The main draw at Balamkú, 50km beyond Chicanná and 5km west of the turn-off to Calakmul, is the elaborate, beautifully preserved seventeen-metre-long stucco frieze. It’s inside the central palace; ask the caretaker to let you in. The embellished wall, crawling with toads, crocodiles and jaguars, seems to undulate in the dim light, and the rolling eyes of the red-painted monster masks, though smaller than those at Kohunlich, are perhaps more alarming here.

The site name comes from the Mayan words Balam (jaguar) and Ku (Temple), meaning "Temple of the Jaguar". This name refers to one of the jaguars captured in the frieze of polychrome stucco modeling and crowning the substructure IA Core Group, which characterizes this pre-Hispanic city. Cultural Significance In Balamkú is a frieze of modeled stucco and painted only the Maya area, which was developed between 550 and 600 d. C. In the frieze 4 Scenes ascension alternating with three jaguars are appreciated. Each comprises an animal with the head turned back, sitting in the front slit of a mask of the Monster of the Earth; his mouth, gives way to a king on his throne. Besides illustrating in detail the opposite and complementary aspects of the underworld, the set shows that the dynastic cycle is matched to the solar cycle. In this view, the accession to the throne is illustrated by the king coming out of the jaws of the earth monster, as the sun rises from the mouth of the earth; the king's death is seen as a sunset, when it falls into the mouth of the Terrestrial Monster. Location chronological principal: Classic, 300-1000 d.

Services available in the area: Services Unit , sale of publications and reproductions, restrooms, parking, satellite phone, outdoor signage and restrictive and informative bonds.

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hours.

Cost of access: $ 36.00 mn.

Contact: Campeche INAH Center 01 ( 981) 8 16 91 11.

Lic. Irma Cantun Mata, Head of Operation Archaeological Sites.

Recommendations: Wear light clothing. In the months of June, July and August, use insect repellent. Do not bring pets.

Access is along a paved road 3 km, located northeast of the ejido of Conhuás, at kilometer 93 of the Escárcega-Chetumal Federal Highway (Highway No. 186).