{"id":19578,"date":"2019-07-02T17:06:59","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T16:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=19578"},"modified":"2023-10-14T16:23:15","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T15:23:15","slug":"calakmul-becan-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/calakmul-becan-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Calakmul & Bec\u00e1n: Tips for the Mayan ruins in the middle of the jungle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The feeling of standing alone on the very top of a Mayan pyramid<\/strong> and being surrounded only by jungles, as far as the eye can see – is a feeling unlike any other. The two Mayan sites of Calakmul and Bec\u00e1n in the state of Campeche are relatively untouched by tourism<\/strong>. And what\u2019s more, Calakmul is particularly impressive with its spectacular location in the middle of the rainforest, away from any civilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We visited both ruins and got more than we asked for. Where else do you come across a group of wild monkeys in the middle of your track towards a ruin? In this blog article we will tell you all our tips for visiting<\/strong> the ruins of Calakmul and Bec\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Calakmul & Bec\u00e1n: The Mysterious Mayan Ruins – Away from Mass Tourism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve left Tulum<\/a> and its ruins behind, you realise how non-touristic<\/strong> the state of Campeche is. In Xpujil<\/strong>, which serves as a base for those looking to explore the neighbouring ruins, you will find just a handful of accommodation options. The feeling of having arrived in the middle of nowhere, hits you quite quickly – we can promise that much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a great way to explore the Mayan sites of Bec\u00e1n and Calakmul. Bec\u00e1n is on the way from Bacalar<\/a> to Campeche<\/a>. And even Calakmul is not as complicated to get to (contrary to what we\u2019ve read), although Calakmul clearly has the edge in terms of that jungle feeling<\/strong>. Both ruins can (still) be climbed. The experience is, of course, quite different from Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1<\/a> or the ruins of Tulum, which you can admire only from below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Bec\u00e1n and Calakmul suitable for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in Mayan ruins<\/strong>, then a visit to Bec\u00e1n and Calakmul is a must. Both are among the most spectacular sites we visited on our Yucat\u00e1n road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all those who plan to travel to Campeche (city), we would suggest a stopover in Xpujil (especially since the entire route from Bacalar to Campeche is too far in one go). If you want to explore a little off the beaten track<\/strong> in Yucatan, then you will surely love Bec\u00e1n and especially Calakmul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling with children<\/strong>, we would recommend Bec\u00e1n, as it is much easier to reach than Calakmul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Becan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Calakmul: All Important Information and Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of all the Mayan ruins that we visited in Yucat\u00e1n, Calakmul is by far the most secluded<\/strong> and thus most mysterious. The ruins of Calakmul are far from any civilisation in the middle of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve<\/strong>. And that means: From Xpujil (which is already rather secluded) you will travel another two hours by car, with the last 60 Kilometres taking you through the deepest jungle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when we say the deepest jungle, we really mean it. To give just one example, at one of the turns, our driver abruptly stopped to tell us that he had spotted a Jaguar at exactly that spot three weeks ago. Yes, that’s right – a wild Jaguar<\/strong> crossed the street right in front of his car! It felt so surreal. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the chances of hitting a Jaguar are extremely low, you will almost certainly come across other animals: in the middle of a ruin, for example, a family of wild monkeys<\/strong> crossed our paths. We also saw peacock, turkeys and toucans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Calakmul is a remote site. But in the time of the Mayas, it was so significant and Calakmul is actually considered as one of the most important and largest Mayan sites – of which we can promise you that its former glory can only be fully appreciated (and imagined) with a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attractions in Calakmul: Tips to visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loop Track Trail<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The area of \u200b\u200bCalakmul is very spacious, but you can still visit it on foot<\/strong>. You can choose between the short, medium or long route trail<\/strong>. We chose the medium-distance route, which took us around 3.5 hours (with long photo breaks and climbing the ruins, mind you). The trails are on the whole very well signposted so you don\u2019t have to worry about getting lost. (Nevertheless, it does not hurt to have an offline map on the phone or at least a photo of the map found at the entrance, just in case)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can highly recommend the medium-long trail (“ruta media\u201d) as we found it was just the right length. This trail brings you to the highlights of Calakmul. (We ended up with an extra stop at Estructura I.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Main Ruins of Calakmul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of Calakmul is the biggest ruin: Estructura II<\/strong>. You should absolutely make sure you climb this pyramid. From below you cannot fathom just how giant this 45m high construction is. But once you’re at the top, you can not help but be speechless. Here you can see nothing but tree-tops and Mayan ruins. No electricity pylons, no houses, nothing. Just breathtaking! From the top you also have a nice view towards the Estructura I. What we also found extremely fascinating: Calakmul is actually just a mere 30 kilometres from the border of Guatemala, so as you gaze into the distance, you are looking at a different country!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to Estructura I<\/strong>: You can make a detour to Estructura I from the big ruin (Estructura II). (Strictly speaking, this spot is not actually on the medium \u201cruta media\u201d trail). However, climbing Estructura I is not quite as spectacular as you do not really see the big ruin from up here, as it is completely overgrown on the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is worthwhile to climb Estructura VII<\/strong>. This ruin is located directly opposite the main ruin (Estructura II) and therefore you have a nice view from the the opposing side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Calakmul<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Calakmul<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Calakmul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Option 1 – on your own:<\/b> <\/span>It is possible to travel to Calakmul with your own rental car. There are no public buses. Most people (including us) simply spend the night in or near Xpujil<\/strong>. From there, the journey by car takes about two hours<\/strong>. First, the route runs along the main road. The (signposted) branch to Calakmul comes on the left hand side, just before the place Conhuas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the junction<\/strong>, there is a road that branches off leading straight in the direction of Calakmul. The road conditions vary, sometimes good, sometimes terrible – the road conditions tend to get worse the closer you get to Calakmul. Apart from some potholes, it wasn\u2019t as bad as we were expecting. You will drive along this road for about a good hour (60 kilometres) before you reach Calakmul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 2 – with a driver\/tour:<\/b> <\/span>If you are not travelling with your own rental car, then you\u2019re going to have to reach into your pockets. Unfortunately, our car was having some troubles and to stay on the safe side, we decided to hire a private driver<\/strong> instead: For a return trip from Xpujil we paid at least 1,500 Pesos (converted is about 70 Euros). The best advantage was that we could relax and sleep a little on the return trip back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to visit the Mayan ruins of Bacalar or Palenque, then you can book a tour from there to the ruins of Calakmul (and back). Such a tour comes highly recommended and you can actually book yourself a tour<\/strong> via GetYourGuide. The disadvantage, of course, is that you have to skip Bec\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book here:<\/strong> Tour from Palenque or Bacalcar to Calakmul<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful when travelling from Bacalar or Tulum to Xpujil: There is a time zone difference<\/strong> of 1 Hour between the states of Quintana Roo and Campeche. So you actually \u2018gain\u2019 an extra hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Info at a glance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Admission:<\/em> A total of around 240 Pesos per person (Divided into three payments along the way: 1st at gate by the junction of the main road, 2nd at the gates into the National park, 3rd entrance fee to the ruins.)
Camera fee for video recording:<\/em> 45 Pesos
Opening hours:<\/em> 8 am to 5 pm daily<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few more tips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n