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Many travelers visit Cancun for its beautiful beaches, amazingly clear and clean waters, and vibrant nightlife. That’s why it is one of the most popular destinations for American travelers this year.
But the city has so much more to offer.
Cultural tourism is soaring in popularity with travelers keen to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the countries they visit.
If you’re interested in learning more about Mexican culture and the region’s rich history, then Cancun is a great place to be right now.
To add more cultural depth for visitors 3 new sites are being opened near Cancun that have never been seen by the public before.
3 New Mayan Ruins
From December 7 travelers in Cancun can explore 5 new structures, 3 of which have never been open to the public before. Each will be open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
The new structures for tourists to explore are the basement of the iconic Kinich Kak Moo pyramid and the Itzamatul, Habux, Tu’ul, and Chaltun Ha complexes.
The Kinich Kak Moo pyramid is the only one of 5 pyramids that survived Spanish colonization. The others were demolished, and their stones were used in the construction of local towns.
What makes Kinich Kak Moo even more unique is that it is one of the few in Mexico that allows visitors to climb it and see the incredible views from the top. They’re worth climbing for!
For this reason, the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid is one of the most important structures of Mesoamerica, and it already attracts huge numbers of visitors each year.
Itzamatul, Habuc, Tu’ul, and Chaltún Ha are all part of the same temple complex at Kinich Kak Moo. Although they are referred to as archaeological zones, they are part of the same ancient settlement.
This will make a visit to Kinich Kak Moo even more appealing as there will be significantly more to see and explore in the complex now.
Given that the site will be on the route of the new Mayan railway it will also be easier to access as well as easier to explore.
Why Visit Izamal
Kinich Kak Moo and the newly opened Mayan ruins surrounding the pyramid are located in Izamal which is a beautiful vibrant yellow small city.
Each of its buildings is painted sunshine yellow, and its narrow cobbled streets are perfect for exploring in their own right.
Izamal is often referred to as the ‘City of Three Cultures’ due to its fascinating blend of modern, colonial, and pre-Colombian cultures.
You can still see Mayan stonework in its architecture.
Izamal is far less known to tourists and offers a much calmer vibe than party-central Cancun.
Like Kinich Kak Moo, Izamal is a dream for photographers because it’s just so photogenic, especially when its vibrant yellow buildings are lit even brighter by the near-permanent sunshine.
Other attractions in the city worth exploring include Convento de San Antonio de Padua which is one of the oldest Catholic monasteries in the Americas.
Its outdoor atrium is the second largest in the world (after the Vatican). Even without this rich history, it’s an incredibly beautiful structure.
Because the Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid and its newly opened Myan structures are right in the center of the city, it’s easy to explore all of these attractions in one day.
Tips For Exploring The Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid
To explore the Kinich Kak Moo Pyramid and the wider newly opened temple complex, you are advised to:
- Take plenty of water. It can be very hot and physically strenuous to explore everything on offer here.
- Arrive early. The best time to climb to the top of the pyramid is in the morning before it gets too hot. It’s also the best time to beat the crowds!
- Take things slowly. It is a very steep incline to climb to the top of the pyramid and it can be slippery at times.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com