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Maya Ruins > Kohunlich Kohunlich, unlike most Mayan sites is actually not a Mayan name, but is an English version of 'Cohoon Ridge.' Cohoon is Belizean name for a species of fruiting palm common to the area. The name has been "Mayanized" into Kohunlich. The ruins weren't discovered until 1967 by a local Mayan. The Cohoon palms (shown below) create a park like feeling to Kohunlich that is peaceful and beautiful. Kohunlich is best known for it's Pyramid of the Masks. This is one of the oldest structures at Kohunlich, built before 500 AD. The building has a giant staircase flanked by six huge heads modeled in stucco. Each mask is over 8 feet tall. Each face is slightly different and there is no known identification of them. Some theories say they represent Gods, other that they are faces of ruling members of Kohunlich. Open Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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Kohunlich
is a 2 hour drive from Mayan Beach Garden. To get there, you head south
on 307 past the town of Bacalar. Exit before the overpass at the signs
to Escarcega, on high-way 186. There are good signs indicating the turn-off
road to Kohunlich which is 9 km. from the highway. Once there, the bathrooms
are very good and they usually sell cold water at the entrance. Dzibanche
and Kinichna can also be easily seen in a one day trip from Mayan Beach
Garden. We pack you a lunch because you can't guarantee you will be
anywhere close to a restaurant at lunch time. Although Kohunlich is
visited by the tour buses, they don't stay long and never go to the
residential area (shown below) so it is easy to escape and wait them
out.
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Huge Cohoon palms flank all the pathways at the Palace complex. From the top of this building there are great views in all directions. | |
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Up
above the main acropolis of Kohunlich is a residential area called the
temple of the 27 steps but is missed by many people. Being the type
who take every trail we see, we followed one that seemed to lead up
hill to the south. It was quite steep, but well worth it, for at the
top was a beautiful group of buildings with manicured lawns and bougainvillea.
It gives you a good sense of the grandeur of Kohunlich and the type
of people that might have lived there. Few people visit this temple
because it is out of the path of the tours, but one day I was there
and my friend and I surprised a group of about 30 coatimundis/terhunes
rooting around for insects. I was glad the area was isolated..
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Last updated: May 2, 2008 Home
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