Uxmal

Uxmal is an archeological site in the state of Yucatan in Mexico, and a UNESCO World Heritage List site.

Culture and History

Uxmal (OOSH-mahl) means "built three times" in the Mayan language. As a World Heritage site, it is one of the best restored and maintained ruins in the Yucatan. Its architecture, some of the most dramatic of the Yucatan ruins, is characterized by low horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with rich sculptural elements and details.

History

Uxmal was the greatest metropolitan and religious center in the Puuc hills in the late classical period. It thrived between the 7th and 10th century A.D. and its numerous architectural styles reflect a number of building phases.

Recent studies have suggested that Uxmal was the capital of a regional state that developed in the Puuc region between 850 to 950 AD. Other evidence suggests that Uxmal collaborated politically and economically with Chichen Itza, the popular ruin located between Merida and Cancun.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Travel to Uxmal - Visa Requirements

Uxmal is located about 50 miles south-west of Merida, and will take a few hours to explore thoroughly. There is a small museum at the entrance, as well as a snack bar, gift shops, restrooms and various local vendors. Be sure to bring a hat, some sunscreen and good walking shoes. A camera is probably a good idea as well, as the buildings at Uxmal are very photogenic. The site is open every day to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Organized tours are also available from a variety of companies, including Tours Aldebaran [1]

Fees/Permits

Entrance fee : $85 pesos (about $8 USD)

Tours and Getting around Uxmal

Uxmal tourist attractions and sightseeing

The most impressive structure and the tallest at 100 feet, is the House of the Magician which you will find just beyond the entrance. According to ancient legend, this pyramid was built by Itzamna in one night. It actually appears to have been built in five phases, and it was situated so that its western stairway faces the setting sun at summer solstice.

The Nunnery, another large building on the site, was named by the Spaniards as it reminded them of a European nunnery. It was probably used as a school for training healers, astrologers, shamans and priests.

The Governor's Palace is an excellent example of stone mosaic work probably created by hundreds of masons and sculptors. It occupies five acres and contains many beautiful sculptures of the rain god Chaac, serpents and astrological symbols.

Other buildings at Uxmal include the House of Turtles, decorated with turtle sculptures associated at that time with rain, the Dovecote, a building with many separate chambers, the House of the Old Woman, and more. Uxmal also has a large ballcourt, enclosing a playing field that is 110 feet long and 32 feet wide.

Uxmal city tours

Uxmal offers a rich architecture of the Puuc Style, a city full of palaces, temples and a unique pyramid "El Adivino". INAH offers nightly a "Light and Sound Show" that is far more interesting than the one offered at Chichen Itza.

• Tour the ruins of Uxmal Yucatan Trails can book you a tour to the ruins ruins, leaving at 9 am and returning around 5 pm. This trip includes a guided tour in English, lunch, and transportation. You can also see these beautiful ruins in a different light with an evening light and sound show.

Uxmal souvenirs and shopping

Uxmal Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Uxmal nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Uxmal cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Lodging

[2]

Add 17% to room rate for taxes

The Lodge at Uxmal: $177-$205 in the low season (May-Oct), $360-$441 in the high season(Mar-Apr)

Hacienda Uxmal: $148-218 (Mar-Oct)

Mision Uxmal Park Inn Hotel: $90-$113 (Feb-Dec 19)

Villas Uxmal Club Med: $80-$140 (all year)

Camping

Backcountry

Stay safe

Get out

• Labna is another, smaller archaeological site nearby, with some distinctive features; if you drive, take the road to Mani, a truly lovely Mayan village that offers great food.

Photo gallery

This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Texugo. Based on work by Andy Farrell, Garry Deihl, Bill Johnson, Nick Roux, Hermann Luyken, metzenberg@yahoo.com and Ryan Holliday, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme, Marh and Peraltita and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license