As loyal members of TravelSmart VIP, you more than likely have heard of the Riviera Maya and Royalton Riviera Cancun.
More than likely you´ve already visited and you may have ventured out to do a bit of site seeing. When one thinks of the Riviera Maya some of the first must-see destinations that come to mind are the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum but did you know there are other intriguing and mystical ruins off the beaten path?
Uxmal
Stock Photo
Considered one of the most important sites of the Mayan culture. Recognized for its significance, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike some of the other more popular sites in the Riviera Maya, Uxmal is architecturally quite different and very captivating with the added bonus of fewer tourists allowing you to walk around calmly. Enjoy the beautiful lush scenery that sits within the rich hills of the Yucatan peninsula as you marvel at this magnificent structure that is sure to exceed your expectations.
Muyil
Stock Photo
The Muyil ruins are situated on the beautiful Sian Ka’an lagoon which means ¨Where the Sky is Born.¨ A once-popular city, Muyil was located along a famous trade route on the Caribbean accessible via a series of canals. At the time, the most commonly traded goods were Jade, obsidian, chocolate, honey, feathers, chewing gum, and salt. Due to its important location, Muyil had strong ties to the center of Coba. Since the lush grounds are simple to navigate, the ruins are a terrific place to explore for nearly all ages and abilities. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve contains the ruins of 22 pre-Hispanic settlements, but the Muyil ruins are certainly the most noteworthy.
El Rey
Stock Photo
The Mayan ruins known as El Rey was a settlement and a predominant piece of the Mayan Trade route, a burial ground for royalty, and an astronomy educational center. The ruins were given the name ¨El Rey¨ after the discovery of an upper portion of a sculpture representing a human face decorated with an elaborate headdress, surely portrays a character of high rank. Originally El Rey was named “Kin Ich Ahau Bonil”, Maya for “king of the solar countenance,” but this name was later adapted to the Spanish equivalent. This community was strategically located on the Nichupté Lagoon for protections and access to the Caribbean Sea. Like the community of Tulum, water access was critical for receiving and exporting materials to other communities.
