The comparison
| Chichén Itzá | Uxmal | |
|---|---|---|
| World Heritage | Since 1988 | Since 1996 |
| Style | Maya with central-Mexican features (Maya-Toltec, according to UNESCO) | Puuc: stone mosaics, Chaac masks, roof combs |
| Main period | A major Postclassic center | Late Classic, AD 600–900 |
| Water | Beside cenotes | Chultunes and reservoirs to catch rainwater |
| Key buildings | El Castillo, Sacred Cenote, Great Ball Court | Pyramid of the Magician, Nunnery Quadrangle, House of the Doves |
| From Mérida | About 115 km east | South, in the municipality of Santa Elena |
Why they're so different
Chichén Itzá grew up beside cenotes that supplied water all year. Uxmal, by contrast, is in the Puuc region, where there are no cenotes near the surface: its people built chultunes, reservoirs and cisterns to store rainwater. That's why Chaac, the rain god, appears so often on Uxmal's façades.
UNESCO recognizes Chichén Itzá as a testament to the Maya-Toltec civilization of the 10th to 15th centuries, while INAH identifies Uxmal as the most representative site of Puuc architecture.
How to visit each one from Mérida
- Chichén Itzá: a guided tour (with Izamal and Valladolid, or by Maya Train) or a private transfer with the Chihuán and Yokdzonot cenotes.
- Uxmal: a private transfer that adds the Yaxcopoil hacienda, Cenote Peba and the Chocolate Museum.
In every case, archaeological site entry is paid separately.
What if I want both?
Do them on different days: they're two of Yucatán's World Heritage Sites and each deserves its own time. A good order is Chichén Itzá first, for the big picture, then Uxmal, to appreciate the architectural detail.
Fun facts
- There are no nearby cenotes at Uxmal: rainwater was stored in chultunes.
- Chichén Itzá and Uxmal are two of Yucatán's World Heritage Sites.
- Chaac masks repeat across Uxmal's façades.
Related tours
Archaeology · 11 h
Chichén Itzá, Izamal and Valladolid
Four stops in one day, and none of them rushed
from $1,200 MXN per person
See itinerary
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour on the road to Izamal. The guide uses the drive to set up what comes next.
- 9:00 AM San Antonio de Padua Convent — The story of the 16th-century Franciscan convent told in its atrium, then free time to walk the yellow town.
- 11:15 AM Chichén Itzá — Guided walk through the Temple of Kukulkán, the Sacred Cenote, the Ball Court, the Tzompantli and the Jaguars and Eagles platform.
- 1:45 PM Regional lunch in Kaua — Buffet of Yucatecan dishes: cochinita, relleno negro, lime soup and meat-free options.
- 3:00 PM Selva Maya cenote — The swim lands exactly when the sun is at its worst. Changing rooms and showers on site.
- 4:20 PM Valladolid — Francisco Cantón Rosado park with its original railings, the church of San Servacio and the murals in the town hall.
- 8:00 PM Back in Mérida — We drop you off where the day started.
Included: Air-conditioned transport, General culture guide, Regional buffet lunch
Not included: Chichén Itzá entrance, Cenote entrance, Drinks
Transfers · 10.5 h
Transfer to Uxmal and Yaxcopoil
The Puuc route at your own pace, with the van waiting
from $2,550 MXN per vehicle
Archaeology · 11 h
Maya Train, Chichén Itzá and Izamal
The Mérida–Izamal leg by train, the rest by road
from $1,600 MXN per person
See itinerary
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Transfer to the station — From the office to the Maya Train station in Mérida.
- 9:18 AM Maya Train ride — Forty minutes from Mérida to Izamal. Ticket included.
- 10:15 AM Izamal — The yellow town, the three-tier Baroque altarpiece and free time on the main square.
- 12:30 PM Chichén Itzá — Guided walk through the Sacred Cenote, the Temple of Kukulkán, the Jaguars and Eagles platform and the Ball Court.
- 2:30 PM Lunch in Kaua — Buffet of typical regional dishes.
- 3:45 PM Selva Maya cenote — The swim of the day, with the heat already easing off.
- 5:00 PM Back to Mérida — Two hours on the road back.
Included: Transport, General culture guide, Maya Train ticket Mérida–Izamal, Midday meal
Not included: Chichén Itzá entrance, Cenote entrance, Drinks
Transfers · 10.5 h
Transfer to Chichén Itzá
Four stops, your own pace and the van waiting
from $2,650 MXN per vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Chichén Itzá or Uxmal?
Chichén Itzá for a first visit and its fame; Uxmal for Puuc architecture and a calmer visit.
Which is closer to Mérida?
Uxmal lies to the south and is usually closer; Chichén Itzá is about 115 km east.
Are both World Heritage Sites?
Yes: Chichén Itzá since 1988 and Uxmal since 1996.
Can you do both in one day?
It's not recommended: they're in opposite directions from Mérida.
