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Uxmal: Ancient Mayan Ruins South of Merida

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The initial view, upon entering Uxmal, is the east view of the House of the Magician
The initial view, upon entering Uxmal, is the east view of the House of the Magician

[S]ixty two kilometers south of Merida is the Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal.

According to UNESCO:

The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals a knowledge of astronomy.

The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain.

The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and architecture.

While everyone else in my G Adventures group decided to visit cenotes (underground pools) outside of Merida, I chose to strike off on my own (again), in order to see Uxmal, my 10th UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico at that point.

This was the only UNESCO-listed ruins I visited in Mexico without a guide. To save time and money, I went gonzo style, running around the near-empty site on my own.

Part of this had to do with the bus schedule, and the other part being the blazing sun. I'd arrived around noon, and it was searingly hot, with little shade available.

On the Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza gets the lion's share of the attention and tourists. Uxmal, by comparison, is too far away from the Mayan Riviera to do as a day trip, so it gets far fewer visitors. I also liked howe well-preserved it was, and the abundance of iguanas.

The western, front view, of the House of the Magician
The western, front view, of the House of the Magician
Intricate stonework on a building in the Nunnery Quadrangle
Intricate stonework on a building in the Nunnery Quadrangle
The Ballgame court (foreground) was built in the late 9th century, and was used for prestigious ceremonial games
The Ballgame court (foreground) was built in the late 9th century, and was used for prestigious ceremonial games. They are a staple of the major Mayan cities, with the largest being at Chichen Itza.
Iguanas are everywhere at Uxmal, and due to their excellent camouflage, you'll be walking near them at not even notice until they start to run away
Iguanas are everywhere at Uxmal, and due to their excellent camouflage, you'll be walking near them at not even notice until they start to run away
A view toward the Nunnery Quadrangle
A view toward the Nunnery Quadrangle
Intricate stone reliefs atop the Great Temple (aka Great Pyramid)
Intricate stone reliefs atop the Great Temple (aka Great Pyramid)
View from atop the Great Temple on a beautiful day
View from atop the Great Temple on a beautiful day
A wider view of Uxmal from the Great Temple
A wider view of Uxmal from the Great Temple
A closer view of the House of the Magician as seen from the Great Temple
A closer view of the House of the Magician as seen from the Great Temple
The Governor's Palace has one of the longest facades in Pre-Colombian Mesoamerica
The Governor's Palace has one of the longest facades in Pre-Colombian Mesoamerica
A detail of one corner of the Governor's Palace reveals more intricate reliefs
A detail of one corner of the Governor's Palace reveals more intricate reliefs

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UNESCO

 

The Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal became a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Click here for the full list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

 

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My Mexico Ancient Civilizations tour was in partnership with G Adventures. 

Last Updated on March 25, 2021 by Dave

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About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

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Comments

  2. Brady and Shelly says

    Uxmal really is one of our favorite of the mayan sites! It’s one not normally visited or famous, but the complex is huge and has some incredibly intricate carvings and amazing history. We really loved the whole Ruta Puuc too with some of the other smaller ruins. Great area of the Yucatan away from the big pyramid sites like Chichen Itza and Coba.