Kohunlich

Kohunlich ruins are about 66 km (41 mi.) w. of Chetumal to the signed turn-off (just before the village of Francisco Villa), then about 8 km (5 mi.) s. of the highway via a paved road. Park-like and shady, Kohunlich (koh-hoon-LEECH) may once have been an oasis. The most notable structure among the rubble-strewn mounds is the pyramid-like Temple of the Masks (Templo de Los Mascarones), which has a central stairway flanked with carved faces, strongly Olmec-influenced, that resemble masks. Hints of red are still visible on these figures, which are protected by thatched coverings.