Kohunlich

Information

Kohunlich is a Maya archaeological site located in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico, within the Yucatán Peninsula. It is known for the masks that can be seen on one of its structures, which often appear in images promoting tourism in the region.

It is set in a natural environment and far from urban centers, in fact if you travel about 10 or 20 kilometers around you'll only find very small settlements. To get there you take a secondary road that branches off from Route 186, about 60 km from Chetumal (approximately 2 km from the access road to Dzibanché). After driving 9 km along this road you reach the ruins, where there is a parking area available. Because of how isolated the site is, there are no shops of any kind, so it's best to bring everything you might need such as drinks, sunscreen and any other useful items for the visit.

Kohunlich was a large Maya settlement that reached its peak between the years 600 and 900 AD, with numerous residential and sacred constructions. Without a doubt the main attraction of the site is the Temple of the Masks, a building with a central staircase flanked by spaces that house masks: five can be seen in total in good condition, three on the right and two on the left. There are also other structures to explore including the Edificio de las Estelas (Building of the Stelae), the Acropolis and many more that reveal themselves as you walk along the paths that open through the trees of the jungle, such as the Juego de Pelota (Ball Court).

On the other hand, the natural surroundings of the entire area make it an ideal place for those who enjoy observing wildlife. From time to time it's possible to spot Central American spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in the trees, a species currently considered endangered.