Becan was the political capital of the Rio Bec region and is the only Maya city in the area encircled by a defensive moat, a dry ditch roughly 2 km around and up to 5 m deep, crossed by seven causeways. Structures VIII, IX and X rise in the classic Rio Bec manner, with solid decorative towers and false stairways that were never meant to be climbed. Dense forest presses against the plazas, and howler monkeys are often heard from the central group.
Becan stands apart from every other Rio Bec city because of the defensive moat that surrounds it, a dry ditch roughly 2 km in circumference and up to 5 m deep, crossed today by the same causeways that once let the city's residents move in and out under guard. Inside the earthworks, Structures VIII, IX and X show the full Rio Bec vocabulary of solid decorative towers with impossibly steep, non-functional stairways, built purely to evoke the taller pyramids of the Peten rather than to be climbed. Visitors can walk through vaulted interior passages in some of the buildings, a rarer feature at Maya sites where most interiors have collapsed. The site's plazas are pressed close by dense forest, and howler monkeys are heard, and often seen, from the central group especially in early morning. A full circuit of the moat, the acropolis and the main structures takes around ninety minutes to two hours. Because Becan sits just off Highway 186 a short drive from Xpujil, it is easy to combine with Chicanna and Xpuhil in a single day, and an early start both beats the heat and gives the best odds of hearing the resident howler troop before midday quiet sets in.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 8:00AM-5:00PM; last admission 4:30PM
- Best time
- Early morning for cool air and the best chance of howler monkeys
Location
Carretera Escarcega-Chetumal (Highway 186) km 145, 24640 Becan, Campeche, Mexico
18.5167, -89.4667 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the causeways crossing Becan's unique 2 km defensive moat
- See the Rio Bec towers and false stairways of Structures VIII, IX and X
- Pass through rare surviving vaulted interior rooms
- Listen for howler monkeys in the surrounding forest, especially at dawn
Tips for visiting
- Visit early morning for cooler air and the best chance of hearing howler monkeys
- Combine with nearby Chicanna and Xpuhil, both a short drive away, for a full day of Rio Bec sites
- No guided tours are sold on site; arrange a guide in Xpujil beforehand if wanted
- Wear closed shoes, as some interior passages have uneven stone floors
When to visit
Visit early morning for cooler air and the best chance of hearing or seeing howler monkeys.
Accessibility
Paths are unpaved forest trails with some stone stairways, making the site difficult for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Becan take?
A full circuit of the moat and main structures takes about ninety minutes to two hours.
Is Becan worth it for kids?
Yes, the moat and towers make an interesting visit for children, especially with the chance of spotting howler monkeys.
Is photography allowed at Becan?
Yes, personal photography is included with the entry ticket.