Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul
4.7
(3391)
4.7
(3391)
National park
Nature preserve
About
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, situated in the southern part of Campeche, Mexico, is a vast national park that offers an immersive experience in lush jungle flora and diverse wildlife. This reserve is home to the remains of a Mayan civilization, including the intriguing city of Calakmul discovered by botanist Cyrus Lundell in 1931. The journey to this remote region involves a scenic drive through the jungle on well-maintained roads.Why you should go
- Climb up close to the pyramid for an unforgettable experience
- Immersive jungle feeling during the 30-minute drive from entrance to pyramid
- Less commercialized site compared to other Maya places
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What users say about the app
Highlighted reviews
I drove from Merida to this place twice, and each time I felt the 6 hours of driving was totally worth it. You get to see the pyramid at a close distance, touch it, and climb up to the top. The 30-minute drive from the entrance to the pyramid gives you a jungle feeling - it's so immersive. Highly recommend!
Definitely the best Maya place we’ve been to in Yucatán !
10 times better than the likes of Uxmal or Chichén Itzá !
A little far away - that’s true - but only costs half the price of the others mentioned AND you can climb every building feeling like a god on top of the jungle
Really awesome place, we went with a tour from Xpujil. You could really easily drive to the jungle on your own since the road is very good. But taking a tour/guide can really enhance the experience because they can take you also inside the jungle to see some animals like crocodiles, monkeys, birds, spiders,... Doing this on your own could be a bit hard and dangerous. But if you are just for the ruins it can be easily done on your own.
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Know before you go
- Consider going early in the day for ample time at Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul
- If driving on your own through the jungle road, exercise caution as it can be challenging
- Going with a guide can enhance your experience by providing insights into both history and nature aspects of Calakmul
- Stay in Xpujil rather than Escárcega for better accommodation options closer to Calakmul
Reviews
Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul is a hidden gem in Mexico, offering an immersive jungle experience with well-restored archaeological sites. Visitors rave about the opportunity to climb the pyramid and explore the ruins feeling like 'a god on top of the jungle.' The site is less commercialized compared to other Maya places, allowing for a peaceful and serene visit. Some recommend going with a guide to enhance the experience by exploring the jungle and spotting wildlife like crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and spiders. Despite being a bit far and requiring a long drive through the jungle road, reviewers agree that it's totally worth it due to its beauty, lack of crowds, and magnificent structures.Review score
4.7out of 5
5 stars
2665
4 stars
474
3 stars
145
2 stars
42
1 star
69
I drove from Merida to this place twice, and each time I felt the 6 hours of driving was totally worth it. You get to see the pyramid at a close distance, touch it, and climb up to the top. The 30-minute drive from the entrance to the pyramid gives you a jungle feeling - it's so immersive. Highly recommend!
Definitely the best Maya place we’ve been to in Yucatán !
10 times better than the likes of Uxmal or Chichén Itzá !
A little far away - that’s true - but only costs half the price of the others mentioned AND you can climb every building feeling like a god on top of the jungle
Really awesome place, we went with a tour from Xpujil. You could really easily drive to the jungle on your own since the road is very good. But taking a tour/guide can really enhance the experience because they can take you also inside the jungle to see some animals like crocodiles, monkeys, birds, spiders,... Doing this on your own could be a bit hard and dangerous. But if you are just for the ruins it can be easily done on your own.
A great experience. This site is not as commercial as the others. Great to walk from ruin to ruin and experience the whole history. Also the surrounding area is beautiful. I actually got somewhat lost in the jungle, so careful where you go. Worth a day visit. Peace and serene. Also not too crowded.
One of the highest Maya temples in Mexico located in the middle of the jungle! Absolutely worth the drive of 63 km on a jungle road to get there. Barely any tourists so pure joy to explore the magnificent temples. A must visit I'd say. 😉
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