Dzibilchaltun has been occupied continuously from the Preclassic period until the present day. Such a lengthy record of occupation is rare for sites in the Yucatán region, so Dzibilchaltun offers a unique look into cultural changes over time, when nearby cities were being abandoned.

The city is home to one of the earliest sweat baths in the Maya lowlands. It is believed to have been constructed in the 6th century AD. Around that time, a group of merchants moved into the city and used it as a home base while they made salt at the nearby coastal salt beds.

Dzibilchaltun is perhaps best known for its Temple of the Seven Dolls. The temple was built about 700 AD and was named after the seven clay figurines found in front of an altar in the temple. The temple is square with stairs on all sides and was rebuilt many times, including the construction of a tower and pyramid over the building. Every year on the spring and fall equinox, the sun shines directly through the temple doorway as it rises in the morning.

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