Ruinas Kohunlích Things to Do

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There are two pyramids at Kohunlich which can be climbed - the Pyramid of the Masks and the Temple Major. Both are STEEP and have no hand railings, so you must be very careful. Also, if you suffer from a fear of heights (as do I), be sure to not go alone. I had to sit on the steps and "bump" my way back down - a rather long and tedious method indeed!

The view from Temple Major was stunning - looking out into the jungle foliage, lots of beautiful exotic birds, and we could hear a jungle cat! The Pyramid of the Masks is also fantastic, but you are looking in, rather than out, since the 8' stone carved masks are the highlight here. I have another tip about that one especially.

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The hightlight of a trek to Kohunlich is the Pyramid of the Masks - a large pyramid with six carved stucco masks stretching down the side. Some say the masks represent former rulers of the area while others say they represent gods. Most of the pyramid is covered with a thatched roof to protect the masks. Two of the masks were almost completely cleaned off and these made for some great photos. It is a beautiful and awesome sight.

It is fairly well-preserved and is exceptional because of its length - 42 metres. You should know that the winners were sacrificed after a game, not the losers. It was considered an honor to be sacraficed.

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This is the most elaborate residential complex yet found. It stands atop a large platform accessed by a series of, surprisingly enough, twenty-seven steps (take care - slippery moss grows on most of the steps). Here, we find a series of small patios, corridors, stairs and rooms. This feature has only recently been opened for visiting, and there is not much information regarding it.

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The largest structure at Kohunlich is the Acropolis. A wide flight of steps leads up to the top of a massive platform. A narrow entrance opens out into a patio on top. Some tall rooms on one side of this patio bear hallmarks from the Río Bec region. In addition, on the south and east sides of the platform are stairs leading nowhere, another Río Bec trait.

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Kohunlich is noted for its magnificent stucco masks of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. These masks make up the lower four panels of the Pyramid of the Masks, and are noted for being the most refine and sensitive deity portrayals in all of Meso America.

Originally, each of these masks had been painted bright colors. Much of the red paint can still be seen on the mask surfaces.

The sloping thatched roof was installed by restorers of the site. It acts as a protective shield for the beautifully preserved set of stucco masks underneath.

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The Palace holds a prominent place between the Western Residential Complex and the Acropolis. This construction was undertaken around the year 600 A.D. and was originally a one story structure. Later the first primitive dwelling was demolished and a platform was built upon which an elegant resident was built. It probably housed some of the highest-ranking people of Kohunlich.

Various modifications of the Palace took place over a 600 year period. It was even vandalized since many of the objects which were once in its interior were found thrown away as junk on the west side of the platform.

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The Western Residential Complex can be seen on your left, immediately after entering the Kohunlich ruins area. This area is thought to have been inhabited between the years of 600-1200 A.D., and is probably functioned as living quarters for a group of high-ranking artisans who were dedicated to the manufacture of of shell artifacts.

By observing the distribution of the rooms one can see that they were the result of various construction periods - perhaps over centuries of time. Rooms have been sub-divided, remodeled and, in some cases, demolished. This probably occurred due to the need of expanded living quarters as the population grew.