Mexico/Campeche: Calakmul Biosphere Reserve & Ruins

Calakmul is by far the most spectacular Mayan site in Yucatan. It takes a long way to get here, as the lost city is deep in the jungle of the peninsula not far from the Guatemala border. Calakmul was the capital of the Kingdom of the Snake and had a population over over 50,000 at its zenith. There are nearly 7000 ancient structures here, most prominent of which are the pyramids. The second highest Mayan pyramid is here, reaching 45 m (148 ft) high. You can climb to the top, at which point you are well above the tree-line and can see jungle stretch as far as the eye can see – it’s an incredible site, especially since you are most likely enjoying this site all to yourself.