Mysteries of the Mayans

Venture from the tourist resorts to explore Mexico's ancient civilizations

The buildings at Muyil aren’t quite as old as those on some of the other sites, but they’re still ancient by American standards. Most were built between 1100 and 1200 AD.

A walking trail connects the ruins at Muyil to a beautiful green lagoon, making it likely that Muyil was once used as a trading post. For a reasonable price, local guides give boat tours into the crystal clear waters situated within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

One of the most fascinating parts of Muyil’s grounds is the still-visible rocky path that leads to the lagoon. These causeways, called sacbe, were once the main means of transportation from city to city. Most sacbe have been swallowed by the jungle, but visitors to Muyil can still walk and witness this primitive paved road.