The municipality covers an area of approximately 1,321 km2 and is located roughly 52 km southwest of the city of Mérida.

In 1847, as part of the Caste War of Yucatán, the state government passed laws for public flogging of Indians who might be conspiring against the Spanish.

[2] In 1900, Maxcanú was listed as a Villa and head of the pueblo of Kopomá and two rural farms Nupilá and San Isidro.

They are tasked with enforcing regulations, distributing materials and administering rulings of general compliance issued by the council.

The major population areas are shown below:[2] A temple dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Caramel that was built in the seventeenth century and two chapels, the first in honor of St. Michael the Archangel and the second at the Three Crosses; and three former haciendas Kochol called Santo Domingo, Grenada and Santa Rosa.