La Ruta Puuc, Yucatan – How to Visit and Historical Facts
The Puuc Route is a region in central Yucatan consisting of of several ancient Mayan cities located near one another, all of which share the same architectural style: the Puuc.
The Puuc Route is quite charming for travelers and culturally fascinating. It’s located very close to Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, making it easily accessible either by car (our favurite way to travel) or by tour (more about it later).
This route is a major tourist attraction, especially for its crown jewel, the Uxmal archaeological site. A must-visit for us. We love it—it was one of the first trips we took together, exploring and enjoying this land that feels like our home. But the Puuc Route offers more than just Uxmal. The other smaller archeological sites are equally beautiful and fascinating and so are the nearby villages and haciendas.
So in this post we will share our secrets about this region, what to visit, the best hotels and practical tips. Let’s dive in.
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What does Puuc mean?
Puuc is a word from the Yucatec Mayan language that embraces two concepts:
Geological facts
Puuc means a mountain range or chain of low hills. This landscape, which defines the Puuc Route, is found in northern Campeche and southern Yucatán, between the Sierrita de Ticul and the Bolonchén hills. This elevated area of Yucatán reaches about 300 meters above sea level (yes, the Yucatán Peninsula is extremely flat).
Architectural Style
Puuc also refers to an ancient Mayan architectural style. Throughout their civilization, the Maya developed various architectural styles depending on the period and region in which they lived. We should note that most ancient Mayan cities were influenced by multiple styles, as humans are always moving and influencing one another.
Ancient Mayan Architectural Styles
Each of the ancient Mayan architectural styles has its own characteristics, something you’ll see every time you visit an archaeological site. The more you observe and learn, the more you’ll notice. Gaining this knowledge is a fascinating journey.
There is great diversity in the construction styles of ancient Mayan cities, ranging from cities with tall, towering structures to those with more horizontal buildings. Some cities have beautifully carved stones, while others have large block stone structures. The layout of the buildings also varies. Sculptures and geometric designs are architectural motifs that change depending on the style. There are endless details that make each style unique.
The architectural style reflects and identifies a society and carries an aesthetic value. While it’s difficult to say which style we like best, the Puuc style is one of our favorites for its beauty.
Some ancient Mayan architectural styles include Motagua, Megalithic, Pacific Coast, Petén, Usumacinta, Río Bec, Chenes, Puuc, Maya-Mexican, and the Eastern Coast style. In another post, we’ll explore the different styles, but today we’re focusing on the Puuc style.
What Defines the Puuc Architectural Style
The Puuc architectural style dates back to the 7th to 10th centuries. One of the main features of Puuc architecture is its carved stonework, which defined its aesthetic with delicacy and balanced patterns achieved through the constant repetition of geometric figures.
The repetitions of Chaac (the god of rain, storms, and water) are something that stays in the memory of visitors, whether in Uxmal or Kabah.
The Puuc style also achieved a higher arch, which allowed for taller buildings. Puuc palaces had many rooms as well.
It’s important to note that the Puuc style evolved over time, marking different periods within the style itself. For example, the Mayan city of Oxkintok belongs to the Early Puuc period (550-650 AD), while Uxmal ends in the Late Uxmal period (1000-1050 AD). Both cities are quite different: Oxkintok is much rougher, while Uxmal is more delicate.
This shows that there was gradual improvement in construction techniques, both in stone carving and in expanding covered spaces, thanks to the taller arch they were able to improve upon.
Puuc Style Mayan Cities
The best-known archaeological sites along the Puuc Route are Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, and Oxkintok, along with a few dry caves like the Calcehtok Caves and the Loltún Caves.
Other Puuc-style Mayan cities in the area include Chacmultún, Chunhuhub, Xcalumkin, Kankí, and many other smaller, lesser-known settlements. These are worth considering for a visit—you’ll find many beautiful surprises while exploring the region.
For example you will find the influence of the Puuc style in well-known Mayan cities such as Dzibilchaltún, Chichén Itzá, Acanceh, and Kulubá, although they’re not located in the hilly area.
THE RUTA PUUC MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Let’s focus on the most important cities along the Puuc Route and how you can explore the area. This list also includes a couple of caves that you may want to explore while in the area.
1. Uxmal
Without a doubt, Uxmal is the jewel of the Puuc. It was the capital of the Puuc region, with a population of between 20,000 and 30,000 at its peak. It’s one of the most beautiful Mayan cities you can visit on your trip to Yucatán—a must-see.
Location: 82 km / 51 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $499 MXN for foreigners, $230 MXN for Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residency (bring your ID).
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4:15 pm).
Facilities: Parking (80 pesos per car), restrooms, ATM, museum, souvenir shops, bar, and restaurant. Certified guides are available at the entrance.
What we like most: It’s a stunning architectural gem, one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see. When you visit, remember that there’s little shade and it gets very hot, especially from April to September, so go early. It’s the most visited site on the Puuc Route.
You can read more about Uxmal in our dedicated post.
2. Kabah
This is the perfect complement to Uxmal, as it’s the closest site and another gem that visitors usually love. Its building known as Codz Pop is spectacular.
Location: 105 km / 65 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $80 MXN
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm).
Facilities: Free parking, restrooms.
What we like most: Kabah is simply beautiful, with an elevated elegance. However, there is little shade, making it uncomfortable to visit in the heat. Try to go early or late in the day.
3. Sayil
When you enter Sayil and see the magnificent palace, you’ll know it was worth visiting this wonderful archaeological site. The palace is the main building, while the rest of the site consists of marked paths leading to different areas. Sayil was once very large, with a population of up to 17,000.
Location: 114 km / 71 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $80 MXN
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
Facilities: Free parking, restrooms.
What we like most: We love walking around Sayil, with its various paths leading to different corners of the city. The paths are shaded, but always carry water and protect yourself from the heat.
4. Xlapak
Xlapak is the least impressive of the Puuc Route cities and the least visited. The site is small, but still interesting, with many crumbling buildings that add to its charm.
Location: 119 km / 74 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $75 MXN
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
Facilities: Free parking.
What we like most: It’s the least visited, which we appreciate because we enjoy the tranquility of exploring and appreciating the sites. It’s a great complement to the other cities, but visiting Xlapak alone doesn’t make much sense.
5. Labná
Labná has three major buildings that make it a very interesting visit, all connected by ancient paths. It’s lovely to walk around Labná and enjoy the surroundings.
Location: 122 km / 76 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $75 MXN
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
Facilities: Free parking, restrooms.
What we like most: The path connecting the palace to the Labná arch is beautiful. The details of the Puuc style are stunning.
6. Oxkintok
We love Oxkintok for its wide variety of buildings and details. It’s a very complete and fun place to explore. Its Puuc style is much rougher than the others on the Puuc Route because it belongs to the Early Puuc period.
Location: 72 km / 45 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: $75 MXN
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
Facilities: Free parking, restrooms.
What we like most: The Mayan labyrinth is one of Oxkintok’s surprises, with many interesting details. The downside, as always, is the intense heat, especially from April to September.
7. Loltún Caves
Loltún is one of the most visited caves in Yucatán and has been a tourism classic for years. Access is easy, and the impressive gallery inside is a highlight for all visitors.
Location: 115 km / 71 miles south of Mérida
Entrance fee: Currently closed to the public.
Facilities: Free parking, restrooms.
HOW TO GET TO THE PUUC ROUTE
The most comfortable way for us to visit the Puuc Route is by car. We like to travel as independently as possible, and that means going by car. It gives us the opportunity to manage the timing of the trip as we want.
There are other ways to explore the Puuc Route, and we’ll look at all of them now.
HOW TO GET TO THE PUUC ROUTE BY CAR
The Yucatán Peninsula is very calm and safe for driving. We’ve been driving around this land for many years, and the truth is, nothing has ever happened to us, except for a few irrelevant anecdotes.
However, remember, if you decide to rent a car, make sure to include full insurance with a zero deductible, so you can drive stress-free.
➣ When renting a car in Mexico we recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.
HOW TO GET TO THE PUUC ROUTE BY LOCAL BUS FROM MÉRIDA
From the CAME station, near the Historic Center of Mérida (69th Street, between 68th and 70th downtown), buses leave daily to Uxmal. Departure times are 6:00, 9:05, 10:40, 12:00, 14:00, 17:05, and 18:00.
On Sundays, public transport runs from the same bus station through some of the main places on the Puuc Route: Uxmal, Sayil, Labná, and Xlapak. It departs at 8 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.
Check the bus schedule before you go, because sometimes they suspend or change the service. We’ll leave the phone number here for your convenience, although they often don’t answer. It’s always better to go to the bus station the day before. +52 999 924 08 30
HOW TO GET TO THE PUUC ROUTE BY TOUR
Mérida is the best place to take a tour to explore the Puuc Route, as it offers the most options.
HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED TO VISIT THE RUTA PUUC?
It’s possible to visit the entire Puuc Route in one day if you don’t include Oxkintok, and only visit Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xcalak, and Labná. You won’t have enough time to visit the Loltún Caves either.
As we’ve seen, there’s a tour from Merida that takes you to the main Mayan cities of the Puuc, so it is possible to do it. For us, it’s too rushed to see everything in one day. Our ideal plan is to stay overnight in the area and dedicate 2 or 3 days to this region, complementing the Puuc Route with other visits.
WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY
Other archaeological zones: Chunhuhub is a very interesting archaeological zone near Kabah.
Haciendas
Here are the names of different haciendas (some tourist-oriented, some with restaurants, and others abandoned that you can explore):
- Hacienda Yaxcopoil (150 pesos per person), only to visit with a lovely guided tour.
- Hacienda Ochil (with a restaurant), permanently closed
- Hacienda Uayalceh (abandoned),
- Hacienda Sotuta de Peón (tours and hotel)
Cenotes
Although there are not many cenotes in this particular area because it’s at a higher altitude than the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, as we explained before, there are a few interesting cenotes at a reasonable distance.
- Cenote Kankirixche
- Cenote Yaal Utzil
- Cenote San Marcos
- Cenote X-Batun
- Cenote Sambulá (Peba)
Nearby towns
We love visiting small towns, so here are the ones we like most in the area, with churches, museums, artisans, markets, and restaurants to explore: Muna, Maní, Santa Elena, Ticul, Oxkutzcab.
OTHER INTERESTING PLACES AROUND THE PUUC ROUTE
Choco-Story Factory
It’s a museum dedicated to chocolate located very close to Uxmal, next to the Hacienda Uxmal Hotel (300 meters from the entrance of Uxmal). It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (except December 25 and January 1).
You can request information at this phone number: +52 999 289 99 14 or by email: info@choco-storymexico.com
They offer chocolate workshop activities and Mayan ceremonies.
Prices: 190 pesos general / Seniors, students, and Yucatecans: 130 pesos / Children (6-12): 90 pesos / Children under 6: free.
The place is interesting, although it’s not one of our favorites because they keep caged animals like the jaguar and others. The issue is that they were rescued, but we believe it’s better not to profit financially from the animals.
La Ruta Puuc: Final Thoughts
The Puuc Route is a must-see in Yucatán for those interested in archaeology, culture, and history. It offers a diverse and fascinating journey through Mayan cities with unique architectural styles, allowing travelers to step back in time and immerse themselves in the ancient world of the Maya.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious tourist, the Puuc Route is an adventure that you won’t forget.
Where to stay near the Ruta Puuc
If you are willing to splurge the Hacienda Uxmal is the best way to experience the old charm of the Yucatan Haciendas style and comfort, right outside the Uxmal Arqueological site. The Pickle Onion is a more affordable but cute alternative. We stayed there and also had a great meal. Awesome service as well. Located right outside the town of Santa Elena on the main road. A new hotel is the Hotel Gafsacomm Nuevo Uxmal. We haven’t seen it but it has great reviews and it seems quite beautiful with elegant modern decor and a great value for money overal. A mid-range choice between the two above options. Have you been in one of them? or do you have any other suggestion? Let us know in the comments below!
