The King is the most notorious Mayan settlement in the vicinity of Cancun. Its location in the Zona Hotelera, very close to Playa Delfines, makes it an interesting place for visitors and residents of the area.
Last Sunday I visited the Mayan Museum of Cancun leveraging free entry all that Sundays to nationals and permanent residents. In the Museum there is some piece of The King, as it is beautiful 4 pottery sympathetic grandmothers around a container.
This beauty made me turn on the light bulb and I remembered that I had not been to El Rey in almost the 8 years we have been in Cancun. So I decided to remedy it and travel the 2 kilometers that separated me from the Mayan vestige.
Explore the 5 archaeological sites of Quintana Roo that you should not miss
El Rey archaeological site, Cancún
El Rey is located at kilometer 18 of Boulevard Kukulcán, the road that runs along the tourist corridor of Zona Hotelera from Cancun. In the same kilometer you have Playa Delfines, a perfect excuse to continue combining your day with sun and beach. Just cross the street from the Mirador de Playa Delfines and you will find the entrance to the archaeological zone of El Rey.
The King is part of the architectural style known as the Eastern Coast. This style is typical of cities like Tulum, San Miguelito, El Meco, Xcaret, Xel-ha, Tankah and so many other settlements along the Mexican Caribbean coastline.
I liked the walk through the sacbé (path) that runs from south to north the enclosure, passing through the different structures, the majority supposed housing complexes. A small group of the ruling elite is the one who occupied this vestige, with squares, palaces and some enclosure that preserves remains of wall paintings.
The buildings we see are from the Late Postclassic period 1200-1550 AD, although the site was occupied earlier.
Why these ruins in Cancun are called El Rey
The name of El Rey is due to the head of a high rank that they found in the place, which is preserved in the Mayan Museum of Cancun as I have read later. I will have to go back to the museum to see it because I missed it on my visit.
The plus of El Rey are the iguanas, which seem like the coastal guardians of these limestones where they collect solar energy. Nobody bothers them in the place, they are the real queens of the ruins.
The walk through the archaeological zone of The King It is a haven of peace: nature, stones and iguanas await you to offer you a pleasant walk for the treasures that the zona Hotelera from Cancun.
Peeking in each corner you will always find something good. Cancun has hidden Mayan treasures such as El Rey, San Miguelito or El Meco. These Cancun ruins are a good escape to visit on your vacation.
If you live in Cancun and did not visit them you are already taking it. There are many interesting things to leave your home and enjoy.
The King, archaeological site
LOCATION: El Rey is located at km 18 of Boulevard Kukulcán, Zona Hotelera from Cancun.SCHEDULE AND SERVICES: open from 8 a.m. to 16:XNUMX a.m. daily. They do not sell drinks or food inside. There are services at the entrance. Parking Spaces It does not have, you can use the one at Playa Delfines, it's next door and it's free.
PRICE ENTRY: 55 mxn. The Sundays the entrance of INAH is free for Mexicans and permanent residents. Access to archaeological zones is free every day to children under 13 years, students, teachers and senior citizens with valid credentials.
HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? Routes R-1, R-2 and R-27 have stop in front of the archaeological zone,
WHAT TO BRING? Light and light clothes, hat, insect repellent, closed and comfortable shoes to climb structures and protect yourself from insect bites, some water always goes well.
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I love the report and the place and it is not hard to fall in love with that beautiful country.
It is not difficult ... greetings and thanks for the comment.