Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

Address:

Highway 186, KM 98
Xpujil, Mexico
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Phone:

+52 (987) 871-6054

Description:

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is absolutely spectacular – a natural and archeological wonderland. Located in southern Campeche state between Escárcega and Xpujil, it encompasses 723,185 hectares (1,800,000 acres) stretching north from the Guatemala border. Forests, swamps, pastures, and savannas create a diverse landscape, a protected habitat that stuns the senses.

 Calakmul's reconstructed Mayan pyramids are its greatest attraction. In fact, seeing these ancient skyscrapers emerge from dense jungles is one of Mexico's most powerful experiences. A powerful Mayan city, now known as Calakmul, ruled the Kan, or Kingdom of the Snake, dominating the region from 600 to 800 AD. More than 50,000 people lived in 6,250 structures spread over 70 square kilometers. Dating from 431 AD, Calakmul's Structure 2 soars 55 meters above the plaza's stelae, the rectangular stone monuments covered in hieroglyphic writing. Spectacular jade burial masks were found at Calakmul, which means City of Two Adjacent Towers, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see these masks displayed in Campeche City at the Museo Arqueológico de Campeche located in the Fuerte de San Miguel.

More than 800 plant species yield such delights as the Mayan incense copal and chicle for chewing gum. Birders can search for 250 different species, including the oscillated turkey and endangered hawk-eagle. Calakmul is also crawling with reptiles, insects, spiders and amphibians. Spider and howler monkeys make their noisy homes here, and stealthy jaguars, pumas, and ocelots roam the forests.

Calakmul is remote, to say the least, but most easily reached from the town of Xpujil by private car, on a group tour from hotels like Rio Bec Dreams or Chicanna EcoVillage Resort, or by hiring a taxi at the bus station. It is a one-hour drive to the reserve entrance at KM 98 on Highway 186; the archeological site is situated a further one hour-drive down a one lane paved road. You can also arrange day trips, including transportation and tour guide, from Campeche City through Viajes Xtampak.

Hours of Operation: Daily, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: MX$41/US$4.10 Payment: Cash
Parking: Free Services: Restrooms, parking, security guards, sale of publications and reproductions, satellite phone
Accommodations: The only two options for overnight accommodations near the reserve are Hotel Puerta Calakmul (www.puertacalakmul.com.mx) and a campsite. Other than the hotel's restaurant, there's no place to eat.

Getting to and away
Calakmul is not simple to get to and is most easily visited by car or package tour from Campeche City or Xpujil. The road to the site is located at KM 98 on Highway 186. From the highway, the archeological site lies 64 km down a single-lane road.
By Car: Campeche City: Highways 186, 261, 180. 318 km, 198 mi, 4 hrs Escárcega: Highway 186, 157 km, 98 mi, 2.25 hrs. Xpujil: Highway 186, 116 km, 72 mi, 2 hrs
By Bus: It is possible to take a 2nd class bus from Escárcega or Xpujil and ask the driver to stop at the beginning of the road to Calakmul. First class buses will not stop. But, there is no transportation from the highway to the site, and 64 km is a long way to walk.
By Taxi: Taxi driver Ezequiel Lopez Jimenez takes groups of up to 4 people from Xpujil on two different day trips: to the ruins of Xpujil, Becán, Chicanná, Calakmul, and Balamkú (MX$1,500/US$150), and to Calakmul only (MX$900/US$90). +52 (983) 102-3474, aventuracalakmul5090@hotmail.com
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