The ornate palacio at Xlapak (shla-pak), also spelled Xlapac, is quite a bit smaller than those at nearby Kabah and Sayil, measuring only about 20m in length. It’s decorated with the inevitable Chaac masks, columns and colonnettes and fretted geometric latticework of the Puuc style. The building is interesting and on a bit of a lean.

Plenty of motmots brighten up the surrounding forests. The name Xlapak means ‘Old Walls’ in Maya and was a general term among local people for ancient ruins.

Xlapak is about 10km east of the Ruta Puuc junction with Hwy 261.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Labná

1.94 MILES

This is the Ruta Puuc site not to miss. Archaeologists believe that, at one point in the 9th century, some 3000 Maya lived at Labná. To support such…

2. Sayil

2.86 MILES

Sayil is best known for El Palacio, the huge three-tiered building that has an 85m-long facade. The distinctive columns of Puuc architecture are used…

3. Kabah

5.79 MILES

Kabah is one of the few Maya settlements in the area that has retained its original name (meaning 'the powerful hand'). Second only to Uxmal in the Puuc…

4. Santa Elena Museum

10.9 MILES

The only reason you go to this tiny museum is for the view (it's perched on a hill) and to support the locals – both worth doing. Displays are modest,…

5. Grutas de Loltún

11.34 MILES

One of the largest dry-cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula, Loltún ('stone flower' in Maya) provided a treasure trove of data for archaeologists…

6. Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis

15.28 MILES

Constructed at a snail's pace from 1640 to 1693, this Franciscan convent is remarkable for its ornamental facade, at the center of which is a stone statue…

7. Plaza de la Cultura

16.13 MILES

It's all cement and stone but nevertheless the Plaza de la Cultura is an agreeable place to take in the evening breeze, enjoy the view of the church and…

8. Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua

16.15 MILES

Because of the number of Maya ruins in the vicinity, from which building blocks could be acquired, and the number of Maya in the area 'needing' conversion…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "mexico/yucatan-peninsula/ruta-puuc/attractions/xlapak/a/poi-sig/1149808/361715",
      "position": "superzone"
    }