How to Visit the Mayan Archaeological Park Tenam Puente

This ceremonial city dates back to 600 A.D. and was built by the Mayan people. From its tallest point on the Acropolis, visitors are able to see the city Comitan, Mexico, just north of the ruins. Tenam Puente is thought to have been an outpost for the west and with its walls and name, which means fortress, it was probably a well-guarded area.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Book a tour or ask a hotel attendant to get you a taxi to the ruins of Tenam Puente. Public buses do not run to directly to the site on a regular basis, but you can take a short bus ride, heading south from Comitan and ask the bus driver to stop at the junction closest to the ruins. It is about 1 ½ mile walk from the bus stop.
2. Rent a taxi, tip well and ask him to stay for your return trip or to be back at certain time. Tenam Puente is not a large archaeological site in comparison to other Mayan ruins and only takes about 2 hours to tour and explore.
3. Bring money for the entrance fee and the video permit that is required for anyone wanting to shoot video or use a tripod. Those under the age of 13 and over 60 enter the park at no charge.
4. Walk through the large grassy area visitors see when you enter the park. To the side you will see on of the 3 ballparks that the Mayans used as a competition site. It is not agreed upon if this game was for honor, to keep one's life, or for the enjoyment of the city residents. It is known, however, that the ceremonies held after the games consisted of human sacrifices to the gods and beheadings.
5. Pass the grassy knoll and head towards the pyramid. Climb up the steep stairs to the first level for a magnificent site of the area and to check out the location the Acropolis.
6. Climb the Acropolis which is surrounded by patios and plazas like other Mayan city architecture. The Acropolis is the tallest structure in the city and the most important place at the time.