DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán : History & Culture

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Chichén Itzá

The most dramatic of the Mayan cities has gigantic buildings, including the great pyramid that has become a symbol of the Yucatán.
Cobá

The largest and most powerful city in northern Yucatán before the rise of Chichén Itzá. Buildings are spread over a huge area of dense forest and lakes (bikes can be rented). The Nohoch Mul, at 42 m (138 ft), is the highest pyramid in the Yucatán.
Dzibilchaltún

The Temple of the Seven Dolls, through which the sun strikes at dawn on spring and summer equinoxes to run straight along a white sacbé (rough cast road) to the central plaza, is the most celebrated feature of this ruined Mayan city just north of Mérida. It was one of the longest-lived Mayan cities, occupied for over 2,000 years. There are additional temples at the site, as well as a grand Palacio and a Spanish missionary chapel. The huge, mysterious pool – Cenote Xlacah – which provided the ancient city with water, now offers an idyllic place in which to cool off.
Dzibilchaltún

Just north of Mérida, this site was occupied for over 2,000 years. At dawn on spring and summer equinoxes, the sun strikes straight through the open doorways of the Temple of the Seven Dolls and along a road. There’s also a great swimming cenote here (see Cenote Xlacah, Dzibilchaltún).
Edzná

Another of the largest and wealthiest cities of Classic-era Yucatán(see 250–900: Classic Era Mayan Civilization). Its huge palace, the “Building of the Five Stories”, is the largest and most complex of all Mayan multistory buildings.
Ek-Balam

In 1998 excavations revealed some of the finest examples of Mayan sculpture at these ruins, on the giant temple-mound known as the Acropolis. Most spectacular is El Trono (The Throne), a temple entrance believed to be the tomb of Ukit-Kan-Lek-Tok, a powerful ruler around AD 800. Nearby is an intricate mass of finely carved figures. The rest of the Acropolis is a multi-level palace.

Ek-Balam
Ek-Balam

This compact city was little known until recently. Excavations of its largest temple-mound in 1998 revealed spectacular carvings, especially at El Trono (“The Throne”), the largest and most extravagant of Mayan monstermouth temples. Other unique buildings include an almost spiral-shaped tower, La Redonda, the design of which is a mystery.
El Meco, Cancún

The most important city near Cancún in pre-Hispanic times.
El Rey, Cancún

The relics of the historic occupiers ofCancún Island .
Iglesia de Jesús, Mérida

Built for the Jesuit Order and completed in 1618, the Jesús has a gilded Baroque interior that contrasts strikingly with the simplicity of the Franciscan churches. On the exterior, look out for traces of carvings on some of the stones – they were taken from Mayan temples (see Calle 60).