Visiting the Edzna Archaeological Site in the State of Campeche, Mexico. Off the main tourist route and definitely worth your time to go and have a look!
Edzná was one of 4 Mayan cities in the State of Campeche. The other 3 being: Xtampak, Calakmul and Becán.
It was the most important pre-Columbian city in Western Campeche. It was founded around 600 BC and occupied until 1500 AD, when, along with most Mayan cities, it was simply abandoned for reasons unknown.
I visited the Edzna Archaeological Site in August 2021. Details where needed have been updated.
Having visited Tikal and Palenque in the last 10 days, both of which are superb, I wasn’t expecting too much at Edzna. I mean, if they were going to be good, then there would be at least a backpackers’ hostel in Campeche to cater for the travellers, right?
I am always happy to blaze my own trail by visiting the lesser-known sites as well as the most popular ones and make my own comparisons. Draw my own conclusions.
But the Edzna Archaeological Site was quite the surprise.
The Plataforma de los Embajadores:
Nohochná – The Large House 135m long, covering almost the entire eastern side of the site:
It was very common to find buildings decorated with masks. Here, 1 of 2 stucco (similar to plaster) masks found in 1988, which represent the sun god:
The Edificio de Los Cinco Pisos – the five-storey building – main focal point of La Gran Acropolis:
El Templo del Norte – The North Temple:
La Gran Acropolis:
El Templo del Noroeste:
La Gran Acropolis – the Great Acropolis:
The Edificio de Los Cinco Pisos:
“Nomadic Backpacker woz ere” August 2021
Visiting Edzna Archaeological Site
Where is the Edzna Archaeological Site
The archaeological site of the ancient city of Edzná is 55 km from the Walled City of Campeche in the state of the same name:
How to get there using public transport:
Colectivos run, as and when, from Chihuahua, opposite the main market, just outside the walled historic centre, marked as Combis edzna on Google Maps.
The journey takes about an hour.
Opening hours and entrance fees
According to the official website, the Edzna Archaeological Site is open Monday through Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm, and the entrance fee is 100 MXN (2025).