Museo Maya de Cancun

Visitors to the popular resort area of Cancun are mostly looking for fun in the sun on Cancun's beautiful beaches, but many will be pleased to know that during their visit they can also learn about the ancient Mayan civilization that developed in the area. Opened to the public in November 2012, the Maya Museum is located in the heart of the Cancun hotel zone. Besides a museum, there is an archaeological site, called San Miguelito, on the same grounds (which stretch over 85,000 square meters).The museum is housed in a modern white building with large windows which was designed by Mexican architect Alberto García Lascurain. Three white columns made of delicate leafy patterns representing the vegetation of the area sit in a fountain at the entrance to the museum. These were designed by Jan Hendrix, a Dutch-born artist who has lived and worked in Mexico for over thirty years.On the ground floor of the museum you'll find the ticket booth and bag check area; you'll be asked to leave any large bags as they're not permitted inside the museum. There is a cafeteria on this level also, and gardens with paths leading to the archaeological site.