5 archaeological sites · within 60 km
There are 5 archaeological sites within 60 km of Chetumal in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Oxtankah, 13 km away; the farthest, Chacchoben, is 56 km. They are all listed under Bacalar, a Pueblo Mágico that makes a good base.
Most archaeological sites are run by INAH and open from about 8 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a small fee. Midday is the hottest and busiest time, so go early.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
The Ruins 5
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Oxtankah · Archaeological site · 13 km from Chetumal · Near Bacalar
Maya ruins by Chetumal Bay with a rare 16th-century Spanish chapel among the temples; reopened in late 2024. -
Ichkabal · Archaeological site · 44 km from Chetumal · Near Bacalar
A huge, early Maya city in the forest west of Bacalar, opened to visitors only in 2025, with pyramids over 40 meters high. -
Dzibanché · Archaeological site · 51 km from Chetumal · Near Bacalar
Once a capital of the powerful Kaanu'l (Snake) dynasty; tall temples in the forest, reopened in 2025 with newly shown stucco facades. -
Kohunlich · Archaeological site · 53 km from Chetumal · Near Bacalar
Maya ruins among tall cohune palms west of Chetumal, famous for the Temple of the Masks and its giant stucco faces. -
Chacchoben · Archaeological site · 56 km from Chetumal · Near Bacalar
The largest Maya site of the lake region north of Bacalar: temples on a great platform, in shady forest full of birds.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
More around Chetumal
Ruins elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.