img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:46.97265625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}Imagine a Mayan city larger than Chichen Itza, hidden deep in the Mexican jungle. This ancient wonder is now open to the public!
The Mayan pyramids of Mexico have been inspiring feats of architecture for centuries now, drawing in millions of culture pilgrims from all over:
Think Chichen Itza, often considered the most emblematic of all, with its towering Temple of Kukulcan, or a picturesque Tulum, with its cliffside ruins overlooking aqua-colored waters.
As much as we’d like to believe we’ve fully mapped the long-lost Mayan civilizations, with over 4,000 archeological sites already documented, the truth is that we’ve barely scratched the surface, and some of the most impressive of all may still be lying undiscovered deep in a jungle somewhere.
Maybe it’s pertinent we mention that, as of this month, a ‘new’ Mayan city said to be larger even than Chichen Itza finally opened its doors to tourists, and the most exciting part is, it’s only a short drive away from this up-and-coming resort zone:
Discover Ichkabal, Mexico’s Lost Mayan City
Bacalar is a sleepy lakeside town in the south of Quintana Roo lining Lake Bacalar, famous for its multiple shades of blue, from teal to cobalt, and its plethora of rustic boutique hotels that feel comparatively less crowded than Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and the like.
Last year, authorities finally opened a Maya Train station in Bacalar, linking the once-remote gem to more popular and better-connected destinations in the north of the state.
Before the launch, in order to reach Bacalar from the north, tourists had to resort to unreliable bus companies, expensive private transfers, or even fly instead to Chetumal Airport, only 40 minutes away, the inconvenience being that Chetumal only hosts domestic flights from now.
With the train, getting to Bacalar has become a lot easier, and subsequently, the unexplored Mayan World of southern Quintana Roo:
This Place Is Massive. Like, Proper Massive.
Ichkabal is one of many overgrown Mayan cities that were abandoned in times immemorial and only got re-discovered quite recently, at the end of the 20th century.
Despite its relative anonymity, it is one of the oldest Mayan settlements to have been found, considering it dates back to the Middle Preclassic period of the Mayan civilization––in simple terms, it’s at least 2,400 years old.
Now, if you’re wondering what the scale of Ichkabal is and how big of a city it might have been in its prime, you should know it comprises six main architectural ensembles scattered around a jaw-dropping area of 37 miles!
For comparison purposes, Chichen Itza is much, much smaller, covering a mere 4 square miles.
The main plaza of Ichkabal alone has an extension of 300 meters, not to mention its Cenote-dotted jungle, and the fact that many of the pyramids (yep, there is more than one), are perfectly visible above the dense canopy of trees, rising as high as 46 meters.
Ichkabal Open As Of This January
Since its discovery in 1995, Ichkabal has remained largely off-limits to tour groups as archeologists conducted their research and worked tirelessly to restore the site for future visitors.
Following a 30-year wait, the time has finally come:
Ichkabal is opening in January 2025, as reported by Riviera Maya News, and though we do know this is a massive Mayan preservation zone, we don’t know at this point which areas are included in the phased opening.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which took over the project in 2009, is said to have fully restored Ichkabal in anticipation of the arrival of the Maya Train, so it’s safe to say more than just a couple of ball courts and minor temples will be accessible this year.
INAH’s General Director, Prieto Hernández, has stated that Ichkabal will become a ‘great cultural attraction’ in southern Quintana Roo due to both its size and history, as well as its proximity to a Maya Train station.
The Maya Train has completely revolutionized travel around the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, allowing tourists to travel hassle-free to colonial cities like Merida and Campeche, as well as nature reserves that were previously inaccessible with public transportation.
Why Is Ichkabal So Important?
Ichkabal’s importance is derived primarily from its rich history under the Kaan’ul Dynasty (nicknamed the Serpent Dynasty).
As the head of the INAH noted, Ichkabal remained a key player in Mayan geopolitics well into the 16th century, when the Spaniards first landed on Mexican shores.
At one point, the House of the Serpent even rivaled Tikal’s mighty rulers, who dominated the territory now under the sovereignty of Guatemala.
Ichkabal’s importance is evidenced in its many palatial structures, pyramids clad in beautiful carvings, and even its complex hydraulic engineering: some years back, diggers found an entire rectangular reservoir the local inhabitants used to collect water during rainy periods.
Ichkabal was also connected to the nearby Mayan settlement of Dzibanché, this one already open to the public, with a 24-mile road, or sacbe’ob, believed to have ensured a thriving trading culture between the sisterly cities.
Finally, archeological research indicates that Ichkabal ceased being populated only a few years, or right after the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, and as it never entered a war with the occupying forces, it sustained very little man-caused damage.
If anything, it’s almost as if its inhabitants picked up their belongings and… left.
In other words, Ichkabal is a giant time capsule and a rare glimpse into life in the Mayan hinterlands of Mexico from centuries ago.
As of right now, the easiest way to get to Ichkabal is first getting to Bacalar or even Chetumal, the largest city in the south of Quintana Roo and the state’s capital.
Entry fees have not been divulged, nor are we aware of any shuttle services being put in place for tourists arriving at Bacalar station, but worry not: we’ll be sure to keep you posted once we find out more.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Appeared first on: traveloffpath.com
