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    Uxmal
    Sybz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Mexico

    Uxmal

    Archaeological SiteCulture

    Uxmal, about an hour's drive south of Mérida, was the political center of the Puuc region in western Yucatán from the 8th to 10th centuries.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Yucatán Peninsula
    9. Uxmal
    Uxmal, about an hour's drive south of Mérida, was the political center of the Puuc region in western Yucatán from the 8th to 10th centuries. The site is known for its oval Pyramid of the Soothsayer and the finely decorated stone friezes of the Governor's Palace. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.

    Sights

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Pyramid of the Magician

    1Pyramid of the Magician

    The roughly 35-meter-high pyramid, with its unusual oval base, is Uxmal's landmark. It was built in several phases, one on top of the other; legend has it a dwarf built it in a single night. Climbing is not allowed.
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    Governor's Palace

    2Governor's Palace

    The elongated palace on an artificial platform is a highlight of Puuc architecture: Below, a plain wall; above, a richly adorned frieze of thousands of precisely fitted stones, with geometric patterns and masks of the rain god Chaac.
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    Nunnery Quadrangle

    3Nunnery Quadrangle

    Four long buildings around a courtyard, which the Spanish called the 'Nuns' Quadrangle' for its many rooms. The facades are variously adorned with snake motifs, Chaac masks, and lattice work.
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    Ball Court

    4Ball Court

    Ballcourt between the Governor's Palace and the Nunnery Quadrangle. The stone ring on the side wall is a replica of one of the originals found here.
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    House of the Turtles

    5House of the Turtles

    The small, simple building next to the Governor's Palace is named after the frieze depicting turtles, which in Maya mythology are associated with water and rain.
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    City walks in Uxmal

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Through the Splendour of the Maya: Experiencing Uxmal

    On this roughly two-hour tour, explore the most impressive archaeological wonders of Uxmal. Immerse yourself in its rich history and admire the extraordinary architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the highlights of Maya culture.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Restaurants & Cafés

    Restaurant The Lodge at Uxmal

    At the Restaurant The Lodge at Uxmal, you can enjoy an exquisite meal directly after your visit to the ruins. It offers a blend of authentic Yucatecan cuisine and international dishes in a stylish ambiance that reflects the surrounding nature and Maya culture. The fresh ingredients, often from their own garden, and attentive service make it an excellent choice for a relaxed lunch or dinner.
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    1

    The Hacienda Uxmal Restaurant

    Restaurant in the Hotel Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum, about a ten-minute walk (approx. 800 m) from the archaeological site. Serving Yucatecan, Mexican, and international cuisine.
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    2

    Restaurante Halach Huinic

    Restaurant on the road to Mérida, around 5 kilometers north of the archaeological site, with Yucatecan cuisine.
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    The Story

    HistoryUxmal enjoyed its heyday in the Late Classic period, when the Puuc cities in the hills of western Yucatán relied on agriculture and cisterns (chultunes), as rivers and cenotes are absent here. Characteristic of the Puuc style are plain lower facades and richly decorated upper friezes with mosaics. A paved causeway (sacbé) connected Uxmal with the neighboring city Kabáh.

    Arrival

    Getting ThereUxmal lies about 80 kilometers south of Mérida, and a rental car takes just over an hour. SUR buses stop in Uxmal and take about one and a half hours; they run only a few times for morning departures and afternoon returns, so inquire in advance about the current departure terminal in Mérida. Many travelers combine Uxmal with the Ruta Puuc, for which a private vehicle is practical.Opening Hours and AdmissionOpen daily from 8 AM to 4 PM, last entry around 3 PM. Admission consists of a state fee and an INAH fee, totaling approximately 570 Pesos in 2026.

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    Nearby

    Mérida

    Mérida

    Mérida, capital of the state of Yucatán in the northwest of the peninsula, was founded in 1542 on the ruins of the Maya city T'hó. You come here for the colonial center with churches, plazas, and colorful townhouses, for the Yucatecan cuisine, and for a rich, often free cultural program in the plazas. The city is also a good base for excursions to Maya sites like Uxmal, to cenotes and haciendas.
    Yucatán Peninsula

    Yucatán Peninsula

    The Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico comprises the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche. It is flat, covered by scrubland, and has few rivers; water flows underground through limestone and emerges in thousands of cenotes. Here lie the great Maya sites, the colonial cities of Mérida and Campeche, and the Caribbean coast from Cancún to Tulum.
    San Francisco de Campeche

    San Francisco de Campeche

    San Francisco de Campeche, usually just Campeche, is the capital of its eponymous state on the Gulf of Mexico. Its Old Town is surrounded by a city wall with bastions, built in the 17th and 18th centuries to ward off pirate attacks. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. Compared to Cancún and Tulum, it is significantly quieter here.
    Chichén Itzá

    Chichén Itzá

    Chichén Itzá, in eastern Yucatán, 120 km from Mérida and over 40 km from Valladolid, was one of the Maya's most powerful centers from the 9th-12th centuries. You come for the stepped pyramid El Castillo, the 168m Great Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote, a day trip doable from Mérida, Valladolid, or Cancún. Since 1988, it's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site; in 2007, El Castillo was chosen in a private vote as one of the New Seven World Wonders. Around the equinoxes, the afternoon light on the pyramid's north staircase casts the shadow of a descending snake.
    Valladolid

    Valladolid

    Valladolid, located in the east of the state of Yucatán, is a colonial city with nearly 57,000 inhabitants, colorfully painted houses, and a lively main square. It lies approximately 40 kilometers from Chichén Itzá and is surrounded by cenotes, making it a peaceful base between Cancún and Mérida. Valladolid holds the title of Pueblo Mágico.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI