The unknown capital of the Kingdom of the Serpent

I am a person in love ... in love with my country and its culture and every step that I take in this vast and magical world I do my best to share my passion and knowledge of my beloved Mexico, Youplanet thank for giving me a great opportunity to continue this work. Continuing the theme of sharing (and to learn because when you teach you learn more) many people ask me about the Mayan world (and the prophecy of 2012 that not be will touches on this article) that extends from the beautiful southern region of my country to central america, the truth is that if I start writing so fascinating culture I would never end, besides if I had to pick something to put on this beautiful topic it would not be Chichen-Itza, Palenque or Bonampak who are already famous and very well-known archeological sites in southern Mexico, in contrast choose to write about fascinating and least known places such as Calakmul.

Calakmul? What is Calakmul? many ask me when I make reference to this Mayan urban center was recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2002, to resume I would say that Calakmul is the largest Maya urban center that has been discovered and yet it goes unnoticed to the eye of many visitors.

Where is?

Is situated in the southeastern of the Mexican state of Campeche, in the region of Petén in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve of Calakmul that has 1,800,000 acres and is few kilometers from the border with Guatemala. This site has approximately 70 km ² had more than 6,000 structures and was the capital of a Regional State that had approximately 13,000 km ². Was part of so-called Kingdom of the Serpent, or Kan Kaan kingdom and was specifically the capital.

The easiest way to get there is getting out from the capital city of Campeche, take the federal highway 180 that leads to Champotón. At the end of the municipal of Champoton, take the federal highway 261 to Escarcega, then take federal highway 186 to Chetumal, this route reaches Xpujil, the municipal or directly to the archaeological site of Calakmul, to go there we must reach the town of Conhuas and take the breach, if not very well understand my directions you can go to the tourist offices in the capital city of Campeche and they will gladly give you a detailed map for your journey.

Why visit Calakmul?

The archaeological site of Calakmul was rediscovered in 1931 by biologist Cyrus L. Lundell, and was first explored by the famous Mayanist Sylvanus Morley in 1932. The latest research shows that Tikal and Calakmul were locked in an epic series of bloody wars over a century. The fighting marked the political and economic development and social center of the southern Maya. Calakmul, means "City of two adjacent pyramids" in Mayan Ca means two, Lak means adjacent and Mul means any artificial mound or pyramid.

The numbers of major construction which presents Calakmul exceeds many other centers, this structures are arranged along the jungle, among other structures, water supply network and roads are disseminated throughout the jungle making relevant the importance of the investment in public works.

The currently theories of Calakmul are constantly growing and improved. As the research progresses in the Maya area, it recognizes the importance of the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul as one of the leading centers in the Classic Maya Lowlands.

According to recent studies, Calakmul has been recognized the largest Mayan city in Mexico. Along with Tikal (Guatemala) who was his great rival and Palenque, it was part of the heart of this powerful political triangle.

More than an archaeological area.

The south of Mexico could be misleading whom one is left with the image of the old movies and cartoons of the early twentieth century, in other word they imagine Mexico as a large desert with a few cactus, meanwhile its great natural beauty forest overwhelms the visitor's eye with all its splendor of emerald green and in the midst of so much green you see a small brown spot, sharpens the ears and focuses the view well it is the spider monkeys, the new inhabitants of the ruined city of Calakmul. Instant fragile beauty unrivaled.

Located in the southern state of Campeche, this site is more than an impressive archaeological site ... is the heart of an important ecological reserve recognized as world heritage by UNESCO. Second lung tropical America and the largest reserve in Mexico. It is home to many flora and fauna thus showing its natural wealth.

The biosphere is an organic link between the Petén rainforest of Guatemala, the Lacandon region of Chiapas and the northern Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula. The rain that falls here seeps into the soil and feeds the famous cenotes of the neighboring states.

A dreamlike experience.

There are people who have stayed in hotels one or even five stars, but the Calakmul can find a hotel with more than a thousand stars, of course if you count all the stars in the night sky accompanied by the sweet serenade that the jungle sings to lull us with using just the best instruments; the soft murmur of the wind slipping through the leaves of the trees, the rhythmic running water, the singing of nocturnal birds, all accompanied by the sound of crickets, not a quiet place, but the sounds you hear have nothing to do with the noise we're used to.

You can find several hotels and camping areas scattered in the area and maintain the contact with nature without losing the comfort of a good sleep. Most places do not have windows, but with screens letting the wind pet to us with its breeze and cool in the middle of hot night jungle. Some hotels and lodging centers have a terrace where you can open a good book (or even a bad one with that view, reading is not important). To enjoy at its best, Calakmul is a region not to go in a hurry, so it is best to choose a place according to us and explore to their most remote locations.

Some recommendations

Getting up at dawn to walk the biosphere and observe the animals that come to eat.

To test the physical condition and climb the pyramids of Calakmul to see from there the imprecionante green sea that is surrounding us.

Try the coconut shrimp with mango restaurant Biosphere inside the Chicana Ecovillage Hotel.

Watch the sunset from the terrace of the Hotel Puerta Calakmul cottages.

Do not forget:

Wear comfortable clothes.
Use sunscreen and hat both the biosphere and in the archaeological areas.
The best months to visit the area are from November to February, because it's so hot.
Set the camera with a high speed to capture animals that are on the road without your shots resulting blur.
In the biosphere or the archaeological sites there aren't food stores, so it is advisable to take plenty of fluids and nourishment.
If you go in hot weather, wearing clothes as fresh as possible and electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration.

So pack up to go to our next adventure in the Mayan world.