Keen to be independent travelers, we skipped the combo Kabah/Uxmal ruins tour and decided to have our own DIY Uxmal ruins day trip from Merida. Pronounced "oosh-mal," this UNESCO World Heritage Site offered a quieter, more intimate experience than Chichen Itza.

Getting to Uxmal from Merida

One option was to rent a car at 600 pesos (900 with full insurance) per day, but we didn't feel like driving long hours. The second-best option was an early bus at 6:00 AM from the TAM Bus station in Merida.

Waking up at 5:00 AM was painful, but Uxmal and Chichen Itza were the reasons we were traveling the Mexican state of Yucatan. We bought an open return ticket at 130 pesos per person ($7 USD) and jumped on the bus. It took a little more than an hour to reach the site - not quite enough time to catch up on sleep!

A Peaceful Experience at Uxmal

We were amongst the few visitors waiting for the ticket booth to open at 8:00 AM. The site was remarkably quiet. Compared to Chichen Itza, the Uxmal ruins are definitely off-the-beaten-path with fewer tourists venturing that far. The tourist hordes from Cancun resorts and Cozumel cruise port opt for Chichen Itza since it's one of the Seven Wonders of the World and easier to reach.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site was massive and impressive. What made it special? We could climb most of the structures - something you can no longer do at Chichen Itza! It was a perfect spot to spend half a day. We wandered through temples, pyramids and ceremonial structures in various states of preservation. The Maya city was one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Mexico, offering an incredible immersion in Mayan art and Puuc architecture.

Puuc Style: This architectural style is defined by structures split horizontally into two parts, with the lower section plain and the upper section decorated with intricate stone mosaics.

The Pyramid of the Magician

Upon entrance, we were overwhelmed by the Pyramid of the Magician, also called the Pyramid of the Dwarf. The pyramid was Uxmal's most awe-inspiring building with its unique rounded corners - unlike the sharp edges of most Maya pyramids. At 35 meters high, it was the tallest structure at Uxmal but unfortunately the only building we couldn't climb. What a shame!

According to legend, the pyramid was built overnight by a dwarf who was hatched from an egg and magically grew to adulthood in one day. While the real construction took several phases spanning centuries, the legend adds mystique to this architectural marvel.

The Governor's Palace

The Governor's Palace, standing farther south, was the finest example of the Puuc style. This was definitely our preferred building with its impressive mosaics covering over 20,000 individual stone pieces! The long building sits atop a platform and commands stunning views of the entire site.

It's easy to understand that at its peak, the population of the city reached about 25,000 people, making Uxmal one of the largest cities in the Yucatán.

The Nunnery Quadrangle

West of the Pyramid of the Magician, we ventured into the Nunnery Quadrangle, consisting of four separate rectangular buildings with 74 individual rooms. Despite its Spanish colonial name, this complex might have been a residence for students, soldiers, or priests - not nuns! The courtyard is surrounded by elaborately decorated facades featuring stone masks, lattice work, and serpent motifs.

The Ball Court

Like Chichen Itza, Uxmal has a ball court where the ancient Maya played their sacred ball game. While smaller than Chichen Itza's court, it's still impressive and gives insight into this important ritual sport played throughout Mesoamerica.

The Great Pyramid

We climbed to the top of the Great Pyramid - something you can't do at many Maya sites anymore! From the summit, we gazed down at the entire complex, imagining what this impressive site must have been like when the Mayans ruled the land. The view was absolutely worth the climb.

The Pigeon House

The Dovecote (Pigeon House) got its name from the Spanish conquistadors who thought its roof comb with multiple openings resembled a dovecote. It's part of the Southern Complex and shows yet another architectural variation within the site.

Our Uxmal Experience

Even if you visit Chichen Itza, don't skip Uxmal. You'll be treated to a quiet, intimate and serene experience. The ability to climb the pyramids, explore at your own pace without crowds, and appreciate the intricate Puuc architecture makes Uxmal a must-visit. The site feels more like a discovery than a tourist attraction.

Have you been to Uxmal? Did you prefer it to Chichen Itza? Were you able to climb the pyramids when you visited? Which structure impressed you the most - the Pyramid of the Magician or the Governor's Palace? Have you visited any other Mayan ruins? Let us know in the comments below.

Uxmal is an absolute gem - a quieter, more intimate alternative to Chichen Itza where you can still climb pyramids and explore at your own pace. The Puuc architecture is stunning, and the lack of crowds makes it feel like a personal discovery. Combined with its proximity to Merida, one of Mexico's most charming colonial cities, Uxmal should be on every Yucatan itinerary!