The sculpture was commissioned by the Quintana Roo government to celebrate the Baktún cycle conclusion in December 2012.
The figures are designed to represent a man and a woman reaching for the sky, symbolizing the renewal of time.
The archway is oriented to frame the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea during specific times of the year.
The bronze structure is designed to withstand the corrosive effects of the high-salt environment near the coastline.
It is constructed using a modular bronze plating technique rather than being a single solid cast.
Portal Maya is a 16-meter-tall bronze sculpture depicting two figures reaching toward a central circular portal. Created by artist José Arturo Tavares Padilla, the monument commemorates the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar cycle in 2012. It serves as the iconic centerpiece of Parque Fundadores, the city's oldest public square. The sculpture is crafted from a collection of smaller bronze plates assembled to represent a stylized, wind-swept motion. It serves as an oceanfront gateway marking the transition between the Caribbean Sea and the urban center of Playa del Carmen. The base of the sculpture features intricate carvings reflecting Mayan cosmology and ancestral heritage.
From the beach level looking upward toward the ocean to capture both the sculpture and the sea horizon.
Visit during the early morning to capture the sculpture backlit by the Caribbean sunrise.
Check the schedule of the nearby Parque Fundadores stage for traditional Voladores de Papantla performances.
The area can be crowded, so arrive before the mid-day heat to avoid peak pedestrian traffic.
Avoid taking photos with professional camera equipment in the middle of pedestrian walkways, as the area is a high-traffic thoroughfare.
Maintain respect for the space as it is a cultural monument; avoid climbing on the bronze structure.
