Major city · Mexico
Santa Elena, Yucatán
Use Santa Elena as a quiet base for the Puuc Maya ruins (Uxmal, Kabáh): a long day-trip from Mérida (1.5 h each way) is enough; 2 nights let you see Uxmal at opening and Kabáh in the afternoon, but extra nights and cenote plans are check.
Santa Elena is a small Yucatecan town of 3,800 people, 16 km from Uxmal and 10 km from Kabáh. It has a 19th-century church and a handful of guesthouses. Most travellers use it as a quiet base for the Puuc route. Two nights let you see Uxmal at opening and Kabáh in the afternoon, but the availability of eateries and a two-day itinerary are check.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (check)
- avoid May–Sep (heat and rain, check); Easter week (check)
- Airport
- MID
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santa Elena, Yucatán911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Elena, Yucatán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetySanta Elena is a quiet, safe town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 078 Tourist assistance (24 h, English)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMID Mérida International Airport (Manuel Crescencio Rejón) (About 1.5 h by car or bus (check); rent a car at the airport for the Puuc route.).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local eaterycheckMXN 20–35 (≈ US$2)
- Sit-down mealSit-down meal (sopa de lima, cochinita pibil)checkMXN 100–200 (≈ US$6–11)
- Street or quick mealTortas or panuchos (street food)checkMXN 30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- BeerBeer (bottle at a shop / at a restaurant)checkMXN 15–25 (≈ US$1–2)MXN 35–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Santa Elena to Uxmal (one way)checkMXN 150–250 (≈ US$9–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus Mérida–Santa Elena (one way)checkMXN 80–120 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMX$600 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMX$2,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$800 (≈ US$45) · Mid MX$1,500 (≈ US$85) · High MX$2,500 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MID Mérida International Airport (Manuel Crescencio Rejón) (About 1.5 h by car or bus (check); rent a car at the airport for the Puuc route.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Sep (12 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Elena, Yucatán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers the town. For the ruins and cenotes you need a car, a taxi or a tour. Buses from Mérida stop at the plaza but are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Uxmal
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car or taxi, 16 km (9.9 mi) south-east; or a colectivo from the plazaCar or taxi, 9.9 mi (16 km) south-east; or a colectivo from the plaza
Go at opening (08:00) to beat the heat and the tour buses.Go at opening (8:00 AM) to beat the heat and the tour buses.
Kabáh
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car or taxi, 10 km (6.2 mi) east on the same roadCar or taxi, 6.2 mi (10 km) east on the same road
Smaller than Uxmal; the Codz Poop mask façade is the highlight.
Mérida
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h (check)
Car or bus (check operator and timing)
Day-trip for museums and food, or continue your trip.
Celestún
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car, about 1 h 20 min via the 261
Flamingo reserve and beach; best in the dry season (Nov–Mar).
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few guesthouses and B&Bs within walking distance of the plaza and the church.
Road to Uxmal
A couple of hotels on the highway between Santa Elena and Uxmal; quieter but you need a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MXN 800–1,200 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- MXN 1,200–2,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- MXN 2,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × MX$1,200 | MX$2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,500 | MX$6,000 |
| Car rental, one day (compact, manual)1 × MX$800 · check | MX$800 |
| Uxmal entry2 × MX$500 · check | MX$1,000 |
| Kabáh entry2 × MX$80 · check | MX$160 |
| Cenote entry (e.g. Cenote X'batun)2 × MX$100 · check | MX$200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,056 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,904 per person per day, bed included | MX$11,616≈ US$650 |
check
2026 estimate in Mexican pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local eaterycheck | MXN 20–35 (≈ US$2) |
| Tortas or panuchos (street food)check | MXN 30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Sit-down meal (sopa de lima, cochinita pibil)check | MXN 100–200 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Beer (bottle at a shop / at a restaurant)check | MXN 15–25 (≈ US$1–2) / MXN 35–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L)check | MXN 15–25 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi from Santa Elena to Uxmal (one way)check | MXN 150–250 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Bus Mérida–Santa Elena (one way)check | MXN 80–120 (≈ US$5–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in town: bring enough pesos from Mérida or Uxmal.
- Restaurants close early (by 20:00); eat before or bring snacks.Restaurants close early (by 8:00 PM); eat before or bring snacks.
- Mosquitoes are active after dusk: bring repellent.
- Cell signal is patchy on the road to the ruins; download maps offline.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 911
- Tourist assistance (24 h, English)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Santa Elena, YucatánSanta Elena, Yucatán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)911
- Tourist assistance (24 h, English)078
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mérida airport → Santa Elena, taxi: about MXN 1,200–1,600 (≈ US$65–90), about 1.5 h (check)
- Santa Elena → Uxmal, taxi: MXN 150–250 (≈ US$9–14), about 20 min (check)
- Santa Elena → Kabáh, taxi: MXN 100–200 (≈ US$6–11), about 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello / Good morning (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? — Where is the bus stop? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh ow-toh-BOOS)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see)
- ¿Tiene una habitación? — Do you have a room? (TYEH-neh OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN)
Spanish is the main language; Maya is spoken in some households. English is rare outside tourist sites.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Elena, Yucatán. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar (check) · avoid May–Sep (heat and rain, check); Easter week (check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Santa Elena, Yucatán
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