Uxmal

Information

It is one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatán Peninsula, both for its size and the number of well-preserved structures. It is normal to see a good number of visitors.

It is 82 km from Mérida and 155 km from Campeche (city). It is far from the Riviera Maya, as it is about 300 to 400 km from Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, but it is worth mentioning that it can be reached by a combination of fully paved roads.

Near the ruins is the village of Santa Elena, where there are hotels and grocery shops.

When I was in Uxmal, apart from paying the entrance fee to the ruins, I had to pay an additional fee charged by the state of Yucatán. The fee for foreigners is different (more expensive) than for Mexicans (cheaper).

Uxmal was the capital or main Mayan centre of a part of the Yucatán peninsula.

There is a lot to see at the site and exploring the entire site takes about 2 to 3 hours. The most imposing structure is the 35-metre high Templo del Adivino (Temple of the Magician). Other notable structures include the Casa de las Tortugas (Turtle House) and the Palacio del Gobernador (Governor's Palace). A unique site is the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Nunnery Quadrangle), which is the name given by the Spaniards to a group of four buildings, when in fact it is thought to have been a school for priests and astrologers for the elite of Mayan society.

Something curious is that when someone enters the rooms of the structures, it is common for swallows to fly out, and it is because the rooms of the buildings are full of nests of these birds. Another fact is that in the parks of the area it is very common to see the striking turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa).