Day 24: Archeological sites of Campeche: Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil
After the changes in the itinerary we made a couple of days ago, today we have to visit some of the archeological sites of Campeche, such as Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpuhil, which we most want to know, among which are some of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
Although our idea was to get up a little later, the sounds of the jungle give us a unique awakening at the Hotel Puerta Calakmul, our accommodation in Calakmul tonight, where we wish we could stay longer, since it has been one of the many Discoveries of this trip to Mexico in 45 days, which we have been able to enjoy after visiting Calakmul, another of the most incredible places in this country and the world.
So after breakfast, when it is 8:30 in the morning, we leave the Puerta Calakmul hotel, returning to the road, now on the way to Balamkú, the first of the archeological sites of Campeche that we will visit today and that is only 6 kilometers away from the entrance of Calakmul ...
We arrived at 9 in the morning, leaving the car in the parking lot that is right at the door and that is free, after paying 40 pesos per person and registering, something you have to do in practically all the archaeological sites of Mexico, Enter Balamku.
Campeche Roads
Tips for visiting the archeological sites of Campeche: Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil
If after visiting Calakmul you go to Laguna Bacalar, we advise you to spend one morning visiting Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil, some of the most impressive archeological sites in Campeche, next to Calakmul.
It is in Campeche, especially in the southern area, where some of the most interesting sites are found in addition to the more elaborate ones, predominantly the Chenes and Río Bec styles.
- Keep in mind that Calakmul is the archeological site of Campeche best known, in addition to the most extensive, having to devote an average of 3-4 hours to tour its most important areas.
- Even though they are very interesting, the visits to Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil will take you one morning approximately, dedicating an average of 1 hour to each one of them.
- In all the archeological sites of Campeche you will find free parking at the same entrance, although it is convenient to know that you will probably find a child who tells you to "take care of the car"for a few pesos. Although it may seem to you that you do a favor, think about it. These children should be in school and if we encourage this type of activity, all we will get is to continue without going to school.
- The same happens with the offer that will be made to you in the majority of sites to make guides.
- As we also said in Calakmul, it is essential to be aware of where we are, trying to be respectful, both with the environment and with the enclosures, not going up to any of the structures or spoiling them.
Archeological sites of Campeche: Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil
Balamkú archaeological site
As soon as we start the walk to the archeological site itself, we have to say that the trails remind us a lot of Calakmul that we visited yesterday, entering the jungle and encountering the first structures fully integrated in nature.
Balamku trails
Balamku
Although the entire archaeological site is interesting, we cannot deny that Balamkú is special and known for something very interesting, while impressive: its ornate stucco frieze, which is considered to be the best preserved in the world, where Today you can still see the original colors.
Balamku frieze
Balamku frieze
After the visit, which does not reach more than 45 minutes in total, we have to say that it is incredibly recommended, since the possibility of seeing the frieze and its original colors, in this incredible state, is something that can only be seen here.
Balamku
It's 9:45 in the morning when we make our way to Xpujil, where Chicanná will be our next stop 49 kilometers from Balamkú. The route is made by a fully accessible road and surrounded by greenery, when it is 10:20 to reach the archaeological complex of Chicanná, where we park at the door and pay 50 pesos per person.
Archaeological site of Chicanná
The visit to Chicanná a circle-shaped circuit, in which, as in the previous archaeological sites Balamkú or Calakmul, we find that the route runs along paths completely surrounded by vegetation and jungle, which make it incredibly special.
Chicanná access trail
Known for the XX structure, of which an incredible door is preserved, in which a face with fangs stands out, the archaeological site of Chicanná mixes the Chenes and Río Bec styles, typical of this area of Campeche.
Archaeological site of Chicanná
Archaeological site of Chicanná
Although as we say the XX structure is the best known, we recommend you to visit the whole site, since all the structures are very interesting, both for their style and for the location and their state of conservation. In addition, considering that the site that can be visited is quite small and that the visit lasts 1 hour or so, it is a perfect complement to the archeological sites of Campeche more important.
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It is 11:30 when we leave Chicanná on the way to Becán, just 3 kilometers away and it will be the next stop of the day of this trip to Mexico for free.
We arrive in less than 5 minutes, parking the car again at the same door and where we access after paying 55 pesos per person.
Archaeological site of Becán
Surrounded by a pit of practically 2 kilometers, something totally unusual, Becán is another of the archeological sites of Campeche that you can't miss
As soon as you enter the paths surrounded by greenery, you will find a square, which you must leave on your left hand side, then go through a structure with an arch, through which you access structure VIII, an incredible temple, in which two equal towers, in which you can see some columns in the highest area of the stairs.
Becan
Following the route, towards the northeast part, you reach the highest structure of the Chicanná deposit, structure IX.
Next to this is the X structure, in which under a kind of fabric that protects it, you can see a stucco mask that still retains part of its original red color.
Becan in Campeche
Archeological site of Campeche
Continuing towards the west side of the site, we find the West Square, where you can also see the Ball Game. Although the latter is very visible, the rest of the structures are not so much, which are still to be excavated in the great majority.
Becan
Keep in mind that the visit to the Becán archaeological site lasts approximately 1 hour, stopping at all structures.
Something we would like to record again is the need to be responsible when we travel. Since we arrived in Mexico we are seeing in all the archaeological sites, especially in the latter, many children who offer their services as guides or who are selling handicrafts. Traveling should be synonymous with responsible tourism and the best way for these children not to continue on the street, is not hiring them or not buying them, no matter how painful it is to do so.
In addition to this, another thing that is calling us a lot of attention is the little responsibility we have in this type of places, which we would have to respect and take care of as the true museums that they are.
See how many tourists do not respect the structures, climbing in places that are prohibited only to take a photo, we have to say that it hurts and bothers us in equal parts. I hope the day comes when we are all aware that the world It belongs to all of us and we must take care of it and maintain it.
After the visit to the archaeological site of Becan, when it is 12:30 in the morning, we set course for the last visit of the day, the archaeological site of Xpujil located 6.5 kilometers from Becan.
We arrive when there are a few minutes to 1 noon and after paying 50 pesos per person, we enter another of the archeological sites of Campeche more interesting.
Xpuhil archaeological site
With three towers that are the highlight of this archeological site, a unique example of the Rio Bec style, structure I is undoubtedly the star place of Xpuhil.
Xpujil Archeological sites of Campeche
We recommend you first to visit it through its front part, to see the incredible central tower, with something more than 50 meters high, and then to cross its rear part, in which an exquisitely carved jaguar-shaped mask stands out.
Xpujil Archeological sites of Campeche
Xpujil
The visit to the Xpuhil archaeological site lasts approximately 45 minutes.
It's 1:45 p.m. when we finish the visits to the archeological sites of Campeche to start the journey to Laguna de Bacalar, about 100 kilometers from where we are and 1:30 of the way.
Seeing what time it is and considering that in Laguna de Bacalar we have to add one more hour to our day, due to winter time, it is 4 in the afternoon, when we arrive at this new stage of the trip, so we decide skip the idea of going to the hotel and go straight to the restaurant La Playita, highly recommended in the city, both for food and for the enclosure in which it is located.
Laguna de Bacalar from La Playita restaurant
We ordered a guacamole, plus shrimp tacos and tacos al pastor, but fish, two special fruit juices and two coffees for 483 pesos.
Tacos at La Playita restaurant
The truth is that food, being one of the most recommended restaurants in Bacalar, has happened to us without grief or glory, being in addition the guacamole, the juices and the coffee, the worst, with difference that we have tried during the trip.
While it is true that the views of the Laguna de Bacalar are spectacular, the quality of the food, the atmosphere of the social club, loud music and many people, at least for us, the place is very charming, so despite the opinions and recommendations, we have to say that to us, he has not finished convincing us.
From here and when it is practically 17:30 in the afternoon, we make our way to the Kúuch Ka'anil Eco-Romantic Villas, which will be our accommodation in Laguna de Bacalar for the next two nights, and which is only 5 kilometers from the restaurant.
After traveling the last two kilometers through an unpaved road, which make us confirm that we will be in the middle of nature, we do a quick check-in, to take a shower and install ourselves and of course, take a first look to the facilities that are presumed with very good views of the Laguna de Bacalar.
Eco-Romantic Villas Kúuch Ka'anil
Bacalar Lagoon from the Kúuch Ka'anil Eco-Romantic Villas
And it is at this moment when our vision of the Laguna de Bacalar is transformed into love and we fall completely surrendered to this place.
Initially the accommodation options in Laguna Bacalar and views of the lagoon, are not many and the opinions we see of Kúuch Ka'anil Eco-Romantic Villas, the only one that has availability, are not too hopeful, but when we made the reservation, it was the only thing left with views of the lagoon.
Eco-Romantic Villas Kúuch Ka'anil
But this was what we expected, since nothing more to see the concept of ecological cabin, cleanliness, integration into the environment and the adaptation of the palapas and walkways on the Bacalar Lagoon, in addition to the possibility of seeing stromatolites in it enclosure, they do nothing more than we are firm in recommending both the place and this incredible accommodation in Laguna de Bacalar.
And so, on one of the palapas, when it is 18:30 in the afternoon, we enjoy an incredible sunset accompanied by two pineapple juices for 70 pesos, which give us an unforgettable afternoon.
Sunset at Kúuch Ka'anil Eco-Romantic Villas
It is 8:30 when we go to dinner at the hotel restaurant, which closes at 9, a plate of pasta plus quesadillas and two soft drinks for 310 pesos that make us feel great to return to our bungalow, with the noise of the nature of background, surrender to sleep.
Today's route will take us through the archeological sites of Campeche: Balamkú, Chicanná, Becán and Xpujil, 4 of the places, next to Calakmul, which you cannot miss.
Day 25: What to visit in the Bacalar Lagoon
