Exploring the Secrets of the Mayan World: Five Mexican States to Visit
The five Mexican states of Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatan, Chiapas, and Campeche make up the Mayan World and are home to a variety of tourist hotspots, including beaches, archeological sites, and enchanted communities. It's worth checking out.
![Exploring the Secrets of the Mayan World: Five Mexican States to Visit](/content/images/size/w1200/2023/01/Mexican-states-that-reveal-the-secrets-of-the-Mayan-world.jpg)
The five Mexican states of Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatan, Chiapas, and Campeche collectively form the Mayan World, which is home to beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and enchanted villages. We recommend checking it out.
Tabasco
The state of Tabasco keeps the oldest pieces of Olmec, Maya, and Zoque culture that have been found. It has four tourist routes where you can do things like learn about archeology or try the chocolate from the area. One of the best things to see in the area is the Park Museum La Venta, which is on the route to the state capital Villahermosa.
It has pieces that were found in 1925, such as the colossal heads. There is also a tower that is 20 meters (65.6 feet ) high and from the top of which you can see the marshes. Tabasco is also the "chocolate capital of the world", so there are tours through haciendas to learn how tasty chocolate products are made.
La Venta
Location: 412 km (256 mi) from the city of Villahermosa. Characteristics: It stands on an island in the middle of the swampy region formed by the Tonalá River.
Location: 90 km (56 mi) from the city of Villahermosa. Characteristics: A total of three tombs and 14 funerary burials have been found, seven of which were inside urns.
![The states of Mexico unlock the Mayan mystery.](https://www.mexicanist.com/content/images/2023/01/The-states-of-Mexico-that-unlock-the-Mayan-mystery.jpg)
Quintana Roo
The state of Quintana Roo is a favorite around the world because of its white sand beaches and turquoise water. One of the things that stand out is diving. The second largest coral reef in the world is in the Xcalak Reef National Park, which is south of the Riviera Maya.
At the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve, people can see the 16-meter-long, up to 25-ton species. At Cirque du Soleil, they can experience the magic of the circus. The Canadian company has been performing in the Riviera Maya for many years. It's important to remember that the state has almost 20 archeological sites.
Tulum
Location: 128 km (80 mi) south of Cancun. Characteristics: It is the only terrestrial Natural Protected Area in the Cancun-Tulum corridor.
Chakanbakan
Location: 90 km (56 mi) from Chetumal. Characteristics: The Unkuch Baxalo ball game is a set of three structures, which is located here.
Chiapas
The green that goes from the mountains to the sea is a sign of life. The Lacandon Jungle is one of the most famous places in the state of Chiapas. Nature lovers can't miss exploring this tropical area, where four of Mexico's nine types of biomes meet. There are also about 306 types of birds and 70 species of mammals, such as the spider monkey, the saraguato monkey, and the jaguar. The Magical Town of Chiapa de Corzo is in the entity.
It is thought to be the oldest colonial city in the state. This town is where the road that leads to the Sumidero Canyon starts. The tour goes by boat down the Grijalva River, where there are crocodiles. In the town of Palenque, which is part of Chiapas, there is also an archeological zone. When people go to this part of Mayan culture, they can see huge buildings like the Temple of the Inscriptions, which stands out for its huge carved panels with ancient inscriptions that are hard to read.
Palenque
Location: In the municipality of Palenque. Characteristics: It is estimated that only less than two percent of the total area has been explored.
Bonampak
Location: Located in Ocosingo. Characteristics: Little explored, it preserves ancient murals that allow us to learn about the way of life of a millenary culture.
![The Mexican states unlock the mysteries of the Mayan civilization.](https://www.mexicanist.com/content/images/2023/01/The-Mexican-states-that-unlock-the-mysteries-of-the-Mayan-civilization.jpg)
Yucatan
The most well-known Mayan site in the world, Chichén Itzá, is in the state of Yucatan. The most impressive building in the complex is the Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan. The Observatory and the Sacred Cenote, where ceremonies were held for the gods, are also very impressive.
The Magical Town of Valladolid, which has both secular and religious architecture, has a colonial feel to it. Some of the things you can see at the Museum of the Maya World in Mérida are archaeological pieces and a light and sound show that is put on at sunset.
Chichén Itzá
Location: From Merida distance is 120 km (75 mi). Characteristics: The archaeological zone was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1988.
Uxmal
Location: 78 km (48 mi) to the south. Characteristics: Its buildings are typically Puuc style, with low, smooth walls.
![A look at the Mexican states reveals the Mayan mystery.](https://www.mexicanist.com/content/images/2023/01/A-look-at-the-Mexican-states-that-reveal-the-Mayan-mystery.jpg)
Campeche
During the Classic Period, the city of Calakmul in the state of Campeche was one of the most important cities in the southeast. Many trails in the area can be explored by mountain bike to learn about the Maya buildings. The archaeological site of Edzná is also a must-see in Campeche. It was once a big city with 200 religious, administrative, and residential buildings, but only 20 of them are still standing.
It was also where the movie Apocalypto (2006), which actor and director Mel Gibson made, took place. The Petrified Forest, which is in the Biosphere Reserve of Celestún, gives Campeche a bit of a mysterious feel. It is a strange landscape with dry trees with strange shapes growing out of a circular area where the roots are still wet.
Balamkú
Location: At km 95 of federal highway 186. Characteristics: Access is via a 3 km road located in front of the Conhuas ejido.
Becán
Location: On federal highway 186, 8 km west of Xpujil. Characteristics: It had seven entrances: three to the north, one to the west, two to the south, and one to the east.