10bestlogo

  • 10bestlogo

  • Awards
  • Arts & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Trip Planning
  • City Guides
  • Home

SEARCH: by place + food, budget, style, hotel, attraction, etc

SEARCH
10BEST: Trusted Travel & Lifestyle Advice
Cancún:
Overview

overview

See & Do

see & do

Eat

eat

Party

party

Stay

stay

Shop

shop

Regions

regions

Cruise

cruise

 
  • facebook share
  • twitter share
  • google plus share
  • pinterest share
  • stumble upon share
  • linkedin share
  • Flipboard
graphic

Most Popular 10Best Lists

  • #
    Las Vegas: 10 Fun and Free Things to do in Las Vegas
    View This List
  • #
    Las Vegas: 10 Fun and Free Things to do in Las Vegas
    View This List
  • #
    Fort Myers: Quench Your Thirst and Appetite for Fun in Fort Myers
    View This List
  • #
    Orlando: New Additions & Venerable Classics in Orlando: the Best of the Theme-Park Capital
    View This List
  • #
    Tampa: Explore a Host of World-Class Beaches, Just a Short Drive from Tampa
    View This List
graphic

Most Popular 10Best Articles

  • #
    Want to go to Westworld for real? Head to Nevada
    View This Article
  • #
    10 beautiful views from a New Zealand train
    View This Article
  • #
    How to experience Las Vegas like a millennial
    View This Article
  • #
    Road Trip: 10 Must-See Spots Along the Oregon Coast
    View This Article
  • #
    How to experience Las Vegas like a millennial
    View This Article
 
10bestlogo
facebook twitter instagram pinterest
  • About 10BEST
  • 10BEST Local Experts
  • Sitemap
SHOW MORE INFORMATION
  • Cancún
Save This Page +

Cancun's Fantastic New Mayan Museum

See ancient Mayan artifacts and ruins in the heart of the Hotel Zone

November 13, 2012 // By Kristin Busse

By Kristin Busse
Cancún Local Expert November 13, 2012

 

See ancient Mayan artifacts in the heart of the Hotel Zone — Photo courtesy of Museo Maya Cancun

After 6 years of construction and preparation, Mexican President Felipe Calderon led the inauguration of the Museo Maya de Cancun on November 1. Calderon said of the ancient Mayan civilization, "The Mayans are majestic because they dazzled the world with their knowledge. Everyone is impacted by the accuracy of their astronomical observations, calendar, mathematics and the conceptualization of zero, their art, architecture, cosmogony, traditions, history and much more."

The Museo Maya de Cancun includes around 350 objects, some recently excavated and some that were previously displayed in other museums. The collection comes from different archaeological sites in Quintana Roo, such as El Meco, El Rey, Xelhá, Xcaret and Tulum. A highlight is the 14,000-year-old skeletal remains of La Mujer de las Palmas (The Woman of the Palms). Her remains were found in a cenote in Tulum in 2002. She is located in the first exhibition room.

The second exhibition room or Sala Maya (Maya Room) displays architecture, art and other artifacts that ancient Mayans used on a daily basis. Items from Chichen Itza and ancient engraved bricks from the city of Comalcalco in Tabasco are also displayed. The third room is reserved for national and international exhibits.

What may be the most amazing aspect of the Museo Maya Cancun is the 800-year-old adjoining San Miguelito archaeological site, sitting in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. This site is considered one of the most important pre-Hispanic settlements and trade route stops in the region. San Miguelito was inhabited until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors.

The museum is located at km. 16.5 in the Hotel Zone. The cost is 57 pesos per person. Children under 13 and adults over 60 are free. It is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and Thursdays from 10 am to 10 pm. On Sundays, admission is free for locals with official identification.

x

Next Up

Uncover Ancient Mayan History in Cancun's Hotel Zone

Read More »


About Kristin Busse

Kristin Busse lives in Cancun and loves the easy access to the new Mayan museum conveniently located in the Hotel Zone.

Read more about Kristin Busse here.

Connect with Kristin via: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | StumbleUpon


Share

Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Pinterest
StumbleUpon
LinkedIn
Flipboard
×

×