Oxtankah Mayan ruins: the Mayan mysteries before your eyes
Oxtankah, Yucatec Maya for “Center of Three Towns,” is a small place located north of Chetumal, Quintana Roo’s capital. The major constructions are 3000 feet inland from the bay. Making it the largest and most important site in the Bay of Chetumal area. The core area is two plazas and features numerous temples, pyramids, palaces, and sunken courtyards. The archaeological site is not very large, but it takes about one hour to walk around it. Its main building or structure is the Catholic Chapel. Perhaps the Spanish built this over Mayan ruins.
Oxtankah mayan ruins: What to expect
Discover the splendor of the Oxtankah Mayan ruins; each structure is a temple that you can climb and appreciate from the inside. Don’t worry, these temples aren’t overly tall, so climbing to the summit won’t be difficult. But it will reward you with a wonderful panoramic view of the ancient zone. These stone structures are sanctuaries because of their historical significance. Many of them were once as place for Mayan gods’ ceremonies, rituals, and tributes.
Oxtankah mayan ruins: Birthplace of history
The archaeological zone of Oxtankah is significant not just because of its antiquity, but also because of an intriguing hypothesis: it is thought to be one cradle of Mexico’s history. It is reported that the offspring of Zazil – Ha, a Maya princess daughter of Nachan Ka’an, ruler of Chactemal, and Gonzalo Guerrero, a Spanish castaway, were born in this Maya city. The first mestizo Mexicans were born in the year 1531.
Some tips
Because the Oxtankah mayan ruins are surrounded by vegetation, it is recommended that visitors bring mosquito repellent, appropriate walking and climbing stone footwear, comfortable clothing, and water. The buildings erected between the fourth and sixth centuries and modified by the Mayas themselves between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries AD have a magical atmosphere.
To reach the archaeological zone, take the Chetumal-Calderitas highway and when you reach this town, continue along the paved road that borders the bay; 4.5 kilometers to the north, you will find the signpost that marks the access to the site. The total trip from downtown Chetumal takes approximately 25 minutes. It is not far from Tulum.
