If you’re looking for a Mayan ruins experience that still feels untouched by mass tourism, Ichkabal is the hidden gem you’ve been waiting for. Located deep in the lush jungles of southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, this remarkable site is one of the newest archaeological discoveries first opened to the public in 2024 and it’s unlike any other ruins you’ve visited.
🌿 What Makes Ichkabal So Special
Ichkabal isn’t your typical ruins stop like Chichén Itzá or Tulum. In fact, it was only opened to the public recently, and very few people have explored it compared to other Mayan sites. That means you’ll often find yourself walking ancient pathways surrounded by quiet jungle and birdsong, instead of large crowds.
Archaeologists believe Ichkabal once served as a political and cultural center for the ancient Maya, predating even Calakmul, one of the most powerful cities in the region. Excavations continue to reveal massive pyramids, ceremonial plazas, and intricate stonework — offering a glimpse into a civilization that thrived over 2,000 years ago.
đźš— Getting There: A Journey Through the Rainforest
Visiting Ichkabal feels like stepping off the beaten path — literally. It’s located about an hour and a half from Costa Maya’s cruise port, deep in the remote rainforest. The drive is long and bumpy, but for those with a sense of adventure, it’s part of the experience. If you get motion sick, plan to bring some dramamine as it can feel claustrophobic inside the warm van.
If you’re visiting via cruise, your best option is to book an excursion with a professional guide, either through the cruise line or a trusted tour operator. We booked the Royal Caribbean Ichkabal Mayan Ruins with an Expert Guide excursion, which gave me peace of mind knowing we’d be safely back to the ship on time, especially since the site is in such a remote area. Along the way, our guide shared fascinating insights about the region, ancient Mayan traditions, and ongoing archaeological work at the site. We also learned that the sites was only discovered in the 1980’s by accident, but due to it’s remote location and high excavation costs, it remained abandoned for many years.
Only recently did the Mexican government begin large-scale excavations, but they approached it differently than most other Mayan sites. Instead of starting from the base, they began uncovering the top layers first and worked downward. Even now, none of the ruins are fully excavated — only partially exposed. It’s fascinating to stand before these structures and see both ancient stonework and untouched mounds, a striking contrast between what has been revealed and what still sleeps beneath the earth.
There’s something special about witnessing the ruins in this in-between stage — it’s as if you’re catching history in motion. Yet, it’s also humbling to imagine how grand these structures must have been in their prime. Nearby, a square-shaped lake carved by the Maya still exists, once their main water source and now home to crocodiles and other jungle wildlife.
🧗‍♀️ Climbing the Ruins
One of the best parts about visiting Ichkabal is that you’re still allowed to climb the largest ruin — something that’s increasingly rare at Mayan sites. From the top, you can see the top of the dense canopy stretching for miles in every direction, with the faint sound of howler monkeys echoing in the distance. It’s both humbling and awe-inspiring to stand where ancient rulers once did, overlooking what was once one of the great cities of the Maya world.
Climbing to the top isn’t for the faint of heart — there are about 175 uneven steps leading skyward, each one testing your balance and determination. Picture a three-layered cake: only the top two tiers have been excavated, while the massive base still lies buried beneath centuries of earth and roots. The lowest level looks more like a jungle-covered hill than part of a manmade structure, its rough steps cut straight into the dirt. From below, it’s impossible to grasp the full scale — the pyramid is so enormous that you’d need a drone to capture it all in one frame.
Beyond the main structure, five smaller temples peek through the greenery, with hundreds more still hidden beneath the forest floor. Our guide explained that the section open to visitors once belonged to the Mayan elite, the rulers and priests who lived closest to the gods. The lower classes lived deeper in the jungle, their homes now swallowed by roots and vines.
What fascinated me most was how each neighborhood had its own set of temples. The Maya worshipped around 17 gods, and many communities built a temple for each one — a spiritual landscape scattered with devotion. It reminded me of how, in modern towns, churches dot every corner. In that way, the Maya weren’t so different from us — finding meaning, faith, and connection in the places they called home.
🏞️ What to Bring
Because Ichkabal is still developing as a tourist site and due to its remote location, it’s wise to come prepared. Here are a few essentials to pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking sandals — trails can be uneven or muddy after rain.
- Bug spray and sunscreen — the jungle is thick, and shade doesn’t mean you’ll avoid the sun. There were mosquitos so bring bug spray.
- Water and snacks — There are nice restrooms, but no gift shop or snacks, so bring what you’ll need for a few hours.
- A hat and lightweight clothing — the humidity can be intense, even in the morning.
✨ Was It Worth the Trip?
The Pros: The biggest highlight was climbing to the top — a moment that felt both triumphant and surreal. It’s not every day you can stand on an ancient Mayan temple and look out over miles of untouched rainforest. The site was refreshingly uncrowded; we saw maybe 30 people total, all from other cruise tours, which made the experience feel personal and peaceful. It was fascinating to see parts of the ruins that still looked just as they did when first discovered, and our guide’s knowledge brought everything to life — from the history to the ongoing excavation process. The isolation of the site adds to its magic, giving you a real sense of what it must have felt like to live deep within the jungle centuries ago.
The Cons: The journey there is long and bumpy, nearly two hours each way on rough roads that cut through the middle of nowhere. Since none of the structures are fully excavated, you only get a partial glimpse of how grand the city once was. There’s also no gift shop or visitor center, so aside from the tree-bark gum and carved nuts sold by our guide, there’s little to take home as a keepsake. And be prepared — it’s hot, humid, and buggy, especially in September.
By the end of our visit, we felt like we’d stumbled upon a secret — one that few travelers have witnessed but that everyone will soon be talking about. If you want to experience the thrill of discovery and walk among ruins that still feel wild and untouched, visit Ichkabal now, before the crowds arrive and before climbing is no longer allowed.
As for me? Yes, it was worth it — but it’s the kind of adventure I only need to experience once. If I ever find myself in Costa Maya again, I’ll probably stay on the ship and let this memory live just as it is — raw, remote, and unforgettable.
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