Mayan ruins in Tulum

Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites

This collection features the prominent Mayan archaeological sites of Tulum and Coba. Tulum is a 14th-century fortified seaside city known for its well-preserved limestone structures overlooking the Caribbean. Coba, located deeper in the jungle, offers a vast network of stone causeways (sacbeob) and massive pyramids, including the 42-meter-tall Nohoch Mul. The sites showcase diverse architectural styles, intricate stone carvings known as stelae, and residential palaces belonging to the ancient Maya elite.

Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites — Map

Kcreamersh1 / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Tulum

Walk through the impressive ruins of this seaside Mayan city. Most of it was built in the 14th century, however the buildings are still well…

Ken Thomas / Public domain

B

Coba

Coba is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Jiří Parimucha / CC-BY-SA

C

Nohoch Mul

The tallest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula, standing 42 meters high. It features 120 steep steps and served as a major ceremonial center in Coba.

Jiří Parimucha / CC-BY-SA

D

Stela

An upright carved stone slab used by the Maya to commemorate historical events, dates, and the achievements of their rulers.

E

La Iglesia

Coba's second-tallest structure, this ancient pyramid overlooks Lake Macanxoc and features several well-preserved ceremonial altars at its base.

F

Conjunto de Las Pinturas

A complex named for the remnants of original Mayan murals found within its temple, showcasing colored pigments from the Postclassic period.

G

Estela 9

A carved stone monument in Coba depicting a ruler and containing hieroglyphic inscriptions detailing the city's political history.

H

Stela

A traditional Mayan stone monument featuring weathered reliefs of ancient figures and chronological inscriptions.

I

Estela 1

A significant stone monument in Coba featuring one of the longest hieroglyphic inscriptions found in the region, detailing ancient calendar dates.

J

Stela

An ancient stone pillar used for recording the lineage and ritual activities of the Mayan elite.

K

Estela 11

One of the numerous carved monuments in Coba used to mark significant time cycles and astronomical observations.

L

Acrópolis-Conjunto Cobá

A large architectural complex in Coba consisting of a series of elevated residential and administrative buildings used by the city's nobility.

M

Estela 26

A weathered stone stela located along the ancient causeways of Coba, featuring remnants of Mayan glyphs.

Carlos Delgado / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Plataforma

A low stone structure in Tulum typically used for ceremonies, dances, or as a base for smaller wooden buildings.

O

El Castillo

The most iconic structure in Tulum, this 7.5-meter pyramid served as a landmark for sailors navigating the offshore reef.

P

Oratory

A small ritual platform in Tulum used for religious offerings and ceremonial performances.

Q

Temple of the Sea

A small temple situated on the cliff's edge in Tulum, dedicated to maritime deities and coastal navigation.

R

Funerary Platform 13

A low stone platform in the Tulum complex that served as a site for elite burials and ancestral veneration.

S

The Palace

A large residential complex in Tulum featuring multiple rooms and benches, once inhabited by the city's high-ranking officials.

T

House of the Columns

An L-shaped administrative building in Tulum notable for its series of columns that once supported a heavy flat roof.

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