National park · Mexico
Chacchoben Archaeological SiteSitio arqueológico Chacchoben
Visit Chacchoben for a short walk to the main pyramid (30 min, check current fee) in the dry season (Nov–Apr); avoid peak cruise‑ship hours (mid‑morning) and take the Tren Maya to Limones for the easiest access.
- 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
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Jan–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The protected zone covers roughly 0.5 km² of archaeological remains and surrounding jungle (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Mahahual
Chacchoben is a compact Mayan site in Quintana Roo, accessible via the Tren Maya to Limones; it offers a short pyramid walk and a moderate trail through secondary groups, best visited in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2020
The protected zone covers roughly 0.5 km² of archaeological remains and surrounding jungle (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mahahual.
Why go
- A compact Mayan ruin with three restored groups, reachable in under an hour from the highway.
- Close to the cruise‑ship hub of Mahahual, making it easy to combine with a beach day.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry, few tourists
- FebCool, dry
- MarWarm, still dry
- AprEnd of dry season
- MayRain starts
- JunRainy, humid
- JulRainy, hot
- AugRainy, hot
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctTransition to dry
- NovDry begins
- DecDry, cooler evenings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical birds (e.g., toucans, motmots)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeysApr–Sep · Often heard from the trails. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Ticket booth, visitor map, short paved path to the main pyramid. | Open to all visitors. |
| Gran Basamento | Largest platform group with the central pyramid. | Open; walking only. |
| Los Vías | Secondary structures and smaller platforms. | Open; optional detour. |
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 taken from the Tren Maya station listing; the ruin lies a few minutes walk north of this point.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site entry | Free | person | Check current fee at the entrance gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from the park authority.check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are not provided on site.
- Climbing
- Do not climb on the pyramid structures.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mahahual
Small hotels, hostels and guesthouses a short drive from the site.
Near the park
Bacalar
Lakeside hotels and hostels south of the site, good for a night after visiting.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
Getting lost on secondary trails 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
- Entrance area and main pyramid have short, level paths suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
- Secondary groups involve uneven ground and are not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and souvenirs in Mahahual to support local vendors.
- Choose guides who follow the park’s no‑litter policy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chacchoben?
Entry is MX$70–100 per person at the gate; tickets are sold on site (check).
What are the best hikes in Chacchoben?
The short walk to the main pyramid (30 min) and the marked trail through Group II (45 min) are the main routes; both are well‑marked.
When is the best time to visit Chacchoben?
Visit in the dry season, especially November to April, to avoid rain and heat.
How do I get to Chacchoben from Tulum?
Take a Mayab bus to Limones (≈2 h, MX$140) then a 10‑minute taxi to the ruins.
Are guided tours required?
Guides are optional for the main pyramid but recommended for the secondary Group II trail.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Chacchoben Archaeological Site
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