Overview: A worthwhile archeological site to visit if you're near Merida. Pros: interesting history, impressive site. Cons: Ridiculously inefficient ticketing system. Cost. I was in Merida on work earlier this year and made a quick visit to Uxmal. If you're into archeology and history, this is an interesting place to visit. Note climbing the pyramids is no longer allowed in Mexico. The park requires two separate tickets, and the purchasing process is inefficient. You can buy one ticket from an automated kiosk or stand in line. Then, you must stand in a separate line to purchase the second ticket. Credit cards are accepted, but the lines for using credit cards are slow. Cell service is a bit spotty. Public restrooms are available and they are cleaner than average. Time budget: 1.5 to 2 hours Parking: Parking is not free. Bring some pesos to pay for parking. Tips: Plan to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. read more

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We thought Uxmal actually was so much better than Chichzen Itza with larger area to explore and more varied, accessible and climbable ruins. A lot fewer crowds possibly because of its more remote location . Beautiful landscape with lots of Iguanas. There is paid parking available. There are couple of Cenotes X'Batun and Dzonbakal on an off beat path to cool down. Definitely a must visit place ! My advice to tourist is to rent a car when in Yucatan and you can actually reach places that are wonders ! read more

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We visited the ruins of Uxmal last week when we visited Merida over the Thanksgiving holiday, and I'm so glad we left the city to visit it. Uxmal is an ancient Mayan city of the classical period. It is considered one of the most important archeological sites of Mayan culture and one of the cities most representative of the region's dominant architectural style. The site has several noteworthy buildings: the governor's palace, two pyramids, and a ballcourt, and its architecture is quite stunning still (ornate friezes, columns, and sculptural details). The site has an entrance area with some snack stands, a shop, and bathrooms. It's an incredible site to explore, but I recommend you go with the a guide or hire a guide at the site, since the experience is much improved if you can explore it with someone who is knowledgeable about its history. Definitely a highlight of our time in Merida and Yucatan. read more

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Uxmal is amazing. I'd say it's even more interesting than Chichen Itzá because there's more variation in the structures and its terrain has some great views. Also, you can get very close to the pyramids with hardly anyone else at the site. Of all the Mayan sites, this is one of the best. There is a turtle building with little turtles all over it. Also, there are many other interesting carvings and buildings. Highly recommended!! read more

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Uxmal is way more interesting than Chichen Itza. Amazing site, well worth the $494 ish Pesos and the $800 peso tour guide to explain everything here. There's WAY FEWER PEOPLE here than Chichen Itza, and the more personal tour makes this place so much more magical. Uxmal, or pronounced ("oosh-mahl") was one of the most important Mayan cities in the Yucatan and an easy day trip from Merida. The ruins are nearly pristine and the pyramid and palace complex is in fantastic condition. Normally I wouldn't get extras or add-ons, but I think for the best experience getting a tour guide is a MUCH better idea here than at Chichen Itza simply because this place is quieter and has more things to look at. You can climb a terrace that overlooks the entire area and do it on a relaxed pace. You can clap your hands in front of the pyramid to get a quatzal bird sound coming from the acoustics. Very neat stuff and makes you wonder how they came up with this. Also shoutout to Manuel for talking about his culture and history so passionately. He definitely was a fantastic tour guide with fluent English and had a ton of passion about the topic. Can't really praise a place higher than this. Wonderful wonder and definitely is more authentic experience of Mayan Civilization. read more

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Not a cheap site to enter. $461 MXN for tourists, but well worth the visit. I've seen a lot of ruins and these are up there among my favorite. Very impressive. Well maintained. Great photo opportunities. If you take your time and read all the history you can probably be in and out in under one hour. The ONLY reason I'm at 4 stars is because of the double standards set by the staff. We were told we could not enter with our backpacks but just about every person we saw past the entrance had bags. And umbrellas, which were also a prohibited item, according to the sign. I was sure to notify the staff of my displeasure upon exiting. read more

I visited Uxmal ruins on a improtu short getaway to the city of Merida. Roughly an hour car trip out of the city of Merida. Ride is quite bumpy heading out the city by opens to smoother surface as you hit the outskirts of the city enroute Uxmal. Uxmal offer history, scenery and provides the flexibility of a close up view of the ruins and not overly crowded with tourist at least during my visit(Sunday in February). The site is nestled in the jungles(yes that's what the locals call the area). It is possible to spend the entire day there if you are into the view(s), like to walk/lightweight hike and take your time. All but one of the ruins you can climb. The are a couple of gift shops present, drink stands and a full restaurants (Coole Chepa Chi) on the premises. Highly advisable to bring your own water and snacks. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Rocky paths and challenging routes to the actual pyramids via access paths and steep stairs. Lots of easy to read signs in multiple languages, which explain the various important points and sites. Highly recommend putting this visit on the list if you are every in the city of Merida. read more

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**A MUST-DO DAY TRIP FROM MERIDA** We hired a tour guide from a private company and it was the best idea. ABOUT UXMAL ============ Pronounced ("oosh-mahl", meaning "thrice-built") in the Yucatan dates from before the 10th century AD. Considered one of the most beautiful expressions of Puuc architecture and, for me, was THE highlight of my Yucatán vacation. THE RUINS ========= - The main ruins of Uxmal cover about 150 acres, with other districts spreading further out. - The popularity of the rain god Chac at Puuc sites are apparent with the design and wells. - Magician's Pyramid is the tallest structure at Uxmal. - One of my favorites was the Turtle House, a rectangular building on the terrace south of the ball court. PROS ==== Barely any crowds. You can explore with little restrictions. You can climb lots of stairs. Breath-taking Magician's Pyramid. GETTING THERE ============== If traveling by car, there are two routes to Uxmal from Merida: Highway 261 or State Highway 18. Note that there's no gas available at Uxmal. Buses runs from Merida to Uxmal. Best to sign up for a guided tour in Merida. PRO TIPS ======== - If staying the night in Uxmal, try to arrive late in the day, buy a ticket to see the sound-and-light show that evening, then explore the ruins the next morning before it gets hot. Make sure to let the ticket vendor know your intentions and keep the ticket (just in case). - Bring water and wear sunscreen and/or hat! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

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I really liked Uxmal. Why? - It was a lot to explore and you get to climb a lot of the bulidings! Not the main pyramid, but still you get to climb one big one in the back. - It feels more relaxed and more natural than Chichen Itza. And lastly... - NO VENDORS HOUNDING YOU. You can definitely get a guide if you want to know more about the history or the little intricacies of the place OR you can just stalk a group with one. Remember to clap your hands in front of the pyramid to hear the snake/jaguar...or is it eagle? Darn it. I forget. It does take a while to get here and with us, we got a flat tire...ugh. So just have the Green Angels number handy (which I didn't know about) or get ready to change your tire on highways with very speedy cars...though at least it wasn't a lot of cars. read more

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I think this is my favorite pyramid and complex I've explored so far - Which is not a claim I make lightly. What makes this stand out for me was the condition of the pyramid and the ancillary buildings. It's almost as if the Mayans departed yesterday. For me also it was the journey there through the jungle roads and little Mexican villages along the way. Uxmal is not on the beaten path but the journey out there is defiantly recommended. We stayed at the nearby hotel which was close to the site and had a real 60s mid century modern feel. read more

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Must see if you are in the Merida area. Take a tour, hire a driver, rent a car, take a public bus, something. Well worth the visit. And it's not as crowded as Chichen Itza. Overall the ruins are in MUCH better shape and lot more details in the structures. You can't take a bad picture there. In Chichen Itza we hired a tour guide. For Uxmal we educated our selves a lot more before hand so we had an idea of what we were looking at. If you're clueless and don't know a Mayan pyramid from a Aztec one or what a ball court is for, hire a guide you'll enjoy the visit much better. While you can't climb up the big pyramid, there is another one you can climb that is about as tall as the one in Coba. read more

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Uxmal is INCREDIBLE. These were by far the oldest structures (founded 700 AD) I have ever laid eyes, hands or feet on, and it was a moving experience. The amount of detail and work put in to these buildings is mind-boggling. Considering the amount of land to cover and the amount of time the Mayans took to construct this marvel, the least you should allow for your visit is about 3-4 hours. Entrance fees are about $12 USD for Mexican citizens and $18 USD for foreigners. The fee breakdown is posted -- part goes to the Mexican Federal government and part to the State of Yucatan. La Piramide del Adivino is the first structure you see and the most impressive because of its size, but take your time and make sure you notice the details in the Quadrangle of the Nuns and the ball court. I also recommend you make the steep climb up to the Casa de Tortugas, because once there, the view is spectacular. You overlook the ruins and then just see lush jungle in all directions. Chaac, the serpent rain god, is highly represented throughout Uxmal. Apparently there is a spectacular light show every night in the quadrangle of the nuns. Another fun aspect is the iguanas everywhere! We were able to get some great pictures of these beautiful (and kinda scary) creatures. Before coming to Uxmal, we spoke with Merida locals about which ruins to visit -- Chichen Itza or Uxmal -- and the overwhelming answer was Uxmal because it is less crowded, has more detailed architecture and has retained the authentic Mayan feel. Parking was close and easy, but cost an extra $3 USD. There are gift and snack shops near the entrance and all booths take both USD and pesos. ________________ Uxmal es increíble. Estos fueron, con mucho, las estructuras más antiguas (fundada 700 dC) que he puesto los ojos, las manos o los pies sobre, y fue una experiencia conmovedora. La cantidad de detalles y el trabajo realizado para estos edificios es alucinante. Teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de tierra para cubrir y la cantidad de tiempo que los mayas tomaron para construir esta maravilla, lo menos que debe permitir su visita es de aproximadamente 3-4 horas. Las entradas son de $120 pesos para los ciudadanos mexicanos y $180 pesos para extranjeros. El desglose tasa se registró -- parte va al gobierno federal de México y parte del Estado de Yucatán . La Piramide del Adivino es la primera estructura que se ve y lo más impresionante por su tamaño, pero tómese su tiempo y asegúrese de que usted note los detalles en el Cuadrángulo de las Monjas y el juego de pelota. También recomiendo que usted haga la empinada subida a la Casa de Tortugas, porque una vez allí, la vista es espectacular. Pasas por alto las ruinas y luego acaba de ver la exuberante selva en todas las direcciones. Chaac, dios de la serpiente de la lluvia , es muy presente en todo Uxmal. Aparentemente hay un espectacular show de luces todas las noches en el cuadrángulo de las monjas. Otro aspecto de la diversión son las iguanas por todas partes! Hemos sido capaces de conseguir buenas fotos de estos hermosos (y un poco de miedo) criaturas. Antes de llegar a Uxmal, hablamos con la gente de Mérida sobre cuyas ruinas para visitar -- Chichén Itzá o Uxmal -- y la respuesta abrumadora fue Uxmal, ya que es menos concurrida , tiene una arquitectura más detallada y se ha conservado el auténtico ambiente maya. El aparcamiento estaba cerca y es fácil, pero cuesta un extra de $30 pesos. Hay regalos y golosinas, tiendas cerca de la entrada y todas las cabinas tienen dos dólares y pesos. read more

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Toured and climbed the Mayan ruins in Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico. Mind blowing experience and definitely a "bucket list" experience. Uxmal is not as congested as the other ruins, and is actually the only one left that allows you to climb one of the pyramids. Uxmal is the sacred place that sparked my desire to explore other parts of the world. It was breath taking. Definitely off the beaten path, and had me on my Dora the Explorer type of mindset! I would gladly return, and suggest everyone go visit if you ever get the chance! read more

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Better than the over crowded climbing-restricted Chichen Itza. It avoids the touristy Cancun crowd since it's a little more inland and closer for a day trip from Mèrida. You have to pay a state entrance and federal entrance but it's standard. We got a Spanish speaking guide and he was friendly and knowledgeable. It definitely gave us more insight to the area and he pointed out things like handprints, and explained the rain god Chaak (and his elephant like nose), and symbolic math built into the structure based off the Mayan calendar were some of the things we couldn't have done on our own. As to add to the authenticity of this place, a tour group of Mayans walked by us and our tour guide and him exchanged some casual greetings I'm a local Mayan dialect. I had only seen foreigners at Chichen Itza, and large tour groups at that. There's several building to explore, the first pyramid is unusually rounded, (called the pyramid of the magician) with 5 different temples built into the top. The surrounding Puuc hills make the background picturesque. The area looks rather dry, thus worshiping of the rain God and many cisterns for storage of rain water were built around the area. The nunnery quadrangle, features remnants of brightly colored paint and human handprints as well as ornate decoration depicting two headed feathered serpents. In the back, behind the ball court, the governors place towers acer the two head puma. The grand pyramid stands behind that, still coming out of the hillside with steep steps and a fanatic view of the area from the climb-able top. From there you can see the remnants of the house of doves, or a series of arches of a facade of a building. Though they are still restoring some of buildings, it's clear to see how powerful and magnificent this plaza was back in 800AD. Amongst the iguanas scurrying around, it's peaceful, and you don't have to worry about the hawkers selling their wares. There are several interesting stores along with restrooms and a snack stand in the front by the ticket booth. Definitely worth the drive out from Mèrida. read more

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Uxmal is an amazing site, comparable to Chichen Itza but without the crowds and bothersome vendors. Be aware that there are two pay stations - one is 142 pesos to enter the ruins and then you have to go to the next window and pay an additional 64 pesos for the local tax. Dont miss visiting Uxmal if you are in this part of Yucatan read more

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To sum up Uxmal in a word = wow! Visiting here was definitely the highlight of my vacation. We hired a guide for the day from a private company, but you can also hire one onsite. If you'd rather do a self guided tour, there's plenty of plaques around the site with lots of great information. If you happen to be traveling from the Progreso cruise port, it will take you about 1.75-2 hours to get to Uxmal. Like most others traveling in on cruises, we only had a day here, and thus had to choose between Chichen Itza and Uxmal. I chose Uxmal for a few reasons - 1) it's supposed to be less crowded, 2) street vendors aren't allowed inside, 3) it's closer than Chichen Itza to the cruise port, and 4) you can climb on some of the ruins at Uxmal! Anyway, if you're thinking about visiting here, DO IT! You won't regret it. read more

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This was my first time seeing Mayan ruins, and beyond the structures themselves, what really grabbed me was the mathematics undergirding it all. We had a very talented guide who not only spoke in great detail, but was also able to map out with ballpoint pen many of the concepts embedded in the construction of this amazing city. My friend Jim, a chef from Chicago, often gets made fun of as he bares more than a passing resemblance to the lead character "Jaguar Paw" from the Mel Gibson film, Apocalypto. No one made fun of my friend at Uxmal, and in fact we did a photoshoot where Jim was able to bring 100% Mayan realness. Unfortunately, we had to head back to Merida before the nightly laser show. read more

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This place is amazing! So much history and so much to see in this site. We rented a car since the price of the tour was more than just renting our own car. Renting a car is worth it since you can get there early and have the site to yourself. We decided this would be the best choice for us since we wanted to avoid being at this amazing place with a huge group of tourists. Download a map on your phone and use your GPS to find this place. It was truly not hard to find. WARNING! Bring mosquito repellent! If you don't, get ready to get sucked dry by the mosquitoes! Those little bastards were our worst enemies when we were here. read more

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These ruins are definitely worth visiting if you're spending time in Mérida or Campeche. Many people ask if it's better to see Uxmal or Chichen Itza. They're different in themselves. We personally enjoyed Uxmal more, as it was more interactive and we were able to climb the main pyramid, while being able to walk around and inside mostly all of the ruins. There was definitely more to see here than in Chichen Itza. Do both if you can. There are a lot more people and vendors at Chichen Itza. When leaving Uxmal, you might also want to go to the chocolate museum. read more

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One of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Drive our rental car out here and took in the amazing ruins. Go early to avoid crowds. Can not recommend this enough. Will Never forget it. read more

Huge, Awe-Inspiring, Beautiful & Impressive Ruins Site in the Jungle with No Crowds - Wonderful Experience Exploring. I visited the Uxmal Ruins on the morning of November 23rd with a friend from my hostel in Merida. We rented a car from a local company in Merida called Let's Go Rent a Car, which cost 800 pesos per day including full insurances. I highly recommend this company! We drove from Merida to Uxmal, which took about 1.5 hours. Driving through the city (Merida) definitely requires you to be extra cautious, as Mexican drivers tend not to drive in their defined lanes, they speed and don't obey traffic signs, and they don't use signal lights. But once we got out of the city, the highways were very well-maintained and in fantastic condition. They were pretty quiet when I was driving, which was nice, and the scenery was gorgeous, with jungle encroaching closely on both sides of the highway. There was really good signage pointing us in the right direction to Uxmal and it was easy to find. There were lots of Pemex gas stations along the highway exiting Merida, as well as one in the town of Uman and one in Muna, along the way to Uxmal. The parking cost 30 pesos and the entrance fee was 206 pesos in total (there are two separate tickets that you need to purchase - one for 142 pesos and the other for 64 pesos). The facilities and washrooms at the site's entrance are very modern and well maintained. Uxmal was a huge ruins site with structures, temples and palaces scattered throughout the grounds and they were completely surrounded by lush green and dense jungle. Being in the jungle meant that the mosquitoes were terrible and relentless, regardless of how much bug repellent you were wearing. The grounds were very well maintained and the ruins were beautifully preserved and restored. I loved exploring and wandering through the ruins with no crowds and in general, hardly any other people around! It created such a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Unlike at Chichen Itza, there are no vendors trying to sell you overpriced tourist souvenirs anywhere inside the ruins, which was lovely. The first structure that we saw when we walked into the ruins site, was the Pyramid of the Magicians - a huge temple with curved edges and corners, that is the iconic image representing Uxmal. It was the tallest pyramid at Uxmal and it was such a massive and impressive structure! From there, we saw the Nunnery Quadrangle (huge courtyard surrounded on all sides by long buildings with columns and detailed carvings), Quadrangle of the Birds, Ball Court, Governor's Palace, Cemetery Group and Dovecote temples, pyramids and structures. The ancient carvings and designs of animals, gods and people on the ruins were so intricate and detailed. It was just amazing to think of how this was accomplished! I really enjoyed the fact that we could climb and touch most of the structures (except for the main temple at the beginning). It was interesting to wander down some off the beaten path trails in the jungle and discover some structures that were either completely engulfed in the foliage or only partially excavated. The Great Pyramid is a typical Mayan pyramid that is 98 feet tall! I climbed the steep stone steps to the top and the view of the expansive jungle surrounding the pyramid was so stunning! I could see the tops of other ruins in Uxmal and surrounding sites peeking above the treetops, which was really breathtaking. It took us 2-3 hours to explore the entirety of these ruins at a leisurely pace. I suggest bringing snacks and water (as they are overpriced at the ruins), lots of strong mosquito repellent and wear pants (to protect against the mosquitoes) as well as sturdy, comfortable shoes. From Uxmal, my friend and I continued exploring the other smaller and off the beaten path ruins along the Ruta Puuc (Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, & Labna) and stayed for one night at The Pickled Onion B&B in the Mayan village of Santa Elena, which I also highly recommend. It was the most memorable and wonderful experience of my travels and I made some amazing memories! The Uxmal ruins are just magnificent, beautiful and in fantastic condition. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there - exploring this expansive ruins site surrounded by the jungle and admiring the beautiful and detailed architecture. It was absolutely amazing and I highly recommend Uxmal to anyone traveling in the Yucatan. read more

Went to Uxmal ruins for a day trip, was well worth it! When you arrive you are amazed by these massive ancient structures. Many different structures on site so if there is a large crowd you can move around to avoid crowds. Totally amazing site, many can be climbed to experience an amazing view from the top. At least two hours should be taken for exploring, which never got boring. Take your time, take your pictures, and take in the history of an other time and place of an amazing culture. read more

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Must see! Entry and parking rates have gone up. Uxmal is absolutely a must-see if you're in the area. It's in excellent condition, and one of the best examples of Puuc style, with representations of the rain god, Chaac; feathered serpents, entwined snakes, trapezoidal figures, and much more. The complex is small, easily done in a couple of hours if you're keen on taking lots of photos, and climbing to the top of the pyramids. Food, drinks, and souvenirs are plentiful, and there's even a hotel nearby to use as your home base if you're exploring the area. Note that as of February 2019 entry prices are now 413 pesos per person for both entry tickets, and parking is 80 pesos, and come prepared with cash. If you need an ATM, there is one right next to the bathrooms just inside the gift shot area. read more

Only an hour and a half from Merida on clean and air conditioned public bus. Quiet and wonderful historic sight you should not miss. No vendors hawking wares. Just quiet and absolutely wonderful. There is a lovely restaurant to enjoy lunch and or drinks read more

Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal - Parks Near Me - Uxmal, YUC

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We went to 10 ruin sites on our trip and this one was by far the most impressive (yes, that includes chichen itza). We paid for a tour which was well worth it. Really impressive stuff and you can climb on most of the structures and wander the grounds. read more

The ruins at Uxmal were our absolute favorite as we visited the Yucatan state in January. The cruise ship crowds and other tours arrive in the morning, so I would recommend avoiding those times for arrival. We entered around 12:00p.m. and it was perfect - diminishing crowds and many times where we could take pictures of large areas and not have a single person in the picture. I also highly recommend hiring a guide for this tour - there is so much symbolism and meaning in how everything was built. We learned SO much and were just enthralled by the entire experience. Some other aspects that set this site apart is that there are no vendors inside the park - you can buy souvenirs at the entrance gate, but it is nothing like Chichen Itza from a vendor perspective. You can also climb on the structures here, so it was a much more interactive feel. It is a spectacular experience to climb the main pyramid and take in the whole grounds. We cannot recommend this site enough - prepare to be amazed at what you will learn! read more

At the risk of inflating anybody's expectations, I will say my morning at Uxmal may have been the best I've ever had as a traveler. The ruins are beautiful in all their intricate detail. The setting is fantastic, and the habitat comes up close with all kinds of birds, butterflies and iguanas easy to observe. I've been to dozens of ruins in Mexico, Central and South America. None impressed me more than Uxmal. read more

The entire city of Uxmal is very interesting to meet. There weren't many people when we visited this place, so we didn't have to wait long to get in and enjoy the calm and nature. The price is around 10 dollars. read more

Having traveled to Cancun, my partner planned a trip across the Yucatan peninsula to see this wonder. I am so glad that we did and the trip is definitely worth it. Experiencing the amazing archaeological find was an exceptional way to spend the day. The ruins were in fantastic shape having been partially restored, and the ability to climb and walk all over them made the experience that much more enjoyable. We had a tour guide take us through the ruins and he was able to explain a lot of the history, which for my history teacher partner, that was the icing on the cake. We strongly suggest that you get there early in the morning, as there are not as many crowds. Thankfully, it is not overly congested anyway, but morning time, you are able to see how the sun casts shadows on the ruins and marks time passing on the pyramids. It adds a whole new perspective that many may not think about. What was truly fascinating was that we realized that we were standing on layers of ruins. Walking the grounds, we saw a hole in the ground which showed that there was a whole room below us! Definitely worth a day of exploration! read more

Uxmal is a massive site with relatively small crowds. It's much less touristy than Chichen Itza. Also you can in many cases walk in and on the structures. read more

Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal - Pyramid of the Magician - Parks Near Me - Uxmal, YUC