Xpujil in Campeche: Mayan ruins worth a visit
On the federal highway, which runs from Escarcega to Chetumal, is this small town with a Mayan legacy of enormous importance. Xpujil is nothing less than the head of the municipality that is home to the first mixed heritage site in Mexico; Calakmul in Campeche.
What to expect
Hidden among the exuberant flora of the jungle, very close to Guatemalan territory, Xpujil is an important archaeological center that testifies to the longest and most populated period of the Mayan empire; hence the architectural beauty and ornamental richness of its buildings. From here you can reach Becán, Chicanná, Hormiguero, Río Bec, Balamkú or Balankán and it is estimated that there are more than one hundred archaeological sites in the area, still unexplored.
Xpujil in Campeche: What to do
To reach the “Place of the Cat’s Tail” -a plant that for years grew on the site and gave the Mayan name to this community-, you must travel 155 kilometers by land from Escárcega and 205 kilometers if your trip begins in Chetumal.
Along with other sites such as Hormiguero, Becán and Chiccaná, Xpujil is part of a circuit of archaeological sites very close to each other and located in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.
A little history
Xpujil Archaeological Zone Campeche, is in the heart of the Mayab, the ancestral land of the Maya; Xpujil (or Ixpujil) is today the crossroads between the main archaeological zones. It is hidden among the exuberant flora of the jungle, very close to the Guatemalan territory, Xpujil is an important archaeological center that testifies the longest and most populated period of the Mayan empire; hence the architectural beauty and ornamental richness of its buildings.
Some directions
The town of Xpujil is located on Federal Highway No. 186, Escarcega-Chetumal. The archaeological site is very close to the town of the same name, and 9 km. to the east of the archaeological zone of Chicanná there is a road that leads to Xpuhil. Another option is to go from the city of Campeche through Federal Highway No. 180 to the town of Hopelchén, and from there to the junction with State Highway No. 269, which communicates with the town of Xpujil, at the junction with Federal Highway No. 186. Visitors can reach the site by public transportation, however, they must walk to the entrance of the site.
Xpujil in Campeche: Some tips
To make your visit more satisfactory and comfortable, this site offers parking, restrooms and security.
The entrance fee is approximately $50 MXN, open Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 hrs. Free Sunday tour can take from 30 to 60 minutes. The weather is hot, so bring your sunscreen. It is very rainy in summer. Bring extra money for additional expenses.
