Yaxuna

Yaxuná is an archaeological site in the Yucatán region with scattered structures built on limestone platforms, including pyramids, open plazas, and residential buildings. The remains spread across a large area and reveal the complexity of an ancient Maya settlement.

The first Maya inhabitants arrived between 750 and 500 BC and developed the site into an important regional center. The area remained occupied for centuries and maintained strong connections with the neighboring city of Cobá.

The site displays evidence of burial customs through underground chambers that show how important ancestor veneration was to the ancient inhabitants. Visitors can see the layout of residential areas that reveal how people organized their daily lives and community spaces.

The site is accessible from the nearby town of Yaxcabá and sits about 30 kilometers from the main highway between Mérida and Cancún. Since the site is large and spread out, visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months.

A well-preserved stone road called a sacbé connects this site to the distant Cobá over more than 100 kilometers away. This road system demonstrates how important trade routes and long-distance communication were to the ancient Maya.