10 Best Mayan Ruins Near Playa del Carmen to Visit in 2025

Best Mayan Ruins Near Playa del Carmen Mexico

Here are the best Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen for those looking for a cultural experience:

It’s built on a bluff jutting over the Caribbean Sea, with natural beauty in almost every corner. After exploring the ruins, you can walk down to the beach.

El Castillo (City Square), sometimes called The Lighthouse, is the tallest and most prominent structure within the Tulum Ruins. The structure sits at the forefront on the bluffs overlooking the ocean below. 

The ruins are pretty easy to visit on your own or you can book a Tulum Ruins tour for the added convenience of transportation and a guide who can tell you about each structure’s cultural significance and history.

Alternatively, the cheapest way to get there is by taking a local colectivo minibus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.

The colectivo station is off Highway 307 (📍Google Maps location), near the Chedraui and behind the McDonald’s. 

The colectivo drops you off on the side of the highway and then you’ll need to carefully cross the highway and walk to the entrance–it’s not as scary as it sounds!

When visiting the Tulum Ruins, there are a few important things to know. First, there is little shade around the grounds, so dress accordingly. Wear biodegradable sunscreen, bring light clothes, and plenty of water.

Second, you can access the beach just south of the ruins. So, if the weather is nice and there’s little sargassum (seaweed), come prepared with your bathing suit and towel. 

There’s nothing better than jumping into the refreshing Caribbean after a few hours of learning about the Mayan culture and history.

It takes about 2.5 hours to get there from Playa del Carmen, so the easiest way to get there is to book a guided tour to Chichen Itza. 

Or you can book one of these private Chichen Itza tours for an exclusive experience and the ability to customize your itinerary.

The main temple at Chichén Itzá is known as “El Castillo” (The Temple of Kukulkan), a massive four-sided structure that’s much larger than it looks in pictures! 

This temple, and many others around Chichen Itza, are a true engineering marvel with several unique characteristics and intricate carvings.

Another highlight is the Ball Court, where you’ll learn about the infamous Ball Game played and the unique acoustics of the space.

I recommend this Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour.

Several hours are spent at Chichen Itza, and you’ll also get to visit the colonial town of Valladolid and cool off in an incredible nearby cenote.

And despite its lack of popularity compared to the Tulum Ruins or Chichen Itza, it’s pretty easy to get to, and there’s tons of fascinating history to learn.

You can easily get there on your own from Playa del Carmen. You can take a colectivo or ADO bus to Tulum and then a colectivo or taxi to Cobá Ruins. The ruins are only about 10 minutes outside of downtown Tulum.

One unique characteristic of the Cobá Mayan ruins is how spread out the structures are. While enjoying the lush vegetation and nature on foot is fun, you can hire a golf cart driver to take you to the fundamental structures.

Plus, the best part of the site is the impressive Nohoch Mul, a 138-foot (42-meter) pyramid that was once the city’s heart. 

You could climb this great pyramid until around 2019 when access was closed due to the pandemic. The pyramid has not been reopened to climbing yet, and it likely won’t be to preserve the structures.

These ruins aren’t as popular as others, primarily because they are more challenging to get to from Playa del Carmen or Cancun. 

The ruins are at the edge of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are about 10 miles (25 km) from the town of Tulum and 45 miles (73 km) from Playa del Carmen.

There are no direct buses from Playa del Carmen, so you’ll have to transfer to Tulum, hire a private driver/taxi, or go on a guided tour of the reserve and ruins.

Muyil archaeological site is unique in that many large structures still need to be excavated or unrestored, so you can also see how nature has preserved and grown around the once bustling city.

There are several notable Mayan pyramids here, with El Castillo being the largest. It contains a five-structure pyramid and is topped with a small temple. 

A structure called Xlapak (Old Stone Wall) can only be visited by boat. A few areas are closed to visitors.

If you decide to go on a tour, I recommend this Sian Ka’an and Muyil Archeological Site Tour from Tulum or Playa del Carmen. 

The expedition emphasizes exploring the biosphere rather than spending much time at the ruins, but it’s a great way to combine both adventures.

It’s a small site, but it’s worth visiting because there’s no entrance fee, it’s easy to get to, and it still offers a small glimpse into the rich Mayan history.

Three structures are well-preserved at these Playa del Carmen ruins. The most prominent is Structure C-1, where faded murals and hand paintings have survived.

These Playacar ruins are rarely visited, so no staff or tour guides are usually present. You can easily walk through on your own and they’re the best free Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen.

The ruins aren’t too impressive, especially compared to larger sites like Chichen Itza. But they are still interesting and worth a visit if you’re on the island or visiting Cozumel on a day trip.

Some believe it was once the most popular pilgrimage destination in Mesoamerica. The Mayans traveled there to worship the Maya moon deity, Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth, weaving, and medicine.

There’s a 45-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, and the ruins are only about 15 minutes by taxi from the ferry terminal. 

If you decide to go on your own, you can hire a guide at the ruins who’ll fill you in more on the cultural significance and history.

Ek Balam has 45 structures to explore, a mix of rising pyramids, temples, and hidden passageways. You have much more freedom to immerse yourself in the massive ancient Mayan city.

You can walk inside some structures and climb to the top of the Acropolis, which is about 480 feet (127 meters) long and over 90 feet (30 meters) tall. 

Several small structures ascend the pyramid, and you have 360-degree views of the stunning city below from atop the pyramid.

This is one of the most unique Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula because of its openness and the well-preserved structures. You can still see carvings, images, and other remnants of the ancient civilization here.

If you decide to go with a tour, several combined Mayan ruins tours of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam are available. 

I recommend this Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Cenote Hubiku tour. It’s a full-day adventure but a great cultural experience with a buffet-style lunch, transportation, and a guide.

Chacchoben Ruins can get pretty crowded when a cruise ship is docked at Costa Maya as travelers take day trips right from the boat. However, you’ll likely have the place to yourself during the cruise off-hours. It’s nice visiting.  

The ruins are located deep in the jungle, so howler and spider monkeys often swing around the jungle surrounding the ruins. 

You can also climb part way up some of the structures, which gives an even better vantage point of the surrounding nature and ruins.

One of the most interesting structures is Gran Basamento, Chacchoben’s ritual hub. It is a great place to climb and get a good view.

The easiest way to get there is to rent a car and drive there on your own.

But once you get there, it’s worth the trip. There are several interesting structures, including the Pyramid of the Magician, which stands at 115 feet (35 meters).

Governor’s Palace is another; a 320-foot-long mosaic facade with 103 stone masks of the rain god Chac.

There are only a few tours to Uxmal Ruins from Playa del Carmen. Because of this, I recommend heading to Merida on your own (either driving a rental car or with the ADO bus) and taking a tour or going on your own from there.

You can spend a day or two in Merida to break up the driving and see a different side of the Yucatan Peninsula.

If you can afford it, I recommend spending at least one day at Xcaret Park. It’s unlike any adventure park you’ve visited before. 

Aside from getting to see the small Mayan ruins located within the park, you’ll get to participate in over 50 different activities from underground rivers to animal encounters and cultural shows.

The Polé ruins were once a popular launching point from which travelers embarked to Cozumel for trading or religious purposes. Cozumel was also a ceremonial center for the Mayan people and a commercial hub.

There’s evidence of jade, obsidian, and rocky crystal objects that aren’t found locally. This means there were likely strong trading relations with Guatemala highlands.

Near the Polé Ruins, Xcaret has a cultural show that depicts life in the Mayan village, how people lived, and how they created the fascinating ruins you can explore today.

Mayan Ruins Near Playa del Carmen Map

Tips for Visiting Mayan Ruins Near Playa del Carmen

• Wear biodegradable sunscreen: Many Mayan ruins have little shade and are in direct sunlight, so you’ll want to wear sunscreen to protect yourself. I recommend wearing biodegradable sunscreen, especially if you plan to jump in the ocean or a cenote after your exploration.

• Bring a compact umbrella: The Riviera Maya has a tropical climate that sometimes calls for heavy rain. I’ve been downpoured on at the Tulum Ruins, where few covered areas exist. I recommend bringing a compact umbrella, just in case. The umbrella can also provide shade if it doesn’t rain!

• Get there early: People travel from all over the world to visit the Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen, so it’s no surprise that they can get crowded. Getting there as early as possible is a good idea to avoid massive crowds. It’s also more pleasant weather, as afternoons can get hot and sticky.

• Bring cash for the entrance fee: Some Mayan ruins don’t accept credit cards, so bring enough cash to pay the entrance fee if you’re visiting on your own.  It’s best to have pesos as they may not accept USD. 

• Be prepared for camera fees: Some Mayan ruins charge an additional fee for a professional camera, video equipment, or a GoPro. Most camera fees are around $5 or $10 USD. However, you don’t have to pay a camera fee for your phone.

• Visit nearby cenotes: Cenotes were sacred to the Mayan people, and Mayan culture and cenotes go hand in hand. There are usually a handful of cenotes open near the Riviera Maya Mayan ruins. Stop at one or two cenotes near Playa del Carmen after visiting the ruins. It’s also a great way to cool down after a few hours of walking.

Visiting Mayan Ruins: FAQs

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Mayan ruins close to Playa del Carmen:

How much does it cost to visit Mayan Ruins in Playa del Carmen?

The price of visiting Mayan ruins in Playa del Carmen varies, ranging from $3 USD to $40 USD. The size and popularity of the ruins may affect the price.

How long does it take to visit Mayan Ruins near Playa del Carmen?

The time for visiting Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen also varies, depending on the size and distance from Playa del Carmen to the ruins. 

Most ruins are within 2 hours from Playa del Carmen. And I’d recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to explore the ruins themselves. 

However, you might want more time for larger ruins like Chichen Itza or less time for smaller ones like Tulum Ruins.

Can you visit Mayan Ruins near Playa del Carmen on your own?

Yes, you can visit Mayan Ruins near Playa del Carmen on your own. I’d recommend renting a car, as you’ll have more independence. But some you can even get to by bus or colectivo.

How far is Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen?

Chichen Itza is 112 mi (181 km) from Playa del Carmen, which is about a 2.5 hour drive.

Is Chichen Itza worth it from Playa del Carmen?

Yes, Chichen Itza is worth visiting from Playa del Carmen. It’s not too far and easy to do on a day trip. Chichen Itza is one of the best and most popular Mayan ruins near Riviera Maya.

Final Thoughts: Best Playa del Carmen Mayan Ruins