Structure V in this site is as important as the one described above, which is still surrounded by deep vegetation which gives shelter to many primary species in the area.

It is located on the far Southeast of Campeche State, 25 kilometers at the Southwest of Xpuhil in Calakmul municipality.

Hormiguero was first reported by Karl Ruppert and John Dennison during their second expedition to Campeche, they were sent by the Carnegie Washington Institution in April 1933. Nevertheless, it was until 1979 when the first carving and conservation actions to the site took place. Nowadays we know that the period which had the widest occupation was registered under the archaeological evidence somewhere between the years A.D. 600-800 during the late Classic period.

The site is located over a flat field slightly elevated on the south and it is distributed in three main structures, arranged in a perfectly limited manner (South, Central, and North). Around the structures there are small rooms and inclosures, which were probably used for minor ceremonial purposes.

On the far North of the South group, Structure II rises, and it’s possibly the most important edifice in the site due to its dimensions and the wrought motifs on its main facade. This facade consists of three main sections divided by two rounded corner towers with simulated stairways, typical of the Rio Bec style, although the temples which crown the stairs are atypical in the area because they are not false but are built over four pilasters forming a small inclosure.

It oughts to be mentioned that under the non functional stairways of each tower there is a corridor which links the platform of the central facade with the ones on the sides. The central facade of the Structure has an integral zoo-morphic mask of Itzamná. The lateral sections are formed by partial zoo-morphic porches and mask panels which limit the access to the inside of the rooms in these sections.

The door-jambs of the entrances are formed by columns which support the dintels. The edifice rises on a base formed by three elements on the South with two rooms on the edifice’s sides, and their roofs constitute an access platform. Through two stairways located on the sides of the central facade, you can access to the edifice. The rear facade, the North one, has several columns which form a porch which access to two corridors corresponding to the rear of the towers.

Structure V is located in the Central group, it is a one room edifice limited on the orient by several elements which support it. Its northern facade has a mask similar to the one on Structure II, although it is smaller, and it is limited on its sides by masks if Chaac (the rain God in mayan culture), disposed in cascade.

The South facade of the building is completely smooth except for its top which has a friese limited by two mouldings which were brobably decorated with stucco. To the Northwest of Structure V, Structure VI is located and it has also two Rio Bec style towers.

Schedule Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 17:00 pm

Visiting time required: 2 hours

Visiting time required departing from Campeche City to Hormiguero and vice versa : 8 hours

Transportation: Bus or car

Recomendation: When visiting Hormiguero you can programme a visit Becán as well as the most important sites of Chicanná and Xpuhil

SOFT DRINKS: Eugenio Echeverría Castellot village

RESTAURANTS: Xpuhil village

LODGING: Xpuhil village

GAS STATION: Xpuhil village

TELEPHONE: Eugenio Echeverría Castellot and Xpuhil villages

MEDICAL SERVICES: Xpuhil village

In Spring and Summer time, wear light clothes because the temperature is over 30 C During June, July and August, use mosquito repellentand suitable clothes for rain season

Andrews, George F. "Estilos Regionales: Arquitecturas Río Bec y Chenes". Arqueología Mexicana. 18 (1996): 16-25

Piña Chan, Román. Cultura y Ciudades Mayas de Campeche. México: Gobierno del Estado de Campeche, 1985. 81-92.

Gendrop. Paul. Los estilos Río Bec, Chenes y Puuc. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. 1983.