Kohunlich Ruins Tour
Discover one of the most underrated sites in the costa maya, the kokonlich mayan ruins. Set in a park-like atmosphere, truly a site that is a "must-see" This beatiful Maya City will deliver a close maya experience like no other for the extremely buildings construction.
Dzibanche & Kinichna Ruins Tour
Set in the heart of the jungle, Dzibanche is an example of the architectural majesty and urban organization, is the largest and most important settlement in southern Quintana Roo. This is the best option to see the wonders that have pre-Hispanic Mexico. It is an activity that requires at least 7 hours if the starting point is the Costa Maya port, since it is a considerable distance
The Mayan Ruins at Chacchoben
The ruin site located just a few kilometers from the village
of Chacchoben, takes its name from that village. The translation
makes a reference to “The place of the red corn”. At
this time the original name of the ruin site is not known, nor
the name of any of its leaders. Therefore the official name for
now is Chacchoben, The Place of the Red Corn.
The area in which Chacchoben is found is
know as “The Region of the Lakes” due
to the number of Lagoons and low land areas wet the year round,
along with so many others that become flooded during the rainy
season.
The first human inhabitants date back as far as 1000 BC. Though
evidence found during excavation show that most of the ruins
you see there now date back to around 360 AD. Under going several
renovations and rebuilds during the Mayan occupation period.
In the pre-classic period the area was farming communities,
small and spotted through out the area. It was not until the
classic period that the area furthered and the main building
of governmental functions were built. This great city part
of one of the greatest and most brilliant civilizations of the
world remained continuously inhabited till its decline in around
700 BC. Eventually it was virtually abandoned being reclaimed
by the lush jungle, keeping its secret mysteries still not fully
known.
Again in the late Post Classic period it was partially populated,
though a much lesser degree then of its glory of days long past.
And once again being abandoned keeping it secrets once again.
For the next thousand years or so it remained abandon and
hidden once again by the jungle. Chacchoben remains a mystery
to this very day.
The resent history of Chacchoben is no mystery after years
of abandonment, hidden by the jungle in silent’s evident
of the once great city.
In the 1940´s a young Mayan man set out to find the
perfect place for his farm and to raise a family. He settles
here in the once great city of his ancestors’. He raised
8 children here with the ruins as their backyard. What a wonderful
playground they had.
Then in 1972 an American Archeologist Dr. Peter Harrison
from Tulane University came and made the first professional exploration
of the site. The project mapped and officially reported the site
to the Mexican Government.
The man was given the honorary title of guard of the site,
even though no title was needed. He had been doing so from the
very beginning. He was granted the right to stay on his beloved
farm. He had a dream to one day see the city and its temples
restored. Unfortunately he did not live to see his dream come
to fruition.
In June of 1994 the National Institute of Anthropology and
History opened a new chapter in the history of Chacchoben opening
a restoration project. In the year that fallowed 2 complexes
were excavated and restored, identified as Group I-A and Group
I-B this on going project. In the years to come more of the secrets
of Chacchoben are sure to come to light.
The next chapter came in October of 2002 when the Government
settled an agreement with the community of Chacchoben. The site
was expropriated from the family that had been the guardians
of the site for so many years. The sites restored complexes were
officially opened to the public.
This brings us to the current chapter in the history of Chacchoben.
With the opening of a new cruise ship port in Costa Maya (Mahahual)
hundreds of people everyday have the opportunity to visit this
special place.
You too can enter this abandon ceremonial center once reserved
for only the ruling families and nobles. We offer tours in small
groups of no more then 14 people with an English speaking guide. |
