The scarcity of surface water is characteristic of the Yucatan Peninsula, in particular in its rough and rocky interior. For this reason, wells and springs have always assumed a special significance in this area, attracting settlements in their vicinity from prehispanic times on. The so-called Chenes owe their name to this very fact. Ch’en in Maya means ‘well’ and is found in many of the town names such as Hopelchen, Dzibalchen, and Bolonchen among others. Besides archeological zones and churches from the colonial period, the Chenes still show scars from a series of events that involved the entire Peninsula. In the second half of the 19th century, the Peninsula was the theater of the so-called “Casts War”. One of the most afflicted areas was exactly that of the Chenes which was close to the rebellious sanctuaries now located in the State of Quintana Roo.

Hopelchen (the Place of the Five Wells)

This town is located 54 miles (86 kilometers) from Campeche. One of its attractions is the colonial Church of San Antonio which was built on top of the platform of a prehispanic structure. There is also the archeological zone of Tohcok which comprises various structures and mounds dating back to the years between 600 and 750 A.D.

Santa Rosa Xtampac

Built on a natural elevation that was leveled and divided evenly in three parts in order to accommodate the city, Santa Rosa Xtampac is considered a remnant of an ancient local capital. Among its buildings the Palace stands out, a construction of three levels and 44 rooms located in the main square. Also noteworthy are the Temple of Cha’ac with its lintels of Chicozapote and its doorjambs with geometrical figures and ornamental masks; the Reddish House with its annexes, and the Quarters along with the buildings that form the quadrangles of the southeast and the southwest.

Bolonchen

Anciently known as Bolonchen Ticul, the place bears nowadays the name of Rejón in honor of Manuel Crescencio Rejón, who was born here in 1799. Manuel Rejón is the author of the "Juicio de Amparo", a law that prohibits arrest until the day of trial; his birthplace is now a cultural center. Another place worthwhile visiting are the grottos of X’tacumbilxunaam which were discovered in 1841 by the explorer John L. Stephens. The grottos are of an impressive beauty.

Hochob (the place of the corncobs)

An archeological zone rising on a hill and comprising three squares. Here you can observe various "oquedades", which are the mouths of the so-called chultunes, subterranean water supplies used by the ancient inhabitants.

Dzibalchen

The rubber boom made it possible for Dzibalchen – about 78 miles (126 kilometers) from the state capital – to grow in the middle of a hostile landscape in the interior of the peninsula. A paved highway connects the Chenes with the archeological marvels of southern Campeche to explore adjacent Mayan sites such as Tabasqueño-Xtabas Hochob and Dzibilnocac, close to Iturbide.

Iturbide

In the middle of the 19th century, Iturbide was a prosperous town which grew from 20 to 1,500 inhabitants in a short time. Iturbide is located 79 miles (127 kilometers) from the Campeche capital. Here you can still find a set of four redoubts, four hexagonal garitones, which rise on the four corners of the square. There are also military type of elements to be found in the City Hall and the Castle which is built on top of a pre-hispanic mound.

Dzibilnocac

On the outskirts of Iturbide you find this place with its various groups of structures that include mounds, basements, administrative buildings as well as platforms and residential areas for huts. The apogee of Dzibilnocac occurred in the Classic period of Mayan history, the name meaning, "the vaulted and painted house".

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