A new Mexico UNESCO World Heritage site

Back in 2002, the Maya ruins of Calakmul in the Yucatan peninsula state of Campeche were named World Heritage site. Well, the jungle surrounding Calakmul has been named a “mixed natural and cultural” World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

UNESCO stated: “The city played a key role in the history of this region for more than 12 centuries and is characterized by well-preserved structures providing a vivid picture of life in an ancient Maya capital.”

The area added to the list is in the southern part of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and is considered the second-largest stretch of tropical forest in the Americas and the best protected, covering 723,000 hectares (1.78 million acres).

Learn more about Calakmul and when visiting the area there is a great little hotel near by that is the closest to the ruins entrance.