Twenty-five kilometers south of Tulum is located a remarkable link to Mayan ingenuity. Located in a dense jungle setting and connected to the Caribbean Sea by two manmade canals, Muyil also known as Chunyaxché still stands as a noteworthy testimonial to this remarkable Mayan stand alone civilization.
Muyil is a wonderful place to take a nature hike, mingle with tropical nature and witness some of the most unusual examples of the Mayan advanced infrastructure that is still functional to this very day. This is a big place so plan to do a lot of walking. To enjoy Muyil to its fullest a half day of leisurely poking along will enhance your pleasurable experience immensely.
After a short ride from the bus station in Tulum, the Mayab bus will let you off near the entrance. It is only a short walk to visit El Castillo, one of the tallest Mayan ruins on the east coast of the Caribbean.
The seventeen meter or nearly sixty foot tall partially restored Mayan temple had the significance of being an observation platform and signaling station. On its pinnacle is a platform that allows a view of the distant Caribbean Sea and all waterways linking it to Muyil. There is evidence that signal fires were built on its peak that may have been used to guide in seafaring merchant vessels. Muyil began to populate by 300 B.C. This was centuries before such ancient Maya cities as Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum.
Built with a purpose, El Castillo is but one of nearly a hundred structures erected on these premises. Muyil was on one of many Mayan trading routes. Though some distance from the sea, the Maya excavated straight canals, one of five kilometers in length and the other one kilometer cutting down into bedrock to accomplish their goal. This is a seaport in the jungle.
Seagoing sailing freight canoes of the Chontal Maya from Tabasco plied these waters ranging from distant Vera Cruz, Cuba, Florida and Central America. The cumbersome sea salt from northern Yucatan could have only been transported by boat.
Other cargo items included; cotton, cocoa, copper, dyes, fish, honey, jade and salt.
In this area the seagoing Maya with their trading canoes utilized natural inlets and beaches along this coast, such as; Tulum ruins, Tankah, Akumal, Xaac, Paamul, Chakalal, Xel-Ha and Xcaret. all of these landing ports had Maya temple ruins.
Leaving the Castillo area your next jaunt is through a real canopy jungle on a board walk. This segment of your visit will take you a minimum of forty minutes. To get the very most pleasure out of the board walk take your time to sniff the flowers and admire the exotic jungle trees. Midpoint on your boardwalk trip is an observation tower.
The observation tower offers a splendid view of the expansive surrounding jungle, lakes, lagoons, mangrove swamps and the distant Caribbean, but climb at your own risk. The steps are steep and are for the young and adventurous.
Muyil is under the jurisdiction of the federal agency INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia), but is partially within the Sian Ka`an Biosphere reserve.
Emerging from your jungle boardwalk you will find yourself at a lovely beach on Muyil Lagoon where guided tours are available. Several different excursions are available including traversing the ancient Mayan canal system. There is nothing like this anywhere. If nature is what you came to see, this is your place. Don’t miss your opportunity.
Strolling back from the lake you will find yourself on an ancient Mayan sacbe road that has ruminants of pre-Columbian ornate stone carving.
The jungle diversity here is positively amazing. Your path around the Muyil Mayan ruins site gives you a look at the multiplicity of the areas range in topography.
The jungle is literally full of temples in varying stages of restoration and degradation. A good example is the size of the trees that have embedded themselves in the ancient structures. If unchecked, the trees with their invasive root systems will pull them all down. It has been over five hundred years that the jungle has had free rein to do its destruction here and yet these structures stubbornly stand.
Jane and I are happy survivors of a lovely half day jungle jaunt with historical significance.
Recommended to all those who truly want more than just another tourist trap.
For the return trip to Tulum, walk out to the main road, walk to the bus stop a short distance south of the entrance to Muyil ruins and wave down a bus or van for the short trip back to Tulum.
FOR MORE ON TULUM VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bicycleyucatan.com/tulum
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