Calakmul - Capital of the Kingdom of the Snake
Roughly translated "Capital of the Kingdom of the Snake", Calakmul saw its peak inthe period of the year 500 to 800 A.d. Is believed that was an of them cities Mayanwith greater power in the region, rivaling with the city of Tikal.
His pyramid more impressive is the structure VII whose use is focused on give you to the elite a space housing. Later it was used as a burial site for one of its most important leaders.
The structure height exceeds the 22 meters rise imposing among the jungle landscape.
Calakmul is registered as Cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco and is part of theimpressive biosphere reserve of the same name by the rich variety of fauna and vegetation that characterize him.
Calakmul Biosphere reserve by itself is also a major attraction. It is the second lungof America and of Mexico's largest tropical reserve. Houses to around 86 species ofmammals, is found present five of them six cats that exist in Mexico (jaguar, puma,ocelot, ocelot and jaguarondi), and is have made 73 records of orchids, those delicate flowers that never had seen of way wild and that in its habitat natural look moreWarrior, less fragile.
The biosphere is an organic link between the humid forests of the Guatemalan Petén, the Lacandon region of Chiapas and the northern region and Caribbean of the Yucatan peninsula. The rain that falls here is filtered in the soil and nourishes them cenotes of the States neighbouring.
It is not a quiet place, but the sounds that we hear nothing have to do with the noise to which I am accustomed: hear the wind moving trees, birds singing, some crickets. The Hotel Puerta Calakmul is located in the 98 Km of the highway Chetumal-Escárcega (186). Its 15 cabins are scattered through the jungle and designed to keep in touch with nature without losing the luxury. Have no crystals, but if nets; they are made of wood, are equipped with organic amenities and the beds are covered with 250-thread-count linens. Some have a terrace that invites you to open a good book (or even one bad, with that Outlook, reading is the least). It has a gazebo and pool. It has hot water and electricity, but telephone, television and Internet access are onlyvisible in a special room. It is an hour from Calakmul and Becán, Chicanna, and Xpujil. The biosphere is located 15 minutes away, so you can hike.
With a very similar concept is also the Hotel Chicanna Ecovillage, located at Km 144of the Escarcega-Chetumal Highway, from where you can reach walking Chicanna and Becán. The difference is that in addition to Cottage-style rooms, surrounded by jungle, with restaurant and pool, this hotel has ecological practices: using solar energy, treated wastewater and placed tanks under the rooms to make them more freshand avoid air conditioning. Sell a box lunch for those who come to discovering thebiosphere and the archaeological areas, since there is no water or food establishments.
The Calakmul Hotel is one of the oldest in the area, is located in Avenida Calakmul, in the municipal seat. It is a modest place, but clean. It has rooms with television, hotwater and air conditioning. It has furthermore huts with shared bathroom which areinexpensive. The gardens seem to refresh one afternoon. According to Peter, one ofthe employees, plants grow without the need of special care, which gives it that touch of jungle.
To enjoy it in all its glory, Calakmul is a municipality which must not travel in a hurry, so it is best to choose a hotel with us and explore their most recondite places.
It is followed in importance Becán, city surrounded by a moat in the maya area, referring to the military activity that existed. Also is Xpujil, to which is can get walking from the header municipal eponymous, Chicanna, River Bec, anteater, Balamku, Nadzcaan and Altamira, but this is found in excavations and not is open to the public.
