Uxmal is Yucatán's second-most-visited Maya site, famed for the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery Quadrangle, and it anchors the Puuc Route-a chain of five UNESCO-listed sites (Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná) through the low Puuc hills south of Mérida. A rental car makes it possible to see all five in a single long day.
Uxmal lies about 80 km south of Mérida along Highway 261, a 1.5-hour drive, and forms the anchor of the Puuc Route, a roughly 60-km chain connecting Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labná through the low limestone hills of the Puuc region. A rental car is by far the most practical way to cover the full circuit in a day, since public transport options are limited to a single Sunday bus that allows only 30-45 minutes per stop. A well-paced day starts at Uxmal by 8am for two to three hours exploring the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the Governor's Palace, followed by a 20-minute drive to Kabah for the ornately carved Palace of the Masks. From there, Sayil's three-tiered palace and Labná's famous corbel arch round out the afternoon, with tiny Xlapak (free entry) as a quick stop in between. Lunch is best planned in the small town of Santa Elena between Uxmal and Kabah, one of the only reliable food stops along the route. Because the sites offer little shade and the heat builds through the day, the dry season from November to April and an early start make the long day more comfortable.
Highlights
- Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal
- Nunnery Quadrangle and Governor's Palace
- Kabah's Palace of the Masks
- Sayil's three-tiered palace
- Labná's carved arch
Tips for visiting
- Rent a car for this trip-covering all five sites by public transport in one day is not realistic outside the single Sunday bus service
- Start at Uxmal by 8am to have the site largely to yourself before tour groups arrive
- Stop for lunch in Santa Elena, roughly midway between Uxmal and Kabah
- Buy tickets for each site individually; there is no single combined pass covering all five
- Bring cash, water, and sun protection-facilities are minimal at the smaller Puuc sites
- Xlapak is free and quick to see, worth the short detour between Sayil and Labná
When to visit
November through April brings cooler temperatures for the long day of walking between shadeless sites; start at Uxmal's 8am opening.
Accessibility
Uxmal's main plaza paths are relatively flat, but climbing the Pyramid of the Magician is not permitted; the smaller Puuc sites have uneven, unpaved paths that are not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Can all five Puuc Route sites be visited in one day?
Yes with a rental car, allowing roughly 6-8 hours including driving; public transport limits visitors to a single Sunday bus with only brief stops at each site.
What is the total cost of entrance fees for the Puuc Route?
Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, and Labná together run about $40 USD combined, since Xlapak has no entrance fee.
Which Puuc Route site is most impressive after Uxmal?
Kabah's Palace of the Masks, covered in dozens of carved rain-god faces, is widely considered the most striking of the remaining four sites.
Is a guide necessary at Uxmal?
Not required, though a licensed guide at the entrance can add historical context that the site's limited signage does not provide.