Archaeological site 31 km southwest of Maní
Uxmal's sister city on the Puuc Route, with a palace façade covered in hundreds of masks of the rain god Chaac.
Kabah, about 20 kilometers southeast of Uxmal along Highway 261, was the second most important city of the Puuc region and one of the few Maya sites that has kept its ancient name, usually translated as "the powerful hand." Together with Uxmal, Sayil and Labná it forms part of the World Heritage Site declared in 1996.
Its most famous building is the Codz Poop, a palace whose entire western façade is covered with masks of the rain god Chaac, close to three hundred of them, stacked one above another with their curled, hooked noses. The name refers to a rolled-up mat, a symbol of authority, and to the shape of those noses. Nothing else in the Maya world looks quite like it. Nearby are other palaces and temples, some only partly restored.
On the other side of the highway a short path leads to a lone, free-standing arch. It marks the start of a sacbé, a raised white road, that ran about 18 kilometers to Uxmal, a sign of how closely the two cities were tied.
What to see and do
Stand in front of the Codz Poop and its wall of Chaac masks.
Walk around to the back of the palace to see the carved figures on its other side.
Cross the highway to the free-standing arch that marked the road to Uxmal.
Visit Kabah the same day as Uxmal, Sayil or Labná.
Getting there
From Maní, drive west to Ticul and Santa Elena, then south on Highway 261; Kabah is right on the highway, about 45 minutes in total. It is an INAH site, usually open daily from 8 a.m.
31 km southwest of Maní
Directions from Maní on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Photos
Weather warm
Kabah shares the climate of Maní, 31 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Maní your base
Kabah is an easy trip from Maní, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.