Archaeological Zone Dzibanché

The ruins of Dzibanche are pretty nice, but getting there is a bit challenging. First you will be stopped by a local militia once you get on the access road to the ruins. They will ask you for a 'contribution' to their farming commune. It costs 170 pesos for them to allow you through, they even gave me a receipt. than there is the road. Narrow and strewn with potholes, not paved in many places and has rocks sticking out every so often. It will take you a half hour to negotiate the 2 miles from the militia checkpoint to the actual ruins. The ruins are a bit like Becan, but not quite as restored, but there are three major pyramids, one with a royal tomb and two which you can climb. When we were there we had the place to ourselves.

If you are staying locally, your most likely place to stay will be in Cetumal. Travel to the sites is mostly on improved roads. In all its probably 70 kilometers one way. Be careful though there can be some rough washouts and pot holes. We also stumbled upon what appeared to be a land usage dispute. We ended up having to pay a small fee to get access to the last couple miles of road that take you to the ticket office. We were able to experience the entrepreneurial spirit at an unsanctioned road block.

Cost to get a ticket was $70mxn. Also if you have any professional photography equipment you will need to coordinate prior to your tour to use it. No Drones are allowed.

You may wonder if the drive from city is worth it, and I will tell you, it absolutely is. Both sites are well taken care of and you walk through a well kept area. Dzibanche is spread out and the ruins hide wonderful views around every corner. Beautiful trees surround the ancient buildings, like massive guardians, some have grown directly from the ruins. Others look like they may have been there as long as the buildings themselves.

Once you've visited Dzibanche it's time to move onto Kinichna. This site is just down the road and has only one building there. But if you take the time to visit it, you might wonder if this site is about the pyramid itself or the view you can get from the top. You have sweeping views of the land in almost every direction. It is amazing. I'd recommend climbing up and taking a seat while you breath in your surroundings.

Amazing place. Highly recommend. You can climb all the ruins. The bathrooms are on the way in about 1/4 mile from the beginning of the ruins. Once in, you're pretty much on your own. The ruins are very steep, so be careful going down them. Bring water because after climbing a few in the humid jungle, you'll be very hot.

This is the home of the Serpent Clan of the Mayans. It is fairly easy to get to. The main road from Chetumal is paved but as you get closer it deteriorates into a dirt road which is bumpy but easily navigable in a two wheel drive car. There is much to see here and your entrance fee is 70 Pesos but it includes a second site. Many of the signs are in English and Spanish.

The Road to get there is a bit bumpy but this is absolutely worth it. The site is very large and beautiful. There are very few visitors and they do not know what they miss

We visited this site while we stayed in the city of Bacalar. It was the highlight of my vacation. We saw a total of 5 People while we visited, we were able to climb the ruins and the local guide gave us information for free. I would highly recommend this place to everyone get there before this turns into the next Tourist attraction. FYI from Bacalar this is 1.5 hours. Also the roads to get there are pretty messed up from the occasional tour buses that go. Its 60 pesos per person.

Super well conserved archaeological zone , in the middle of the jungle.
Pro tip: do not forget to apply spray against mosquitos!

There are many buildings well conserved, and a few of them are quite high: it is worth it to go up (be careful when going down as the steps are quite steep).

Next to it is the archaeological zone of Kinichna: also worth it (and included in the price, which is like 65 pesos)

PS: we visited it on Saturday, 25th of September 2021

Few tourists which is always a big plus. Small-medium size so you can get through it without falling exhausted. You can climb up two of the temples, however the last set of stairs on one is rather steep so beware.

Keep a look out for the spider monkeys above on the right hand side. Some howler monkeys over there too further into the brush to listen to. A couple of stray dogs I’m bad shape at the main ticket stand so if you’re “that type”, you may want to bring them some grub as they’re in bad shape:(

Apparently some 100 buildings in the area with only about a dozen rehabilitated back in the 1990s and no work actually underway.

Of note, the community of Morocoy charges an access fee several kilometres before the ruins so don’t be surprised. They’ll give you a receipt and at the ruins the INAH signs make note of the fee they are collecting.

The smaller area of Kinichná is included in the entrance fee and is a short drive away. One large temple there with tall steps. Exposed/dug out only on one side so gives you an idea of how nature “rehabilitates” over time.

Incredible mayan ruins. A time capsule. Most buildings still have some paintings on their walls. You can climb and get into some pyramids and the sight is amazing, both: to the building itself as to the site.

The view of some ancient trees growing up in the stairs or walls, far from seem abandoned, seems incredible, a cool mix of ruins and jungle.

Tip 1: get the most information from the guy at the ticket booth, since site signs are poor and few.
Tip 2: remember to bring bug repellent, it's the jungle.

Amazing Mayan Archeological Site from around 500-700 AD. You can still climb the pyramids. It is believed that the Snake Dynasty moved to Calakmul from here to become the b most powerful Mayan City State during the period.

The archaeological zone of Dzibanche is a magical place, completely in the wild with a lot of flora and fauna (tucano, parrots and monkeys to name a few). The ticket price is extremely reasonable (70 per person) and is far less crowded than other sites in Quintana Roo. In March 2022, you will be asked to pay in the street leading to the site at an unofficial road block from locals asking 100 per person + 50 for parking, but you can pass giving a bit less than asked. Anyway, completely worth the price given the experience you will have climbing on the ruins with few people around.

This whole area is filled with all kinds of temples. Its off the path little for regular tourists but its safe and quiet area with spectacular sites.

Dzibanche and Kinichna are super close to each other and both spectacular. They are very remote but worth the drive if you're adventurous. The moneys were so fun to watch. *** BUG SPRAY is a must, I'd even consider pants. We had deet on our clothes and spray on our legs and arms.... the bugs still ate us alive!

A really nice and big site. Only thing making me uncomfortable is the passing fee outside. The people charged me 290 MX!

First off getting there. This site is away from other popular tourist destinations but worth the effort to see. I rented an SUV which was good since the final road to the site is one lane with a lot of potholes. Once getting to the site there is on-site staff but no vendors or gift shop.

There are a number of good stelae and glyph restorations here.

This site and Kinichna are actually the same complex but have been separated by INAH since they are separated by farm land.

Absolutely breathtaking! We’ll
Kept area off the beaten path. History awaits you and the howler monkeys howling in the background are worth the stop.

We were the only ones here on a Friday around 11:30 AM. People came later around 1:30 PM but were a group of 5. Nice to be alone feeling like Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park with the sounds of the howler monkey family in the background.
We climbed the Temple of The Owl which was on my bucket list and wouldn’t have know it, as the map is confusing. Thankfully a park attendant told us after. He was so kind to show us a visual of a monkey 🐒! I tipped him of course. We are going to come back again and spend more time here as there is so many pyramids. Glad for the few hours we had.

One of my favorite pyramids. I have seen Chichen Itza and Uwmal. You can climb and If you're lucky you may see monkeys

Beautiful & unique experience- very quiet - a little difficult to get to but amazing I got to go to the top of a pyramid!

Barely any tourists, very peaceful place with tons of ruins to see in the area. Easy to get to and inexpensive entry. Very clean and staff seemed friendly.