About This Experience

Uxmal is one of the finest examples of Puuc-style Maya architecture, characterised by elaborate geometric stone mosaics and ornate façades. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was a major city during the Late Classic period (600–1000 AD). Its centrepiece, the Pyramid of the Magician, is unique among Maya structures for its rounded sides and elliptical base — legend says it was built in a single night by a dwarf magician.

What to Expect

Beyond the Pyramid of the Magician, the site features the Governor's Palace — considered one of the most beautiful buildings in pre-Columbian America — the Nunnery Quadrangle with its intricate stone mosaics of serpents and masks, and the Great Pyramid offering panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. Uxmal is far less crowded than Chichen Itza, allowing a more peaceful and intimate exploration.

Practical Tips

• Uxmal is about 80 kilometres south of Merida — roughly 1 hour by car
• The site is less visited than Chichen Itza, meaning shorter queues and more space
• A light and sound show runs in the evening — worth staying for
• Bring water and sun protection — the site is exposed with limited shade
• Combine with a visit to the nearby Kabah ruins on the Puuc Route
• Allow 2–3 hours to explore the main structures