Cancún archaeological sites
El Meco5 Km. from Cancun, has a pyramid, El Castillo (The Castle), with fans encrusted in its facades ? a symbol of commerce- since the city was a strategic commercial enclave until the arrival of the Spaniards.
El Rey
In the hotel zone, between the ocean and the lagoon, the monuments of El Rey (The King) were erected, apparently, upon an only paved roadway. The facades still retain vestiges of bright coloured mural painting. The zone today is home to a multitude of placid iguanas.
Yamil Lu’um
In the gardens of the Sheraton Hotel a rebuilt structure of great elegance was erected: Yamil Lu?um (Wavy or rolling ground in Maya). this small temple is located on the beach and free of charge located next to Westin Regina Hotel.
Pok ta Pok
On the playing course of Golf Cancun, also known as Pok ta Pok, golfers have the good fortune of finding a temple isolated in the rolling lawns.
Ruinas Del Rey
Within the southern Hotel Zone off of Cancún’s main drag, Kukulkan Boulevard, you’ll find Ruinas del Rey (Ruins of the King), an ancient astronomy lookout and burial ground for Mayan royals. Ruinas del Rey, also called El Rey, was built around 200 B.C. What makes this site stand out from other Mayan ruins in the area is that it has two plazas and two main roads instead of one. The indoor fresco paintings are also in good condition. Tourists flock to El Ray for two reasons: it's proximity to the Hotel Zone, and the resident iguanas. Hundreds of the native lizards bask in the sun here, and are encouraged by the park attendants who feed them tortillas. Ruinas Del Rey is open daily. There's a small admission fee on most days, and Sundays are free. Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 17 Zona Hotelera Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500 998-849-2880Yamil Lu’um
Located at Park Royal Cancún, Yamil Lu’um, which means “hilly land,” is the highest point on Cancún. The only ways to access these ruins are through the two hotels flanking the property, or by way of the beach, Playa Marlín. The site is made up of the Templo del Alacrán (Temple of the Scorpion), and the Templo de la Huella (Temple of the Handprint). Both temples were named for statues that had once stood there. The two small temples that make up this ancient Mayan site are believed to have been erected between 1200 A.D. and 1550 A.D. Because of the structures' hill-top location, archaeologists surmise that they served as a watchtower and lookout point. It’s open daily to visitors and has no entrance fee. Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 12 Zona Hotelera Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500
The El Rey Ruins (or Las Ruinas del Rey) are a spectacular archeological site in Cancun's Hotel Zone, with 47 structures estimated to have been inhabited by the Mayans as early as 900 AD. There are two primary platforms and temples believed to be the remains of religious ceremonial buildings and market areas.
El Rey was named for the ceremonial mask and skull found on the site to honor the Mayan Sun God and over the years further excavations have incited speculation over the ruins history. Although, the El Rey Ruins are not as large in size when compared to Chichen Itza, many visitors enjoy taking pictures of the hundreds of Iguanas that call the ruins home. The Iguanas are unafraid of humans as the park guides keep them well-fed with tortillas.
El Rey was named for the ceremonial mask and skull found on the site to honor the Mayan Sun God and over the years further excavations have incited speculation over the ruins history. Although, the El Rey Ruins are not as large in size when compared to Chichen Itza, many visitors enjoy taking pictures of the hundreds of Iguanas that call the ruins home. The Iguanas are unafraid of humans as the park guides keep them well-fed with tortillas.
Practical Info
Unexpectedly located adjacent to the Hilton Resorts Golf Course, this group of ruins is situated in the lagoon of the Southern Hotel Zone and many of the Mayan plazas offer great views of the Nichupte Lagoon as well as the Hotel Zone. The El Rey Ruins are a great way to see Mayan ruins without the trip to Chichen Itza or Tulum.
If you are on a tight budget, are staying in the hotel zone, and are looking for some Mayan Ruins, this is the place to go. The entry fee was 42 pesos (give or take 3.50 dollars). Depending on where you are in the hotel zone, you can either walk or take the local bus (8.5 pesos per person - $1) to get there. The park is not very big but there is plenty to see and give you a feel for Mayan ruins. Because it is in the hotel zone, you can take pictures that have "the old" in the foreground and " the new" ( hotels) in the background. If you like Iguanas, you will love this place as there are hundreds of them around. Well worth the price.
El Rey is not a heavy tourist attraction, as it is small and very informal. You can walk and take as much time climbing and having a close look at the ruins. We took our young grandkids to this and the freedom was enjoyed by them as they felt like explorers. We were the only ones in the exhibit which added to the fun.
The El Rey Ruins is a great place to stop for people who are looking to kill an hour or so while in Cancun. The price was cheap (45 Pesos) and the site was quite as they are not well known and not as impressive as the larger sites outside of the city. However they are great for those who want to take in as many ruins as possible, or are not interested in taking the excursions to those ruins further away from Cancun.
This photo of El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey) is courtesy of TripAdvisor
El Rey is not a heavy tourist attraction, as it is small and very informal. You can walk and take as much time climbing and having a close look at the ruins. We took our young grandkids to this and the freedom was enjoyed by them as they felt like explorers. We were the only ones in the exhibit which added to the fun.
The El Rey Ruins is a great place to stop for people who are looking to kill an hour or so while in Cancun. The price was cheap (45 Pesos) and the site was quite as they are not well known and not as impressive as the larger sites outside of the city. However they are great for those who want to take in as many ruins as possible, or are not interested in taking the excursions to those ruins further away from Cancun.
This photo of El Rey Ruins (Zona Arqueologica El Rey) is courtesy of TripAdvisor
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