Edzna Archaeological Zone
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Why go
- Edificio de los Cinco Pisos: five stepped tiers, vaulted rooms and a summit temple on a 40-metre platform beside the plaza.
- Temple of the Masks: two humanlike images of the sun god wearing animal-shaped headdresses.
Opening hours
Today08:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- NohochnáFour upper galleries open between thick pillars. The building may have housed administrative activities and provided seating for plaza ceremonies.Main plaza
- Patio Puuc reliefsMarked stones depict Chaac and include Maya calendar dates.Patio Puuc
- Ball courtTwo parallel structures have rooms above that may have held game equipment and images of gods associated with the game.Main plaza
- Steam bathUsed for religious purification.Near the entrance
Know before you go
- The archaeological zone is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.
- Visitors have not been allowed to enter the Edificio de los Cinco Pisos since 2010.
Tips for your visit
- Expect humid conditions for much of the year.
- During the rainy season, the valley is prone to flooding.
Interesting facts3
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Early buildings used cut limestone blocks, thick stucco coatings and intense red paint.
Zona Arqueológica de Edzná -
Many façades bore modeled stucco images of gods, mythical animals and symbols painted in several colours.
Zona Arqueológica de Edzná -
Artificial cisterns called chultúnes collected rainwater for drinking.
Edzná - Wikipedia
History
During the Late Classic period, Edzná belonged to the Calakmul polity. After its regional prominence faded, it lost political and economic influence over several centuries.
- 400 BCThe first evidence of settlement dates to 400 BC; residents farmed and kept some livestock.
- c. 300 CEThe settlement developed central government, public buildings, an acropolis and drainage works.
- 400–1000 CEEdzná became a regional capital and cultural centre of western Yucatán.
- 900–1000Monumental construction declined.
- 1450–1500The city was abandoned.
Show all
- 1907The site’s recorded discovery took place.
- 1958Organised excavations began.
- 1970sEdzná began welcoming visitors.
- 1986Guatemalan refugees joined excavation, restoration and maintenance work.
- 2018INAH completed work exposing the five-storey building.
How to get there
- CarFrom Campeche, take the route through Chiná, Pocyaxum, Nohacal and Tixmucuy. The site is on Federal Highway 188.
- BusPublic transport from Campeche drops passengers about 300 metres from the site entrance.
- CarFrom Champotón, go through Haltunchén and Hool, then continue east.
- CarFrom southern Yucatán, turn off at Cayal.
Sources: Edzna - Wikipedia · Zona Arqueológica de Edzná · Edzná - Wikipedia · Edzná - Wikipedia · Edzná - Wikipedia · checked 1 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +52 981 816 9111
Questions and answers
What does Edzná mean?
“House of the Itzáes,” after the lineage that settled here.
How extensive was the ancient settlement?
Its religious and residential buildings extended across about 25 square kilometres.
How long did construction continue at Edzná?
For more than 15 centuries.
What is distinctive about Edzná’s small acropolis?
Its base dates to about 200 BC, with four buildings arranged around a central courtyard.
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