The Pyramids in Yucatan are part of the wonders of the world. Built by the Mayan Indians, they have lasted over 1000 years for us to enjoy. Some of these ruins are located on the carribean, against vast blue seas (Tulum), while others remain in the heartland of the peninsula(Chichen Itza - Below).
Chichen Itza

A bus ride away from Merida, you can visit these beautiful ancient ruins. There are daily tours from travel agencies and several routes you can take. At night, in Uxmal and Chichen Itza, there are light and sound shows as well as many of the sites have museums and guided tours. At the site, people can walk all over the pyramids, climb them and take pictures.
Note: all ruins are open from 8am to 5pm, and some require entrance fees and parking. Museums, shops, personal guides and shows on site may have different schedules or extra fees. Check with your travel agent or tour guide. On Sundays there are NO entrance fees to ANY ruin site.

Chichen Itza
Is perhaps the most famous of all the ruins for it's huge pyramid and equinox show. Admire the Observatory, the Temple of the Thousand Calumns, the Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote (they sacrificed people here) and other beautiful constructions. And don't miss the light and sound show which every night recounts the history of the city. I believe that they no longer allow people to climb on "El Castillo." Then in the city of Valladolid there are some beautiful caves to visit! Don't forget entrance fee and parking if you go by yourself. Tours will include everything except perhaps your meal or your souvenieers.
Facts: East of Merida 1 1/2 hrs, West of Cancun 1 1/2 hrs. Contact your travel agent for the best tours, since there are many with many different prices and offers. Visit my hotel page for hotels in the area. Infirmary on site.

Uxmal
 Bigger than Chichen Itza but less tourists, this beautiful site was lived in by peaceful mayans from the Prehispanic era around 5th or 6th century A.D. You will be allowed to climb on all structures however you might not have the energy to see all of them. There are only three areas here that I know of that require guides: The temple of Monuments, The Temple of Phally and The Chimez House, and well perhaps also the North zone as there are still many un-named mounds. Entrance fee and parking required.
Facts:South of Merida 1hr = around 4hrs away from Cancun. Services available: Museum: 8am - 5pm
Light and Sound: Spanish 7 - 7:45pm English 9 - 9:45pm
Auditorium Guided visits Handcrafts Photograph articles Book Store Infirmary Toilets Restaurant and an Ice Cream shop.

Magician's Pyramid (stairs)


Dzibilchaltun
 All though small, this is an ancient ruin site dating back supposidly from 500b.c. !!!! It's name means "Where there is writing on flat rocks" and it was probably one of the biggest market cities of it's time. It also has it's own equinox show in the house of the seven dolls (make sure to download my "misc.zip" and see the house with the sun coming through the doors). Among others are: the palace, the temple of the pedestal and the X'lacah cenote. It is safe for swimming here, however do not swim in the farmost deep corners as there is a strong current there and it may suck you under.
Facts: North of Merida 15 minutes. Museum and gift shop on site. Parking and entrance fee (cheap entrance fee of 30 pesos). Multilingual Guides available.
Equinox


Kabah
 Although small, its limestone mosaics and beautiful arcitecture make Kabah a great example of mayan art. One outstanding construction is the "Codz-Pop" covered with chenes-style facades with clear examples of imposing Mayan masks.
Facts:1hr and 15 min south of Merida. (South of Uxmal approx 15 min) Gift shop on site, but not a huge one. Very little tourists so no entrance fee but beautiful.
Kabah arch


Sayil
Again not huge -- the two main contructions here are "the palace" a three story building with over 70 rooms and the "ball Court". Both are examples of the highest tecnical level of Mayan architecture.
Facts: 1 1/2 hrs from Merida (1/2hr south of Uxmal close to Kabah)

Xlapak
One of the lesser ruins, Xlapak's "Palace" has a beautiful architectural style. Although there is nothing really special about this site, it is still a pleasure to visit, especially if you choose to take the PUUC route tour.
Facts: 1hr 30 -45 min from Merida (45min south of Uxmal close to Sayil)

Labna
Although geographically very small , Labna is world famous for one of the most beautiful Mayan contructions: her magnificent arch of carved stone. (See misc.zip) Other important constructions are "the Palace' and "The Watch Tower", connected by a sac-be (ancient mayan road)
Facts: 1hr 45 min from Merida (45min south of Uxmal close to Xlapak)

Caves of Loltun
"The place where the rock became flowers" is a beautiful place of caves and water that will amaze you. Only partially iluminated you will see pools of water, fanciful rock formations, paintings and pieces of delicate pottery.
Facts: 2hrs from Merida (1hr south of Uxmal close to Labna) Entrace fee because you will require a guide.
Loltun Cave


Mayapan
These mayan ruins serve to show us the ancient capital of the triple alliance that was formed by Uxmal and Chichen Itza. One of the most notable structures is the "Castle of Kukulcan" which is a replica of the Chichen Itza "El Castillo or Kukulcan".

Facts: South of Merida close to Telchaquillo, approx 1/2 - 45 min.

Tulum
In the ancient times, the Mayans developed this special holy inner city that ascended high above the Caribbean sea and was protected by 3 enormous walls and a steep glif. With over 60 restored temples and many still visible genuine paintings and hieroglyphic writings you will not cease to be amazed. This risen cliff of Tulum has a break in it and has formed an accessible cove area with a white sandy beach...this location gave easy access to fishing boats and Tulum just happened to be the most important port in Mayan times.
Facts: South of Cancun 2 hrs and close to Xel-Ha. No climbing permited on any structure, but swimming allowed. Maya world offers a great tour with first class travel, bilingual guide, hotel drop off and entrance fee to both Tulum and Xel Ha. Call 84-97-42 or 87-33-77. For more info on Xel Ha visit my Fun page.

Tulum


Ekbalam
Meaning "Black Jaguar" this site is rich in settlements and contructions inlcuding temples, altars and homes. Among these are "the Tower" and the group known as "The Central Plaza". Facts:Just before Valladolid and Chichen Itza. Not a very large site, this is the first I have ever heard of it.

Xcambo
many remains of Mayan culture have been found near the sea. One of these is Xcambo, located near Telchac. Once a major trade center, today we can still admire the pyramids, Mayan roads and habitual platforms. Facts:Approx 5-10 min from Telchac Puerto. I have never visited there before but it sounds interesting. Not sure if it is a ruin site (fees etc) or a little town.

I would recommend a whole day's travel or perhaps several in order to see these places, as it will take hours to walk and view the sites individually. Chichen Itza and Uxmal are my favorites, as well as the biggest, but there are many other sites you can visit as well.

Don't forget that there are tours offered for example like the "Puuc route" which includes "Umán, Yaxcopoli hacienda, Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Loltún Caves, Ticul and Oxkintok. Mayaland tours is the only one that I think offers this bus tour.

If you decide to go, here are some things you might want to take into consideration:

  • Wear shorts and walking shoes and don't forget your camera!


  • Bring lots of water as well as sunglasses


  • When climbing the Pyramids, hold on to the chains provided for you and walk up the stairs sideways. The steps are extremely small and very steep, and if you fall, there is no turing back. Over the years many tourists have been killed climbing the ruins in chichen itza, now they no longer let people climb the main castle because of the carelessness and wrecklessness of tourists. Thank you to those who did not have respect, you have ruined it for the rest of us.


  • When decending only look directly in front of you, if you look too far ahead, sometimes the steps seem to go out of view, and it might scare you. Again, here you will want to walk sideways.


  • And remember it is a Federal Offence in Mexico to take any rocks or pieces of the pyramids that may be on the ground, away from the site or out of the country. If everyone took a memory, many of the pyramids would be unrestorable and there would be nothing left for anyone to see. Please respect these beautiful places.
    If you are interested in seeing more of the ruins, feel free to download these zip files:
    Chichen Itza : 330kb
    Chichen Itza2 : 272kb
    General Maps: 219kb
    Pyramid Maps: 240kb
    Misc Pictures: 360kb (other ruins)
    Uxmal: 452kb
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