Exploring the Mayan Ruin Sites of Mexico

Sailing into Costa Maya and Cozumel by cruise offered me more than just beaches and margaritas, it opened the door to some of Mexico’s most captivating Mayan ruin sites. Across several visits, I explored the lesser-known remnants of this ancient civilization that still echo through the Yucatán Peninsula.

The region’s history stretches back more than 1,500 years, when these cities flourished as centers of trade, astronomy, and spiritual life. Today, they rest beneath a canopy of trees, surrounded by the same jungle that once protected them from invaders and now hides many still-undiscovered temples.

Each site reveals a different piece of the Mayan world. From towering pyramids to intricate carvings and the calls of wild monkeys overhead, the experience feels like stepping between centuries rather than just walking through ruins.

My first visit was to Coba, and it remains one of my favorite travel memories. I chose it over the more famous Chichén Itzá because, at the time, visitors were still allowed to climb to the top of its tallest pyramid. The view was unforgettable, a sea of treetops spreading flat across the horizon, all seemingly the same height. Coba is vast, with pedicabs helping visitors traverse the long paths between temples and the ancient ball court where players once tried to send a heavy rubber ball through a stone ring high on the wall.

Next came Dzibanché, a newer archaeological discovery still partly reclaimed by the jungle. Trees grow through the temples, their roots holding entire walls together. The site feels wild and untouched, and walking among the ruins was hauntingly peaceful. Somewhere above us, howler monkeys roared in the canopy,  a low, resonant sound that made the experience even more surreal.

I also visited Kohunlich, a site known for its large temple with impressive carved stone faces that have survived centuries of exposure. A few small ponds shimmer between clusters of trees, and the quiet surroundings make it an easy place to slow down and imagine life here long ago.

My final stop was Chacchoben, a grand plaza anchored by broad temple steps that rise out of the forest. Climbing isn’t allowed here, but the site is stunning from ground level. As I explored, I caught sight of Geoffroy’s spider monkeys swinging in the treetops, an unexpected and beautiful wildlife encounter. Sadly, they are now endangered due to habitat loss, but seeing them in their natural environment was a highlight I won’t forget.