Uxmal

  In the hills an hour south of Merida, past the edge of the Chicxulub crater, sits Uxmal.  Uxmal was a Mayan trade center from the Late to Terminal Classic period with about 20k residents at its height. It is an excellent example of the Puuc architectural style, and the pinnacle of late Mayan art. As it grew from a small town to a major center in the region, sacbe were built, radiating out to nearby settlements (the sacbe linking Uxmal to Kabah is still standing) and other large sites like Chichén Itzá. Even after it was abandoned, it was still visited as a pilgrimage site until the Spanish conquest in the 1400s. Due to its location in the hills, it remained well-preserved. It officially became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

The site has a number of well-preserved buildings and carvings, even before its restoration. If you visit, the first building you'll see after climbing up the steps is the Pyramid of the Magician (the first picture at the top of the post). Unlike most of the pyramids you'll see in the Yucatan, this one has rounded sides. There is another smaller pyramid, further back in the site (near the tortoise house), but it's not as impressive.

 Midway through the site is a Mayan ball court, where the game of Pok Ta Pok was played. One of the two stone hoops remains intact at the site. If you visit the Mayan World Museum in Merida, you can see a copy of the hoops on display.* You can also see a game of Pok Ta Tok every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Downtown Merida, by the Cathedral of San Ildefonso.

If you go:

Plan to go early. This is a large site, and it will take you awhile to see it all. The earlier you go, the less likely you will run into multiple tour buses. You will also miss the hottest parts of the day if you go early. If you are visiting the Yucatan in the summer (June/July) you really want to avoid the heat, as it starts to get really uncomfortable at around 11:30 in the morning until late afternoon (3-4 p.m.). Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. If you don't have the hat, you can buy one from one of the vendors just outside the front gate. There are gift shops just past the ticket booth, along with a stand selling food and drink. Keep in mind any food or drink you buy at this stand cannot be taken into the ruins.

Uxmal hours are from 8am until 5pm daily.

Admission is $111 MXP ($57 MXP for the site and $60 MXP goes to CULTUR) per adult. Kids are free.

*It is a small museum, even though the building is huge. Worth going if you want to read up on Mayan history in a multimedia format.

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