Where it is
Uxmal lies in the Puuc region, south of today's state of Yucatán and north of Campeche, near the Sierrita de Ticul hills. It's one of the few hilly parts of the peninsula, and its architecture reflects that terrain.
A city without surface water
Surface water was scarce in the Puuc region, with almost no cenotes. Mexico's INAH explains that people stored water in chultuns (underground cisterns), aguadas (ponds), cisterns, channels and caves. That water engineering made a monumental city possible.
Its golden age
INAH places Uxmal's Puuc development between the 7th and 10th centuries. The great complexes visitors see today rose during that period.
What to see
- Pyramid of the Magician: built in several stages.
- Nunnery Quadrangle: one of the standout complexes.
- Puuc façades: stone mosaics, Chaac masks, frets and hieroglyphic panels, with geometric, human and animal figures.
World Heritage
UNESCO inscribed the Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal on the World Heritage List in 1996. Areas open to visitors may change due to conservation work.
Uxmal from Mérida
Uxmal lies south of Mérida and pairs well with the region's haciendas and cenotes. Mary Tours' Uxmal and Yaxcopoil transfer takes your group by air-conditioned van to the Uxmal ruins, the former Yaxcopoil hacienda, Cenote Peba and the Chocolate Museum; entrance fees are extra and the driver waits at each stop. The office is at Calle 61 #518-B in Mérida's historic center; schedule and price are in the booking section.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Region | Puuc (southern Yucatán) |
| Golden age | 7th–10th centuries |
| Style | Puuc: mosaics, Chaac masks, frets |
| Water | Chultuns, aguadas and cisterns |
| World Heritage | Since 1996 |
Fun facts
- Uxmal has almost no cenotes; water was stored in chultuns.
- Its façades are made of thousands of carved stone pieces.
- Uxmal sits beside one of Yucatán's few ranges of hills.
Related tours
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
Cenotes · 7 h
Hacienda Mucuyché
A stone channel joining two cenotes
from $1,800 MXN per person
See itinerary
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM · daily
- 9:30 AM Departure from the office — An hour on the road to the estate, in the municipality of Abalá.
- 10:30 AM Check-in and historical tour — A guide from the estate itself explains how the henequen business worked and what survives of it.
- 11:00 AM Carlota and Azul Maya cenotes — Two hours in the water. To move between the cenotes you cross the channel, swimming or along the stone path.
- 1:00 PM Time for lunch — Yucatecan food at the estate restaurant, paid per order. There is a pool for anyone who wants to stay in the water.
- 3:00 PM Back to Mérida — An hour back.
Included: Transport, Guide, Entry to the hacienda and cenotes
Not included: Food, Drinks
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
Frequently asked questions
When did Uxmal flourish?
Between the 7th and 10th centuries, according to INAH.
What is the Puuc style?
A northern Maya style with façades of stone mosaics, masks and frets.
Is Uxmal a World Heritage Site?
Yes, since 1996.
How do I get to Uxmal from Mérida?
With Mary Tours' Uxmal and Yaxcopoil transfer, which waits for your group at each stop.
