Zona Arqueologica Uxmal, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

5smithsuza 5:00 PM Feb 19, 2020

Knowledgeable private guide to recommend
On the advice of a friend, we called a local guide who took four adults on a day tour to Uxmal. We were able to tailor the trip to our liking, asking to leave Mérida by 7:15 so we could be at the site as early as possible. We also requested lunch at a hacienda, and a swim in a cenote. Our guide, Gabriel Perez, arrived punctually with an air-conditioned vehicle. As we all love history and enjoy bird-watching (also a passion of Gabriel’s), he kindly incorporated information in both subjects along the way. We saw many beautiful birds at Uxmal and it was clear from the start that he was a well-liked and respected guide at each site we visited. We paid around 500 pesos each, not including a tip or tickets to sites, for this amazing day. We enjoyed our day so much that we booked him again for a birding tour in Celestun—also an incredible day. Senor Perez can be reached at 999 183 4334 or [email protected]. He is busy certain days of the week taking group tours to various sites, but if you have some flexibility, you will be very happy with his services.

5Rowan H 5:00 PM Aug 10, 2022

Comparable to Chichen Itza
Uxmal is located 80km from Merida. Although one can get here independently often it is seen as part of a larger tour visiting a Hacienda, Uxmal and a cenote/chocolate museum. I initially wondered whether Uxmal was worth visiting given the nearby Chichen Itza. At the time of writing I have visited both and to be honest I’m not sure which one I liked more. Although Chichen Itza is a larger site with more quantity, I actual feel Uxmal probably had better quality. It’s Casa Del Adivino for example is actually 10m taller than Chichens Itza El Castillo. The Palacio del Gobernador has 100m of facade. It’s all very impressive. However, the most enjoyable element of Uxmal is the fact it sees a fraction of the tourists of Chichen Itza and they don’t allow vendors onto the site so you can really enjoy it without being harassed. The entry fee was 496 mexican peso. I felt this was a bit steep. At the time of writing you navigate it in a one way direction through a designated roped of path. You cannot climb on the ruins. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. As with most archeological sites, adding an guide can help contextualise the ruins and improve the experience. It was very hot when we visited so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Consider stopping at a cenote on your way back to Merida. Overall a great site to visit even for those who may have already seen a lot of ruins in mexico.