It is located 137 kilometers from Campeche city, in Hopelchén municipality. Close to kilometer 79 driving on the federal highway 261, there is a detour to a paved road of 32 kilometer which leads directly to the site.

In Maya language Xtampak means "Old or ancient walls". The evidence of the first human occupation of the site dates from the Late Preclassic (BC.300-250).

During the 200-year period from AD 600 to 800, in the Late Classic period, Santa Rosa Xtampak became an important political entity of the Chenes region, which is clearly reflected on the extension of its nucleus and the amount and monumentality of its edifices.

The decadence of the site seems to have started during the early Terminal Classic, from AD 800 to 1000.

The site, which is the greatest in size in the Chenes region, was built over a natural elevation by leveling and flattening its peak. Extending on a surface of aproximately 9 square kilometers, we can appreciate a great amount of edifices in the area, some of them of great size prevailing the Chenes architecture, although there are also some structures with Puuc influence, besides disperse chultunes all over the establishment.

The heart of this ancient city is confomed by a series of patios and plazas intercommunicated with each other and some other groups relatively isolated. A broad causeway with an altar close to its east end, links the Palace’s Plaza with a pyramidal base of the Northeast Group. Santa Rosa Xtampak is one of the few sites in the region with sculpted and plain stelae.

The Palace is a three level edifice with 27 rooms on the fist level, 12 on the second one and 5 on the third one, reaching a total of 44. It has got four external stairways, two of them are located on the west side of the structure and lead to the second level.

The other two stairways are non-practical and link the second and third levels. Besides, this edifice has got two internal stairways, unique in the area, which communicate the three levels.

The eastern side of the edifice seems to have three pyramid-temples with a three level edifice on its rear.

The central staircase on the east side leads to the entrance of a mud-wall hallway on the third level and it was once sorrounded by a great zoo-morph mask.

The Serpent’s Mouth Edifice, with a typical Chenes facade, has got some decorative elements from Puuc architecture such as the series of three tiny drums located on the highest part of the lateral lodgings.

Its main facade consists of an integral zoo-morph porch, representing the Monster of the Earth nabbing over its bended legs, which can be appreciated next to the ear rings, and with an extremely opened mouth which happens to be the entrance to the edifice.

The Red House and its annex, form a narrow 14 meters long and almost one meter wide hallway which constituted some kind of a side-street. These three lodging edifices, in conjunctive, form a letter "L" shape.

The district or quarter is a 2,300 square meters area limited by two edifices on its four ends. Structure North, South and West had one single row of lodgings and broad stairways in both ends of each edifice. The East Structure had two parallel rows of lodgings.

The Southeast quadrangle has got three main constructions (the South one, West and East) linked on its corners, while the North one leaves an open space on its east side, which once served as the access to the architectonic conjunctive. Another entrance is located on the center of the West edifice and consists of some kind of vaulted porch.

The North, East and South edifices once had central stairways which allowed the access to the higher level of the buildings from the inside of the quadrangle. The West Structure has got multiple entrances formed by stone wall columns covered with finely carved ashlars. Almost at the center of the quadrangle there is a small platform in a quarangular shape which was possibly an altar.

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

Visiting time required: 1 hour 30 minutes

Visiting time required departing from Campeche City: 1 hour 45 minutes

Transportation: Bus or car

Recomendation: When visiting Santa Rosa Xtampak you might programme a visit to Chunhuhub archaeological zone, as well as the X’tacumbilxunaam grottos, and the San Antonio Yaxché property, in Bolonchén.

SOFT DRINKS: Bolonchén village

RESTAURANTS: Bolonchén village

LODGING: Hopelchén village

GAS STATION: Hopelchén village

TELEPHONE: Bolonchen and Hopelchén villages

MEDICAL SERVICES: Hopelchén village

In Spring and Summer time, wear light clothes because the temperature is over 30° C. During June, July and August, wear mosquito repellent and suitable clothes for a rainy weather.

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

Zapata P., Renée Lorelei. Región Arqueológica del Norte del Estado de Campeche, Tohcok, Dzibilnocac, Hachob, Xcavil de Yaxche, Xculoc, Chunhuhub y Santa Rosa Xtampak. Documento inédito preparado para gira periodístia. Cantro INAH Campeche, 1996. 7-8.

Textos para las Cédulas de los Sitios de Santa Rosa Xtampak, Chunhuhub, Dzibalnocac y Hochob. Documento inédito. Centro INAH Campeche, 1997. 1-5.