Uxmal

This is the most relevant site of the Puuc region and perhaps one of the most well-known Mayan cities in the world, Uxmal is famous for the purity and delicacy of its architecture and decorative art. It reached its maximum splendour between the 600 and 900 after Christ. It is highly recommend a visit at night to enjoy the light show, a reminder of the Mayan cosmogony.

Uxmal lies next to a series of hills called "Puuc", which in Maya means "mountainous", and from which the architectural style of this region derived its name. Uxmal represents the best example of this style.
The city seems to have been planned carefully. It has 15 groups of buildings spread out from north to south in an extension of about 2 Km. Several units have a distinct orientation which might have been for astrological reasons.

The first point of a visit to Uxmal after the tourist center is the great construction of the Magician House (Casa del Adivino), setting of an unusual legend and perhaps the most popular in Maya Mythology.
The following route is suggested for a visit to this beautiful city of the Xiues, and capital of the Puuc:
Start at the tourists center located to the east of the archaeological zone, then The House of the Magician, Quadrangel of the Birds, the Nunnery, Ball Court, Cemetery Group, The House of the Doves, The Great Pyramid, The House of the Turtles, The Governor's palace and finally The House of the Old Woman. From here you walk north to return to the tourist center.

Tourists Services:

Hotels: Hacienda Uxmal.

Museum: Located at the Tourist Center. Exhibition of beautiful and interesant sculpted stone and ceramic pieces. Information about the way of living and development of the mayan settles that lived the region.
Arts and Crafts Tianguis: Entrance of the Tourist Center. Objects of obsidian, green stone and ceramic as well as typical clothes can be found here. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Restaurants:

• Hacienda Uxmal: Regional food. Hotel Hacienda Uxmal Km.82 road Merida-Campeche. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mission Inn: International food. Hotel Mission Inn. Km.78 road Merida-Campeche. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Las Palapas: Regional food. Km.69 road Merida-Campeche. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Rancho Uxmal: Regional food. Hotel Rancho Uxmal, Km.70 road Merida-Campeche. open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Villas Arqueologicas: International food. Hotel Villas arqueologicas, near the arqueological zone. Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Yax-Beh: Mexican food. Right at the Tourist Center. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sources: INEGI/SECTUR