Xpuhil Mayan Ruins

Xpuhil (also Xpujil) is a Mayan archaeological site located in the neighbor state of Campeche, in the vicinity of the modern-day town of Xpujil. The area surrounding Xpuhil, along Federal Highway 186, is rich with other Mayan sites, including Becan and Calakmul. The name xpuhil means "cat's tail" in reference to a type of vegetation found locally. Evidence at the site indicates settlement as early as 400 BC. The pre-Columbian inhabitants of Xpuhil reached their zenith between AD 500 and 750, and went into decline around 1100.

Xpuhil was rediscovered in the late 1930s. To date, 17 groups of constructions have been uncovered, which mostly follow Río Bec architectural canons. But in an atypical way, since there are three Rio Bec Style towers here, instead of the two found in other sites. There is a staircase inside the south tower, that allows people to climb up the top of the structure connecting the side towers. The towers are built in tears, with rounded corners and all have a"false" staircase, they were crowned by a temple with elements of the "earth monster" design. The façade of the structure is facing east and the towers also used to have some "masks" facing west. Paul Gendrop dates structure I, of group I around A.D. 760.

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Rancho Encantado tours may also be arranged to other sites, including new excavations. To arrange custom tours to any of these sites, please contact us.

Archaeological photos by Luis Tellez