Muyil

About

Inhabited from around 350 BC to 1500 AD, Muyil was one of the earliest and longest-inhabited Mayan settlements on the Yucatan Peninsula’s eastern coast. Situated along the Sian Ka'an lagoon, Muyil lay on the Caribbean trade route and was believed to have strong ties to the powerful city-state of Coba. Like many other Mayan settlements, Muyil was abandoned following the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. While only a portion of the site has been excavated, the buildings here offer a succinct survey of Mayan architecture.The most impressive structure is the 15 meter tall Castillo. This five tiered pyramid was built in the steep-sided Guatemalan style, and sits atop two temples. While Muyil itself isn’t that large, it sits in the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve, and visitors can extend their visit to explore the mangroves, or climb an observation tower to gaze out over the lagoon.