Mayan Calendar ends on December 21 2012
The Mayan Calendar has been considered one of the most in the world and has accurately predicted a surge of natural disasters for over 5125 years. The Mayan Calendar ends on December 21 2012: is it the end of the world or just an end to a calendar?
Mayan Riviera’s Best Mayan Ruins!
Hundreds of thousands of Mayans occupied much of the southern coast of the Yucatan peninsula (now called the Mayan Riviera) for hundreds of years until they disappeared in the 15th and 16th centuries. Descendants still can be found and ruins of their villages abound in this area. Many of the ruins are in excellent condition and well worth seeing.
Chichen Itza DeLuxe
Chichen Itza is the capital of ancient Maya empire. It’s majestic building dates back to 435 and 455, and it is geographically located in the middle of a spectacular natural enviroment in the Yucatan Peninsula. The site is declared as one of the 7 World Wonders. Visit magnificent temples such as the Kukulcan Pyramid.
Xel-Ha
Xel Ha was once a sacred place where Mayans worshiped many of their nature gods. Today, visitors will still experience transcendence as the landscape, lagoons, and coves mix to form a natural masterpiece for your senses. The lagoon forms Mexico’s largest natural aquarium, and snorkeling is a main activity due to the lagoon’s warm waters and multihued fish.
Tulum Mayan Ruins
About an hour south of Playa del Carmen is Tulum. Tulum is famous for the expansive ruins that sit on a bluff overlooking the Gulf waters as well as beautiful beaches. More than 2 million people visit this site annually, making it the most popular Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula. Many Mayan ruins are located deep in the jungle, but Tulum is situated next to the sea, making the site especially beautiful.
Muyil / Chanyaxche
This small ruin is known by two names: Muyil or Chanyaxche. It is just down the road from the Tulum ruins but is much more quiet, so you can tour at your leisure. Muyil was a trading post for the ancient Mayan people and the structures at the site date from 1100-1200 AD.
Cobá
Unlike Chichen-Itza, you can still climb the ruins of Coba. The name of these Mayan ruins means “water stirred by wind,” probably because the site is located between several lakes. At one point Cobá was a city covering 27 square miles with a population estimated at 55,000. Fewer tourists visit these ruins since they are farther away from Playa than the more popular Tulum site.