Four Ancient Ruins for Day Trips from Riviera Maya

Witness the majesty of Chichen Itza, a new Wonder of the World

Home to the largest ball court in Mesoamerica — the awe-inspiring Temple of Kukulcan and the Sacred Cenote — there’s a lot to see at Chichen Itza. If you can, I recommend spending a night in charming nearby Valladolid and heading to the archaeological site early in the morning so you can beat the heat and the tour groups coming in from the coast. Chichen Itza can feel a little busy, but when you consider that at its peak it was a thriving town of 35,000 to 50,000 people, all the bustle is actually giving you a better sense of what the city would have been like when it was inhabited. To get the inside scoop on the incredible Mayan engineering and astronomical knowledge showcased at Chichen Itza, consider hiring a certified guide at the entrance.

Capture breathtaking Caribbean views at Tulum

Perched dramatically on limestone cliffs above the turquoise sea, the Tulum is where you’ll take the most stunning photos. Originally a trading outpost this site is smaller than the others mentioned in this article and the most convenient to access. These qualities make the Tulum ruins a great option for families or adding onto a beach day. Since this site is right on the water, it stays pretty breezy and pleasant to visit at any time of day, but you’ll want to stop by in the early morning or late afternoon to get the best lighting for pictures.

Climb above the canopy at Ek Balam

If you want to avoid crowds and really get up close and personal with the ruins, you want to go to Ek Balam. The 95-foot-tall Acropolis at Ek Balam is one of the only Mayan ruins in the area that you are still allowed to climb. When you reach the top, you’ll enjoy an expansive view of the Yucatan Peninsula well above the treetops. Birdwatching is also a popular activity in the park around Ek Balam. It’s a very peaceful vibe in contrast to the bustle of Chichen Itza

Ride bikes through the jungle at Coba

I think Coba is the most fun ruin to visit. It’s less than an hour from Tulum, it's inside a beautiful shady jungle and there’s a moderate number of tourists. There are a few concession stands and souvenir shops near the park entrance, so you can grab an ice cream, but it doesn’t feel super commercial. My favorite thing about Coba is that just inside the gate, there’s a stand where you can rent bikes to travel between the four different groups of structures. It's a really fun way to spend an afternoon.

Cenote Hubiku — Hubiku is a semi-enclosed cenote that’s a destination unto itself. On our way to Ek Balam, we cooled off with a dip in the cenote and fueled up at the buffet (my favorites were the chilaquiles and the corn cookies).

Restaurante Hostería del Marques — Beautiful restaurant with excellent service in the center of Valladolid. Try the traditional Yucatecan style stuffed cheese and check out the view from the rooftop bar.

Casa Conato Cultural 1910 — A stylish restaurant a few short blocks away from Valladolid’s central square. The food here is very creative, combining Italian influence with local Yucatecan ingredients (think chaya ravioli and a lasagna with plantains in it). If you love an Instagram-worthy cocktail moment, Casa Conato is a can’t-miss.