National park · Mexico
Dzibanche Archaeological Site
Visit Dzibanche for a half‑day walk: enter the site (fee check), explore the Temple of the Captives and Temple of the Owl (2 h), then drive to Bacalar for lunch; go in the dry season (Nov–May) to avoid rain and insects.
- 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
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
1800
Best months
Nov–May
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
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- Site covers over 40 km² of jungle; exact protected area varies by source. Established around 300 BC.
- Established
- 1800
- Best months
- Nov–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cancún
Dzibanche is a large, less‑visited Maya city in Quintana Roo, known for its Petén‑style pyramids, hieroglyphic monuments and a sacbe linking to the nearby Ichkabal site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1800.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 1800
Site covers over 40 km² of jungle; exact protected area varies by source. Established around 300 BC.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cancún.
Why go
- Explore a large, less‑visited Maya city with multiple pyramids and a historic sacbe to nearby Ichkabal.
- See rare Petén‑style architecture and hieroglyphic monuments such as the Temple of the Captives.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool
- FebDry, cool
- MarDry, pleasant
- AprDry, warm
- MayDry, warm
- JunRainy, humid
- JulRainy, humid
- AugRainy, humid
- SepRainy, humid
- OctTransition, occasional showers
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeys and toucans in surrounding jungleAll 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 Cancún International Airport
Drive south on MEX‑307 to Bacalar (≈85 km (53 mi)), then continue 15 km (9.3 mi) to the site; taxi from Bacalar ≈ MXN 600 (check).Drive south on MEX‑307 to Bacalar (≈53 mi (85 km)), then continue 9.3 mi (15 km) to the site; taxi from Bacalar ≈ MXN 600 (check).
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Tulum International Airport
Drive south on MEX‑307, same route as from Cancún.
≈ 2 h
Open the page →
From Chetumal International Airport
Drive west on MEX‑186 50 km (31 mi) to Francisco Villa, then 25 km (16 mi) north and 15 km (9.3 mi) to the site.Drive west on MEX‑186 31 mi (50 km) to Francisco Villa, then 16 mi (25 km) north and 9.3 mi (15 km) to the site.
≈ 1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeological core | Main pyramids, temples, sacbe, and plaza area. | Open to visitors; walking only. |
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; approximate centre of the site.
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 | Fee not published; check at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the main core; optional for deeper exploration.
- Camping
- Not allowed within the archaeological zone.
- Pets
- Not permitted on site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bacalar hotels
Various budget to mid‑range options, 15 km (9.3 mi) north.Various budget to mid‑range options, 9.3 mi (15 km) north.
Near the park
Chetumal lodging
More hotels, 30 km (19 mi) east.More hotels, 19 mi (30 km) east.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
Rainfall making trails slippery medium
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
- Core area reachable by car; short walks on flat ground.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in nearby towns and support local businesses.
- Do not feed wildlife; carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dzibanche?
The site charges an entry fee, but the exact amount is not published online; check at the gate (likely a modest MXN amount).
What are the best hikes in Dzibanche?
The main walk is a short circuit of the core pyramids (≈ 1 km, 2 h). There is no formal trail beyond the core; the sacbe to Ichkabal is a longer off‑road route for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Dzibanche?
Visit in the dry season, November through May, for minimal rain and cooler temperatures.
How do I get to Dzibanche from Cancún?
Drive south on highway MEX‑307 to Bacalar (≈ 85 km), then continue 15 km east on MEX‑186; a taxi from Bacalar costs about MXN 600.
Where can I stay near Dzibanche?
The nearest towns with accommodation are Bacalar (≈ 15 km north) and Chetumal (≈ 30 km east).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Dzibanche Archaeological Site
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