Kohunlich Ruins

Kohunlich is known for one thing: the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid built around 500 AD whose stairway is flanked by huge stucco faces of its rulers, some still showing their red paint. A later building was raised over the temple and buried the masks, which is why they survived.

The rest of the city is a walk through the forest (the name comes from the cohune palms of the old English name, Cohune Ridge) past plazas, palace platforms and the 27 Steps group, with close to 200 mounds still unexcavated under the trees and a system of channels that fed rainwater into a reservoir. New ticket offices, toilets, trails and signs went in when the site was upgraded. On Sundays entry is free for Mexican citizens and residents.