Gateway to Mayan ruins

 

Entrance to Dzibilchaltun ruins near Progresso, Mexico

If you’re on a Western Caribbean cruise that docks at Progresso, Mexico, don’t miss an opportunity to visit Mayan ruins at the archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun. This is the oldest Mayan worship center among the 2,000 ruin sites that have been discovered from this ancient civilization (The oldest recorded Mayan date is August 13, 3114 B.C.)  If you’re on a family trip, Dzibilchaltun is an easy introduction to ancient history for school-age children. There’s plenty of room to roam and opportunities to physically explore structures.

Visitors can climb on structures like this Mayan ruin.

It was a major city for the early Maya with a population estimated at 200,000 people. Dziblilchaltun was still inhabited by the Maya when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, and artifacts have been unearthed that date from 700-800 A.D. Its history and accessibility make it a worthwhile to visit.

Larry following two grandchildren up the steps.

Thirty-two narrow, uneven stone steps lead to the top of the main altar; other archaeological remnants include a large piazza and amphitheater. Temple of Seven Dolls is an imposing structure built on a pyramidal base. The doorways were built in exact solar alignment with the rising sun, so the rays marked planting and harvest seasons for corn, their main crop, which occur at the spring and fall equinoxes.

Precise location of doors and windows.

In this flat land, water filters through the soil and makes cenotes, underwater basins connected underground. These cenotes had spiritual meaning for Mayans, and visitors can explore some of the underground caves during the dry season of November-December.

Guides of Mayan descent, who are typically short and stocky, give an informative talk after which visitors can wander freely among the ruins for an hour or two. The structures are not prohibited here as for some other ruin sites.

Underground caves or cenotes can be explored during the dry season.

Located only a 30-minute bus ride from the end of the cruise ship pier (a long 4.6-mile man-made concrete structure), it’s a pleasant half-day excursion. Go there instead of taking seven hours to see Chichen Itza, where visitor activity is severely limited.

Looking through a window in one structure at other ruins

Beyond the Mayan ruins, the town of Progresso is a small fishing village, undistinguished except for the fact it’s the main port for Merida, a bustling modern city with more than a million people. Merida is the capital of the Yucatan, and Progresso provides the means for exporting and importing goods. Dzibilchaltun is about nine miles from Merida, close enough to visit both places the same day, whether you are on a cruise or traveling on your own.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier