entrance of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, you will be asked whether or not you wish to have a tour guide for a fee (around 600-800+ pesos). You can deny the tour guide and visit Calakmul on your own if you wish.

The upside of visiting Calakmul with a tour guide is that you get real-time explanations of the ruins. And since the site is so expansive, it could be worth the investment.

But if you’re on a budget, know that you can visit the Calakmul ruins on your own without a guide.

Many of the informational signs are written in both Spanish and English. That, plus a bit of Google researching before or after your visit will teach you a good amount about Calakmul.

Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Hidden Maya City Deep in the Jungle of Campeche, Mexico #calakmul #mexico #mexicotravel #mayanruins

Final Tips for Visiting Calakmul Mayan Ruins

Visiting Calakmul requires a pursuit of adventure, a bit of patience, and a fully charged camera. 😉 You will love exploring the Calakmul Mayan ruins despite the extra effort to get there!

If you have any questions about visiting Calakmul Mayan ruins or just wish to chat, feel free to reach out.

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By: Bri · In: Mexico, Riviera Maya

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Comments

  1. Wilma says

    July 19, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    Hi!
    Can you reach Calakmul easy from San cristobal?
    Do you prefer Palenque or Calakmul? Because I’m hesitating between these two. Afterwards we would like to go to Bacalar.
    Great info❤️

    Reply
    • Bri says

      July 20, 2021 at 2:27 am

      Hi Wilma! Thank you for reading and reaching out 💛 I haven’t been to Palenque yet, but I can 100% say that Calakmul will result in a “wilder” experience – it’s really lost in the jungle and isn’t as touristy as other Mayan ruins in Mexico. That said, there are three waterfalls nearby Palenque worth checking out that you can read about in my guide to things to do in Chiapas. In any case, though, why not visit both? If you are driving, you will have to pass Palenque to get to Calakmul anyway. Then, you can continue on to Bacalar from Calakmul fairly easily! I’ve put driving directions here for you (note: Xpujil is a small town outside of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve – recommend staying overnight there). Hope that helps. Have a safe trip! x

      Reply
  2. Mary Allison says

    June 29, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Hey Bri! Thanks for getting into specifics on your article! Do you have more info on traveling the Yucatan from the Caribbean to Campeche?

    Also, are the stairs on structure II unrealistic for someone who is scared of heights?

    Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      June 29, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Mary! Thanks for reaching out! I don’t have any Campeche-specific travel guide, but my guides to Bacalar (near the border), and Tulum in the Riviera Maya may help! As for the stairs, my partner Paul is scared of heights and was able to climb these since the structure’s base is much wider than some ruins that are fairly tall and slim. He did have to take it slow, though, because the structure is quite high. He went back down sideways/backwards on both hands and feet so if he can do I’m sure it’s possible for others with the same fear. Hope that helps! 💛

      Reply
  3. Nish says

    November 23, 2019 at 8:32 pm

    709AD, it’s hard to believe something that old still exists. Great job!! ♥️

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 25, 2019 at 7:22 am

      Yeah, even from 500 BC! Pretty cool how they can be preserved so well. Thanks Nish!

      Reply

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As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get ask As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get asked, “How do you find housing in the countries you travel to?” After exchanging glances with Paul, I start, “Well…” And in short, I explain that renting an apartment overseas involves a whole bunch of keyboard strokes.

Housing abroad is often much cheaper than renting an apartment in the States (depending on where you live, obviously). It’s also much easier to rent for extended periods.

Ultimately, our journey as digital nomads over the last 7 years has taught us that finding the “golden nuggets” of accommodation options abroad takes patience and practice!

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Action is the key that unlocks living fully. 

It’s the transformational step that manifests all thought & theory & intention into existence, into being, into becoming that very thing. If we want to become a certain someone then we have to act the way that certain someone would act. Every now and then, I will struggle to identify as X because I’ve been resisting doing those actions that require me to be X. 

Take blogging, for example. I’m a full-time blogger but for weeks I have been prioritizing *everything* else other than blogging (social media, ahem). Soon enough, like so many times before, I fall into a dark pit where little light gets in or gets out. I begin to un-know myself and focus more on short rewards & results rather than my purpose or my fulfilled self on a daily basis. To get back to my knowing, and to my identity as a blogger, I had to start blogging again — because it’s the action that unlocks the person, not the thought or intention. 🔐 

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In my mind, I’ve always been someone who journals. After all, journaling at a young age is what ultimately led me to blog online throughout my college years, which is what is leading me today as a professional blogger and in my writing journey toward becoming a published author. But, if we look back at this year, the number of times I actually journaled — put pen to paper or typed my thoughts out in a Google Doc — can be counted on one hand. But in the last two weeks, I’ve chosen to turn that belief about myself into action. Now I journal for five minutes every morning and night. The result is that I am now someone who journals because it’s my actions that make it so. 

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