Xpujil

Xpujil is a striking and and modern stop on the Tren Maya. In fact, the newer town is usually written with the letter j, while the spelling Xpuhil is today usually reserved for the ancient archaeological site. This modern little town (pop. >6,000) is also somewhat confusingly the municipal seat for the giant Calakmul municipality that takes up most of southeastern Campeche. The next stop on the Tren Maya is named for the ancient city of Calakmul, roughly a one hour drive south from the train station and a two-hour drive from here. 

Xpuhil, the ruins and archaeological zone here, take up much of the west side of the little town, and are easily walk-able from the little hotels and eateries that serve the people who come to visit. Modern services are mostly concentrated along the Calle

The site includes two building groups, a main temple complex, and the famous three towers called Structure I. The Rio Bec style, with steep staircases and the somewhat monstrous mask above the main entrance, are among the most noteworthy aspects of the main site here. There are believed to be some 100 more structures yet to be excavated in the surrounding jungle. 

The town is known for being the main stop for services along the Ruta Rio Bec which extends southwest from here to the biosphere reserve and the main ruins at Calakmul as well as some a bit closer, such as those at ​Becán, Hormiguero, and Okolhuitz. Visits to the area are largely dedicated to these fascinating, little known, and sometimes delicate ruins and excavation sites. The Chakanbakán ruins are just about directly between the Xpujil station and the Nicolas Bravo station along the route of the Tren Maya. The site is a half-hour drive east from here. 

Needless to say, people get to Xpujil today on the Tren Maya. The station is just a few minutes to the north of the little town center, but you can eat well here before setting off to explore the deepest parts of the Maya past. 

The trip from the Chetumalairport to the Xpujil station is just under two hours on the Tren Maya. A car can make the same trip in about 90 minutes. From Escárcega, the same trip takes about two hours, 20 minutes. There are an increasing number of combi-vans running between the two stations (Calakmul and Xpujil) and some of these will also continue to the big ruins, to the south of the Calakmul station.