Balamkú
The “Temple of the Jaguar” site, where a colored stucco frieze about 17 meters long survives inside a building, depicting toads, crocodiles, and jaguars.
The name Balamkú comes from the Maya for “Temple of the Jaguar.” The stucco frieze, discovered in 1990, is preserved inside the building. Images of toads, crocodiles, and jaguars symbolize the underworld and the transfer of royal power. It is a rare, complete decorative frieze in the Maya region. The frieze can only be viewed behind glass, and a guard must open the door for you. The site is about 3 kilometers west of the Calakmul access road entrance and can be visited on the way to or from Calakmul.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Volcán de los Murciélagos
- Calakmul Museum of Nature and Archaeology
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
- Hormiguero
- Chicanná
- Calakmul Archaeological Zone
- Becán
- Xpuhil Archaeological Site