Visiting Campeche? What to bring when visiting Calakmul
Calakmul, an ancient Maya city in Campeche, Mexico’s rainforest, is still a not-so known treasure in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Maya city of Calakmul hides in a dense tropical rainforest abounding with unique fauna. It is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion that deserves a checkmark. Here you’ll find yourself among the ruins, enveloped in a mystical solitude. With nothing to break the stillness but the loud commotion of the spider monkeys above. The experience of visiting one of the tallest known Maya pyramids in Calakmul rivals that of visiting any other Mayan ruin in Mexico. Here are some tips on what to bring when visiting Calakmul.
What to bring when visiting Calakmul: Cash is always needed
Although it’s not much, there are fees when visiting Calakmul. If you want to take a guided tour, these will be covered. However, if you choose to do it alone, you’ll need to have pesos to pay the fees. When entering the Biosphere, there is a one-time entry cost (for your car and each passenger) and a second price halfway down the long (about 90-minute) route to the ruins. When you get to the real ruin site, you must pay again. However, the costs are not excessive; according to local sources, two people will spend about 130 pesos for all three expenses.
What to bring when visiting Calakmul: Miscellaneous
You should have enough insect repellant on you to wear it. You should bring a lot of water because the Calakmul archaeological site is fairly huge and you don’t want to dehydrate. Even though there are many parts wiht tree shade, wearing a hat is one of the greatest items you can bring because you will be under the sun when climbing. Apply sunscreen. Bring some snacks or a snack with you if you plan to explore the entire archaeological site.
The best time to get there
A good idea is to arrive in the Calakmul area around 6:00 a.m. (or earlier). This is in order to have a good chance of encountering a great diversity of animals, from jaguars to deer, including toucans. These birds, later in the day, fly away because of the noise of vehicles and hide.
When thinking about what to bring when visiting Calakmul, remember: a well charged camera, a desire for adventure, and some patience are necessary when visiting Calakmul. Despite the extra work required to reach the Calakmul Mayan ruins, you will love visiting them!
