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Cancun for History Buffs
by Sal Partinola
http://www.amcancun.com
Cancun, Mexico. The name alone conjures up images of a
great place to vacation with the family, take honeymoon,
or party with your college buds. Much of its attraction
is because it can accomodate people with a wide variety
of interests so well.
Unbeknownst to many, Cancun is also a great base to
take a historically-oriented tour of the Yucatan
peninsula. Visiting historical site brings to life what
is often a dull subject for many.
Chichen Itza, built during the Classic period of the
Mayan culture, is located three hours from Cancun. Stroll
through the ruins of what once were temples, palaces,
and markets to get a glimpse of the past glories of the
Mayan and Toltec cultures. Check out the amazing
accoustics; you can hear a whisper from five-hundred feet
away!
The Tulum Mayan Ruins, called the ~Place of Dawning,~ are
bordered by the ocean. The Tulum stone temples can be
viewed along with a day at the beach. These ruins are only
about two hours from downtown Cancun.
Cancun visitors can also treat themselves to seeing the
sacbes, or ~white roads~ around Coba, which is thought
to be the largest city the Mayan culture ever built.
Although these ruins are in poor condition when compared
to other ruins, it is still considered a special place.
In its day, it was a great Caribbean trade center. Its
great pyramid, Nohoch Mul, is the Yucatan Peninsula~s
highest.
Take your experience of the water around Cancun
underground at the Sacred Cenote, a subterranian sinkhole.
Almost 100 years ago, archaelogist Edward Thompson found
the remains of about fifty women and children. This gave
credence to the legend that the Sacred Cenote was an
ancient Mayan site for human sacrifice!
When you~re planning for your visit to Cancun, by all
means prepare for the swimming, the beach combing, and
the parties the tourist area is famous for. Plan also
to experience Mayan history for yourself by incorporating
a visit to one or more of these sites into your stay.
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