Kabah is one of the few settlements that retain their pre-Hispanic name, of which mention is made in the Chilam Balam of Chuyamel, which means "strong hand".

Cultural Relevance: Kabah is an archaeological site located in the Puuc Region, Yucatan Peninsula. Its importance is remarkable since the name of the city is mentioned in the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. It is commonly assumed that the sites occupy a temporary Puuc region of 600-900 d. C., but it is undeniable that sites such as Kabah go back at least to the Early Classic. One of the outstanding features of the area is the confluence of architectural styles, because even though located in the Puuc region, you can see elements of Petén and Chenes style. Chronology: 600. 1000 C. d. C. Location main chronological: Late Classic: 600-1000 d.

The extensive site of Kabáh, stretches across the highway some 25km from Uxmal. Much of it remains unexplored, but the one great building, the Codz Poop, or Palace of Masks, lies not far off the highway to the east, near the main entrance. The facade of this amazing structure is covered all over, in ludicrous profusion, with goggle-eyed, trunk-nosed masks of Chac to get into the doorways, you need to tread over the mask’s noses. Even in its present state with most of the long, curved noses broken off this remains one of the strangest and most striking of all Maya buildings, decorated so obsessively, intricately and repetitively that it seems the product of an insane mind. A couple of lesser buildings are grouped around the Codz Poop, in front of which stands a rare working chultun (cistern), with a concave stone floor gathering water into the underground chamber. On the other side of the road is an unusual circular pyramid now simply a green conical mound that, once you spot it, is so large you can’t believe you missed it. It is believed that the building, erected on a natural elevation, functioned as a place where priests offered sacrifices or interpreted divine messages. Just beyond, a sort of triumphal arch marks the point where an ancient thirty-kilometre causeway, or sacbé, from Uxmal entered the city.

Monday through Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 pm

Contact: Yucatan INAH Center 01 (999) 9 44 00 33 9 44 00 43 44 40 68 and 9

From the town of Santa Elena, where we continue along the Federal Highway 261, for nine kilometers south. The archaeological site is located next to the Federal Highway 261. Visitors can reach the site by public transport.