Discover the Ancient Mayan Site of Ichkabal Near Bacalar

Ichkabal, a site founded by the ancient Mayan civilization over 2,000 years ago, is the latest archaeological site in Mexico to open to the public. Located in the present-day region of Quintana Roo, Ichkabal reached its zenith between 200 and 600 AD. Many of its architectural structures, reminiscent of the pyramids of Tikal in Guatemala, date back to this period.

Among the notable structures in this archaeological site near Bacalar is Building 4. This structure boasts a preserved staircase of stucco steps, remnants of paint, and masks up to five meters high. Equally impressive is Building 5, featuring mural paint, glyphs, and bas-reliefs of characters associated with the underworld.

Ichkabal was a significant political hub for the powerful Mayan dynasty Kaan’ul. Using LiDAR technology, which employs laser beams to map the subsurface, archaeologists have determined that this Mayan city near the Bacalar lagoon covered an area of more than 60 square kilometers.

Ichkabal was officially opened to the public on September 8 by federal and state authorities. It joins the extensive list of archaeological attractions in Quintana Roo. Its location near the lagoon and the Magic Town of Balacar, just 40 kilometers from this new archaeological site, adds to its appeal.

To reach Ichkabal by car, drive from Bacalar along the Bacalar – Miguel Alemán highway for approximately an hour and a half, following the signs until you reach the diversion towards Ichkabal. The Maya Train, with the soon-to-be-opened Bacalar station, provides another convenient access point to this ancient Mayan site.

For more detailed information about the cultural and archaeological significance of Ichkabal, visit the official page of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.