Chicanná
Mayan “Little House on the Mouth of the Serpent”
(Chi / mouth; can / serpent; na / house
Chicanná was erected at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula by the Mayans. Its builders took advantage of a slight natural elevation to construct several groups of structures which served as rooms and enclosures for carrying out ritual ceremonies.
Discovered in 1966, the name alludes to the House of the Serpent-mouth. Occupation at its height dates from 300 B.C. to 250 A.D. with the last stages likely around 1100 A.D.
Chicanná is one of 45 sites located in the region of the Rio Bec. It is well known for its enormous representation of Itzamna, principal god of the Maya pantheon, also known as the Earth Monster, on the façade of the lower construction.
HOURS
Open Daily from 8 am to 5 pm. There is a watchman at the gate who will charge you the standard fee & extra for video cameras.
Admission 2013 43 pesos. Free on Sundays for nationals and Mexican residents.
Allow at least 1 hour.
RECOMMENDATIONS
You can stroll safely undisturbed throughout the site – often you will be the only ones there. Take good shoes as there is plenty of climbing- and a fair amount memory and batteries for your photographs. We recommend you stay on the designated paths as you can easily get lost in the dense bush jungle.
As this is site is in a somewhat remote jungle area, take water and insect repellant. There are no restaurants or food vendors.
Dress according to the season you are visiting
GETTING THERE
GPS – N18.20.35 W089.29.11
Busses
Take a bus to Xpujil bus station and take a taxi to Chicanná.
Tours
Tours and tour buses go infrequently to Becán and generally make a combination package of sites along Highway 186
Drive from Villahermosa:
Take Highway 186 to Escárcega and then East to KM 144. Turn at signs. Take first left; then first right and then first left. to entrance. All well signed. Approximately 4 hours.
From Campeche:
Drive Highway 180 South to Champotón. Turn to Highway 261 to Escárcega. Turn on Highway 186 towards Chetumal and drive to KM 144. Turn at signs. Take first left; then first right and then first left. to entrance. All well signed. Approximately 3 1/2 hours.
From Chetumal:
Drive Highway 186 East towards Escárcega but turn at KM 144. Approximately 2 1/2 hours.