Keen to be independent travellers, we skipped the combo Kabah / Uxmal Ruins tour. We decided to have our own DIY (Do it yourself) Uxmal ruins (pronounced oosh-mal) tour. One option was to rent a car at 600 pesos (900 with full insurance) per day but we didn’t feel driving long hours. The second best option was an early bus at 6 am from the TAM Bus station in Merida.
Waking up at 5 am was painful but the Uxmal Ruins and Chichen Itza were the reasons we were travelling the Mexican state of Yucatan. We bought an open return ticket at 130 pesos per head and jumped into the bus. It took a little more than an hour to reach the site. Not enough to catch much more sleep. We were amongst the few visitors waiting for the ticket booth to open at 8 am. The site was quiet. Compare to Chichen Itza, the Uxmal ruins were definitely off-the-beaten-path with few tourists adventuring that far. The tourist hoards from Cancun resorts and the Cozumel cruise port will opt for Chichen Itza as it one of the seven World Wonder, and it’s easier to reach.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was massive and impressive. Added we could climb most of the structures, it was a perfect spot to spend half a day. We wandered through temples, pyramids and other ceremonial structures which were in various states of preservation. The Maya city was one the best preserved of all the ancient sites of Mexico. A great site to immerse ourselves in the incredible Mayan art and Puuc architecture. By the way, the style was defined by structures split horizontally into two, with the lower part plain and the upper decorated as a mosaic.
Some of the most important buildings at the Uxmal Ruins are the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor's Palace, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Ball Court, as well as the still not extensively investigated Southern Complex, which includes the Great Pyramid and the Pigeon House.
Upon the entrance, we were overwhelming by the Pyramid of the Magician also called the Pyramid of the Dwarf. The pyramid was Uxmal most awe-inspiring building with its unique rounded corners. The structure, at 35 meters high, was also the tallest at the Uxmal Ruins but the only building we couldn't climb. Shame.
The Pyramid of the Magician
The Governor’s Palace, standing farther south, was the finest example of the Puuc style. Definitely our prefered building with its impressive mosaics. It was easy to understand that the population of the city reached about 25,000 people making the Uxmal Ruins one of the largest cities in the Yucatán.
The Governor’s Palace
West of the Pyramid of the Magician, we ventured into the Nunnery Quadrangle, consisting of four separate rectangular buildings with 74 individual rooms which might well be a residence for students, soldiers, or priests.
The Nunnery Quadrangle
The Ball court
We climb up to the top. And we gazed down imagining what this impressive site must have been like when the Mayans ruled the land.
The Great Pyramid
Even if you visit Chichen Itza, don’t skip the Uxmal Ruins. You will be treated to a quiet, intimate and serene experience.
Have you been to the Uxmal Ruins? Have you visited any other Mayan ruins? Which one was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
Where to sleep?
Hotels near the Uxmal Ruins:
All of these hotels are within walking distance of the ancient city. But, if you don’t want to spend the night in Uxmal (to be honest there isn't much to do), we highly recommend staying in the beautiful and authentic city of Merida. Check hotel prices for Merida here.
Practical informations about the Uxmal ruins
- There is very little shade around many of the main buildings. Protect yourself, kids! Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. You know the drill.
- If you opt for the bus, it can be chilly as the bus drivers love their A/C. Bring extra layer for the bus journey even if it will be hot in the Uxmal Ruins.
- As usual, start as early as possible. We started at 8 AM as the site opened. We beat the crowds and the intense mid-day heat.
- Wearing sturdy, comfortable walking shoes will help to climb the uneven step to the top of the pyramids.
- Take plenty of water in with you. You don’t want to risk dehydration with the tropical heat.
- Don't forget to bring some snack as you won't be able to buy any as soon as you enter the site. There were few shops by the entrance.
- Open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM. Quieter in the morning, busier in the afternoons.
- Entrance fee for the Uxmal Ruins was about 233 pesos.
- The timetable at time of writing showed departures from Merida to Uxmal at 6:00, 9:00, 10:40, 12:00, 14:35, 17:00, and 18.05. Return times from Uxmal to Merida were 10:30, 12:34, 15:19, 17:49, 20:19. But those timetables keep changing all the time, so ask the ticket booth before you leave Merida.