Archaeological site 33 km west of Motul
A long-lived Maya city north of Mérida with the Temple of the Seven Dolls, a deep cenote and a new site museum.
Dzibilchaltún, "the place where there is writing on flat stones," lies just north of Mérida, off the highway to Progreso. It was inhabited for well over a thousand years, from several centuries before Christ until the arrival of the Spanish, which makes it one of the longest-lived Maya cities on the peninsula.
At one end of a long white causeway stands the Temple of the Seven Dolls, named for small clay figures found buried inside it. It is aligned with the sun: at sunrise around the spring and autumn equinoxes, the light shines straight through its doorway, and people gather before dawn to watch. Near the center of the site is a 16th-century Franciscan open chapel built among the Maya buildings, and next to it the Cenote Xlacah, a large open cenote with water lilies. Swimming in it has been suspended to protect the water and the artifacts on its bottom.
In July 2026 a new site museum and visitor center opened, with hundreds of pieces from the region, alongside the older Museum of the Maya People. A nature trail through the dry forest is good for birds early in the day.
What to see and do
Walk the causeway to the Temple of the Seven Dolls; at the equinoxes, come for sunrise.
See the Franciscan open chapel standing among the Maya buildings.
Look down into the Cenote Xlacah from its edge; swimming is not allowed for now.
Visit the new site museum and the Museum of the Maya People.
Walk the nature trail early in the morning for birds.
Getting there
From Motul it is about 45 minutes by car west through Conkal, then north on the Mérida–Progreso highway to the turnoff for Dzibilchaltún. The site and museums are usually open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m., with last entry in the afternoon; check the schedule before going, especially for equinox mornings.
33 km west of Motul
Directions from Motul on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Dzibilchaltún shares the climate of Motul, 33 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Motul your base
Dzibilchaltún is an easy trip from Motul, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.