National park · Mexico
Becan National ParkParque Nacional Bécan
Visit Becan: pay the entry fee (check), walk the main plaza and Structure IX (≈30 min), then add the Mundo Perdido trail (≈45 min) in the dry season; stay in Xpujil.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
- Yucatán and the South ↗ADO is the primary first-class bus operator; use their app to buy tickets and show the QR code to the driver.
- Yucatán and the South ↗Tren Maya connects major hubs but has faced reliability issues since opening; check daily schedules before relying on it for tight connections.
- Yucatán and the South ↗Shower before entering any cenote to protect the water; some sites are closed for religious reasons.
- Campeche ↗ADO first‑class bus tickets are recommended for comfort on longer trips.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Area listed as 5 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Xpujil
Bécan National Park protects a large fortified Maya city on the edge of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The site features a moat, wall, towering Rio Bec structures, the well‑preserved Structure IV and the tallest pyramid, Structure IX, plus the Mundo Perdido trail leading to a small cluster of ruins. Visitors can explore the main plaza, climb the pyramid, and enjoy jungle wildlife while staying in nearby Xpujil.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 1980
Area listed as 5 km²; some sources give slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Xpujil.
Why go
- Explore a large Maya fortified city with a moat, wall and towering Rio Bec structures.
- See the best‑preserved Structure IV and the tallest pyramid, Structure IX.
- Walk the Mundo Perdido trail to a small cluster of ruins off the main plaza.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler evenings.
- FebDry, comfortable.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprTransition to rains.
- MayIncreasing humidity.
- JunRainy start.
- JulPeak rain, heat.
- AugHeavy rain, trails muddy.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctDry return.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jungle cats (ocelot, jaguar)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MonkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| SnakesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Xpujil town
Short taxi (≈5 min) or walk (≈10 min) from town centre to the site entrance.
5–10 min
Open the page →
From Campeche city airport
Bus to Xpujil (≈3 h) then taxi to Becan.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mérida airport
Tren Maya to Xpujil station, then taxi to the site.
≈2 h
Open the page →
From Cancún airport
Tren Maya to Xpujil station, then taxi.
≈2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| East Plaza (guard post) | Entrance, ticket office, parking, main walkway to Structures I‑IV. | Open with ticket. |
| Central Plaza | Largest open space, leads to Structure IX and ballcourt. | Open with ticket. |
| Mundo Perdido trail | Secondary cluster of ruins west of the main complex. | Open with ticket; marked trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the ruins; approximate for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (guard post at East Plaza) | MXN 100–150 (≈ US$6–9) | person | Exact price not published; check onsite. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Off‑trail climbing
- Do not climb structures or towers; they are fragile.
- Guides
- No guide required for main paths, but a guide is recommended for Mundo Perdido if you want deeper context.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited within the park.
- Pets
- Pets not allowed on site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Casa Maya en Calakmul
500 m walk to Becan; basic rooms, restaurant.
Near the park
Xpujil guesthouses
Various budget options within town.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Insects (mosquitoes, ticks) low
Getting lost on Mundo Perdido trail low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main plaza paths are flat and suitable for wheelchairs, but some steps lead to pyramids.
- Mundo Perdido trail is uneven; limited wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and souvenirs in Xpujil to support the local economy.
- Stay at locally owned Hotel Casa Maya; avoid large chain resorts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Becan?
The entry fee is modest (around MXN 100‑150 per person); exact price should be confirmed at the guard post.
What are the best hikes in Becan?
Walk the main plaza to Structure IV (≈30 min) and climb Structure IX for views (≈45 min). Add the Mundo Perdido trail for an extra 45 min loop.
When is the best time to visit Becan?
The dry season (Nov–Apr) offers cooler temperatures and less rain; Jan–Feb are especially pleasant.
How do I get to Becan from major airports?
Take the Tren Maya to Xpujil station (from Cancún, Mérida or Campeche) and then a short taxi to the site.
Where can I stay near Becan?
Hotel Casa Maya en Calakmul is a 500 m walk from the ruins; Xpujil town also offers several guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Becan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Becan, revision 5201112 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Becan National Park
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