How to visit Uxmal Ruins: The Only Guide You Need
Uxmal ruins, more appropriately called Uxmal archeological site are one of the most beautiful archeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. And this is not only our personal opinion. Historians and archeologists agree to call Uxmal an architectural jewel of the ancient Mayan, the jewel of the Ruta Puuc.
We have visited many times, by ourselves and together and in this post we share practical tips on the best way to visit and make the most of your time, but also important historical information to guide you through the site. Although we also recommend hiring a local guide, this article is full of interesting informations and anectotes about the history and culture of the Mayan people that was living in Uxmal.
The first time we visited Uxmal together was in 2013, on one of our first adventures as friends roaming around the Peninsula. Since we met, we have been united by the curiosity to know and enjoy this beautiful land that we are proud to call home.
At that time we had no idea that we would end up building this blog. And here we are, making an amazing team, as business partners besides best friends.
We are thrilled to share our knowledge and experiences with you, ensuring your adventures in Mayan lands are unforgettable. It’s a true gift to see you enjoy this land as much as we do.
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UXMAL RUINS: UNESCO HERITAGE SITE
The archaeological site of Uxmal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Along with the ancient Maya cities of Chichén Itzá and Calakmul, it forms part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Architecturally, Uxmal is a breathtaking beauty filled with details and decorations. The complex is truly beautiful, one of the ancient Maya cities we most highly recommend visiting.
Are you coming with us to discover Uxmal?
SOME HISTORY OF THE UXMAL MAYAN SETTLEMENT
Uxmal was one of the great cities of the ancient Maya, and it’s considered one of the most majestic site in the Mayan world for its architectural beauty, especially for its exquisite stone carving works.
Something unique about Uxmal is that from the top of the Governor’s Palace or Great Pyramid you can have a wide view of the entire complex. For example, in Chichén you cannot enjoy a panoramic view. And the view in Uxmal is a cool one.
The ruins of Uxmal are located within the Puuc Route (Ruta Puuc), which is a series of nearby archaeological zones that share the same architectural style. Among all these cities, Uxmal is considered the architectural jewel of the Puuc.
The word Puuc refers to two main concepts:
- Puuc is a Mayan word that means hill, and refers to the area north of Campeche and south of Yucatán between the Sierrita de Ticul and the hills of Bolonchén. We are talking about an altitude of 300 meters, which the highest point within the flat Yucatán Peninsula.
- Puuc also refers to one of the ancient Mayan architectural styles. Throughout their history, the Mayans developed different architectural styles, each with its own characteristics. Some architectural styles are Puuc, Chenes, Río Bec, Costa Oriental, Usumacinta, central Petén… Each of them has its own architectural characteristics, and they are also grouped by areas.
What’s the Puuc style like
The most significant characteristics of the Puuc Style are the decorations of masks of the god Chaac, fretwork and hieroglyphic panels on the facades of its most important buildings, which are the ceremonial and residential buildings of the governors.
The Puuc style is captivating, especially for the spectacular carved stone details decorating the facades of the buildings.
The great architectural contribution of the Puuc was its construction system, which allowed the creation of larger vaults, with higher buildings.
What does the Ruta Puuc Includes?
The best known archaeological sites included in the Ruta Puuc are Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Oxkintok, besides a few dry caves such as Calcehtok Caves and the Loltún Caves.
Other Mayan cities although located in the surrounding area disply a Puuc architectural style. Those are Acanceh, Chunhuhub, Xcalumkin, Kankí, Chacmultún and many other smaller settlements that we will cover in this site as well.
In this area you will discover absolute gems, and this is why we love the Puuc Route so much! 😁🙌🏽
The Puuc is a fairly unified area whose regional capital was Uxmal, where 25,000 to 30,000 people lived at its peak.
CHRONOLOGY: 500 B.C. -1150 AD Late Classic to Late Postclassic Period
APOGEE: 750 AD. – 900 AD Classical period
👉🏽It is estimated that Uxmal began to be populated in 500 BC, according to INAH sources.
👉🏽The first groups of monumental architecture date from 400 AD, influenced by the Guatemalan Petén style.
👉🏽Its peak was between 750 and 900 AD, when Uxmal became the capital of the Puuc region. At that time, its population is estimated to have been between 25,000 and 30,000 people.
👉🏽Around 874, Chichén Itzá conquered it and imposed some modifications such as the Tláloc masks and the two-headed serpent that were added to the main buildings of the Nuns’ Quadrangle. The Itzaés of Chichén built few monumental buildings, they did not highlight the complex.
We must remember that Chichén Itzá received Puuc influence from 600 AD to 918 AD. As we see, influences between neighbors were quite common throughout Mayan times.
👉🏽Towards 900, a slow but implacable decline began, as did a progressive depopulation of Uxmal, which was practically uninhabited in 1150. Upon the arrival of the Spanish conqueror in 1527, the Mayan civilization was in total decline, very dispersed, with no cities nor an established power structure. These circumstances favored the advance of the Spanish troops.
The great cities of all time were in constant transformation, subject to the influence of other neighboring groups. Since large cities could never grow in isolation, they are places with essential trade routes. And Uxmal was no exception.
This Puuc area is very fertile, so under the rule of the ruling Mayan priests, they devoted themselves to diligently cultivating and storing agricultural products to exchange with regions far and near.
These agricultural products, along with fine clay pots, palm and cotton weaving, basketry, amateurs, jewelry, and others, helped them obtain the precious obsidian from the Central Highlands and Guatemala, or the turquoise that came from today’s southern United States.
Only big cities had ultra-luxury objects, which is one of the factors that indicates power and wealth.
Did you know? Interesting Facts about Uxmal
- The archaeological zone of Uxmal extends 15 km²
- The buildings are oriented in relation to astronomical phenomena, such as the rise and fall of Venus, and are adapted to the topography of the site, which is made up of a series of hills.
- According to hieroglyphic inscriptions, the Governor’s House, the Ball Court, and the Nuns’ Quadrangle were built during Chaak’s reign (890-910).
- Uxmal depended on a dozen artificial lakes to store fresh water and more than 150 cisterns to collect rainwater (chultún in mayan language).
- More than 150 medicinal plants have been found in the Governor’s Palace’s surroundings, which were cultivated in ancient Mayan times.
- Legend has it that the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller was built in a single night.
WHY THE GOD CHAAC WAS SO IMPORTANT IN THE PUUC REGION
In the Puuc Region, you may have noticed that the representation of the god Chaac is continually repeated. In Uxmal, the god Chaac is carved in stone on all the facades; this is also the case in other Puuc settlements such as Kabah, Sayil, or Labná.
Chaac is one of the most important deities of the Mayan world, because he is associated with rain, lightning, and water in general. Today the Mayan peasants continue to invoke Chaac in harvest ceremonies.
We have seen that Uxmal grew a lot thanks to its harvests and product exchanges. Like any large agricultural town, it needed water, but unlike the other Mayan Settlements, it didn’t have any cenotes nearby to rely on.
Even the 300 mt elevation prevents the caves from getting flooded with water, as is the case in a large part of the Peninsula, which is practically at sea level.
This is the reason why Uxmal and the Civilizations settled along the Ruta Puuc depended on the rains, and even more so when the population was growing rapidly.
It is believed that the more Chaac masks were carved in stone, the more rain came. The cult of the god Chaac is especially present in this Puuc area.
You can read more about the formation of cenotes in Mexico. The freshwater of the Yucatan peninsula is gathered in the water table in the subsoil. Since we don’t have rivers, almost all the freshwater is found underground.
How they collect rainwater in the Puuc area: the chultunes
Since there are no cenotes in the Puuc area, which were wells always full of water, they created rainwater tanks that they called chultunes. In the image below you can see what a chultun (citter) is.
The word “chultun” comes from the Mayan term that means “citter that stores corn” or, more properly, from the word chulub tun, which translates as “citter or silo opened in a rock to store corn or collect rainwater” (Mayan Dictionary Cordemex 1980 :114).
These tanks collect and store fresh rainwater in times of drought and dry grain. Their sizes and functions were variable throughout the entire Mayan territory. In the Puuc Zone, they were vital as they did not have cenotes. However, in Chichén Itzá, despite having cenotes, they have found about 50 chultunes tanks.
The ancient Maya also had other freshwater collection systems, not just chultunes.
In Uxmal, there are several cultures, many of them near residential buildings, for easy use of water collection and transportation. Next to the Government Palace they found a very impressive chultun, with two cavities, it is a cistern with two bedrooms.
The clearest example of chultún in Uxmal is at the entrance, before the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller.
The Mayan architectural style of Uxmal Ruins
As we mentioned before, the ancient city of Uxmal was built in the Puuc style, and we can appreciate its beautiful details. It preserved the style of the Guatemalan Petén, from the first period.
Many cities have influences from various architectural styles, something common in the History of Humanity since we constantly receive influences from neighbors. As humans, it is our nature to be constantly on the move.
What does Uxmal mean
Uxmal means “the three times built or occupied” and can also be translated as “the place where the harvest is abundant.” Uxmal is a Yucatec Mayan toponym that derives from Ox, which means “three” in the Mayan Language, and refers to the number of times a task is repeated.
The Kak’nal glyph, possibly the city’s emblem, is interpreted as the “place of fire” or “the House of Fire.”
Here is an interesting fact about Uxmal that not many know
Before Empress Charlotte visited Uxmal in 1865, several phallic objects were removed from the place. One of them was a phallus through which water fell from the roof of the Governor’s Palace. These pieces have not been replaced. It is a shame that we cannot see these decorations that should not offend anyone.
This episode belongs to the part of the History of Mexico between 1862 and 1867, when the Austrian Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Princess Charlotte of Belgium, embarked on the mission of establishing a French empire in Mexico in the 19th century.
Where is Uxmal Located
Uxmal is located 82 km 51 miles south of the city of Merida in the municipality of Santa Elena, Yucatán.
STATE: Yucatán, México
HOW TO GET TO UXMAL BY CAR
Uxmal Ruins are located 82 km (51 miles) southeast of Mérida (1 hr by car) at 156 km (97 miles) north of Campeche (2 hrs by car) and 146 km (92 miles) from Izamal, the yellow village (1 hr 50 minutes).
Renting a car on the peninsula Yucatán is a great option if you want to be free to move around and discover all the amazing sites in the region. It’s a relatively safe place to drive, the roads are good, and the sites are well-marked.
However, remember, if you decide to getting a car rental, make sure you include full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress.
➣ When it comes to 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 UXMAL 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. Times of 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 leaves 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 leave the phone number here for your convenience, even if they often don’t answer. It’s always better to go to the bus station the day before. +52 999 924 08 30
GETTING TO UXMAL BY TAXI
You can get to Uxmal by taxi as well, from Mérida. You must agree on the price so they wait for you to take you back because it is difficult to find another taxi from Uxmal. We do not have a price reference to help you.
You can compare the difference between going on a tour or by taxi; that can be a good parameter to decide what you want to do.
Also you can call an UBER or Didi from Merida to take you to Uxmal but keep in mind that you cannot use the app to go back to Merida so even in this case you need to make sure the driver is willing to wait for you. Make sure you decide the price before.
HOW TO GET TO UXMAL BY TOUR
The most popular tours to Uxmal from Mérida are the ones that combine it with another jewel of the Puuc, the beautiful Kabah. There are different tour options, some very complete.
We leave you some good options if you decide to go to Uxmal by tour.
Getting to Uxmal from other destinations
If you are planning to see Uxmal and you are vacationing in Cancun or Tulum or anywhere else that is not Merida or Valladolid, you should plan a multi-day visit if you want to visit Uxmal as it’s quite a long drive.
Here below we’ll share some beautiful accommodations where you can stay in the Mayan Jungle near the ruins.
Map of Uxmal
Uxmal Itinerary
In this section, we want to help you navigate through the Uxmal archeological site by sharing our suggested itinerary.
There are four essential buildings in Uxmal, and if you pass by each of them, you will not miss anything in the rest. Here they are:
Pirámide del Adivino (The Pyramid of the Fortune Teller)
This is the first building you will see when entering Uxmal. However, what you see is the back of the temple, while the most beautiful part is the front part, with its figureheads and the entrance door with large jaguar jaws.
Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (The Nuns’ Quadrangle)
You will visit the Nuns’ Quadrangle once you leave the Fortune Teller’s Pyramid behind. It is beautiful and full of details. This is where the Itzaés of Chichén Itzá add the masks of Tláloc and the two-headed serpent to the facades.
You can also find owls, masks of the god Chaak, jaguars, huts, human figures, and other details that you will surely enjoy. It is a very inspiring place, very beautiful. Draw imaginary lines from here, and you will see how they connect with the other buildings.
Palacio del Gobernador (The Governor’s Palace)
The Governor’s Palace is a jewel with a façade full of ornamentation carved in stone, it is something masterful. It is located on the highest platform in Uxmal, from where the Governors could contemplate the entire site. The views from here are wonderful. From the platform next to the Casa de Las Tortugas, it is an ideal place to take a souvenir photo.
El Palomar (The Palomar)
The Palomar was reopened to the public in 2023 after a renovation. The building’s cresting is a unique detail in the Puuc region.
Itinerary wrap-up
As we have explained, the first large structure you will see upon arriving in Uxmal is the back of the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller. Before you cross a chultún (freshwater reservoir), the Uxmal guides usually stop to begin their explanation.
Once you reach the side of the Fortune Teller’s Pyramid, you will enter the Nuns’ Quadrangle. Leaving here you can go to the Ball Court, towards the Great Pyramid and El Palomar, and leave the Governor’s Palace next to the Turtle House for last.
From this point you get the best views of Uxmal.
They used to let people go up to the Great Pyramid, and from there the views were also excellent.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Uxmal has parking at the entrance. They recently opened another parking lot a little further away, and it costs the same.
Remember that you cannot enter with a backpack, only a small bag to carry personal things. A bottle of water is allowed, and make sure you bring one with you. It’s hot and humid almost all year round. So make sure you stay hydrated.
FACILITIES
✅ Parking lot: 80 pesos per car
✅ Toilet
✅ ATM
✅ Museum
✅Souvenir shops
✅ Bars
✅ Possibility to hire a Certified Guide
UXMAL OPENING HOURS
Open every day from 8 am to 5 pm Last access at 4 pm
UXMAL ENTRANCE FEE
💲561 MXN foreigners
💲257 MXN Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residency (you need to bring your ID)
In Uxmal you have to pay for two entry tickets del INAH y CULTUR (this also applies for Chichén Itzá y Ek Balam).
✔ On Sundays, the entrance is free for Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residence.
✔ Access to the Mayan ruins is open every day for children up to 12 years old, students, teachers, and seniors (who must show ID).
ALSO FREE ENTRANCE TO UXMAL FOR :
Mexicans: over 60 (with official ID) • Retired people with official documentation • Mexican Professors and students (with official ID) • Kids up to 12 ys • Researchers and scholars (with a special permit from the INAH) •
Mexicans and foreigners with disabilities
Camera Restrictions
Special permission is required to enter with a tripod and professional camera. Drone flying is prohibited unless you have previously asked permission at the INAH. Keep in mind that the bureaucracy is long and very expensive.
Tips for visiting Uxmal
- Use comfortable light clothing and shoes, a good hat will also help with the high temperatures. There is not much shade in Uxmal
- Sunshades, hat. Some guide use umbrellas to repair from the sun, a great idea especially when it’s really hot
- Bring a bottle of water and keep in mind that you cannot walk in with food or alcoholic drinks
- Big backpacks are not permitted
- You can hire a certified guide at the entrance
- Do not forget the swimsuit if you want to swim in some cenote before visiting Uxmal
How much time do we need to visit Uxmal?
To Visit Uxmal, consider between 1 hour and a half and 2 hours if you are going to tour the entire facility. Of course, you can do it in 1 hour if you go fast, but the time is very tight.
We stay there for about 2 hours or more, because we like to go quietly, enjoy the details, go up to all the places we can and poke our heads into all the holes… we look like cats snooping around Uxmal.
Taking photographs is something that is very entertaining for those of us who like it.
UXMAL SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW
This light and sound show is known as the Echoes of Uxmal. Just like the Chichén Itzá show, it allows you a short tour before viewing the video mapping, which is projected inside the Nuns’ Quadrangle.
Entry fee: General price 748 pesos, national 609 pesos, residents in Yucatán 459 pesos (you must present official identification)
Hours: 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
You can buy tickets online on this official website
INSIDER TIPS
In Uxmal you will see many iguanas, they live here. Do not disturb them and do not feed them, it is bad practice to feed wildlife. Enjoy the presence of this beautiful animal 💚
The best of Uxmal
As we have been visiting and getting to know Uxmal, something stands out from the rest of the Mayan ruins. In Uxmal, you can enjoy the perfect alignment of the main buildings with each other. Appreciate the imaginary architectural lines that unite the entire Uxmal complex; it is a mathematical enjoyment.
The alignment of straight lines and the connection between its buildings is of sublime beauty. It is a delight to photograph Uxmal.
The worst of Uxmal
Uxmal has very little shade where you can take refuge during your visit. We remind you that this area is quite hot all year round but the months from April to September it’s especially hotter.
So remember to wear a hat and come in with a bottle of water to cool off. Heat stroke is common if you do not hydrate well and cover yourself from the sun. There are guides who offer you umbrellas to protect you from the sun.
We like to visit Uxmal first thing in the day, there are fewer people and less heat 😊
HOTELS NEAR UXMAL
Personally, we really like to sleep in the Uxmal area or in a surrounding town, to arrive early instead of sleeping in Mérida, which is what most do. Here below you can find our favorite places where to stay near Uxmal.
The Lodge At Uxmal
The Lodge At Uxmal is excellently located right at the entrance to Uxmal, meaning you can walk there. The bungalows are beautiful, they have a swimming pool.
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum is a hotel of the same owner, and it is also located very close to the entrance. On one occasion we stayed in a room with a large window overlooking the grounds, what a luxury 😊
The Uxmal Resort Maya
The Uxmal Resort Maya is a classic hotel near Uxmal that was made a long time ago to cater to group multidays tours in mind. It is more economical than the previous ones.
The Pickled Onion
The Pickled Onion is our favorite in the charming town of Santa Elena, a mythical place among the first explorers of the Mayan civilization.
WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY
- Zona arqueológica Kabah: 22 km/ 13.6 miles 20 minutes by car
- Zona arqueológica Sayil: 31 km/ 19 miles 30 minutes by car
- Zona arqueológica Xlapak: 37 km/ 323 miles 37 minutes by car
- Zona arqueológica Labná: 40 km/ 30.4 miles 40 minutes by car
- Grutas de Loltún: 53 km/ 33 miles 1 hour by car
- Cenote Kankirixche: 47 km/ 29 miles 45 minutes by car
- Cenote Yaal Utzil: 47 km/ 29 miles 45 minutes by car
- Cenote San Marcos: 55 km/ 34 miles 50 minutes by car
- Cenote Sambulá: 48 kilómetros/30miles 40 minutes by car
- Cenote X-Batun: 52 km/ 32 miles 50 minutes by car
OTHER INTERESTING PLACES IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF UXMAL
Santa Elena
is a town near Uxmal that we love. We have stayed here on several occasions to sleep. You can visit the 16th century church (it is built on an ancient Mayan vestige), visit the Mummies Museum, visit a guayabera workshop and talk to the villagers. It is always nice to interact with the locals, the Yucatecan is very friendly, and the journey is also about that. 14 km/ 8.5 miles 14 minutes by car
Los Ceibos pottery workshop
located in the town of Muna. It is run by a family of potters who make beautiful, quality replicas of Mayan art in stone, jade and clay, using pre-Hispanic techniques. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 20 km/ 12 miles 17 minutes by car
Choco-Story Factory
it is a museum dedicated to chocolate that is located very close to Uxmal, next to the Hacienda Uxmal Hotel (300 meters from the entrance of Uxmal). It is 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 do chocolate workshop activities and Mayan ceremonies.
Prices: 190 pesos general / Seniors, students and Yucatecans: 130 pesos. Children (6-12): 90 pesos Children (-6): free.
The place is interesting, although it is not among our favorite places because they have caged animals like the jaguar and others. The issue is that they were rescued, but we believe it is better not to profit financially from the animals.
Uxmal Ruins: Final Thoughts
I am sure you won’t find such a thorough guide on Uxmal on the web. It’s one of our favorite sites, as you may have captured from our enthusiasm, and we hope you have enjoyed reading our article. As it was mentioned before, although it’s possible to reach Uxmal from Merida in one day, we recommend spending a night or two in one of the hotels mentioned above. We assure you it’s a memorable experience. Let us know in the comments below.
