Yamil Lu'um Ruins, Cancun

Yamil Lu'um Ruins, Cancun

Located between the Park Royal Piramides and Westin Laguna Mar, Yamil Lu’umon is an archaeological site and a popular tourist attraction in Cancun. Ruins of two small temples can be found at this site. These temples were constructed between 1200 and 1550 AD and the ruins are maintained by Park Royal Piramides.

One of the temples has a scorpion sculpture on its wall and is therefore called the Temple of Scorpion or Templo Del Alacran. There is a handprint in the stucco of the other temple which is called Temple of the Handprint or Templo de la Huella. The scorpion and the handprint are not visible now.

These ruins are located at the highest point of the city above the beach. The fact that these temples were built at such high altitudes indicate that they were used as light houses, watch towers and navigational aids.

First discovered by American explorer and diplomat John Lloyd Stephens in 1842, Yamil Lu’um is today open to visitors. This is the smallest of the Cancun ruins that can be accessed by walking through to the site from the Park Royal Piramides or the Westin.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cancun. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Yamil Lu'um Ruins on Map

Sight Name: Yamil Lu'um Ruins
Sight Location: Cancun, Mexico (See walking tours in Cancun)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cancun, Mexico

Create Your Own Walk in Cancun

Create Your Own Walk in Cancun

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cancun is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Hotel Zone Walking Tour

Hotel Zone Walking Tour

Cancun is more than just hotels and resorts, as the main tourist area also offers the chance of viewing several cultural and historical points of interest. Visitors may get acquainted with Maya civilization through the ruins of Yamil Lu'um (“hilly land”), located on Cancun’s highest point, or buy local souvenirs at the Mercado Coral Negro.

The area also has a number of modern,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Downtown Walking Tour

Downtown Walking Tour

Cancun, Mexico initially enjoyed status as part of the Mayan Empire before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century. In the years leading up to Cancun's founding in 1970, most of the land has been part of a coconut plantation. Nine hotels opened in Cancun in the 1970s, launching the start of the modern tourist industry that fuels most of the activity in this area.

Downtown Cancun is a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Cancun Souvenir Shopping: 17 Mexican Things to Buy

Cancun Souvenir Shopping: 17 Mexican Things to Buy

Part of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancun is a major tourist spot on the face of Mexico, drawing annually millions of tourists. Yucatan is a home to some of the Mexican delights, such as Xtabentún Liqueur, which makes it a true magnet for visitors looking to pick up something memorable and...