Tour Details

Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Tour

Kohunlich is a large pre-Columbian Mayan site that covers approximately 21 acres. The site at this Costa Maya excursion is surrounded by dense sub-tropical rainforest, and it contains more than 170 mounds that remain largely unexcavated. The city was elaborately planned and engineered, with raised platform pyramids, citadels, courtyards and plazas. The area has relics dating back to 200 B.C., but most of the structures were built in the Early Classic period from about 250 to 600 A.D.

Departing from Costa Maya, the drive is approximately 2 hours each way over the paved highway. The last few miles are over an unpaved road that can be bumpy after a strong rain, but at the same time, not overrun with large touring buses.

Your tour guide will lead you on an approximately two-mile walk through the complex starting with an enormous central plaza ringed by pyramids and temple platforms. To the north, there is a massive, raised acropolis with a palace complex. Further east, there is the Pyramid of the Masks, built in honor of their sun god, with six gigantic stucco masks flanking its central staircase. You will see intricate decoration consisting of stucco masks that are part of a symbolic decoration system loaded with cosmic elements that reflect the importance of the cosmos for the ancient Mayan people.

Your guide will explain the Mayan social, political and religious organization, which will help you envision the glorious days of this old Mayan city.

Please note: Although the site has been excavated in more depth than other nearby sites such as Dzibanche, it does not have the facilities found at the large sites in the Yucatan. There are restrooms available but there is no shopping (film, souvenirs) or food and drink available for purchase. Guests with dietary requirements may want to bring a snack along. A bottle of water will be passed out at the beginning of the tour.