Uxmal (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico): The Definitive guide + Tips

How to visit Uxmal (Mérida) in 2024

Uxmal is a stunning archaeological site in Yucatan, in the Merida region.

It was a powerful Maya city that had a strong alliance with Chichén Itzá, but it only lasted from the 7th to the 10th centuries. You can admire the amazing architectural details that are still well preserved.

This handy guide to Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will tell you everything you need to know about the highlights, how to get there by yourself or with a tour, and where to stay.

Best things to see and do in Uxmal

1. Discover Puuc architecture

Uxmal is my favorite Mayan site in terms of architecture.

It’s the best example of the Puuc style, which features long buildings decorated with carved stones.

“Puuc” also means some hills in the area that have fertile soil.

Because of this fertile soil, many cities were built in the region: there were 150 cities in total, and the main ones were Uxmal, Kabah, and Sayil, which had up to 500,000 people!

You can visit them by following the Puuc Route.

2. The Pyramid of the Magician

The Pyramid of the Magician is the first thing that catches your eye when you arrive at Uxmal.

It’s the main pyramid of Uxmal and one of the most important Maya structures, along with Chichén Itzá and Tikal in Guatemala. It stands 121 ft tall, 262 ft long, and 180 ft wide.

Unfortunately, you can’t climb it, but I bet the view would be awesome!

3. The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid, a stunning structure in Uxmal, measures about 262 feet in length and 98 feet in height.

A temple crowns its summit: the Temple of the Guacamayas was named after the colorful macaws (guacamayas) that adorn its cornice and frets.

4. The Governor’s Palace

The Governor’s Palace in Uxmal is a masterpiece of Mayan sculpture and architecture, with glyphs of Venus, masks of Chac and two-headed snakes. It is on a hill with three terraces and has a throne of a king with snakes and masks.

5. The other important structures

Uxmal has many other important structures to see, such as the Quadrangle of the Birds, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the House of the Turtles, and the ball court.

6. The chocolate museum of Uxmal

If you love chocolate, you should visit the Choco-Story chocolate museum, which is right across from Uxmal.

You enter through a big house that looks like the old Uxmal hacienda, which used to be a major sugar plantation in the area.

The museum is more than just a building, it’s also a jungle garden that you can explore by following its paths.

Here you will see several small huts showing how cocoa is processed, as well as monkeys, jaguars, and rescued birds.

You can also watch a ceremony in honor of the god Chaac, and taste some traditional Mayan chocolate.

It’s a fun thing to do with kids in Mérida, but adults will enjoy it too.

Personally, this is one of my favorite places in the Mérida region because it’s so beautiful. And I always end up buying too much chocolate from their store! 😋

• Admission 190 pesos, 120 pesos for seniors over 60, 90 pesos for children between 6 and 12, or free for children under 6
• Free parking
• Open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Uxmal, you can also book a tour from Mérida that includes not only the archaeological site, but also Kabah, the chocolate museum and lunch! Book it here:

7. Hacienda Uxmal Resort

If you want to stay near Uxmal, you should check out the Hacienda Uxmal, Plantation and Museum. It’s a historic hotel across from Uxmal, right next to the chocolate museum.

The hotel has hosted famous guests like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Rainier of Monaco, and Jackie Kennedy.

It’s a hacienda-style complex with an outdoor pool, a large garden with fruit trees, and trails.

Some tours to Uxmal include access to its pool so you can cool off after your visit, but if you have time, I suggest you spend a night there. It’s a very nice place with excellent service.

The rooms are air-conditioned, comfortable, and they have 2 restaurants that serve traditional Yucatecan Mayan food.

8. The Mayan Planetarium

Uxmal’s Mayan Planetarium is right on the road, at the same entrance as the Chocolate Museum.

It shows a presentation about the Mayan cities of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tikal, and Palenque, and the importance of certain stars in the design of the pyramids.

It’s a very interesting presentation that also gives you a chance to enjoy air conditioning, something you’ll really appreciate in Yucatán! 😉

• Presentation every hour, from 1pm to 8pm
• Facebook page

Practical information to visit Uxmal

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit to Uxmal:

• Open from 8 am to 5 pm
• The entrance fee is 556 pesos for foreigners
• If you want to hire a guide at Uxmal (optional), it will cost 700 pesos in Spanish or 800 pesos in English or French

How to Visit Uxmal from Mérida: Schedule and Prices

Fortunately, getting to Uxmal is much easier than before!

Here’s all the information (schedule and budget) for getting there with an organized tour, by bus, by colectivo (+taxi), or by car:

Getting to Uxmal with a Tour (1 day)

Since I didn’t have a car during my first visit to Uxmal, I decided to keep it simple and book a tour. I didn’t regret it!

It’s a very comprehensive excursion that includes round-trip transportation from Mérida, a guided tour of Uxmal (+ free time), a guided tour of Kabah, a visit to the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum, and lunch.

Book the tour here:

Getting to Uxmal by Bus (1 hour)

You need to take a bus from Zone C of the ADO Centro TAME bus station (click here to see the location on the map).

Normally, departures are in the morning at 6am, 8am, and 9am and returns at 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5pm. But it’s important to verify (and double-check!) the schedules as they vary depending on the season. Do not hesitate to ask the staff, and especially your bus driver, to confirm the return time.

To buy bus tickets for Uxmal (heading towards Campeche), you need to go to the ADO counter, even if the bus is operated by Sur. The Uxmal trip will cost you 102 pesos.

You can buy your tickets on the same morning, but there might be a considerable wait. Therefore, if you have the chance, I invite you to go the day before to purchase your tickets. You’ll have more peace of mind.

• The bus drops you off a 10-minute walk from the entry and the ruins and for the return from Uxmal to Mérida, you simply need to cross the road, opposite to where you were dropped off.

Getting to Uxmal by Colectivo (1 hour + 15 min taxi)

From Mérida, take a colectivo to Muna – departures every 30 minutes, starting at 6am from the Parque San Juan, next to Pemex (click here for the exact location) – 100 pesos for a round trip.

Once in Muna, take a taxi to the ruins – 300 pesos for a round trip (for the car, not per person).

Getting to Uxmal by Car (1 hour)

From Mérida, take the federal route 261 towards Santa Elena (1 hour and 15 minutes). Parking costs 116 pesos.

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Yucatan and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

What to bring?

The sun is very strong in Uxmal and it is humid. Remember to bring a hat or cap, sunscreen and plenty of water. Mosquito repellent will also be useful.

Where to stay when visiting Uxmal?

The closest city is Mérida, so I recommend that you sleep there to visit Uxmal.

• Che Nomadas: Mérida’s best hostel, for adults only, very well located in the city center. Friendly atmosphere, swimming pool surrounded by plants and hammocks, many activities (yoga, cooking, outings, etc.). Starting at just 8$usd for a bed in a dormitory or 44$usd for a private room!

• El Gran Hotel: ideally located in the very center of Merida, right next to the cathedral. It is a very charming hotel, where time seems to have stopped with its colonial look and beautiful woodwork. There’s a restaurant, the rooms are spacious and the wifi works well. Good value for money, starting at only 45$usd per night!

• Hotel Hacienda Merida VIP: this small, luxurious hotel is the ideal place to spend a few romantic days in Merida. Located in the historic center, it is an elegant hacienda-style building, illuminated by candlelight at nightfall. Here you will find a charming swimming pool, comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. Starting at 165 $usd per night

• Hotel Boutique Mérida Santiago: this is a small, comfortable hotel with a colorful hacienda look, modern and with a traditional Mexican touch. There’s a swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. With excellent homemade breakfasts and spacious rooms, it is the ideal hotel if you are looking for comfort without falling into luxury. Starting at  180 $usd per night

How to find your airline tickets at the best price?

To find a cheap flight to Cancun or Merida, as well as your international flight to Mexico, use our flight comparator in collaboration with Skyscanner. It’s the best way to get the best price!

You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Mexico: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

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• Mérida: 20 Best Things to Do and Must-See Attractions
• Where to stay in Mérida? (For an EPIC First Time Visit)
• 1 Day in Merida – The Perfect Itinerary (1st time visit)
• 2 Days in Merida – An Epic Itinerary

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• Chichén Itzá: the definitive guide + My tips
• El Cuyo: The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s Hidden Paradise
• How to Visit Chichén Itzá (Yucatan): The Definitive Guide
• Valladolid: the 25 Best Places to Visit!

• Itinerary: 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Mexico – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
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• Itinerary: 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico: The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month

• Itinerary: 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary: 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary: 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

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