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The Mayan world

There is a wealth of evidence of the Mayan civilization in Playa del Carmen and its surroundings. The Mayas were present in 5 states of Mexico: Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Chiapas, Campeche and Tabasco. They also lived in 5 other countries of Latin America: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Salvador. The Yucatan peninsula and the Mayan Riviera are literally full of Mayan ruins, large and small. There are even quite a few ruins in downtown Playa del Carmen, or Xaman-Ha, which means still waters in the Mayan language. Advanced proficiencyThe Maya culture was more highly evolved, in many ways than its contemporary Europe. They built monumental palaces, which they decorated with wall paintings and stone carvings. Between the cities an elaborate system of paved roads was built through the jungle. The Maya were the only ancient culture in Mesoamerica that had a developed a written hieroglyphic language, and they also produced books and scrolls. Mayan art was elaborate and colorful. They also charted the stars and were skilled engineers and mathematicians.

A lost civilization

A lost civilizationThe organized Maya civilization broke down before the Spaniards ever came to the New World. Most of the larger cities had been abandoned before 1200 AD. Many have theorized about the cause of the decline, but most agree that there were probably a number of reasons, such as social unrest, warfare with neighbors, bad harvests and overpopulation. The highly structured social order may have collapsed long before the Conquest, but the Mayan people were still here. In fact a few cities were still inhabited when the Conquistadors arrived on the Mayan Riviera, including Tulum, which is only an hour from Playa del Carmen. The Maya put up a fierce fight and it took the Spaniards 173 years to conquer the Yucatan.

The Maya Today

Today in Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera, many aspects of the Mayan culture still exist. Food and fashion are two of the most obvious. Often, you can identify the community to which a Maya individual belongs by their dress. The women wear loose hand-woven or embroidered huipiles (blouses) with distinctive patterns and colors for each community.Maya men have adopted more Spanish and modern influenced dress. And some traditional styles have been adapted to modern times. For example, the embroidered loincloth of pre-Colombian times is now worn as a sash or belt.Traditional Yucatecan cuisine has much more to offer than tacos. A visit to the Riviera Maya Mexico won’t be complete unless you try one of these delicious, authentic Mayan specialties:Cochinita Pibil-baked pork in a tangy red sauce (achiote, garlic, sour orange), sometimes served wrapped in a banana leaf - a must-try Mayan dish. Poc Chuc-flattened grilled pork steak with a citrus sour orange marinade - another must try Mayan specialty. Huevos Motuleños-fried eggs with peas, ham and cheese. Pavo en Relleno Negro-turkey with black chile sauce. Salbutes-fried tortilla topped with turkey, onion and avocado. Sopa de Lima- chicken soup with limejuice, sometimes topped with crushed fried tortillas.