Kabah Mayan Ruin Videos:
Visiting the Kabah Ruins in Yucatan
Are the Kabah Ruins worth visiting?
The Kabah ruins can be found south of Merida and are the second largest of the Puuc region, after Uxmal. The ruins of the ancient Mayan town once held a population of 10,000. Structures were constructed around 800 AD and include the Palace of Masks, the Temple of Columns, and sacbeob totaling dozens of miles in length.
By far the most famous structure you will encounter on a trip to Kabah is Codz Poop, the Palace of the Masks, which is decorated with 300 stone masks depicting Chaac, the God of Rain. The carvings are incredibly detailed and the reproduction of the same image across so many masks has never been seen at another ruin in the Yucatan.
The entrance fee to the ruins is 55 pesos and the site is open from 8:00am to 5:00 every day.
Getting to the Kabah Ruins
The Kabah Ruins are a 5 hour drive from Cancun. You will likely make the trip to these ruins from the city of Merida, 60 miles away. Kabah can be visited as part of a series of ruins on Ruta Puuc, a road that includes the ruins of Labna, Xlapak, Sayil, and Uxmal in addition to Kabah.
Ruins At Kabah Overview:
Kabah is an ancient Mayan city located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, approximately 150 km (93 miles) from the popular tourist destination of Cancun. It was once a major political and religious center during the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican civilization, and is renowned for its impressive architecture, particularly its magnificent Palace of the Masks.
The Kabah Ruins cover an area of approximately 7 square kilometers (2.7 square miles), and were occupied by the Mayans from approximately 500 AD to 1200 AD. The site contains a number of impressive structures, including the Palace of the Masks, which is believed to have served as a royal residence.
The Palace of the Masks is named for the more than 250 stone masks that adorn the façade of the structure. Each mask represents the face of Chaac, the Mayan god of rain, and is adorned with a unique headdress. The building is considered to be one of the most impressive examples of the Puuc architectural style, which is characterized by the use of decorative stone mosaics.
Other notable structures at the Kabah Ruins include the Temple of the Columns, the Codz Poop, and the Arch of Kabah. The Temple of the Columns is an impressive building with a central courtyard surrounded by 88 columns, while the Codz Poop is a pyramid-like structure believed to have been used for astronomical observation. The Arch of Kabah is a gateway located at the entrance to the city, and is decorated with a number of intricate stone carvings.
Today, visitors to the Kabah Ruins can explore the various structures and learn about the history and culture of the ancient Mayan civilization. The site is open daily, and guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the history and significance of this ancient city.
