Uxmal is an utterly delightful Mayan archaeological site about an hour from Merida. It is the biggest and best-known Maya ruin along the Ruta Puuc and is considered to be one of the most important ruins in Mexico. Although firmly on the tourist trail, it’s far less busy than ruins such as Chichen Itza or Tulum. Combining a visit to this ruin with the Choco Story Museum across the road is a perfect day trip from Merida. The roads are pretty empty making it a good option for a self-drive if you’re brave enough to rent a car.

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Brief History of Uxmal

Uxmal was an allied site of Chichen Itza, located in the puuc region (hilly area), some 65km south of modern-day Merida. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Uxmal was probably founded around 500 CE and is thought to have been dominant during the period 850 – 950 CE. It was probably still inhabited when the Spanish arrived in the 1550s although was abandoned not too long after. There seems to have been no new construction after the 1200s, possibly related to the decline of its powerful ally, Chichen Itza.

Uxmal was built in the Puuc architectural style. The main pyramid, the Pyramid of the Magician is particularly interesting because it’s oval-shaped rather than rectangular like the majority of Mayan pyramids.

Visiting Uxmal

Note that the entrance fees here are similar to those at Chichen Itza. It isn’t a $50 peso job. The fees are also split into two – entrance and tax. You have to pay for both separately.

As ever, when there’s a high entrance cost it means it’s a more popular site and therefore there will be facilities. At Uxmal you can buy snacks, ice-creams, cold drinks and souvenirs at the entrance area. There is also a restaurant on site.

Do take water and a hat when you visit Uxmal as it is a big site to explore and it is hot hot hot. There are some tree trunk seats dotted about the site in shaded areas.

What will you see at the Uxmal Ruins?

The Uxmal site is pretty large and could easily take all day to explore if you’re super into Mayan ruins. The main buildings include:

The Pyramid of the Magician (also called the Great Pyramid)- this is a slightly unusual pyramid as its steps are more oval than square. You can not climb this pyramid.

The Governor’s Palace – over at the back of the site is the Governor’s Palace, a long, low oblong-shaped building on a huge platform. It is apparently one of the longest Pre-Columbian facades in the whole of Mesoamerica. You can see eight carved serpents and many glyphs of the Maya rain god, Chaac carved onto this magnificent building.

Nunnery Quadrangle – so named in the 16th century because it resembles a convent but this is actually four palaces arranged around a large courtyard. Look out for enormous iguanas sunning themselves here! You may have seen photos of the incredible arch that you walk through to enter here. 

Ballcourt – just like every other ruin on the Yucatan Peninsula, there is a pok-ta-pok ballcourt on site although this one is very deteriorated. The rings you will see are replicas as the originals have been removed to keep them safe. The inscription found here says it was constructed in the year 901 CE. 

How to visit Uxmal

It is approximately an hour from Merida by car to Uxmal along the delightfully empty 261. Buses go from the second class, TAME station, on 69th, x68, y70 downtown Merida. It takes around 1hr30 by bus.

There are plenty of guided tour options, too, of course.

You can read more about Uxmal and other Mexican archaeological sites here. 

What else to do around Uxmal

Choco-Story Museum

After exploring Uxmal, head across the road to the Choco-Story Museum, housed in a beautiful old hacienda. The museum areas are housed in five or six traditional-style buildings that are scattered throughout the grounds of the hacienda. There is an easy to follow path. If you’re at all interested in the history of chocolate then you’ll find this extremely interesting. You’ll also see rescued jaguars and monkeys on site. There are two demonstrations you can’t miss: a traditional chocolate ceremony and an explanation of how to make traditional hot chocolate.

Note: You can buy chocolate in the gift store afterwards or you can buy chocolate in Mérida on your return. 

Suggested tour: Uxmal and the Chocolate Museum

Explore along the Ruta Puuc

If you have your own transport or a driver then exploring the rest of the Ruta Puuc is a great option. The Ruta Puuc is essentially a sixty-kilometre route through the Puuc (hilly) region of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s true that the peninsula is mainly flat but in as you get towards Campeche there are a few hills to be found. Along the Ruta Puuc there are five Maya archeological sites to visit. It’s unlikely you can manage all in one day if you want to really see them properly but it’s worth checking out as many as you can as they’re just gorgeous, often free to visit and almost always nigh on empty of visitors.

The sites are Labna, Xlapak, Sayil, Kabah and Uxmal. Photo below is of the famous arch at Kabah.

Suggested Tour: Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc

Visit a Cenote

If you have time, you may also wish to include a cenote visit on this day trip. Kankirixche, for example, is an easy thirty-minute drive from Uxmal on the way back to Merida.

Suggested Tour: Uxmal and Cenote

Visit the pueblo of Muna for lunch

Muna is my favourite spot for a meal on the way to or from Uxmal. We love La Finca Puuc, an amazing restaurant with a pool and gorgeous gardens. The food is traditional, delicious and all made fresh. 

Another popular option for a meal is the pueblo of Santa Elena.

Visit a Hacienda

You cannot miss the opportunity to visit a hacienda while in Yucatán and the beautiful Hacienda Yaxcopoil makes a great extra when visiting Uxmal. Here you can learn about the importance of henequen and farming in the region over the centuries. Sotuta de Peon Hacienda is also a possibility for a visit.

Suggested Tour: Uxmal and Hacienda

For more great day trips from Merida, click here.