Dzibanche

Situated in the southern Quintana Roo, close to other Mayan archaeological sites like Kohunlich, Chacchoben, Muyil and Oxkintok in the Costa Maya, Dzibanche is a very important Mayan archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its name in Maya means "writing on wood" and was named like that due to the numerous wooden lintels, found in the area, that had inscriptions that made reference to a calendar. This amazing temple is known as the Templo de los Dinteles (Temple of the Lintels), which stands on the uppermost point of the archeological region and stands vigil of the site. It is believed that this ancient city was originally a small village, dedicated to agriculture and farming.

Even though the great urban development of the city is set from 220AD until 800AD, the first settlement in this area began around 200BC. This Mayan site was abandoned around the year 1000. After that, farmers arrived on the site and occupied many structures and plazas during 200 years more. This ancient Mayan city is enclosed by tropical forest, diverse wild vegetation, and a diversity of tropical birds producing all kinds of sounds. Visitors will probably come across some very noisy parrots.

This archaeological zone occupies an extension of about 40 square meters. Only two of the four great architectonic complexes which constitute this Mayan city have been repaired. These are called Dzibanche and Kinichna. In the former structure, visitors will Building VI or Palace of the Lintels, from which its name derived. This structure has an influence of the typical architectonical style of Teotihuacan near Mexico City. From here tourists arrive at the Temple of the Cormorants or Structure 11 and the Temple of the Captives, which features carved humanoid figures in stone and Mayan glyphs.

At the East of the Palace of the Lintels travelers will find a Mayan pyramid, which has a temple on its top with two vaulted chambers. On the Xibalba Plaza, then visitors arrive at Structure 1 or Temple of the Owl. Its chamber functioned as a burial place, where archaeologists discovered the rests of a woman with offerings. Walking about 2km you will get to the Kinichna Group. Here there is a huge citadel of 3 levels and 3 temples upon a large base.

The atmosphere of this site is warm and calm, and it is not overrun by crowds of tourists, which visitors find quite relaxing and convenient. This site is situated at 81km west of Chetumal, the capital city of Quintana Roo State, on Federal Highway 186. Getting to the town of Jesus Gonzalez Ortega, you have to take a deviation to Morocoy town, and you will arrive at the archaeological site 2km ahead on an unpaved road. The most convenient way to get there is to rent a car or hire a local driver. If staying in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres, visitors can take a cruise in Cancun, which will take you to the Costa Maya port. There they can join one of the regular tours to the archaeological zones mentioned before.

V.T.