Uxmal is worth the visit to Yucatan. This city of ancient Mayans is the greatest architectural example of combination of astronomical knowledge and engineering, an authentic architectural jewel.
The archaeological zone of Uxmal is one of the most impressive ancient Mayan cities that you can visit today. We are in front of one of the great architectural jewels of the ancient Maya.
The archaeological zone of Uxmal was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1996. In its splendor it is estimated that some 30.00 inhabitants lived.
The archaeological zone of Uxmal is an unforgettable walk, one of the most impressive ancient Mayan cities in all of Mexico.
Archaeological zones of Yucatan that I wouldn't miss
HOW TO GO TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE OF UXMAL
The Kabah archaeological zone is located south of Mérida, the capital of Yucatán. Normally it is visited as a complement to Uxmal, the jewel of the puuc. The truth is that in this area there is much to enjoy.
The town of Santa Elena in Yucatan is a perfect center for my liking to explore the puuc area by car. You have several lodging options, personally I really like the Pickled Onion.
- FROM MÉRIDA: you must take the Uman-Holpechén road, number 261. It is 84 kilometers and it takes 1 hour by car.
- FROM SANTA ELENA: in the very center of the Puuc Route, only 14 kilometers from Uxmal
Discover the Puuc Route and public transport options
PUUC ARCHITECTURAL STYLE IN UXMAL
Uxmal is an architectural beauty, it is impressive to walk between the walls of this ancient Mayan city.
You realize the beauty and spectacularity that this city possessed in its splendor thanks to its sense of geometry, the alignments, the elaborate decorations, the harmony in the construction and the logical distribution of the buildings.
The entire city is faced according to its cosmogony, with the Sun as the main actor, as is often appreciated in the elaborate architecture of all times.
KNOW THE PUUC ROUTE IN YUCATÁN
Uxmal is the authentic architectural jewel of the puuc route, one of the several known architectural styles of the Mayan civilization. Other Mayan architectural styles are the Río Bec, Sudoriental, Petén central, Usumacinta, chenes or eastern coast.
La route puuc is configured by the archaeological zones from Acanceh, Oxtintok, Xlapak, Sayil, Labná, Kabah, Chunhuhub and Uxmal, the jewel of the puuc.
How to walk the Puuc route in Yucatan
The area known as puke (in maya means hill, turkey o loma), is a region of the Yucatan Peninsula of hills whose altitude reaches about 300 meters. A record for the practically flat Peninsula.
These geological properties of the region puke They prevent the famous cenotes from forming here. The caves and caverns are above sea level and are dry, like the nearby Loltún cave.
THE MAYAN CHULTUNES IN THE PUUC AREA
The cenotes, among other things, they were used as wells of fresh water, cities were built near them.
At the puuc area Rainwater is collected in other ways: in natural containers or warehouses filled with rainwater filtered between the walls of the caves, or by making underground wells where they stored the water, the so-called chultunes in maya
En Uxmal you have the chance to see a chultún near the entrance of the enclosure.
UXMAL MAP
So you can locate yourself with the map and directions that the INAH the first thing you will see entering the archaeological zone of Uxmal It is the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, one of the essentials: it is point C. Our opinion is that going up to the Great Pyramid (number 9 on the map) is also a must because of the views it gives of the enclosure.
A short visit takes you through points A, B and C. To soak up and savor the place we recommend you take a walk. In the more distant groups such as the North or Northeast Group, as well as the Chimez Temple or the Old house, you will be alone.
HOW TO VISIT UXMAL
The logical meaning of the visit to UxmaHe is to start, once the chultún, through the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, the Quadrangle of the Nuns and then head towards the Palacio de Gobernación and the Great Pyramid. The views from both places are unmissable, so make the effort and climb as much as you can. On one side of the Great Pyramid you have the beautiful area of Palomar.
Once in the Palomar area there are paths that lead you to other groups such as the Cemetery Group and the Platform. Around here you will find small treasures along the way that make you feel somewhat adventurous, at least to some little minds. This area is the least visited of the enclosure.
In the enclosure, between the main buildings and squares, there are many nooks and crannies and minor buildings where you can get into, entertain and admire through the natural windows the constant harmony that is breathed in Uxmal, exquisite geometries.
I leave the images and shut up because I think it's fair. I hope you find the time to visit this city.
Uxmal 202 Price3
Discover Uxmal as you like, with a guide or at your leisure, but don't miss it. Photography lovers will enjoy the geometries, these fantastic Mayans offer many looks.
This area really is the best thing of the Peninsula, where you find many treasures and good tourist services, without being overcrowded.
PRICE FOR FOREIGNERS: 499 pesos per person
PRICE FOR NATIONALS: 230 pesos per person
In Uxmal you have to pay two tickets, the INAH and CULTURA (this also happens in Chichen Itza and Ek Balam). In fact there are two ticket booths.
✔ On Sundays, admission is free for Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residence. FREE ENTRY EVERY DAY FOR:
Mexicans •Over 60 years of age (with official credentials) •Retirees and pensioners (with official institution credentials) •Teachers and students (with official credentials of the Mexican Educational System) •Children up to 12 years of age •Researchers and interns (with INAH permit credential )Mexicans and foreigners • People with disabilities (with their proper credentials)
Uxmal Services
- Parking 80 pesos per car
- Bathrooms
- Lockers
- TMJ
- site museum
- souvenir shops
- grocery stores
- The restaurant of the Mayaland Hotel is right at the entrance of Uxmal
Uxmal schedules
Open every day from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. You must go no later than 4 in the afternoon.
Tips to visit Uxmal
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: They won't let you in a backpack or bag, so take the essentials to enter. Bring water because they don't sell inside and the visit is long.
- WHAT TO BRING: light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent, closed and comfortable shoes to climb structures and protect yourself from insect bites.
- VISIT TIME: Calculate more or less 2 hours.
UXMAL SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW SCHEDULE AND PRICE
Uxmal, like the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá, offers a light and sound show. This show is at dusk, once the doors of the venue are closed.
- LOCATION OF THE SHOW: it is done within the Uxmal enclosure, in the area known as the Quadrangle of the Nuns. There the chairs are arranged, and without numbering, one attends the show.
- SCHEDULE: 8:00 pm in summer time (from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October) and at 7:00 pm in winter time. Every day they do the Uxmal sound and light show.
- NATIONAL PRICE: 66 pesos.
- FOREIGN PRICE: 103 pesos.
- PARKING PAY: 80 pesos per car
- SPECIAL CONDITIONS: pensioners, people over 60, under 13, retirees, people with disabilities, students. Exempt from payment to Light and Sound: children under 13 and people with disabilities.
UXMAL SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW REVIEW
We have attended the show on several occasions and we are not captivated in the least. Being pretty, it stays just that, in something minimal that could be much more moving. A voiceover, with a strong Spanish accent from Spain, summarizes the history of Uxmal and the importance of Chaac, god of rain and water in general. All narrated as parts of the main buildings light up.
Being beautiful for the simple fact of seeing the room at night and illuminated, the explanation and the rhythm of the lights do not have much grace. And if we also compare it with the light and sound show at Chichén Itzá, it loses a lot. The one in Chichén, being much more expensive, we do recommend it.
Nights of Kukulkán in Chichén Itzá: shcedules and prices
SLEEP IN UXMAL DID YOU KNOW THIS POSSIBILITY?
As always from this blog we try to recommend what we know and find interesting for you. One option is to stay in one of the hotels near Uxmal, and use them as a base point to travel this area of the Puuc route and the Convent route.
- We stayed to sleep in the Hacienda Uxmal, one of the magnificent options you have. We loved the place and the activities that the accommodation itself offers, you can stay a couple of nights perfectly.
- Another option is the magnificent Uxmal Lodge that we also visited, just a few steps from the archaeological zone,
- or the cheapest House of the Wizard.
Really, staying in this quiet place a few meters from Uxmal in this peaceful jungle is luxurious. I would spend at least a couple of days in the area of Uxmal, the puuc route and the convents.
This cultural menu with haciendas, cenotes and towns to meet artisans and customs makes it one of the most complete areas to travel in Yucatan.
WHAT TO VISIT NEAR UXMAL
- Kabah Archaeological Zone 22 kilometers from the great jewel of the puuc, 20 minutes by car.
- Puuc Route, where you find Sayil, Xlapak and Labná as the closest areas.
- Chunhuhub Archaeological Zone You locate it 50 kilometers, 45 minutes by car. It is a small treasure of Campeche little visited.
- Santa Elena It is located only 14 kilometers away, I love this population
Do not miss Uxmaand it you are made of stones, is a gift on your trip through Yucatan. Uxmal is one of the great pre-Hispanic archaeological zones that you will not want to miss in Mexico.
Good way,
- Offers on flights international and national ..
- Find the accommodation with the best offers from Booking.com.
- Stay with airbnb and get 25 € discount.
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- Rent a car with the indispensable and necessary best discounts.
- Secure your transfers of arrival or departure to the airport.
- Travel safely with IATI and take advantage of 5% off.
If you prefer, you tell us your idea of the trip and together we organize it.
I love those constructions. They were real artists using geometry with stone. Small pictures! Keep on disclosing these treasures, we are many who are hooked to your blog.
A hug!
Very interesting. It would be worth visiting the peninsula. A hug.
Great web! We want to do the puuc route from Campeche to finish it in Mérida, but all we see is to start it from Mérida.
Do you know if there is any way to do it with public transport from Campeche or a tour?
On the other hand, the excursion that the ADO company makes, visiting all the towns leaving from Mérida, only on Sundays?
Thank you very much!
Hello Juan Antonio, from Campeche there is no public transport that allows you to do the Puuc Route, with an agency I am not sure. From Mérida the one that makes the complete tour only on Sundays, to Uxmal there is daily transportation.
Hopefully the information will help you, that you have a great time. Anything you tell me.