The second-largest Puuc site after Uxmal, Kabah is famed for the Codz Poop (Palace of Masks), a facade covered in more than 250 stacked stone masks of the rain god Chaac. An isolated ceremonial arch on the opposite side of the highway once marked the start of a sacbe road linking Kabah to Uxmal.
Kabah ranks as the second-largest Puuc archaeological site after Uxmal, and its main draw, the Codz Poop or Palace of Masks, is one of the most visually intense facades in the Maya world: more than 250 stacked stone masks of the rain god Chaac, each with a distinctive curled trunk-like nose, cover the entire front wall in dense repeating rows. Many of the mask noses have broken off over centuries, but enough survive intact to convey the overwhelming effect the facade would have had when complete. Behind the Codz Poop, a smaller plaza holds additional unrestored structures and mounds. On the opposite side of the highway that now bisects the site, an isolated freestanding stone arch marks the start point of a sacbe, a raised Maya causeway that once ran roughly 18 kilometers to connect Kabah directly to Uxmal, evidence of close political and economic ties between the two cities. A visit to the excavated core takes about an hour, making Kabah an efficient stop when combined with Uxmal and Loltún Caves on a single Puuc Route day. Morning visits are cooler and quieter, before the day's Puuc Route tour groups pass through in sequence.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8AM-5PM daily
- Best time
- Morning, as a stop on the Puuc Route with Uxmal and Loltún
Location
Carretera Mérida-Campeche Km 101, Yucatán 97840
20.2394, -89.6242 View on map
Highlights
- Codz Poop facade with more than 250 stacked Chaac rain-god masks
- Isolated ceremonial arch marking a sacbe causeway to Uxmal
- Second-largest Puuc-style site after Uxmal
- Compact core easily combined with other Puuc Route stops
- Unrestored mounds surrounding the excavated plaza
Tips for visiting
- Combine with Uxmal and Loltún Caves for a full Puuc Route day
- Visit in the morning for cooler temperatures and fewer tour groups
- The ceremonial arch sits across the highway from the main plaza; cross carefully
- Bring water, as the site has little shade and few services
- Mexican nationals and residents receive discounted admission with valid ID
When to visit
Morning, for cooler weather and before Puuc Route tour groups arrive from Uxmal.
Accessibility
Paths through the site are packed earth and stone, uneven in places, with no ramp access to the elevated Codz Poop platform.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Kabah take?
About an hour covers the Codz Poop facade, main plaza, and the arch across the highway.
Is Kabah worth it for kids?
The dense rows of carved masks on the Codz Poop tend to catch children's attention, and the site's small scale keeps visits manageable for younger visitors.
Is photography allowed at Kabah?
Yes, photography is unrestricted across the site, including close-up shots of the mask facade.