We have been to Mexico many times, and it is amazing to visit and see Mayan Ruins. To get the most out of your experience, you will want to be prepared for your time at the ruins. When we first visited Mexico, we took tours from our hotel, but now we rent a car and explore on our own. We have visited a variety of ruins including:
Chichen-Itza
Coba Ruins, Coba
Ek Balam Ruins, Ek Balam
Kinich Kakmó Ruins, Izamal
Muyil Ruins, Tulum
Tulum Ruins
Here are my tips for making the best of your trip to the Mayan Ruins.
Get there early
If you are visiting popular ruins like Chichen-Itza, it is helpful to get there early to beat some of the crowds. Not only will it be less crowded, it will be cooler weather and you may also see more local wildlife. It will give you a chance to explore while it is quieter, and also get some good photos in that do not have a lot of tourists in the photos.
Prepare for the sun and heat
Being that you are in Mexico, chances are that it will be hot and sunny. Hydration is a must, as well as sun protection. Try to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, or anything else that you wish to keep you comfortable.
The highlight of visiting some of these places is the chance to climb a giant pyramid. While those are fond memories, I distinctly remember how hot it was as I panted my way up dozens upon dozens of tall stairs. Think of it as leg day.. in the hot jungle!
Bring Bug Spray
Most of the Mayan Ruins are right in the jungle, so it can be buggy. This picture is from our visit to the Muyil Ruins, and there were quite a few bugs. It will often rain and then the sun comes out, and the bugs seem to come out in droves. It is good to be prepared with bug repellant!
Rent a personal tour guide
We have been to several ruins, and for some we did a self-guided tour. However, we rented a guide at Coba and Ek Balam, and those were absolutely worthwhile. The guides spoke wonderful English, and also had books with laminated pages so that they could show us a slideshow images, such as renderings of the ancient cities. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and were able to answer all of our questions.
Bring a good camera
There are lots of neat things to see at the ruins, from the main pyramid to ancient carvings. All of these things are great to capture on camera if you can.
Plan on doing a lot of walking, or rent transportation
We generally do a lot of walking at the ruins, including climbing up different structures. Depending on the ruins, they may have bikes available to rent, or bike taxis. When we were at Coba, our kids were younger and we splurged on the bike taxis, since we didn’t want to do too much walking. The taxis were a very nice way to travel!
Dress comfortably
Not only will it likely be hot and sunny, but you will want appropriate clothes for walking and possibly climbing pyramids. We noticed how slippery a lot of stones were on the pyramid at Coba, likely from years of people sliding on the rocks.
Bring money and plan for other activities
We always bring money with us when we travel around Mexico. Many of the ruins have food and souvenirs available for purchase. There are also usually other things to do around the ruins, like cenotes and shopping. It is fun to check out a Mayan ruin and then cool off with some swimming, so pack appropriately. Ek Balam even has a cenote right at the same site (Cenote X’Canache), which made for a nice day of exploring in the jungle and then taking a dip.
Be respectful
Mayan Ruins are an amazing part of history and a wonderful place to visit. It is important to respect these areas as they are significant parts of history and culture. Unfortunately, some sites have had to close their pyramids and take other actions because of tourists behavior.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at marysa@anationofmoms.com
About the Author: Marysa
Busy blogger and mom of two girls! We love traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!
I’ve always been so fascinated by the Mayan ruins. It’s amazing what they were able to build!
I have always wanted to visit here. It’s just so fascinating. My son would love it as well. He used to be pretty obsessed with the ruins.
I have always wanted to visit the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. I was in Cancun one time, but never made it over to the Ruins. Those are all great tips, I will definitely keep them in mind for when I finally go there.
I’m no stranger to sunscreen, heat, and bug spray growing up in South Florida. I’d love to visit the Mayan ruins one day. I remember doing a school project on the Mayan temples and building a replica with my dad.
That bike would be a fun way to travel. I would enjoy someone else doing the pedaling.
I’ve always wanted to visit the Mayan ruins. I’ve been fascinated by them ever since I was a kid. It’s definitely on my travel bucket list.
It’s such a gorgeous place. I hope I can visit here someday.
Your trip looks AHmazing!! It’s on my bucket list to take the kiddos when they’re a little older.
What fabulous photos. I love the information in here too and the tips for visiting this fascinating place. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, that looks like a beautiful place to visit. I hope to be able to see that someday. You have some very gorgeous photos here.
This is on the top of my list. Once my daughter gets older, we’re going!
I would love to go to Mexico and see the Mayan Ruins, I do think I’d get a tour guide to find out more about the area than I may know myself x
I’ve had the Mayan ruins on my travel bucket list for years. I’ve always found it so amazing that such an ancient culture was able to build such impressive structures.
Oh wow.. Visiting the Mayan ruins gives me so much Indiana Jones vibes.. I would love to experience this someday and witness these amazing ruins myself… I agree with your tips.. When visiting a placr like this, always equip yourself with a good camera to capture eveything beautifully and wonderfully save the memories
Oh wow this looks absolutely incredible! This is definitely on my bucket list. Such a useful post for anyone lucky enough to embark on this adventure and your photos are beautiful.
It has been many, many years since I have been to Mexico. I would like to go back and visit the Mayan Ruins. These are some great tips.
This is so interesting. I hope I can visit someday.
This sounds like such a great trip I have to admit I would have love to have visited the ruins when I was more able. Facinating location.
This is on my bucket list of places to visit. What an amazing trip to do and the photos are so beautiful as well. I can’t wait to go in person
Amazing info! Your post is bookmarked for my visit to Mexico for sure. I have never visited but you showed me that it should definitely be one of my next place to visit.
The last picture is amazing and so close. I love taking pictures of the animal. Hope you had fun visiting i.
Fransic – https://www.querianson.com
What a STUNNING place to visit! I have never been and these photos are inspiring me to add this to my bucket list! Thank you for these awesome tips too!
What a beautiful place to check out. I’ve never explored the ruins before but it’s so rich in history and culture…I would love to go someday!
I have always wanted to visit the Mayan Ruins! It looks so beautiful! I’d love to learn more about it too! Love your photos!
This has been on my list for a while. Loved this post. Great tips. Good to learn.
Such an interesting site!I love ruins, they speak volumes.Hopefully I can visit some day.
Such a lovely place to see! Thank you for the tips. I would hire a guide too if I get to visit just because I would want to know more about the place.
I haven’t been in the Mayan Ruins in Mexico! It looks so historic. I can’t wait to travel soon after the pandemic.
Aaalllrrriiiggghhhttttt…it looks like I am 70% covered on your check-list! Let’s go Mayan Ruins!
I have been to the Mayan Ruins before! It’s something so sacred about them
There are so many beautiful things to see in the world. I would love to visit the ruin.
I have never been to Mexico before, so visiting the Ruins and stepping a bit on the not so typical paths is now definitely on my to-do-list for the future, thanks for sharing!
Oh wow this place looks really wonderful! That huge carved stone looks amazing – and like a real relic from the past.
I would love to visit Mayan Ruins in Mexico one day. So much history and Ek Balam look magical!
I think that the universal advice is to get to tourist sites early. Avoiding crowds makes everything more pleasant.
I would love to see this. So pretty there!
I really want to travel there! Your pictures make it look so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!