· MEXICO ·
How to Visit the Mayan Ruins of Uxmal, Mexico
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 09 Sep 2024
Read of for everything you need to know about visiting the surprisingly intricate Mayan ruins of Uxmal, including how to get there, parking, costs, where to stay, if the entry fee is worth it, and much more.
As soon as you set foot into the incredible Mayan site of Uxmal, the little visited, perfectly manicured, superbly intricate ruins will have you immediately questioning why it was not picked as a ‘World Wonder’.
Uxmal was the biggest surprise of our time in the Yucatan. This Mayan archaeological site is astounding, with superbly detailed carvings and detail we have not seen anywhere else in Latin America. In certain moments it had flashes of Angkor Wat and, in others, reminders of the ancient Egyptians.
With very little effort, you can visit these ruins from Merida and be one of few who can speak of the beauty first-hand!
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Some Quick Background Info About Uxmal
History | the city of Uxmal was established in 500 CE, and became one of the most prominent and influential sites in the Mayan empire. Most of the major construction in the city was concentrated between the 7th and 9th centuries when the city was the capital of the Mayan State, with estimates placing the population between 15,000 and 35,000 inhabitants at its peak.
The city lost power after 1200 CE, indicated by the lack of new construction. It is thought this might relate to the collapse of Uxmal’s ally, Chichén Itzá, and a shift of power to Mayapan, a city located to the north-east of Uxmal. The site was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, unlike the fallen Chichén Itzá.
Name | there are several theories behind the origins of the name Uxmal. Some believe it relates to ‘three times built’, relating to its multiple occupations over the centuries. Other suggestions include the idea that the name derives from the word ‘ux’ meaning ‘to harvest’, relating to the agricultural potential of the Puuc region.
UXMAL QUICK FACTS
OPENING TIMES – 8am – 5pm every day (final entry 4pm)
NEAREST CITY – Merida, Yucatan
COST – MX$561 plus MX$80 for parking
BEST SEASON – any, but November to April has less rain
AVERAGE DAILY VISITORS – less than 800
TIME NEEDED – about 2-3 hours
CLIMBABLE – partly
AVOID – visiting on Sundays – it is free for Mexican nationals so is generally busier
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11 LESS TOURISTY THINGS IN THE YUCATAN | THINGS TO DO AROUND MERIDA
Why Should You Visit Uxmal?
Wildlife | there are nesting birds in many of the structures, including Cave Swallows, Motmots and Swifts, meaning that the buildings sort of ‘chirp’. It’s pretty cool (and mildly alarming) when a flock of them fly out at you from nearby entrances! There are also a bunch of lizards who do not seem overly concerned by humans.
Photography | the elaborate architecture, vistas and the tremendous number of nesting birds swooping in and out of the buildings make it exceptionally easy to get great photos of this complex site.
Quiet | despite being relatively close to the largest city in the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida, there are so few people that visit this site. When we arrived there were only four cars in the car park (who may have been staff!).
Uniqueness | the façade of winding snakes, faces and meticulously detailed patterns are not characteristic of other Mayan ruins we have visited. In addition to this, the site had unusual, rounded architecture.
How to Get to Uxmal
The nearest major town to Uxmal is Merida.
All journeys that we mention below assume you are starting off there.
Getting to Uxmal by Bus
From Merida’s TAME bus station, take the Sur Bus towards Campeche, which stops at Uxmal on route. You will need to confirm the running times in-person for the day you plan to go, as Sur doesn’t have details published online. Additionally, Sur bus tickets are purchased at the ADO counter and cost MX$84 (about 4 USD).
There is no bus station at Uxmal, so you’ll need to wait by the side of the main road on the opposite side of the junction for your journey back. It’s pretty obvious where – make sure you are visible. Keep an eye out for your bus and flag it down when you spot it.
Check for return times at the bus station in Merida before your journey.
Tip | there is a lot of out-of-date information regarding these buses online currently. The bus schedules appear to change often!
Taxis and Tours to Uxmal
Taking a taxi is the most expensive option and will cost around 2000 MX$ ($100). Unless you are on ridiculously tight schedule, there are far better options. However, this choice will give you the opportunity to arrive at opening time which we highly recommend.
The simplest method is to visit is by organised tour, where you will be picked up at your hostel or hotel. There are plenty of options to choose from online or your accommodation will be able to arrange one with less than a day’s notice. This is not the best value for money option, plus you will not get the peace and quiet that Uxmal is known for. Logistically though, it is the easiest!
How to Self-Drive to Uxmal
If you have a driving license, getting yourself a rental car is the most flexible way to travel. We rent all our cars in Mexico through Discover Cars, who have excellent insurance in case you damage your car!
Tip | you will also need a 1926 Internal Driving Permit to drive legally in Mexico as a tourist. Car rental companies often do not ask for this, but your insurance may be invalid without it.
Directions | to get to Uxmal, head along Federal Highway No. 261 in the direction of Santa Elena. After the town of Muna (roughly 65 km from Merida) head towards Lázaro Cárdenas and then finally Uxmal. It’s a very simple and pleasant drive!
Google Maps works perfectly for driving around the Yucatan.
Parking | there’s a parking fee of MX$80 (US$4) at the site, or you can try to park outside the chocolate museum for free (a very short walk away).
Another option is to drive to Uxmal but, instead, spend the night nearby in Uxmal or the small town of Santa Elena. This allows you to get to Uxmal early the next day, beat the crowds and enjoy the relatively cool temperatures. We stayed at The Pickled Onion in nearby Santa Elena and drove to Uxmal in the morning on an empty road.
There are loads of other things to do with a rental car if you need to justify the cost. The area surrounding Merida has empty cenotes, tiny villages, quiet beaches and other ruin sites.
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR UXMAL TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in the United States, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
Ticket Costs for Uxmal
The fees at Uxmal are higher than other Mayan ruins in Mexico, as the State of Yucatan has imposed a huge tariff on Mayan ruin tickets (this has happened at Chichén Itzá and Ek’ Balam, too).
As of 2025, there is now an entry fee of MX$100 for entry to the park, plus MX$481 for the Yucatan Tax Administration Agency. This comes to a whopping total of MX$581 (US$30.50) per person for non-nationals. Card is accepted at Uxmal, but the entry fee of MX$100 must still be paid in cash.
Mexican nationals pay a total of MX$257, and entry is free for Mexican nationals on Sundays.
If you are driving to the Uxmal archaeological site, there is a parking fee of MX $80 (US $4.20) in addition to the above costs.
What to Bring For Your Trip
This is a pretty standard list. Specific things for this site include a hat and sunblock because much of it is extremely exposed, and cash because cards are not accepted for all the entry fees.
We took:
Cash | apparently you can one of the entry fees by card. It is best to bring enough for both anyway (card machines might not work) – you’ll have to visit the nearby town of Santa Elena or Muna to visit an ATM.
Lunch and water | there’s not a whole lot around the site in terms of shops, although you could eat in one of the restaurants or hotels nearby. Local towns are also not far away.
Sunblock | the area is pretty exposed.
Hats | as above.
Insect repellent | we visited in December and didn’t need to use our bug stuff. It’s definitely possible that you may need to at other times of the year though.
Light clothing | even early in the morning it was warm. This area gets really, really hot.
Waterproof shell | we didn’t need it but it makes sense to take one in case of rain.
Footwear | any basic trainers would be totally fine here. Apart from some uneven steps, this is a very easy walk. Maybe it would be more difficult after a lot of rain but that wasn’t the case for us.
Waterproof covering | during the wetter months, you might get caught out by the rain (you might get caught out in the drier months too!). Having a covering for your bag and for yourself is recommended.
Final Thoughts – Uxmal Mayan Ruins
Uxmal was honestly one of our favourite Mayan sites, and we hope our enthusiasm persuades you that it is worth a visit!
If you are still deciding which Mayan ruin is best for you during your Yucatan peninsula trip, consider reading our Yucatan Mayan ruins summary with a full list of pros and cons.
Have a fantastic trip!
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