Pyramid of Magician - Uxmal

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Uxmal Ruins

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Pronounced oosh-mahl, Uxmal's size and uniqueness make it a fascinating stop for ruin-lovers and novices alike. The top draws are the oddly shaped Magician's House, the Pigeon House (a structure with a delicate roof comb still standing that resembles pigeon houses), and the vast Governor's Palace. Part of the Puuc region, it is an unmissable stop if you're in the area.

Puuc means ‘hills,’ and these, rising to about 100m, are the first relief from the flatness of the northern and western portions of the peninsula. For an additional cost, Uxmal projects a nightly light-and-sound show.


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1. Casa del Adivino

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As you approach Uxmal, the Casa del Adivino comes into view. This 35m-high temple (the name translates as ‘Magician’s House’) was built in an unusual oval…

2. Cuadrángulo de las Monjas

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The 74-room, sprawling Nuns’ Quadrangle is directly west of the Casa del Adivino. Archaeologists guess variously that it was a military academy, royal…

3. Uxmal

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Uxmal, pronounced oosh-mahl, is an extremely impressive set of ruins, easily ranking among the top Maya archaeological sites alongside Chichén Itzá and…

4. Casa de las Tortugas

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The House of the Turtles, which you'll find on top of a hillside overlooking the Juego de Pelota (Ball Court), takes its name from the turtles carved on…

5. Palacio del Gobernador

0.25 MILES

The Governor’s Palace, with its magnificent facade nearly 100m long, is arguably the most impressive structure at Uxmal. The buildings have walls filled…

6. Choco-Story

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You'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about chocolate at this interesting chain museum that follows a circuit through six exhibition spaces…

7. Casa de la Vieja

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Off the southeast corner of the Palacio del Gobernador’s platform is a small complex, now largely rubble, known as the Casa de la Vieja. In front of it is…

8. Gran Pirámide

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The 30m-high, nine-tiered pyramid has been restored only on its northern side. Archaeologists theorize that the quadrangle at its summit was largely…

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