In recent years, there has been a massive revival of interest in the ancient Mayan practice of steam bathing, with many hotels and spas across Mexico offering the ritual to tourists. Performed in a stone, igloo-like structure, temazcal ceremonies are designed to cleanse the body and mind of negativity and impurities.
Em Cancun and Riviera Maya This sacred Mayan ritual is very common, in fact, many hotels offer this service to guests and it is well worth participating in. In this text you will also learn about the best places to participate in a session in the Mexican Caribbean.
If this sounds interesting, you should read to the end of this list of proven benefits of this mysterious ancient ritual.
What is Temazcal?
Temazcal is a place built for steam baths. The Mayans used it to purify the body and soul through the sacred elements: fire and water.
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Temazcal Temperature
Inside the Temazcal, humidity is 100%. Body temperature can reach 40ºC. At this temperature, the body dehydrates quickly. Therefore, it is recommended that a person does not stay inside the steam room for more than 90 minutes, a time that is theoretically harmless to the body and extremely beneficial.
What does Temazcal mean?
Temazcal means “house of hot stones”; in the Nahuatl language. Tetl = stone, Mazitli = hot and Call i = house.
The benefits are countless, so I separated the most important ones in this list:
Top 10 Benefits of Temazcal
#1 – Detoxifies the body
The rituals at the Temazcal are performed to cleanse the body of unwanted toxins and impurities. There is significant scientific evidence that increasing the heat load on the body can be effective in removing toxins through sweating.
A study found that frequent use of the sacred Mayan sauna helped reduce mercury levels in patients suffering from mercury poisoning.
#2 – Cleans the respiratory system
The hot ritual may temporarily relieve symptoms of the common cold. But another study that focused on bathing in a pre-Hispanic temazcal suggested that regular sauna use could reduce the incidence of colds.
When 25 volunteers took regular saunas over a six-month period, they had a much lower rate of common cold infection than a control group who did not take saunas.
#3 Combats mild depression
Researchers have found that repeated heat therapy can help patients suffering from mild depression, and can also reduce symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite and anxiety.
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#4 Recover your body
The ancient Maya often performed rituals for warriors returning from battle, and new scientific studies suggest they were right. Heat therapy increases blood circulation, delivering vital hormones to the areas of the body that need them most for recovery.
#5 Reduces chronic fatigue
High levels of heat, such as those found in a temazcal, have also been shown to be effective in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. One study showed that repeated exposure to high temperatures was able to significantly improve symptoms of fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances in patients.
#6 Helps arthritis patients
Exposure to heat may help reduce pain in arthritis patients because it stimulates the release of endorphins and hormones such as adrenaline. Research has suggested that Mayan temazcal ritual therapy may help reduce arthritis symptoms when combined with other therapies, such as electroacupuncture, massage, and mud therapy.
#7 Improves endurance
Thermal therapies such as temazcal or sauna can help improve athletic endurance. One study of long-distance runners found that taking a sauna after exercise had a significant positive impact on performance.
#8 Improves mental performance
Regular exposure to high temperatures can substantially increase the production of norepinephrine, a hormone that increases attention span.
Heat also promotes the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth of new brain cells.
#9 Lower risk of Alzheimer's
Given the last paragraph, it is perhaps not surprising that regular use of heat therapies has also been associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
#10 Increases resistance to stress
Heat stress has been shown to reduce anxiety levels in patients. Regular exposure to heat can lower cortisol levels, relaxing and rejuvenating the body.
Where to find Temazcal in the Riviera Maya and Cancun?
Temazcal Nature
Espacio Natura, a European-style eco-sustainable tourism company, has decided to offer some of the most eco-friendly tours in the Riviera Maya. Its Temazcal Natura is one of the most famous tours in Playa del Carmen and, of course, includes the opportunity to experience a steam session inside an authentic stone house.
Address: Monte de los Cibeles, Santa Fe, Playa del Carmen.
Contact: +52 984 188 8596 /reservations@espacionatura.com
Price: From $112 USD/adult.
Website: Natural Space
Temazcal Cancun
In an environment in keeping with the place where it is located, Temazcal Cancun will allow you to live a unique experience in the middle of the jungle. The stone house was designed by authentic temazcaleros and made by local artisans, respecting the symbols and aesthetics of the ancient Mayans. The 52 volcanic stones used in the temazcal were brought especially from the foothills of Cerro Gordo in Teotihuacán.
Address: Carr. Cancun-Mérida Km 302. Calle Flamboyan 8, El Ramonal.
Contact: +52 998 147 5723 /temazcal@temazcalcancun.mx
Website: Temazcal Cancun
Azulik Maya Spa
It is very rare to find a hotel that does not have its own temazcal in the Riviera Maya. We must bear in mind that we are in one of the most important spa areas in the world.
The Spa Azulik Maya It has a huge menu of treatments and also offers two varieties of temazcal: the traditional one and a variant with a water tub in the middle. Either way, you will feel the heat of the volcanic stones, although in the contemporary temazcal (the only one in the area), you can alternate the heat with the more refreshing moments offered by the water tub inside the stone house itself.
Address: Carretera Tulum Ruinas Km.5-Tulum.
Contact: +52 984 871 2274 /reservas@azulik.com
Price: From $60USD.
Website: Azulik
SacBe Village
Pueblo SacBe is an ecological village in which its inhabitants live in a harmonious community, with absolute respect for the natural environment and with the belief that they can be faithful to the principles of communion with others and with the environment.
Their homes are built with natural materials and blend in with the jungle. The inhabitants of Pueblo SacBe are aware of their location between Mother Earth and the Caribbean Sea and live there with people who share a common philosophy and come from all over the world.
Some tour operators and agencies use their site to perform these Mayan purification rites. Some of their tezmacales are said to be truly epic experiences.
Address: Ave Constituyentes Mz 113 Lt 9. Col El Pedregal 55 y 60 Nte-Playa del Carmen.
Contact: +52 984-803-2909 /info@pueblosacbe.com
Website: SacBe Village
Cancun Temazcal
For many, this could be one of the best temazcales in Cancun, perhaps because of the enormous experience offered in practicing this ancient tradition “physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
This zumpul-ché, which is the Mayan name for the temazcal, has certificates of excellence from several user associations and prides itself on organizing its rituals surrounded by the jungle, led by experts who have many years of training.
Address: Colonia Doctores, Cancun.
Contact: +52 998 882 0796/info@cancuntemazcal.com
Website: Cancun Temazcal
Xcaret
O Xcaret Park, considered one of the most intense in the Mayan world, cannot be left out of the mythology surrounding the steam baths of the ancient Mayans. If you plan to spend a few days at the theme park, enjoy the temazcal experience on its premises and then take a dip in the river pool.
Address: Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juárez, Km. 282. Solidaridad.
Contact: Customer Service Form
Website: Xcaret
Yäan Wellness
Yäan Wellness is one of the most famous spas in Tulum. Although the price is slightly higher than the average, the truth is that the opinion of its customers reflects that they prefer to pay this difference for the added value they can enjoy in its facilities.
This is the case of their famous luaus in the temazcales. They celebrate the ritual at night, following the guidelines of the lunar calendar and in the hands of an authentic Mayan healer. Incredible!
Address: Carretera Tulum Boca Paila km. 10, Tulum.
Contact: +52 984 179 1530/Info@yaanwellness.com
Website: Yäan Wellness
Mayan Steam Lodge
The Mayan Steam Lodge offers without a doubt the most respectable temazcal in Cozumel. The ceremony takes place in the middle of nature in the Xkan-Ha Nature Reserve, in harmony and away from any hustle and bustle.
A temazcalero shaman will welcome you and accompany you throughout the ritual. After an hour inside the stone house, you can take a refreshing bath in the waters of the cenote next to you. Afterwards, you can relax in a hammock, while eating some fresh fruit and drinking natural juices and herbal teas.
Address: Xkan-Ha Reserve, Cozumel.
Contact: +52 987 869 8201/petrus@temazcalcozumel.com
Website: Temazcal Cozumel Mayan Steam Lodge
Care during Temazcal sessions
It is very important that anyone participating in one of these pre-Hispanic sauna sessions is in good health. If you have heart problems, are pregnant, have high blood pressure, are diabetic or have other particularly sensitive symptoms such as asthma, lung problems, etc., you probably cannot take part in the temazcal, for the same reason that you cannot take medication.
For any other illness, it is highly recommended to seek advice and consultation before entering the stone house.
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