11 Best Mayan Temples & Ruins To Visit In 2025
One of the greatest pre-Columbian civilizations is that of the Mayans, extending across Central America to include the present-day countries of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, southern Mexico and western Honduras. The period between 250-900 AD in the Mayan calendar witnessed the peak of urbanism and splendid architecture. The most important monuments that can be found in all cities are Mayan temples and they are truly a magnificent sight to behold. Read on to learn about the most popular Mayan temples and their backgrounds!
List of 11 Famous Mayan Temples & Ruins
Are you planning a historical trip to explore the Mayan temples in 2025? Before you pick up a Mayan temples map and end up getting more confused than ever, go through this list of its most popular temples to plan your trip better:
- EL Castillo – Tinum
- Pyramid Of The Magician – Uxmal
- Temple Of The Inscriptions – Palenque
- Rosalila Temple – Copan Ruinas
- Calakmul – Tinum
- Tikal – Guatemala
- Ixmoja Pyramid – Cobá
- Xunantunich – Belize
- Yaxchilan Structure 33 – Chiapas
- Tazumal Structure B1-1 – El Salvador
- The High Temple – Belize
1. EL Castillo – Tinum
An erstwhile pre-Columbian city of importance in the Mayan civilization, Chichen Itza was an important destination in the Northern Maya Lowlands throughout the periods of the Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) through the Terminal Classic (c. AD 800–900) centuries. El Castillo, also commonly called the Temple of Kukulcan, is a Mesoamerican step-pyramid that stands tall over the Chichen Itza archaeological site in the Mexican state of Yucatán. It was built sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries AD and continues to be one of the most revered Mayan temples in Mexico.
- Location: Tinum, Yucatan
- Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 95 (INR403.28)
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2. Pyramid Of The Magician – Uxmal
Image Courtesy: Rob Young For Wikimedia
Another ancient Mayan gem is located in what is known as Mexico in contemporary times, Uxmal is an ancient Mayan city of the classical period. Historians and archaeologists say most of the construction occurred here when Uxmal became the capital of a Late Classic Maya state between 850 and 920 AD. The Pyramid of the Magician is a Mesoamerican step-pyramid and is referred to by many more names, such as the Pyramid of the Dwarf, Casa el Adivino, and the Pyramid of the Soothsayer. However, this pyramid fell into disrepair after 1000 A.D. and was unfortunately even looted when Spain conquered Yucatán.
- Location: Uxmal, Yucatan
- Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 556 (INR 2359.67)
3. Temple Of The Inscriptions – Palenque
Image Courtesy: Arian Zwegers For Wikimedia
The Palenque, also called the Mayan temple of the sun, is a historical temple that dates back to 226 BC to 799 AD. It declined at was then absorbed into the jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees. However, many archaeologists undertook the excavation and restoration of this site. The Mayan temple history for this structure is fascinating since it was built primarily as a monument to honour the passing away of K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, who ruled Palenque in the 7th century.
- Location: Palenque, Chis
- Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 34.15 (INR 144.93) for Mexico residents and MXN 70 (INR 297) for foreigners
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4. Rosalila Temple – Copan Ruinas
Image Courtesy: talk2winik For Wikimedia
Rosalila Temple remains one of the most preserved and visited of the many Mayan temples in Honduras. It is situated in Copan, an ancient Mayan city in present-day Honduras, and has a stunning stucco design at the entry point. A unique thing about Rosalila is that it wasn’t destroyed by the Mayans; rather, it was carefully buried under the soil, and the stucco panels were painted white.
- Location: Copan Ruinas, Honduras
- Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 306 (INR 1300)
5. Calakmul – Tinum
Image Courtesy: PashiX For Wikimedia
Another popular Mayan site hidden inside the jungles in Campeche is one of the largest Mayan cities discovered, and approximately 6,500 ancient structures have been identified. Calakmul is almost 180 feet tall and one of the Mayan temple names you must add to your bucket list!
- Location: Tinum, Campeche
- Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 165 (INR 700.26)
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6. Tikal – Guatemala
You must have watched the popular Mayan Temple game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple and would remember feeling fascinated by the scenery! Imagine a site a thousand times more breathtaking than that and that is Tikal! It is situated in the lowland rainforest of northern Guatemala, where one can find many restored buildings that are hidden by the jungle. Climb up to the top to experience truly panoramic views from what is popularly known as the Mayan temple of the jaguar.
- Location: Tikal, Guatemala
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: 150 GTQ (INR 1686.24)
7. Ixmoja Pyramid – Cobá
Coba, an ancient Mayan city on the Yucatán Peninsula, is located in Quintana Roo in Mexico, and this site is the focal point of many stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world. It houses many engravings and sculptures which document the ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period of the Mesoamerican civilization. There are many large temple pyramids on this site and the tallest of them is known as Nohoch Mulgroup and is approximately 79 feet in height.
- Location: Carretera Federal Tulum 307, 77793 Cobá, Q.R.
- Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 80 (INR 340)
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8. Xunantunich – Belize
Xunantunich literally translated to “maiden of the rock” or “stone woman” in Maya and this historical gem is located on the Western Highway from across the river in the village, San Jose Succotz. One can reach the temple by taking a ferry from 8 am to 5 pm, which runs every day. This is one of the most popular Mayan temples in Belize and it must find a way in your bucket list!
- Location: San Jose Succotz, Belize
- Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: $10 BZD (INR 435)for adults and $5 BZD (INR 215) for Children
9. Yaxchilan Structure 33 – Chiapas
Yaxchilan, an ancient Mayan city, is situated on the banks of the Usumacinta River in present-day Chiapas, Mexico. During the Late Classic Period, Yaxchilan was a powerful Mayan state and a dominant power in the region. This structure has been described as a stone masterpiece and was most likely built in honor of the Bird Jaguar IV.
- Location: Chiapas
- Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 70 (INR 298)
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10. Tazumal Structure B1-1 – El Salvador
Image Courtesy: ARamirez69 For Wikipedia
Another Mayan archaeological site located in Chalchuapa in El Salvador, Tazumal is an architectural complex in the larger complex of the ancient city. The structure was built upon a basal platform known as the Great Platform by Boggs and was remodeled thrice before it reached its final dimensions.
- Location: Calle Tazumal, Chalchuapa, El Salvador
- Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Entry Fee: $5 (INR 435) for Foreigners, $3 (INR 260) for Central Americans and Resident Foreigners and $1 (INR 87) for Salvadorans
11. The High Temple – Belize
The High Temple in Lamanai is a Mesoamerican archaeological site believed to have once been a major city of the Maya civilization. It is located in the north of Belize and is renowned for its exceptionally long occupation, which lasted three millennia, starting from the Early Preclassic Maya period and continuing through the Spanish and British colonial periods until the 20th century.
- Location: Belize
- Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: 5 BZD (INR 215)
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How To Reach Mayan Temples
By Air: One of the best ways to reach Mayan temples from India is by taking a flight to Placencia (PLJ) Airport which is 69.8 km away. However, there are other airports like,Mérida International Airport, Chichen Itza International Airport, and Mundo Maya International Airport from where you can visit Chichen Itza, Tikal and Lubaantu. From airport take a cab or local transport to reach Mayan temples and ruins.
By Road: Upon reaching the Placencia (PLJ) Airport, you can easily find cabs and taxis. The distance between Placencia Airport (PLJ) and the Maya Ruins of Lubaantun in Belize is around 84.7 kilometres. The drive takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. You can also take a bus from Placencia to the Maya Ruins of Uxbenton.
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Apart from the Mayan temples listed above, many more spectacular Mayan structures with intriguing histories are waiting to be explored! Plan a trip to North America today to explore these wonders and have the time of your life!
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Cover Image Credit: Dennis G. Jarvis For Wikimedia
Frequently Asked Questions About The Mayan Temples
What were Mayan temples used for?
These were the venues for many ceremonies such as sacrificial rituals and were temples for gods. Apart from this, they served other important functions such as being used as landmarks to help in navigation.
What were Mayan temples made of?
Architects of the Mayan civilization used readily available local materials, such as limestone at Palenque and Tikal, sandstone at Quiriguá, and volcanic tuff at Copan. Burnt-lime cement was used to create a form of concrete and was occasionally used as mortar, as was simple mud. They decorated their buildings with intricate stone carvings, stucco statues, and paint.
What are the names of the Mayan temples?
There are some of the Mesoamerican pyramids and they are Copán Honduras, Bonampak Mexico in Temple of Murals, Calakmul Mexico in the Great Pyramid, Chichen Itza Mexico in El Castillo.
What were Mayan temples used for?
Apart from the religious ceremonies, these Maya pyramids were used as basic landmarks to aid in navigation.
What is the biggest Mayan temple?
Calakmul is the biggest Mayan temple and it was the most powerful ancient city that was uncovered in the Maya lowlands.
When was the Mayan temple built?
The Mayan pyramids were built by the people of Southern Mexico and Northern Central America. Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras, and El Salvador and have more than 3,000 years of history.
What is the oldest Mayan city?
Tikal is the Maya Civilization and the ancient city which is now modern-day Guatemala flourished between 600 B.C. and A.D. 900.
What is the oldest Mayan temple?
Maya Pyramids are the oldest and one of the most famous and the oldest is the funerary monument to the seventh-century king Hanab Pakal. The tallest Maya pyramid, which was located in Tikal, now Guatemala, dates to the eighth century A.D., before the civilization’s mysterious decline.
What does Chichen Itza mean?
It means that this is an archeological site in Yucatan and this is the most visited location in Mexico. It means the mouth at the well of Itza.
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