Calcehtok Caves

The Calcehtok caverns also known as "Aktun Spukil", are considered along with the Lol-tun caverns, among the biggest in the Yucatan Peninsula and have a very complicated tunnels system. The meaning of this word derives from the mayan "cal" (neck), "ceh" (deer) and "tok" (flint). It got this name in 1875 when a sculpted stone with the form of a deer was discovered in an open well of the area that lead into it.

The main access to the entrance is a 3 Km. pavimented road, the descent is made on an iron ladder. Once into the main chamber, four different tours can be made, the most interesting has 2 Km. of galleries; natural formations called "the crocodile", "the horse", "the tongue", "the mommy", and "the divine face" can be seen in this largest gallery called cave #4. Abundance of pre-hispanic materials is found in all the cavern; intact vessels, and unexplored chambers are still waiting to be discovered to add more knowledge of the Mayan culture. Arqueologists have found bones of deer and from other animals, ceramics, quartzite hammers, arrowheads, human graves, etc. some vessels that were used by the mayans to collect the filtered water of the ceilings are completely petrified. Into the first two chambers one can watch a kind of small fences as stockades that the mayan rebels used during the "Guerra de Castas" rebellion.

It is not advisable to get into these caverns alone, you may ask the help of the "Cuy family" that offer an expertise touring service into the caves, they live downtown the village.

A big complex of more than 30 caves suspected to be communicated exists in the surroundings, caution is recommended.

Oxkintok

One of the oldest cities in Yucatan, stelas and inscriptions found here have provided valuable information on the Mayan culture. Its architecture is representative of the splendid Puuc style. This archaeological site is located at 5 Km. southeast of Maxcanu village. Its arquitecture belongs the "early puuc" style. It lists four arquitectural groups called Ah-Canul, May, Satunsat and Dzib.

Ah-Canul group: Make stand out the following buildings: The Chi'Ich palace, which belongs the puuc period; this could be deduced for the characteristic type of dome and the ornamentation of mosaic stone that upgrade the west facade. The devils palace, called this way by people of the area due to a found character sculpted in a monolithic column; it's a small building of 3 rooms.

The May group: Stands out the structure May-6, which is a small palace type building. Its main characteristic is the external ornamentation in the small pillars and stone drums in ring form.

The Satunsat group: The called structure labyrinth or "satunsat" is a remarkable sample of the variety of the mayan architecture; this building produces a very pleasant visual impression.

The Dzib group: The less known.

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