National park · Mexico
UxmalZona Arqueológica de Uxmal
Go at opening (08:00) and you have the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery courtyard nearly to yourself for two hours; budget MXN 500–600 for foreign-adult entry plus the state fee, and skip the midday 12:00–15:00 window when tour buses from Mérida and Cancún arrive.Go at opening (8:00 AM) and you have the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery courtyard nearly to yourself for two hours; budget MXN 500–600 for foreign-adult entry plus the state fee, and skip the midday 12:00 PM–3:00 PM window when tour buses from Mérida and Cancún arrive.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- The protected archaeological zone is small — a few square kilometres of restored core inside a larger Puuc reserve (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Mérida
Uxmal is the best-restored Puuc Maya city in Yucatán: low horizontal palaces covered in stone mosaic, set in jungle 85 km south of Mérida. It thrived between the 7th and 10th centuries CE and was likely the capital of a regional state in the Puuc hills from about 850 to 950 CE. The site is compact enough to walk in three hours and has a nightly light-and-sound show that is generally considered better than the one at Chichén Itzá. Most visitors come as a day trip from Mérida; staying one night at the site lets you do both the ruins at opening and the show after dark.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1996Inscribed as Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal, together with Kabah, Sayil and Labná.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 1996
The protected archaeological zone is small — a few square kilometres of restored core inside a larger Puuc reserve (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mérida.
Why go
- The Pyramid of the Magician is the tallest structure in the Puuc hills at 35 m, and its rounded west face is unlike anything at Chichén Itzá.
- The Nunnery courtyard and the Governor's Palace carry the densest stone mosaic in the Maya world — hundreds of Chaac masks, serpents and astrological symbols.
- It is walkable in half a day and 85 km (53 mi) from Mérida, so it fits a single morning without a tour.It is walkable in half a day and 53 mi (85 km) from Mérida, so it fits a single morning without a tour.
- The nightly light-and-sound show is on site, so one night nearby gets you both the ruins and the show.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, 20–29°C (68–84°F), clear skiesDry, 68–84°F (20–29°C), clear skies
- FebDry and mild; busiest of the cool months
- MarDry, warming; spring break crowds late in the month
- AprHot by midday; start at 08:00Hot by midday; start at 8:00 AM
- May35°C (95°F)+ and humid; little shade between buildings95°F (35°C)+ and humid; little shade between buildings
- JunRain starts; afternoon storms
- JulWet, humid; mosquitoes at their worst
- AugWet and hot; some sites close for maintenance (check)
- SepPeak rain and peak heat; the wettest month
- OctRain eases late in the month; green and quiet
- NovDry, cooler, thin crowds
- DecDry and pleasant; Christmas week is busy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosquitoes (dengue and malaria risk in Yucatán)May–Oct · Repellent is essential; the site sits in jungle. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Iguanas and small lizards on the stoneworkAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rescued monkeys and deer at Choco-StoryAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mérida
Car west on MEX 180 for about 15 km (9.3 mi), then south on MEX 261 for about 40 km (25 mi), following signs to Uxmal.Car west on MEX 180 for about 9.3 mi (15 km), then south on MEX 261 for about 25 mi (40 km), following signs to Uxmal.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Mérida by bus
Second-class SUR buses toward Campeche stop at the ruins; buy an AhorroBus smart card at the ADO Tame terminal.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Campeche
Bus or car north on MEX 261 via Maxcanú.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Tren Maya
Get off at Mérida-Teya (about 1 h by road to the site) or Maxcanú (about 20 min closer); onward transport is by taxi or tour.
1–1.5 h from either station
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance and visitor centre | Ticket windows, small museum, snack bar, craft shops, restrooms. | Open with a ticket. |
| Pyramid of the Magician group | The 35 m pyramid just past the entrance, plus the House of the Turtles and the ballcourt. | Open; climbing the pyramid is no longer allowed. |
| Nunnery quadrangle | Four long palaces around a courtyard, the densest carved facade on the site. | Open; walk the courtyard floor only. |
| Governor's Palace group | The palace on its raised platform, the Dovecote and the House of the Old Woman to the south. | Open; a short walk from the Nunnery. |
Sketch map
- 1Uxmal entrance and visitor centre · Gate≈20.360, -89.768Map ↗
- 2Pyramid of the Magician · Summit≈20.361, -89.770Map ↗
- 3Nunnery quadrangle · Trail≈20.361, -89.771Map ↗
- 4Governor's Palace · Viewpoint≈20.359, -89.771Map ↗
- 5Dovecote · Trail≈20.359, -89.773Map ↗
- 6Choco-Story Uxmal · Town≈20.364, -89.770Map ↗
- 7The Lodge at Uxmal · Sleep≈20.362, -89.767Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions within the archaeological zone, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, foreign adult | MXN 500–600 (≈ US$30–35) | person | Split into a federal INAH ticket and a Yucatán state ticket; 2026 estimate, check current rates. |
| Entry, Mexican adult | MXN 200–250 (≈ US$11–14) | person | Lower rate with Mexican ID; 2026 estimate. |
| Entry, child under 13 | MXN 0–100 (≈ US$0–6) | person | Free or reduced with ID; check at the gate. |
| Video camera permit | MXN 50–100 (≈ US$3–6) | camera | Tripods and professional gear need a separate permit (check). |
| Light-and-sound show | MXN 150–250 (≈ US$9–14) | person | Separate ticket from daytime entry; 2026 estimate. |
| Guide, licensed, 2 h | MXN 800–1,500 (≈ US$45–85) | group | Hired at the entrance; rates negotiable. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day entry ticket permit or guide
Drone flight permit or guide
Tripod or professional filming permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$500–600≈ US$30–35
- MX$200–250≈ US$11–14
- MX$50–100≈ US$3–6
- MX$150–250≈ US$9–14
- MX$800–1,500≈ US$45–85
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on INAH — Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal before you go.
Park rules
- Climbing
- Do not climb the pyramids or any restored structure; ropes and signs mark the limits.
- Trails
- Stay on marked paths and do not enter excavation areas or roped-off jungle.
- Drones
- Not allowed without INAH authorisation.check
- Tripods and professional gear
- A permit may be required; ask at the ticket office (check).check
- Food and drink
- No food inside the archaeological zone; eat at the visitor centre or Choco-Story.
Where to stay
Near the park
The Lodge at Uxmal
Closest hotel to the gate, walking distance to the entrance and the show.
Near the park
Hacienda Uxmal
Historic hacienda across the highway; long-standing base for site visitors.
Near the park
Villas Arqueológicas Uxmal
Bungalow-style rooms a few minutes from the entrance.
Near the park
Mérida
Full range of hotels and hostels 85 km (53 mi) away; the usual day-trip base.Full range of hotels and hostels 53 mi (85 km) away; the usual day-trip base.
Safety
Heat and sun high
Mosquito-borne disease medium
Uneven stone and steps medium
Afternoon storms in the wet season medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The entrance, museum, visitor centre and the main plaza paths are level and reachable by car.
- The Governor's Palace platform and the south group involve steps and uneven stone; not suitable for wheelchairs.
- No bike or shuttle rentals inside the site; walking is the only way around.
Visiting lightly
- Buy from the craft shops and vendors at the visitor centre rather than outside the gate.
- Do not touch carved facades; skin oils and abrasion damage the limestone.
- Carry out all rubbish; bins inside the zone are limited.
- Combine Uxmal with Kabah and the Ruta Puuc in one loop to cut repeat driving.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Uxmal?
Foreign adults pay roughly MXN 500–600 (about US$28–34) in 2026, split into a federal INAH ticket and a Yucatán state ticket. Mexican adults pay less with ID, and children under 13 are free or reduced. The evening light-and-sound show is a separate ticket, roughly MXN 150–250. Rates change — check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Uxmal?
There are no backcountry trails; the walking is between building groups. The core loop from the gate to the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery takes 1.5–2 hours. Adding the Governor's Palace, Dovecote and House of the Old Woman makes it 3–4 hours. All of it is flat and easy; heat, not terrain, is the difficulty.
When is the best time to visit Uxmal?
November to March: dry, 20–29°C and clear. April and October are still good if you start at 08:00. Avoid September, the wettest and hottest month, and treat May to August as a morning-only visit. Whatever the month, arrive at opening to beat the tour buses that land around midday.
Can I climb the Pyramid of the Magician?
No. Climbing the pyramid and all other restored structures has been prohibited for years. You walk the plazas and courtyards only.
How do I get to Uxmal without a car?
Second-class SUR buses from Mérida toward Campeche stop at the ruins; you need an AhorroBus smart card, bought at the ADO Tame terminal in Mérida. Return buses run at set times in the afternoon and can be early or late, so confirm the schedule on arrival. Tren Maya passengers use Mérida-Teya or Maxcanú station and continue by taxi or tour.
Is Uxmal worth it compared with Chichén Itzá?
They are different sites. Chichén Itzá is bigger and busier; Uxmal is smaller, better restored in the Puuc style and far quieter at opening. If you have two days in Yucatán, do both — Uxmal as a half-day from Mérida and Chichén Itzá as a separate trip.
How long do you need at Uxmal?
Two hours covers the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery. Three to four hours covers the whole restored core plus the small museum. Add an hour if you stop at Choco-Story across the highway.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go