Uxmal’s massive scale, elegant structures, and intricate decoration make it one of the most memorable Maya ruins in the Yucatán, and a perennial favorite for casual visitors and Maya-buffs alike. It was the greatest of the Maya cities in the Puuc region, and contains some of the best—and best-preserved—examples of Puuc-style architecture.

And though Uxmal is located just 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Mérida, it doesn’t get the crush of visitors that sites like Chichén Itzá and Tulum do, making a visit here all the more enjoyable.

Practicalities

The ruins and museum are open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; the sound and light show takes place at 7 p.m. in the winter (October–April) and at 8 p.m. in the summer (May–September). General admission to the ruins and sound and light show is US$9 for adults; children under 13 enter free. (Unfortunately, there are no reduced or refunded tickets if you don’t plan on going to the sound and light show, or if it’s cancelled because of rain or other reasons.)

Tickets for the show are US$3, plus US$2.50 for headphones with the translation from Spanish. It’s possible to go to the sound and light show the night before you visit the ruins for the single general admission price, but you must inform the ticket-seller before buying a ticket. You will buy part of the general admission ticket for US$5—not the US$3 show-only ticket—and then pay the remaining US$4 the next day. Don’t lose your ticket from the show, as you must show it the next morning. Parking is US$1 per car; use of a video camera is US$3.

Guides to the ruins charge fixed prices and can be hired right at the entrance. Tours last around 90 minutes and cost US$37 in Spanish or US$42 for English, Italian, French, or German.

In addition to the museum and gift shop, the visitor/entrance center has an ATM, snack bar, postal drop box, and an excellent Dante bookstore.