Uxmal Archeological Site

How We Got There

We drove from Mérida (about 75 miles) along Highway 180, down Highway 261, across on Highway 184 to Muna to the turnoff to Uxmal. Beware of confusing signs at Muna. The rural route passes through many villages, giving you the opportunity to see the handicrafts on display in each village. But watch out for the topes!

Where We Stayed

We established a base at "The Lodge", a deluxe hotel just at the entrance to Uxmal. It only recently opened, and had very reasonable prices for a hotel with a large room with fan, an extra-deluxe bath (complete with large bathtub), a pool, TV and restaurant. We used this hotel as a base to visit other sites nearby (Sayil, Kabáh, Xlapak and Labná). Two other luxury hotels are on the site - the Hotel Villa Arqueológica and the Hotel Hacienda Uxmal. Other low cost accomodations can be found along the road near Cárdenas.

About the Site

This site could have been occupied by 800 A.D., but its heyday was between 700 A.D. and 1000 A.D. and after being conquered by the Xiú in 1440 A.D., lasted until the Spanish conquest.

Hours

The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is 5 pesos. Entry is free on Sundays. The site has an evening light show telling about the site, with the monuments being spectacularly illuminated. The show is in Spanish at 8 p.m. and English at 9 p.m. The site has a large visitor center, a museum, restaurant, gift shop and restrooms.

What's There

Click on any image to see it full size.

	Pyramid of the Magician. The dominating building at Uxmal. It is unique among all the sites because of its oval shape, height and steepness, as well as the heavy ornamentation of the doorway at the top.
	Top of the Pyramid of the Magician. Can you find the Chac's face? Look for the eyes, nose and mouth.
	Two faced Jaguar throne in front of the Governor's Mansion.
	Detail from the Warrior's House in the Nunnery. Each entryway had a relief of a Maya house with a description of the background of the warrior who occupied it.
	Detail of the facade from the Nunnery. Look for the head and tail of the rattlesnake, and the sacrificed heart spurting blood.
	A guardian of Uxmal.

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