Kohunlich
A Maya City In The Jungle Of Southern Quintana Roo, Known For Its Temple Of The Masks, A Stepped Pyramid With Giant Stucco Faces Of The Sun God, And A Large Plaza With Water Reservoirs. Little Visited And Shaded By Jungle, With Howler Monkeys And Birds, And A Long Drive From The Caribbean Coast. A Stop On A Route To Calakmul And Becan · Chetumal, Quintana Roo
Kohunlich is a Maya city in the jungle of southern Quintana Roo, about 60 km west of Chetumal on the road toward Escarcega. Its best-known building is the Temple of the Masks, a stepped pyramid with giant stucco faces of the sun god set into its stairway, among the most striking surviving examples in the region. A great plaza spreads out nearby, with reservoirs that once stored rain for the city. The site is surrounded by tall trees and bird calls, and howler monkeys often roar from the canopy. It is little visited and almost free of tour buses, which makes the walk calm, though humid and buggy. It suits travellers who like quiet ruins, photographers and those on the route to Calakmul and Becan. It is worth the detour if you are already in the Chetumal or Bacalar area with a car; it is not worth it from the Caribbean coast just for a quick look, as the drive is long and the site is small compared with Coba or Chichen Itza.
Kohunlich archaeological zone, about 60 km west of Chetumal on the road to Escarcega in the jungle of southern Quintana Roo; coordinates approximate, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
The site usually opens daily from morning to late afternoon, with the last entry before closing; confirm hours and the current entry price, as they can change. The Temple of the Masks and the plaza are included in one ticket. Looking from the road is FREE but gives no view of the ruins. Climbing the pyramids is CLOSED, and some inner areas or the guarded stairs may be closed to visitors. A small shop or stall may open only on busier days, so bring food and water.