Maya Ka'an
Amaze - Explore - Awaken
Maya Ka'an
Maya culture, where the land beats.
Maya Ka'an lies south of the Riviera Maya, in central Quintana Roo: jungle, lagoons, wetlands and Maya communities that keep their language and traditions.
Visits are run by cooperatives from the communities themselves, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers much of the region.
- Right now
- 26°Cloudy
- Best for
- Community tourism, nature and living culture
- When to come
- All year round; the most pleasant weather from December to April
- Payments
- Cash in the communities; ATMs in Carrillo Puerto
Getting here
Airport
By road
Visits
Sian Ka'an
Float down the Maya canals through the mangroves
Sian Ka'an, origin of the sky in Maya, is the largest protected natural area in the Mexican Caribbean. Its canals were cut by the Maya for trade, and today they are traveled by boat and by float, carried by the current between mangrove walls; the reserve protects jungle, wetland and reef, and shelters jaguars, crocodiles and sea turtles.
Living history
The Talking Cross, sanctuary of the town of warriors
Founded in 1850 as Chan Santa Cruz, Felipe Carrillo Puerto was the Maya refuge during the Caste War and is known as the town of the warriors. At the Sanctuary of the Talking Cross, the cross that by tradition spoke to guide the Maya rebels, the guards and offerings continue; the Casa de la Cultura teaches music, Maya language and dance.
Communities
Community tourism in 78 communities of the Maya Zone
In Señor henequen is spun and melipona bees are kept; Tihosuco has the Caste War museum; Kantemó, the cave of the hanging snakes; in Chunhuhub food is baked underground in a pib, and in Punta Allen and Punta Herrero local fishermen run fly-fishing trips. The food is that of the milpa: espelón bean tamalitos, relleno negro and sikil pak. The destination was born in 2014 with Amigos de Sian Ka'an and is run by community tourism companies, local hotels and certified guides.
Maya heritage
Muyil, the Maya port between jungle and lagoon
The Muyil archaeological site, an ancient Maya port, stands beside the lagoon, inside the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve; its El Castillo pyramid rises above the jungle and a wooden boardwalk leads to the canals.
More about Maya Ka'an
September 30, 2024
5 Things to Do in Maya Ka’an
Discover the top things to do in Maya Ka’an: Punta Herrero, the Muyil canals, Maya communities, wildlife in Sian Ka’an and traditional Maya cuisine.
Read the article
September 30, 2024
Exploring the Maya Archaeological Sites Near Maya Ka'an
Explore the Maya archaeological sites near Maya Ka'an: Muyil and its trade canals, Tulum on its cliff, Cobá's Nohoch Mul pyramid and Kohunlich's masks.
Read the article
September 30, 2024
Sian Ka’an: A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Sian Ka’an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987: 528,000 hectares of jungle, mangroves, reef and Maya canals in Mexico’s Maya Ka’an region.
Read the article- Fri28°24°
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