How Mayan Are You? Take This Fun Quiz to Find Out
Expat Life
Playa del Carmen

How Mayan Are You? Take This Fun Quiz to Find Out

Sofia Martinez
Sofia Martinez
December 22, 2025 5 min read 16

Take this 8-question quiz to discover how Mayan you are, from ancient fashion choices to astronomical appreciation. Living in the Riviera Maya means you're surrounded by Mayan history daily, from Tulum's pyramids to sacred cenotes. This fun quiz reveals surprising connections between modern life and ancient customs, with 4 personality categories ranging from Mayan royalty to minimally Mayan.

Whether you're an expat in Playa del Carmen or a curious visitor to Tulum, you might be surprised at how similar your lifestyle is to the ancient Maya. Take this quiz to find out your inner Mayan personality.

The Quiz: How Mayan Are You?

Answer yes or no to each question below, then tally up your score at the end.

1. Do you feel comfortable wearing unconventional fashion in public?

The ancient Maya were known for their elaborate headdresses featuring feathers, animal prints, and bold accessories. If you've ever rocked a statement piece that turned heads on 5th Avenue, you might have more in common with Mayan royalty than you think.

2. Have you ever posed with wildlife for a photo?

Whether it's holding a parrot on the beach or snapping a selfie with an iguana, posing with animals is practically a rite of passage in the Riviera Maya. The Maya depicted themselves alongside jaguars, serpents, and exotic birds in their artwork, so you're really just continuing an ancient tradition.

3. Do you own any animal-print clothing?

Jaguar spots were the height of fashion among Mayan elite. If your closet contains any leopard print, you're channeling serious ancient vibes.

4. Do you have visible tattoos?

Body modification was significant in Mayan culture. Tattoos, piercings, and even dental modifications were common practices. Your ink connects you to a long tradition of body art in this region.

5. Have you ever enjoyed being carried by others?

Mayan nobles were often carried on litters by their subjects. If you've ever been hoisted up on a chair at a celebration or carried across the threshold, you've experienced a taste of royal Mayan treatment.

6. Do you use personalized visual communication?

The Maya developed one of the most sophisticated writing systems in the ancient Americas, complete with personalized glyphs. If you're a fan of emojis, custom avatars, or personalized stickers, you're essentially continuing this tradition of visual communication.

7. Have you ever used the phrase "talk to the hand"?

Many Mayan sculptures and carvings depict figures with raised palms in commanding gestures. This universal signal of "stop" or "enough" transcends millennia.

8. Do you appreciate a good sunrise or sunset?

The Maya were sophisticated astronomers who built entire temples aligned with the sun's movements. If you've ever woken up early to catch the sunrise over the Caribbean or lingered on the beach for sunset, you're honoring a deep Mayan appreciation for our nearest star.

Calculate Your Score

6-8 "Yes" answers: You are a Mayan King or Queen! Your lifestyle aligns remarkably with ancient Mayan nobility. You were clearly born in the wrong era.

4-5 "Yes" answers: You are a Mayan Priest! You have strong connections to ancient customs and would have held an important position in Mayan society.

2-3 "Yes" answers: You are a Mayan Warrior! You have some Mayan tendencies but also maintain your own modern identity.

0-1 "Yes" answers: You are Minimally Mayan! But don't worry, just living in this region means you're absorbing Mayan influence whether you realize it or not.

Want to Learn More?

This quiz is all in good fun, but if you're interested in genuine Mayan history and culture, the Riviera Maya offers incredible opportunities to learn. Visit the ruins at Tulum, Cobá, or Chichén Itzá. Explore the Museo Maya de Cancún. Or simply chat with local Maya descendants who still maintain many traditional practices today.

The Maya civilization may be ancient, but its influence lives on in the people, places, and culture of the Yucatán Peninsula. And apparently, in some of our modern habits too! Whether you're based in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Puerto Morelos, you're part of this continuing legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the most important aspects of ancient Mayan culture?
Ancient Mayan culture was characterized by sophisticated astronomy, elaborate body modifications including tattoos and piercings, complex hieroglyphic writing systems, jaguar symbolism in fashion and art, and temples precisely aligned with celestial movements. The Maya developed one of the most advanced pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.
Where can I see Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen?
The best Mayan ruins near Playa del Carmen include Tulum (coastal ruins with Caribbean views), Cobá (with a climbable pyramid), and Chichén Itzá (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World). The Museo Maya de Cancún also offers excellent exhibits on Mayan history and culture with authentic artifacts.
Did the ancient Maya really have tattoos?
Yes, tattoos were significant in ancient Mayan culture and often indicated social status, achievements, or religious devotion. The Maya also practiced other body modifications including piercings, scarification, and dental modifications such as jade inlays and filing teeth into points. These practices were common among both nobility and warriors.
What is the connection between modern emoji and Mayan glyphs?
The Maya developed one of the most sophisticated writing systems in ancient Americas, using personalized glyphs (hieroglyphs) to represent words, sounds, and concepts visually. Modern emoji serve a similar function as visual shorthand for communication, making emoji users the conceptual descendants of Mayan scribes who pioneered visual communication systems.
Written by
Sofia Martinez
Sofia Martinez
Argentina From Buenos Aires, Argentina | Mexico Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Buenos Aires roots, Playa del Carmen life. Sharing travel stories and connecting with the expat community along the Riviera Maya.

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