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In case you didn’t know, a new scenic train will depart from Cancun in time for winter, connecting the bustling Caribbean city to other tourist hotspots on the broader Yucatan Peninsula that were previously unreachable by public transportation.
In addition to easier connections to smaller beach towns, such as Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, and even off-the-path gems such as Chetumal and Bacalar, visitors can also visit some of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Mexico with minimal hassle.
Starting December 1, you can access these 5 ancient archaeological sites from Cancun:
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, the number one tourist attraction in all of Mexico, will have its own Mayan Train Station, allowing visitors staying in Cancun or another coastal spot on the Riviera Maya to get there without paying high prices for private tours.
Most famous for its monumental El Castillo, a step pyramid that is a symbol of Mexico, it was once Chichen Itza one of the most prosperous cities from the pre-Columbian period, with architectural feats that reflect Itza’s multiculturalism, as it was home to numerous ethnic groups within the Mayan branch.
If you explore the archaeological site, you will find well-preserved temples, such as the Templo de los Guerrerosthe Great Ball Court, where the Mayans practiced their famous ball game, and the Tzompantli, the eerily titled Skull Platform.
Chichen Viejo
On the same Mayan train stop, just a six-minute walk from the main archaeological complex of Chichen Itza, lies a group of lesser-known ruins that were not open to visit until this year: the equally fascinating Chichen Viejo.
Although part of the same Mayan settlement, both Itza and Viejo are treated as different sites, as the latter is actually considered a residential area for the elites and offers insight into the lives of prosperous Mayans and their customs at the time.
Around the North Plaza, tourists can now see up close the exposed remains of five cremated human bodies linked to the Cupul noble family, public buildings dating from 878 ADand many more stunning structures that they previously did not have access to.
Izamal
The next stop on the Mayan Train after Chichen Itza, Izamal is a small Yucatanian town that has gained Instagram fame for its vibrant yellow cityscape. However, beneath the charming cobbled streets and colonial aesthetic lies an oft-forgotten past that is just as rich.
Before it was captured by the Spanish, Izamal was an important Mayan city where the third (or fourth, depending on sources) largest pyramid in Central America was built. Today, this same pyramid is the most striking Mayan monument in Izamal.
Sadly, the majority of the pre-Columbian buildings are now ruins, scattered throughout Izamal’s old town, but it is precisely this contrast between much older, indigenous heritage and the area lost or ‘conquered’ by the Spanish.
Nuevo Xcan
Nuevo natural area. place.
Nuevo Xcan, a protected reserve, includes a series of flooded underground chambers cenotes, which the Mayans considered sacred. At the time, offerings were held in the turquoise waters, as well as major ceremonies.
After all, ancient civilization reportedly believed that cenotes were the gateway to the underworld. As terrifying as that may sound, the caves now house only tourists hoping to take a dip at the end of a tricky path, as well as history buffs eager to decipher the Mayan mentality.
Tulum
Although it is usually associated with luxury resorts and wild jungle raves, Tulum can also make for an incredible cultural destination, especially for those interested in the Mayan world, as it includes a walled city built as early as the 6th century AD was founded.
The archaeological complex in Tulum is distinguished by its almost perfect state of preservationas it is one of the last cities built by the Mayans before the arrival of European settlers, and was abandoned much later.
Perched atop a cliff overlooking the clear blue Caribbean Sea, the postcard-like Castillo is an iconic scene of the Mexican Caribbean, and even before the launch of the Mayan Train, it attracted millions of tourists every month.
Read more about the Mayan Train here, including how much tickets cost.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
