Archaeological site 51 km southwest of Bacalar
Maya ruins among tall cohune palms west of Chetumal, famous for the Temple of the Masks and its giant stucco faces.
Kohunlich is a Maya city in the forest west of Chetumal, a bit over an hour from Bacalar. Its name comes from the English "cohune ridge", after the tall cohune palms that grow all over the site and give it a look unlike any other ruins in the region.
It is best known for the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid about 13 meters high whose main stairway is flanked by six large stucco faces in high relief, portraits of rulers with the attributes of the sun god, some still showing traces of red paint. They date from the Early Classic period and are among the finest surviving examples of their kind. Beyond them you can explore the Acropolis, a palace complex where the elite lived, the Plaza of the Stelae, and residential groups like Pixa'an and the 27 Steps.
Kohunlich was settled in the Late Preclassic, from around 300 BC, and reached its largest population between 600 and 900 AD, when most of the buildings you see today went up. The site reopened in January 2025 after INAH improved its trails, signs and visitor services. Because it is off the main tourist routes, you may have it nearly to yourself.
What to see and do
See the six stucco masks on the Temple of the Masks, protected under thatched roofs.
Explore the Acropolis and the Plaza of the Stelae.
Walk among the cohune palms to the 27 Steps and Pixa'an groups.
Combine it with Dzibanché, under an hour away, for a full day of ruins.
Getting there
Drive south from Bacalar on Highway 307, then west on Federal Highway 186 toward Escárcega. Near kilometer 60 of Highway 186, turn left at the Kohunlich sign and follow the side road about 9 kilometers to the site. Allow a little over an hour each way. A car or tour is the practical option.
51 km southwest of Bacalar
Directions from Bacalar on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Kohunlich
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Weather warm
Kohunlich shares the climate of Bacalar, 51 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Bacalar your base
Kohunlich is an easy trip from Bacalar, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.