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Discover Uxmal in the vicinity of Mérida

Uxmal has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2022-09-05 | merida

Near the many Merida hotels is one of the greatest archaeological sites of the country, highly recognized and popular in Yucatan, one of the most visited by tourists and residents. There, you will be able to discover the history, culture and typical traditions of the ancient Mayan civilization, getting a glimpse of the past and the wonderful constructions that were carried out in those times.

Uxmal was a Mayan urbanization where the economic and political power of the region was exercised. Thanks to its archaeological and historical wonders, it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a feat that highlights its importance and cultural value. For this reason, it is recommended that people who visit Mérida take a walk around its surroundings and get to know these or other constructions of the ancient civilization.

Visiting Uxmal from Mérida is not complex, because right by the historic center you will find the means of transport, which lead directly to the place; Likewise, you can hire a private tour service. The entrance fee for these archaeological sites is cheap, allowing any tourist to have the opportunity to get to know it and observe its cultural richness.

We recommend that you prepare adequately and dedicate a day of your vacation to visit Uxmal, leaving your hotel in Merida early to go downtown, where you will find adequate transportation to go to the archaeological wonder. The tour will surely take half a day so that you can enjoy each of the spaces and not miss any historical landmarks.

What to see in Uxmal?

The highlight of Uxmal is the architecture of each of its buildings and its distribution in its 12 square kilometers; in fact, it is the most important area of the Puuc style, which is identified by the smooth walls made in an ornamental way. Some of the most representative buildings are the following:

The fortune-teller's pyramid.

It is the first building that you will find on the tours, it is the highest enclosure of the citadel and therefore one of the most important and outstanding ones; Five temples were used for its construction, each one on top of the previous one until the triangular figure that we find today was completed. Its name is based on the legend of the seer of Uxmal, who is believed to be a child who hatched from an egg and could divine the future.

Nuns’ quadrangle.

It is a huge patio of 120 square meters with several enclosures around it; its name comes from the fact that it is very similar to European nunneries. On each side of the structure, there is different archeology, but the one that stands out the most is the one on the north since it has a very different style and is higher than the others, where you can appreciate a spectacular landscape of the quadrangle.

Ball game.

In almost all the Mayan ruins you will find a court dedicated to the famous ball game, the one in Uxmal is not very well-preserved, but even so, it is possible to appreciate the way in which it was constituted. Currently, you can see several lizards that roam the sides.

Remember that if you want to see a performance of Pok Ta Pok, you can see it for free in the city center every Friday at 8 pm – a social hotspot near the many boutique hotels in Merida, where you will enjoy the history of this sport that was considered a philosophical fight between light and darkness.

“Uxmal emblematic Mayan urbanization in Mérida.”

Governor's Palace

It is the building that, for many tourists, is the one that attracts the most attention; it is a 100-meter long and 9-meter high building, respecting the Puuc style where the bottom part is completely smooth, and the top part is ornamented. This construction has one of the best views of the citadel.

These are just some of the most representative buildings of the 16 found in the complex; We recommend that you do the entire tour and stop to analyze and marvel at this ancient Mayan urbanization.

At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to return to the city and rest peacefully in your favorite Merida hotel, where you will recover energy to continue enjoying your journey in Yucatan. However, before your visit to Uxmal, we recommend that you go equipped with comfortable clothing, a camera, sunscreen, water and other items that allow you to fully enjoy your journey through the old urbanization.

If you want more information about it or want to book a room in our exquisite Merida hotel, we invite you to contact us by email at reservaciones@kunukhotel.com or in the chat located on the website, where we will provide you with quality and totally personalized services, in order to make your stay comfortable, calm and pleasant.