uxmal trip from merida

9 Best Merida to Uxmal Tours to Book in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST TOURS TO UXMAL FROM MERIDA?

You’re in the right place because the best Merida to Uxmal tours are featured here. How do I know they’re the best? I lived in Merida for several years, and the Uxmal ruins were one of my favourite places to visit. 

The Uxmal ruins are estimated to date back to 700 AD, making them some of the oldest and most well-preserved Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Book this Tour to Uxmal Ruins, Kabah Ruins & Cenote Sambula — which has a near-perfect 5 Star rating.

I’ve been here multiple times and done many different activities, so I’ve compiled a list of the best-rated Merida to Uxmal Tours for anyone else who wants to visit. These are experiences I’ve enjoyed and recommend.

Taking Merida day tours to Uxmal is without a doubt one of the best ways to navigate the can’t-miss attractions the region has to offer. Whether you want your experience to be private and authentic or focused on history and the area’s natural beauty—the options are endless. 

Ready for the best Merida day tours to Uxmal? Let’s dive in! 

Top 3 Picks: Best Merida to Uxmal Tours

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tour to Uxmal Ruins, Kabah Ruins & Cenote Sambula ✔️ Visit to Uxmal and Kabah Ruins ✔️ Mexican lunch

Uxmal Ruins Tour Plus Hacienda Yaxcopoil & Cenote Peba ✔️ Entrance fees to all attractions ✔️ Lunch in Cananah restaurant

Uxmal Private Tour Plus Chocolate Museum & Cenote Swim ✔️ Sample the ancient Mayan chocolate ✔️ Admission tickets and lunch

The 9 Best Merida to Uxmal Tours

1. tour to uxmal ruins, kabah ruins & cenote sambula.

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 7-9 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Are you looking for an incredible way to experience Merida’s rich culture in just one day? This Uxmal day trip from Merida will take you on an unforgettable journey through four essential Mayan sites—all led by a knowledgeable local guide full of engaging stories and historical insights.

It was all together lovely trip : great guide, nice driver, small size group. Very informative and entertaining at the same time. Lunch was excellent! Highly recommend! -iraida ( see more reviews )

You’ll explore towering pyramids and impressive stone ruins of the Mayans, and even get a chance to relax at a stunning cenote. 

Although this tour is not all-inclusive — you’ll still have to pay for entry to each site — it is a fantastic way to see all the important attractions in one day without worrying about logistics. It’s the perfect introduction to this fascinating region and its culture.

Best Merida to Uxmal Tours

2. uxmal ruins tour plus hacienda yaxcopoil & cenote peba.

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 9-10 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Step back in time and discover the history of Merida on one of the most fascinating all-day Uxmal Mayan ruins tours . 

One of the must-see places on your list should be the Hacienda Yaxcopoil, a Yucatan plantation that has been perfectly preserved over the years and is now one of the most important rural estates in the region.

Learning about the Mayan history from the most amazing super proud & passionate tour guide Gero. The trip was educational & fun throughout ! -char ( see more reviews )

The tour’s main attraction is the Uxmal ruins, so ancient they date back to AD 700. As you stroll past the Pyramid of the Soothsaye, keep an eye out for the many odes to their Mayan God Chaac, who was the god of rain. 

And finally, your last stop will be a refreshing cenote, one of the most popular things to do in the Yucatan — the perfect way to end your day of history and learning. 

3. Uxmal Private Tour Plus Chocolate Museum & Cenote Swim

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 8 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Step back in time at the interactive Choco-Story, a museum that replicates Old Hacienda Uxmal, on this Merida to Uxmal by car private tour.

The historic sugar estate offers a glimpse into Uxmal’s past, some Mayan cultural tidbits, and lets you see how cocoa is made firsthand. Don’t worry, you’ll get to try a bit too! 

Once you’re fully fueled on chocolate, it’s time to explore the Zona Arqueologica Uxmal, a UNESCO world heritage site filled with sculptures, pyramids, buildings, and mosaics.

Gabriel was an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable about the history of the Maya and created a great experience for my family. -eric ( see more reviews )

Merida private tours to Uxmal win when it comes to personalizing your trip. Why bother with the bus from Merida to Uxmal ruins when you can ride comfortably in a private car?

This day in Mérida will leave you with a newfound appreciation for chocolate and culture!

4. Tour Uxmal Ruins & 3 Different Cenotes

⭐️ RATING: 4.95 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 7 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Is Uxmal worth visiting? Absolutely, and your trusty Guide, Omar, is going to show you why. This Uxmal Ruins and Cenote Tour takes you on an adventure to discover the hidden wonders of this ancient Mayan city. 

While the architecture and culture are undoubtedly incredible, the highlight of this tour will be the three unique cenotes that Omar will take you to.

We had a great day trip with Omar! He was super helpful, friendly and full of information around Mexico, Merida and the Maya. -marissa ( see more reviews )

You’ll dive into the crystal clear waters of an open-air cenote and explore the depths of caves cenote, perfect for snorkeling . 

Note that the Uxmal tickets are not included, but it’s still a great option if you want to check the city off your list. 

5. Private Uxmal Tour & Choco-Story Museum Visit

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 8-10 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

The Mayans believed that chocolate was a gift from the gods, and this Private Uxmal Tour is the perfect excursion to learn about Mayan culture and heritage. 

After learning about the ancient city of Uxmal, your journey to Choco-Story will show you how chocolate was an integral part of Mayan life and how they used it in ceremonies, religious rituals, and daily life.

Our guide Raul was wonderful and very knowledgeable. They were very accommodating and we never felt rushed. The pickup was right on time and the large van was comfortable and snacks/drinks were provided. -matthew ( see more reviews )

End your Merida Uxmal tour with an authentic lunch from Bar Cana-Nah. Take your time, ask your travel guides all the questions you can think of, and indulge in this chocolate-filled Mayan journey.

6. Ruins of Uxmal Tour, Hacienda Sotuta de Peón & Centoe Swim

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 10 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

During this Uxmal Ruins guided tour , you’ll get a true feel of Mayan culture visiting the Uxmal ruins, a classic hacienda, and a cenote. 

A hacienda in English means a large estate or plantation, and Hacienda Sotuta de Peon is a spectacular sight to see!

This is a wonderful tour! Uxmal is the most beautiful ruin site and it was great to be basically the first tour group there while it was cool in the morning.  -rachel ( see more reviews )

This particular plantation was a popular sisal plant production site that began operating in 1858.

Sotuta de Peon is also filled with lots of history, culture, and even a cenote that you’ll get to take a dip in after a long day of learning. Ten hours is a long day, so I’d suggest bringing some snacks and plenty of water to get you through this day trip to Uxmal from Merida . 

7. Uxmal Ruins, Kabah Ruins, Chocolate Museum & Cenote Kankirinche

Start your journey from Merida to Uxmal with a certified Uxmal tour guide through two architectural sites — Uxmal Ruins and Kabah. 

Because the Uxmal Ruins are a bit farther from the more popular tourist areas, they’re generally much less crowded than Chichen Itza .

I had the chance to see both Chichen and Uxmal. Carlos was our driver and he was amazing! The guides are also amazing!   -heriberto ( see more reviews )

After soaking in all the knowledge of the ruins and enjoying a stroll through the chocolate museum, you’ll get to cool off in one of the most beautiful cenotes in the area, Cenote Kankirinche. 

You’ll make your way back from these Merida tours Mexico reminiscing on a unique and personalized day. If you ask me, it’s even better than Merida cenote tours , as you get a chance to immerse yourself in all of the attractions in the area in one day. 

8. Uxmal Tour, Chocolate Museum & Traditional Yucatan Food Lunch

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 3 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Don’t want to spend a full day sightseeing? This 3-hour Uxmal tour from Merida is perfect for you. 

No need to worry about Merida Uxmal buses or taxis—this experience provides private transportation for two to Uxmal, the Chocolate Museum, and a traditional lunch.

Tickets to each Uxmal Merida Mexico experience aren’t provided, so be sure to add that to the cost.

This was a lovely day! Our host was attentive to our needs, and ensured that everything went smoothly. Uxmal was beautiful , we learned a lot and had fun doing it! -laura ( see more reviews )

On this Ruins Merida Uxmal tour, you’ll learn about one of the most well-preserved Mayan archaeological sites in the region, the history and process of cocoa, and end it with a delicious lunch.

If you’re looking for the perfect private transportation to visit Uxmal from Merida, this is the perfect Uxmal Merida Mexico tours option.

9. Uxmal Ruins Tour, Cenote Swim & Traditional Mexican Lunch

⭐️ RATING: 4.70 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH : 6 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW

Getting to Uxmal from Merida is easy with this Uxmal Ruins Tour, Cenote Swim, and Traditional Mexican Lunch . 

Turn your day into an individualized tour with this trip to Uxmal Ruins, a cenote, and a delicious Mexican lunch.

Very nice program, reliable, friendly and pleasant host and very good meal typical of the region. We did it with two young teenagers and recommend it unreservedly. -marieve ( see more reviews )

Though tours to Uxmal are not nearly as crowded as tours to Chichen Itza from Merida , you’ll still wake up bright and early in the morning to go! You’ll start your day at 8 am where your host, Bricio, will pick you up and bring you to the ruins. 

Bricio has been sharing his homeland with visitors for ten years now, so you’ll be in great hands! 

After your tour of the ancient pyramids and statues, you’ll get to swim in a cenote — a stunning clearwater sinkhole, before finishing off your day with an authentic Mexican lunch. 

Best Way to Get from Merida to Uxmal

To answer the How do I get from Merida to Uxmal? or how to get to Uxmal? question frankly: You have three good options (tour, rental car and bus), and one bad option (taxi/Uber).

📍Remember that Merida to Uxmal distance is around 51.8 mi (83.4 km).

Exploring ways travel from Merida to Uxmal offers a variety of options, from bus rides to bike tours. Here’s a rundown on the best ways to get from Merida to Uxmal Ruins, and the worst way.

Merida to Uxmal Tours (Easiest Option)

I’m of the opinion that the easiest, safest, most hassle-free and best way to visit is with a tour Uxmal Merida. If you need a suggestion, this Uxmal Ruins, Kabah Ruins & Cenote Sambula Tour from Merida is my pick for best Merida to Uxmal tour.

I’ve been to Uxmal on a tour and on my own, and the tour brought Uxmal Ruins to life because that’s exactly what an amazing guide does — and if you think about it, you’re essentially just looking at some rocks without an explanation (no offense to rocks 🗿). 

Merida to Uxmal Drive via Rental Car

This is the fastest and easiest way to get to Uxmal from Merida on your own, so if you’re planning on renting a car in Merida — Merida to Uxmal driving is a smart choice!

Merida day trips and Yucatan road trips are a great way to see a lot of sites in a short amount of time. I’ve done several road trips in Yucatan Mexico, and can’t recommend this enough, especially if you enjoy off-the-beaten-track travel.

Once you get your rental car in Merida, just follow these directions to get from Merida to Uxmal Ruins. It’s a safe and easy drive on a paved and well-maintained highway through the Yucatan jungle.

Is there parking at Uxmal Ruins?

Yes — There is a large parking lot right in front of the ruins. As a Yucatan off-the-beaten-path destination, you should have no trouble with Uxmal parking, no matter when you visit.

How much is parking at Uxmal Ruins?

If you want to park in the Uxmal parking lot, it’s $80 pesos (about $5 USD) . However, I’ve heard you can park for free across the street at the Uxmal Planetarium and ChocoStory Museum (AKA Uxmal Chocolate Museum), though I haven’t done it myself.

Merida to Uxmal Bus

Want to take the bus from Merida to Uxmal? It’s totally doablet to travel via bus, and only about a 1.5-2 hour ride each way. I’ve taken Merida public transportation to Uxmal, and it was pretty straightforward.

While you can usually buy your tickets online with BusBud or a similar site, that’s sadly not the case for the Merida to Uxmal bus trip.

For this Uxmal Merida bus route, you will need to purchase tickets in person at the Merida ADO bus station, AKA the main Merida bus terminal in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown Merida). This station is often abbreviated as CAME or TAME.

🗺 Head here for a visual on Google Map, or you can navigate to the Terminal Ado Merida bus station address at Calle 70 #555, Centro, Mérida, Yucatan, 97000.

What Merida Uxmal Bus do I take?

The only bus company doing the bus Merida to Uxmal route is Autobuses Sur bus line (Sur Bus Mérida Uxmal), and the Merida Uxmal autobus departure times are 6am, 9am, 12pm and 3:30pm.

You should be able to just show up about 30 minutes early and you’ll be able to buy autobus Merida Uxmal ticket without any issue. However, if you want control over your seat selection, you can buy your Uxmal bus tickets a day before to make sure you get the seat you want. 

⚠️ Be aware that even though you can pre-book your ticket from Merida to Uxmal, you don’t be able to do that for the trip back to Merida.

If you don’t care, just show up at the bus taxi station on the day you plan to visit Uxmal Ruins and buy your ticket at the Autobuses Sur counter.

How long is the bus from Mérida to Uxmal?

In normal traffic, the autobus Merida Uxmal from Merida to Uxmal Ruins takes about two hours. This is longer than it takes to drive yourself because the bus makes a few stops in some small towns along the way.

Is it easy to get the Uxmal to Merida bus?

This part was a little more hectic than the bus to Uxmal from Merida for several reasons, which I’ll list below. However, my experience with the Uxmal to Merida bus was reason enough for me to book this tour the next time I went to Uxmal.

1. First, you can’t buy a ticket in advance , so when the bus came, it was a free-for-all. If you get on the bus when it comes, you will need to pay the driver, so make sure you have $85 pesos cash with you to cover this. 

2. Second, is the confusing Uxmal to Merida bus schedule . There are only one or two buses going from Uxmal to Merida each day — and no one really knows the schedule. I was told the bus definitely comes at 3:15pm each day, but it was closer to 4:15pm when it finally showed up.

3. Third, this was not a large comfy bus like the one you will take from Merida to Uxmal. Rather, this is a Uxmal to Merida colectivo, or shared van that seats about 12-15 passengers (hence why it was a free-for-all for seats).

Thanks to my boyfriend pushing our way through, we did get seats, but others weren’t as lucky.

If you don’t get a seat, your best option is to head inside the Choco-Story Museum (which is located across the street from Uxmal, and where you catch the bus from Uxmal Ruins to Merida), and ask them to call you a cab.

You’re not likely to find a taxi car driver who will take you all the way back to Merida, and if you do, expect to pay about $800-1,000 MXN ($45-55 USD). Nevertheless, you can take a taxi to the Muna ADO bus station . From there, you’ll find a colectivo van back to Merida.

Don’t forget, you’ll have to take the bus from Uxmal to Merida at the end of the day as well. If taking the bus from Merida to Uxmal (and back) sounds like it’s not for you (just like it’s not for me), then I recommend you book this tour so you know you’ll make it back to Merida in the most stress-free way possible.

Merida to Uxmal Taxi or Uber

Wondering, How much is a taxi from Merida to Uxmal? — and furthermore, Is it a good idea to take a Merida to Uxmal taxi? 🧐

No , this is not a good idea 🙅🏻‍♀️, and I’ll explain why:

A one-way taxi or Uber from Merida to Uxmal Ruins will run you about $800-1,000 pesos 🤯($45-55 USD), so you’re looking at $90-110 USD for round trip transportation, which is more than what most tours cost.

Keep in mind that this is only the cost of the drive there. On the flip side Merida Yucatan tours will also include a local guide, your entry to Uxmal Ruins, a meal, and usually a stop at another noteworthy site, like the cenotes and pueblos magicos (Mexico magic towns).

While getting a Merida to Uxmal taxi or Merida to Uxmal Uber isn’t that difficult, this is not always the case for the return trip. For this return drive, you’d not be able to get an Uber at all, and keep in mind that not all taxis in Mexico are very comfortable . 

❌ In short: I never recommend anyone go for this option.

If you’re on a budget, opt for this budget-friendly Merida to Uxmal tour , which includes A LOT for only about $80 USD per person! While prices can vary for the cost depending on the season, this is the best cheap Merida to Uxmal tour I know of.

🚊 P.S. If you are wondering about a Merida to Uxmal train option, there isn’t one!

Visiting Uxmal Facts & FAQ

Where is uxmal located.

Uxmal is located in the Yucatan state within the Yucatan Peninsula. This is one of the three states that make up Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along with Quintana Roo state and Campeche state.

Uxmal is located near the center of the Yucatan Peninsula, though because of the roadways, it’s quite far from many popular Yucatan destinations like Tulum , Cancun , Riviera Maya , Playa del Carmen .

The closest city to Uxmal is Merida, which is about 1-1.5 hours away by car. While Uxmal makes for a great Merida day trip, you can also stay the night in one of these best Uxmal hotels located near the ruins.

How do I get from Merida to Uxmal?

If you’re not going on one of these best tours , you can easily drive to Uxmal in your Merida rental car , or take the bus from Merida to Chichen Itza. These are pretty much your only options as far as how to get to Umxal from Merida.

What’s the distance from Merida to Uxmal?

Merida is about 52 miles (83 km) from Uxmal Mayan Ruins.

So now you know how far is Uxmal from Merida one thing you should note is that even though total the distance Merida Uxmal is not that much, it can feel like forever, depending on what transportation option you choose. 

What’s the Merida to Uxmal drive time?

The Merida to Uxmal drive takes about 1-1.5 hours in normal traffic by car, but the bus is closer to 1.5-2 hours since it makes some stops along the way. You can use this Google Maps route to get a visual on the drive.

Is it safe to drive from Mérida to Uxmal?

Yes — This is considered an easy, safe drive. It’s basically just two roads you need to take when driving from Merida to Uxmal; Carretera Costa del Golfo southeast (Highway 180) to Carretera Uman-Hopelchen south (Highway 281), which goes to Uxmal.

Can you visit Uxmal on your own?

Yes — You can visit Uxmal on your own, and don’t need a tour. However, a qualified guide will bring this ancient Mayan site to life for you, making for an experience you won’t ever forget. If you only plan to visit Uxmal once in your life, spring for this guide . 

What is Uxmal famous for?

Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most important Mayan sites in Mexico . It is also one of the best examples of the Puuc style of architecture, and one of the sites on La Ruta Puuc, or the Puuc Route.

This is why a Ruta Puuc Tour Merida option is a great idea.

What is the Puuc Route?

The Puuc Route is a 37-mile-long (60 km) stretch of road that goes from Uxmal Ruins to the Loltún Caves. Along it, you can see all the Mayan Puuc sites: Uxmal, Kabah Ruins, Sayil Ruins, Xlapak Ruins, and Labná Ruins.

Why was Uxmal important to the Mayans?

In its heyday around the 7th Century, Uxmal housed about 25,000 people . It was a center for astronomy, commerce and education, and showcased the unique Puuc architecture style on its many structures. 

What are some Uxmal fun facts?

1. The Uxmal Dwarf King: It is said that a dwarf king built the entire city of Uxmal in one night, and all by himself. There is also a Maya legend called The Dwarf-Wizard of Uxmal , which takes place in Uxmal.

2. Thrice-built: The word Uxmal comes from the Mayan word, Oxmal, meaning “thrice-built” or “three times built.” This references the Pyramid of the Magician (El Adivino), the largest Uxmal pyramid, which kept being built higher and higher on top of existing pyramids.

3. Rain God Chaac : The main deity worshiped at Uxmal was the Mayan rain god, Chaac. Built far from any freshwater sources, they had to collect rainwater in huge cisterns to sustain the city — and performed many rituals and offerings to Chaac to keep the rains coming.

Is Uxmal worth visiting?

Yes — As one of the coolest Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s absolutely worth seeing these important Mayan ruins in Yucatan.

Uxmal ranks as one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites ever discovered in Mexico, along with Palenque Ruins in Chiapas, Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins and Calakmul Mayan Ruins in Campeche state.

Chichen Itza vs Uxmal: Is Chichen Itza or Uxmal better?

They are both very important and interesting, but unlike Chichen Itza, you can climb the Uxmal Pyramids, which can make the Uxmal site more appealing. Uxmal is also a lot less touristy and less crowded, which can add to the authenticity of your experience.

How much is the entrance fee to Uxmal?

Currently, the Uxmal entrance fee costs $499 MXN pesos (about $28 USD) for foreigners, though Mexican citizens and locals from Yucatan state pay less.

⚠️ Note: Mexican citizens get free entry to Uxmal on Sundays, so Sundays are always the most crowded day to visit Uxmal.

What’s the best time to visit the Uxmal Ruins?

While you can visit Uxmal year-round, the weather is much more pleasant in Yucatan from about November to March .

What are the Uxmal opening hours?

Uxmal Mayan Ruins are open daily from 9am-5pm . They do not sell tickets past 4pm, so you must be entering Uxmal by that time or you won’t be allowed in.

How long does it take to visit Uxmal?

2 hours — You can tour the entire Uxmal site at a leisurely pace in about two hours. However, if you’re deeply fascinated by Mayan history, or you’re an architecture, art, and/or history buff, give yourself three hours.

Final Thoughts: Best Merida to Uxmal Tours

We’ve reached the end, and I hope this article helped you find the best Uxmal tours from Merida Mexico. Still unsure which one to pick? I’m here to help!

I recommend this Tour to Uxmal Ruins, Kabah Ruins & Cenote Sambula — which has a near-perfect 5-star rating and includes a tour guide, cenote swim, Yucatan food lunch and round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van.

Going on a tour is a fun way to see this important site. As much of what’s significant about Uxmal isn’t visible to the naked eye, your guide will give you fascinating insights into one of the best Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Merida Travel Planning Guide

Should i buy mexico travel insurance.

100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

Can you drink the water in Merida?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. ( Read more )

Is it safe to rent a car in Merida?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

Will my phone work in Merida?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

What’s the best way to book my Merida accommodation?

For Mexico hotels and hostels, Booking.com is the best site. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb! ( Read more )

What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I always recommend Skyscanner .

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do need a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa or passport stamp upon arrival.

How to Get from Merida to Uxmal in 2024: A Local’s Guide

If you plan on exploring the culturally rich Yucatan peninsula during your trip to Mexico, you might be looking for information on how to make the journey from Merida to Uxmal. The Yucatan capital makes an excellent base for taking day trips out to the various archeological sites, ruins, and cenotes in the region, and the UNESCO-protected city of Uxmal is a highlight of any adventure to Southern Mexico. 

Although public transport in the area leaves a little to be desired and the availability of information online about navigating your way around the Yucatan can be scarce, it is relatively straightforward to get from Merida to Uxmal (and Uxmal to Merida). There are a couple of different ways in which you can make the journey and we will explore them all here. 

This article has been written by a British Travel Writer who has been living in Merida for the last two years (Me!) I have visited Uxmal several times both by car and by public transport. 

Rest assured, you are in good hands here ;)- We will run through all of the possible options to get from Merida to Uxmal, their costs, and the travel time and then you can decide which seems like the easiest for you.  

Table of Contents

Merida to Uxmal: 2024 Transport Guide 

The Uxmal ruins are a UNESCO-protected world heritage site that has been recognized as such since 1996. They are one of the must-see sites in the Yucatan and during the days of the Ancient Maya, they were on a similar level to their famous neighbor Chichen Itza in terms of political and commercial importance and size. 

Uxmal is the first Mayan city along the Yucatan’s Ruta Puuc (Puuc route). This is a 30km long route in the southern part of the Yucatan state that takes you past the cities of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna. 

These Mayan ruins have been created in a distinctive architectural style known as the ¨Puuc¨ style, known for its ornate friezes and buildings adorned with masks of the Rain God Chaac. Of these cities, Uxmal was considered the most important and likely a political hub for the region. 

If you only have the opportunity to visit one or two Mayan ruins in the Yucatan , one ought to be Uxmal. There are some key structures to look out for in this expansive site – including the Magician’s Pyramid (which has a fascinating story behind it and according to local legend was built by a magical dwarf), the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace, the Great Pyramid and the House of Turtles. 

The Uxmal archaeological site dates back to around 300 AD and really thrived during the Late Classic period between 700 and 900 AD. In its heyday, the city was home to over 25,000 people. 

You should dedicate at least 3-4 hours to visiting this expansive site. The first step in planning your visit lies in figuring out how you are going to make the journey from Merida to Uxmal. 

How to Get from Merida to Uxmal in 2024

There is an 83.4km distance from Merida to Uxmal. The journey should take approximately an hour and ten minutes but this can fluctuate substantially depending on what transport method you use to get to Uxmal.

You can choose to drive, take the bus, participate in a private or small group tour, or take a taxi/private transfer. Driving is arguably the most convenient option but of course, not everyone feels comfortable with renting a car in Mexico and driving overseas. 

Taking a bus is the cheapest option. However, buses from Merida to Uxmal do not run frequently despite the popularity of the site, even during the peak season so you need to be patient and willing to wait around for buses if you choose this option. 

Organized tours can be a little pricier but they are often worth it since exploring the ruins with a local guide helps you gain more information and context to the things that you see, and that way you know that someone will be picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel so you don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting from A to B. 

Take a day tour from Merida to Uxmal  

There are plenty of day tours from Merida to Uxmal that are organized by reputable local companies. They take a lot of the stress and hassle out of planning a trip and navigating the confusing Yucatecan public transport network.

Most tours include skip-the-line admission to the site, an English-speaking guide, lunch, return transport to your hotel, and a visit to nearby attractions. For instance, the Kabah ruins are worthwhile and very different from other Mayan sites. 

They would be difficult to otherwise access without your own transport. A selection of reputable Uxmal tours from Merida options is detailed below for your consideration. 

Reserve your spot online in advance to avoid disappointment!

Best Uxmal tours in 2023 and beyond

• From Mérida: Uxmal and Kabah guided tour with lunch
• Uxmal light and sound night experience tour from Merida
• From Merida: Uxmal, Hacienda Yaxcopoil and Cenote with lunch
• Uxmal with private guide and transportation from Merida
• Uxmal: vintage land rover expedition to Uxmal cenotes 

Take the bus from Merida to Uxmal 

The most economical and arguably the most popular way to get from Merida to Uxmal and back again is to take the bus. There is limited information about this online, however, the process of taking the bus is relatively straightforward.

The route is serviced by the company Autobuses Sur. Buses leave from the ADO bus terminal in Merida at 06.00 am, 09.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 15,30 pm respectively.

The departure times on the Rome to Rio transport site always seem to be up to date and are correct as of the time of writing (August 2023). There are currently four buses per day departing from Merida to Uxmal.

You can often buy Mexican bus tickets via the ADO website and app and third-party sites like Busbud but unfortunately that isnt an option for the Merida to Uxmal bus (and the Uxmal to Merida one). Instead, you need to purchase your tickets from the ADO bus station. 

It is generally fine to buy the ticket about an hour or so before you travel but for your own peace of mind, it may be worth swinging by the bus station a day or two before to purchase a ticket.

Purchasing your bus ticket in Merida 

The Merida ADO bus station is clean, air-conditioned, and modern. There are no separate kiosks for the different bus operators so just get in line at the ADO ticket queue.

(There is no designated Sur bus queue even though the bus that goes from Merida to Uxmal is operated by Autobuses Sur.) A single ticket from Merida to Uxmal costs 85 pesos or around $4.50 USD. 

It is better to make sure that you have plenty of cash and small change with you as the ticket office doesn’t usually accept cards and they may not be able to break large 200 or 500 pesos notes. 

You will only be able to purchase a single ticket to Uxmal which can be anxiety-inducing, but you can easily purchase a ticket from Uxmal to Merida directly from the bus driver on your way back. (For another 85 pesos/ $4.50 USD). 

Do note when buying your ticket that Uxmal is actually pronounced with an ¨s¨ like ¨Uss-mal¨. (Although the ticket office staff are probably used to plenty of tourists butchering the pronunciation 😉 ) S

Since English is not widely spoken in Merida, if you want to order your ticket in Spanish you can simply say ¨Yo queiro un boleto para Uxmal por favor¨. 

You can also buy tickets directly from the driver when you are boarding the bus but since it is often busy, it is better to be safe than sorry and arrive at the bus station a little early to purchase your ticket from the kiosk.

The Merida to Uxmal Journey 

Although the actual driving time from Merida to Uxmal is only around 45 minutes, the bus journey takes much longer. The bus makes several stops on the outskirts of Merida and at the various villages en route to Uxmal.

In all, you should allow between an hour and a half to two hours for this journey. That being said, the route is pleasant and the time flies by.

You will trundle along quiet roads surrounded by lush greenery and woodlands. The little village of Muna, one of the closest settlements to the Uxmal ruins, whizzes past the window. 

It is a charming collection of colorful houses, stores, and taquerias. The bus driver will automatically stop at the roadside bus stop for Uxmal. From here, you have just a short walk to the ruins. The signposts make it clear to see where you need to go.

Your best option is to take the 9.00 am bus to Uxmal and return at 3.00 pm. This allows you plenty of time to explore the ruins at a laid-back pace, as well as to have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or check out the Mayan chocolate museum, as you like. 

Download an offline map on your phone like Maps Me. That way, you can follow your location on the map and you will know when you have to get off the bus. 

Taking the return bus from Uxmal to Merida 

There is only one bus that returns from Uxmal to Merida in the afternoon. It is operated via autobus SUR – the same company that services the Merida to Uxmal route. 

Rome to Rio has the bus time listed as 15.15 p.m. However, you will likely hear an assortment of different times from everyone you ask. 

You can ask the ticket office salesperson in Merida, the bus driver, and a Uxmal employee and they will each tell you a different time. One will tell you 15.00 pm, another will tell you 15.15 pm and another will tell you 15.30pm. Your best bet? Wait at the bus station from 14.45. 

The fluctuations seem to be due to the amount of time it takes for the bus to get to Uxmal from its earlier stopping points along the journey. So, the bus can arrive at any time from before 15.00pm, right up to around 16.00 pm.  

The bus departs from the opposite side of the road to the Uxmal ruins, right outside the Choco-story chocolate museum. If you wait on the Uxmal side though, you can sit beneath the shelter from the sun. There is a small orange snack cart outside Choco-story where you can buy drinks and snacks while you wait. 

What if I miss the Uxmal to Merida bus? 

There is only one afternoon bus from Uxmal to Merida and frankly speaking, it is a small bus. On a busy day during the peak season, there can be more tourists than seats and a lot of people wind up standing in the aisles. 

Should you be so unfortunate as to not be able to get a seat onboard or to miss the bus completely, you have a few options. First of all, you could take the bus or a taxi to Muna. 

It takes approximately 20 minutes to get from Uxmal to Muna. If you have missed all of the connections for the day, you can get a taxi. 

This should cost you no more than around $130 pesos and an employee at the Uxmal site, one of the nearby hotels, or ChocoStory will help you to get one. This is a very rural area and there is no phone service in and around the Uxmal bus stop. 

Uber and Didi do not operate here so you need to take a local cab. It is worth also downloading an offline translator app on your phone so that you can ask for help if you cannot speak Spanish. 

Once you get to Muna, you can take a bus to Merida. Buses depart hourly from Muna to Merida. 

If you prefer, you can also opt to stay overnight at one of the gorgeous hotels close to Uxmal. However, many of them are on the higher end of things price-wise. 

Take the Puuc bus 

If you are interested in visiting Uxmal along with some of the other spectacular Mayan cities in the area (Kabah and Labna), you can choose to take the Puuc bus. However, this operates on an even more limited schedule than the Uxmal bus. 

The bus leaves from the TAME bus station in Merida every Sunday at 8 a.m. and stops at all 5 cities along the historic Puuc route. You only have around 30-60 minutes to explore each of the sites so it is definitely a whistle-stop tour, but if you are only in the area for a day or two, it is a nice way to cover a lot of sites at once.

Take a cab from Merida

One comfortable way to get from Merida to Uxmal is to organize a cab or a private transfer. This is likely to cost around 700-900 pesos in each direction. ($41.60 – $53.50 USD) 

If there are a few of you traveling together, or you can find other people willing to visit the ruins with you in the various Merida travel/expat groups, this works out pretty reasonable when you split the costs between you. You might be able to negotiate this price down further with a local driver, particularly if you can find someone that is willing to wait for you at the ruins and then drive you back from Uxmal to Merida. In Mexico, it is always better to use ridesharing apps like Uber or Didi rather than hail a cab on the street. This is both for safety reasons and for clarity on prices, etc – taxis hailed at random on the street are more likely to make up a heavily inflated price on the spot and assume that as a tourist, you are unaware of the correct rate of things. 

If you do not feel comfortable using rideshare apps, you can ask the receptionist/concierge at your hotel or your Airbnb host to call a trusted driver for you. 

Using taxi apps to call a cab

You will likely find more competitive rates through Uber and Didi. Didi is a similar app to Uber that Mexican people tend to prefer. 

Fares are often lower cost here and the app is still safe and secure. To download it, you need to change your phone (and Apple ID, if applicable) location to Mexico. 

It is important to note that although the journey to Uxmal is only an hour each way, a lot of Uber and Didi drivers may be reluctant to do it. Generally speaking, Uber/Didi drivers in Mexico prefer to accept fares where the customer is paying in cash. 

If you have your Uber/Didi account set to pay by card by default, you may experience some frustrations with drivers constantly accepting your fares, making you wait, and then canceling. If you can, carry enough cash with you to pay your taxi fare and Uxmal admission by cash.  

Apparently, when Uber drivers are paid by card, it can take a matter of weeks for the payments to clear. A lot of people don’t make a lot of money here and they need their earnings as soon as possible.

Driving from Merida to Uxmal

While you do not need to rent a car in Merida if your Merida itinerary is largely going to be focused on staying in the center of the city, doing so can give you a lot more freedom for taking day trips from Merida to other places in the Yucatán. 

The drive from Merida to Uxmal is relatively straightforward. The roads here are excellent and in very good condition (i.e. no potholes or poorly paved roads, etc.) All of the signposts are clearly marked in English and the route leads you through the lush dense jungle, past traditional Yucatecan towns and villages, etc. Heading south from Merida, you mostly need to follow the Uman-Hopelchen/México 261 route to Uxmal and follow the signs. 

There is a parking lot located right in front of the Uxmal ruins and you can easily park your car here for a small additional fee of $80 MXN. Alternatively, if you choose to stay overnight in one of the hotels near Uxmal while exploring the ruins in the area, the properties here do offer free parking for their guests. (And then you can simply walk across the road to the site entrance). 

Final thoughts on traveling from Merida to Uxmal 

Do you have any additional questions about getting from Merida to Uxmal? Have you made the trip recently? 

This is one of the most popular archeological sites in the Yucatan and for good reason. The nice thing about Uxmal is that even though plenty of locals and tourists come here on a daily basis, the site is never as crowded as Chichen Itza. 

(Although you may want to avoid it on Sundays when entrance is free for Mexicans and the site is a lot busier because everyone in the Yucatan is off work!) 

Do note that the entrance fee for Uxmal is currently priced at 466 pesos per person. (Circa $26.55 USD). Make sure that you have plenty of cash on you to purchase your bus tickets, admission tickets, and any drinks or snacks that you may want to buy at the site. 

If you do not visit the ruins as part of a tour but decide that you do want the help and expertise of a local guide, you can pay for a private tour at the entrance for around 200 pesos. Since it is usually hot and humid in the Yucatan, be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and of course, a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and protected in the intense heat. 

Have a wonderful time! I have been living in Merida since January 2022 and you are welcome to reach out to me if you have questions. 

Safe travels. Buen Viaje! Melissa xo 

Melissa Douglas

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How to Get to Uxmal From Merida (And What to Expect)

Written by Becca

Updated on December 18th, 2023

What’s the best way to get to the Uxmal Mayan ruins from Merida? See all the ways to take this Yucatan day trip, and if it’s worth the trip, in this travel guide.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Posted in Mexico

Table of contents

• What to know before visiting Uxmal
• What to expect at the Uxmal Archaeological Ruins
• What to bring (and not to bring) to the Uxmal Ruins
• How to get to Uxmal (from Merida)
• Is there anything else to do at Uxmal?
• Is Uxmal worth the trip?

Uxmal was one of the best day trips we took from Mérida during our trip, and it was a welcome alternative to the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá.

Essentially, as soon as you arrive in Mérida and start considering your options for excursions and side trips, people will start telling you about Uxmal.

They’ll tell you it’s way less touristy than Chichén Itzá (it’s true, but Uxmal still gets a very fair share of visitors daily) and that it’s more worth your while.

The truth is, there are a lot (I mean a real lot) of Mayan ruins in the Ruta Puuc area of the Yucatan peninsula. Quite frankly, that’s because the Yucatan region, along with southern Mexico, and Guatemala, were all Mayan lands in Pre-Hispanic times.

Why Uxmal, though?

Well, it’s big, it’s well-restored, you can get an English-speaking guide, and you can take a lot of nice photos. You may feel like you’re in the Mayan ruins version of Indiana Jones.

There are a few things to know before visiting Uxmal these days, so we’ve written about what can help you prepare. The other thing to decide is how you’re going to get to Uxmal, because there are several choices.

Our info that follows will help you decide when to visit Uxmal, and how, for travelers on every style of trip.

What to know before visiting Uxmal

Uxmal is not really the type of place or local attraction where you just show up, although you probably could.

You’ll want to have enough cash in your wallet to pay the entrance fees, and if you come by bus, you’ll need to know that you can’t bring a bag in.

All of these things are outlined in our ‘what to know’ section of this information.

How far is Uxmal from Mérida?

The Uxmal Archaeological site is located 84 km (52 miles) from the center of Mérida, Mexico .

It can take anywhere between an hour to two hours to get to Uxmal from Mérida, depending on which method of transit you choose.

How far is Uxmal from Campeche?

If you’re coming from Campeche city, it’ll be farther. Campeche is located 160 km southwest of Uxmal.

At minimum, driving from Campeche to Uxmal would be two hours, if you’re going fast . We have not explored the public transit options from Campeche to Uxmal, but judging by what we know about buses in Mexico, it could be between 2.5-3 hours.

Where is Uxmal on the map?

If you’re looking at a map, first, set your eyes on Mérida. It’ll be on the western side of the Yucatan peninsula, not quite at the coast, but in the general north-west region.

If you zoom in and look southward from Mérida, you’ll see a darker green region, south of Route 184.

The green signifies a designated national archaeological protected zone, or in Spanish, the “Reserva Estatal Biocultural del Puuc.”

Uxmal is located in the northwest of this designated national heritage reserve. It is not far from the state border between Yucatan State and Campeche State.

What are the Uxmal Ruins Entrance Fees?

As you travel throughout the world (outside the US and Canada), you’ll see something funny, and it’s something you have to get used to.

Yes, many countries, at their national heritage sites, have different prices for “Nationals” (domestic travelers) and foreigners.

The first time I saw this was at the National Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. I was appalled. It seemed discriminatory.

Can you imagine if places in the US like the Statue of Liberty charged different entrance fees for Americans, and for people coming from other countries? It would be deemed segregational and unacceptable.

As I’ve traveled more, through all these countries, and more , this has started to make sense. For example, when I heard that Peruvian nationals and foreign tourists pay different (drastically different) prices to visit Machu Picchu, I finally “got it.”

For a lot of domestic travelers, especially in developing countries, they can’t afford a high price to visit touristic sites, and the government makes it so that a) they can afford to pay a low price of learning about their own country through culture and history and b) they can make more money off of foreigners.

At the end of the day, to generalize, it’s the foreign tourists that have the money (after all, most of them purchased flight tickets to visit, right?).

And so, if you are not Mexican with a Mexican passport, you will pay the current foreigner ticket price of a total 466 pesos ($26 USD).

This fee is made up of the following:

• Admisión General (general admission): 381 pesos (about $21 USD).
• Zona de Uxmal (Uxmal area) federal fee: 85 pesos (about $4.75 USD).
• Total (both fees are mandatory for entry): 466 pesos (about $26 USD).

This being said, make sure that you pack your (and remind your travel buddies) wallet the night before your visit to Uxmal with plenty of cash in Mexican pesos, for everyone on your trip.

What are the Uxmal Ruins opening hours?

Uxmal is open every day of the year, according to Yucatan Today .

Opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm local time. If you need ideas for how to enter the park and beat the crowds, check out how we did it at Chichén Itzá , similarly.

When were the Uxmal ruins built?

The Uxmal city and pyramids were built between 600 to 900 AD. This was a super long time ago!

The Mayan structures and former sites of cities were a thriving region, before, and during the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

We recommend reading up on the history of the Uxmal structures, and the surrounding smaller and lesser-known Mayan heritage sites nearby, like Palenque, Calakmul, Dzibilchaltun, Ek’ Balam, and nearby Kabah, Labna and Mayapan.

What to expect at the Uxmal Archaeological Ruins

At the Uxmal ruins, you can expect an experience much like visiting the ruins of Chichén Itzá , but with tons fewer tourists.

I would say that what everyone told us before we went to Uxmal, and while we were there, was that the crowds at Uxmal are so much more manageable.

In fact, it was easy to take a photo with on one else in it. This is our favorite thing to do, to make it look like we avoided the crowds, like on these trips .

We had a private guide during the length of our tour, which totaled about two hours. Our guide was only speaking with us and taking us to the top spots and viewpoints for two thirds of that time. (Make sure to tip your guide at the end of your guided tour.)

For the rest of the time, he gave us about 30-40 minutes at the end during which we could explore on our own, go back to the places we had already seen, or take ourselves through the final part of the ruins and get some tourist-less photos.

You can see a few more in our photo gallery .

In terms of temperature and heat, it can get hot at the Uxmal Archaeological Site, especially during the hot and rainy season of the Yucatan (May to September-October).

It is best to go early, if you have the choice (i.e. going with a rental car or private driver on your own schedule), to beat the heat.

If you’re going at a set hour, either based on bus timetables or the designated hour with your tour, be sure to wear sunscreen, spray some mosquito spray on your ankles beforehand and fill up your reusable water bottle (to travel sustainably !).

Luckily, Uxmal does have some shaded areas, so you can take a break from the direct sunlight.

Is there any wildlife at the Uxmal ruins?

Yes, there is wildlife to be seen, if you look hard. You’ll see iguanas (some big, and some small) that blend in very curiously with the stones. You may even see five at a time.

Beware: refrain from the inclination to feed them, and avoid interacting with them! They are wild, and should not be fed the food that humans eat. Uxmal is their natural home.

What to bring (and not to bring) to the Uxmal Ruins

You may experience regulations at Uxmal for security, preservation of the archaeological heritage and personal safety.

Visitors are no longer allowed to bring in backpacks, bags and large purses. I repeat: If you bring a backpack or handbag larger than a tiny purse, the officials will not let you bring it in. There are lockers where you can store your items, but it has been rumored that they may not be so well-guarded, so do this at your own risk

What you can bring into the Uxmal ruins are any of the following:

• A travel camera (if you’re seeking a new one, we recommend these suggestions
• A water bottle (no size limit on water bottles)
• A small-sized cross-body purse or fanny pack like this one (it may depend on the discretion of the guards at the entrance)

Overall, I felt pretty naked without a purse or a backpack. Someone else from our tour group was allowed in with a tiny purse and held my travel-sized sunscreen for me.

Dan and I kept one wallet between the two of us, held in his shorts pockets, and I kept my phone on my person, stored in my bathing suit top that I prefer to wear when I am wearing loose dresses and we’re going sightseeing.

As soon as we got back to our tour van, I was reunited with my tote bag, where I had responsibly kept my travel-sized sunscreen , travel-sized bug spray, Lonely Planet Yucatan guidebook , spare napkins and sunglasses case.

How to get to Uxmal (from Merida)

Getting to Uxmal could be a little more complicated than it seems, because there are so many choices at each budget and level of difficulty.

Had I been ten years younger and backpacking solo on a shoestring budget, I probably would have chanced the public bus and gone with the stipulations of that choice.

Had I had a never-ending budget and a shorter, more YOLO-style trip in the Mérida region, we probably would have hired a private driver for the day.

And had we been in a roadtripping mood with a whole tour of the region rather than a home base in Mérida for the month, we probably would have gone to Uxmal with a rented car.

Nevertheless, we took a private guided day tour, and it turned out to be just fine for us.

As I did LOTS of research on the topic of how to get from Mérida to Uxmal, I will detail it all here for you to use and make the best choice for your travels.

Hire a private driver from Mérida

We looked into getting a private driver from Mérida for getting to Uxmal. This is not the route to take if you’re interested in saving as much money as possible during your trip.

Our friend’s friend is a Mexican local who has a foot in the tourism network in Mérida, and offered us to go with one of his drivers in a private Volkswagen sedan, for a luxurious ride. I was also recommended this driver via the Merida expats Facebook group.

• Pro : We could have gone early in the morning at 7 am, meaning we could have been some of the first people of the day into the archaeological park, like we did at Chichen Itza. We could’ve had beautiful morning light, and beat the heat.
• Con : The price tag on this journey was quoted at $100 USD, plus approximately $40 to $50 USD for gas, and that was a variable fee based on current gas prices. This would have come out to about $150 USD, or $75 USD per person, with two of us. I looked online for recommended private drivers, and the quotes were about the same via private companies and recommended agencies.

Rent a car (in Mérida)

We considered renting a car, as our local expat friends in Mérida claimed it was easy and not expensive.

After talking to our friend from Mexico City who had visited Mérida for the week with her partner, she told us that even as a Spanish-speaking half-Mexican duo, they were paying around $80 USD for a car, per day, including gas and insurance and things like that.

This comes out to $40 USD per person, for the drive alone.

• Pro : We could have the flexibility of driving whenever we wanted, and also stopping at more villages or more ruins or cenotes along the way.
• Con : The price was still a little bit steep, and we would have had to navigate on our own with the help of international service from Google Fi .

Take a public second-class bus (from Mérida)

I originally thought we’d do what seemed easy and take a second-class bus from Mérida to Uxmal. After reading recent stories on other travel blogs, though, I felt warned that this could be a messy experience for something as simple as getting to see the Uxmal ruins on a day trip from Mérida.

It has been reported that in the past several years, the second-class bus schedule was cut significantly. There are two morning departures with a company called Sur. But actually, there may only be one. Multiple reports said travelers were quoted two morning departures, one around 8 am and one around 9 am, but sometimes the 8 am one is cancelled without notice.

There are also reports of travelers showing up for the 9 am bus, and it has already left, before 9 am. It could also be late.

Next, travelers have reported the one bus per day being full. Sometimes you could have to stand, the entire ride, about 60-90 minutes, all the way to Uxmal.

Lastly, there is debatable information about the return bus from Uxmal to Mérida. There are some reports that there simply is no bus back from Uxmal to Mérida. There are other reports that there is one bus per day that goes along the route.

Travelers have reported that it can come at 3 pm, 3:30 pm, 4 pm or later, at 4:30 pm. It seems like, according to research, the bus shows up when it wants to, and you could either miss it, or be waiting for two hours in the heat.

If you miss the bus, see the next option, which is to take a taxi or hitchhike to the village of Muna, and then hop a colectivo or another taxi to Mérida. While I would be okay with hitchiking due to the general level of safety in Merida , this is just a dab riskier.

Overall, I decided that I had done enough research into the public bus experience to Uxmal, and that this simply wasn’t the time to do it, despite our luck with taking colectivos to places like Chichén Itzá on other trips.

• Pro : The price is around 85 pesos ($3.75 USD to $4.90 USD).
• Con : The lack of availability of departure times from Mérida to Uxmal, and the debatability of an actual bus coming at a designated hour for getting back from Uxmal to Mérida. I felt that our time was more valuable at this point in our travel careers than waiting for a public bus on the side of the road (in former years, I would’ve been game for the adventure, though).

Take a colectivo to Muna, and then to Mérida

For getting to Uxmal from Mérida or from Uxmal back to Merida, you can be adventurous and take a colectivo.

Colectivos are shared vans that operate in many parts of Mexico and Latin America. Typically, each person is charged a low fee like 35 pesos ($2 USD), and the van leaves from its origin when the driver is happy with how many people have filled up the van.

Colectivos make many stops, or can stop wherever someone wants to get off. It is probable that no one will speak English, so keep that in mind.

There is no direct colectivo to Uxmal, as it is rather far from Merida; however, you can take a colectivo from Merida to a village called Muna. From Muna, it is much closer to Uxmal. You can take another colectivo from there.

You can also take a taxi from Merida to Muna, to do the same thing. Lastly, you can try to hitchhike once you are leaving Uxmal, and you can try to catch a ride with someone going in the direction of Muna. From Muna, try to get a colectivo, or a taxi, to Merida. It is 66km away, and could take about one hour.

From Muna to Uxmal, the distance is around 20km and it could take around 20 minutes, give or take.

With this method, our pro and con assessment is:

• Pro : The price. If you only take colectivos and taxis, you might only spend 250 pesos each way, which is about $14 USD USD.
• Con : This method can take a lot of time, if you miss the colectivo and another one does not leave for a while, or if you cannot find transport from Uxmal to Muna. You may spend a bunch of time waiting, which is not very comfortable because outside the Uxmal ruins, there’s not much to do.

Take a private or guided tour from Mérida

We ultimately decided on a private tour from Mérida, and I did a little bit of research on this one also.

I went about it in a backpacker-style way, knowing one thing: hostels always have partnerships with great tour companies.

I reached out to Nomadas Hostel and Casa Garza Boutique Hostel by email before we left home for the Mérida trip.

Both got back to me. Both partnered with different tour agencies. Both quoted per-person day tour rates at 900-1000 pesos per person (about $54 USD), inclusive of van transport, a guide and a full restaurant meal at the Uxmal Archaeological Site restaurant.

With the price and the value in mind, here were my thoughts:

• Pro : The value-per-price offering, because with the consistency of the private tour offering and inclusion of something like lunch and foolproof transport back to Mérida, this seemed great.
• Con : First, the price (more than the bus or colectivo option), and second, the fact that we wouldn’t be able to be at Uxmal early in the morning like 9 am, or at golden hour (3 or 4 pm) for the photos I was envisioning.

Nevertheless, we opted for this route with the tour company provided by Casa Garza. We went in person to book at Casa Garza and paid cash to their receptionist, who called the tour agency to book us into a Monday tour, and everyone was very responsive via WhatsApp.

The tour picked us up at our hotel in Zona Paseo Montejo, exactly when they said we would, and we had an air-conditioned trip for a full day to Uxmal, the Museo de Chocolate and lastly, a cave cenote, getting back to Merida in one piece by 6 pm.

If you’re interested in the exact tour agency, we referenced our hand-written ticket and it’s Edith’s Tours (you can visit their brief Facebook page and basic Instagram ).

Here are some additional tour recommendations!

Is there anything else to do at Uxmal?

If you are “ruin-ed” out and ready for change, we recommend checking out the Museo de Chocolate, also called “Choco-Story.”

Our day trip tour took us there after the Uxmal Ruins. It is a 2-minute drive, or a 9-minute walk from the entrances of one to the other.

The Choco-Story Museum has an entrance fee, but it comes out to about $8 USD. While we probably would not have gone if our tour hadn’t had it on the agenda, it was a way for us to get value from the following:

• Learn about the history of chocolate through a well-done interactive museum. There was even a live chocolate-making demonstration, and we got to try fresh hot chocolate, seasoning it to our “gusto” with cinnamon, spices and sugar.
• See cool wildlife, seriously! The museum is indoor-outdoor, with small huts connected by pathways through jungle.
• See cute animals! There are several ways to see animals here, such as spider monkeys, birds and a leopard. All animals have been rescued from abuse and are being nursed back to health. This was awesome.
• See Mayan culture, which isn’t as accessible as it could be, elsewhere. Then again, the Maya are a traditional group and if you’re staying in Merida , you’re likely to not see a traditional Mayan dance or anything like that. At the Museo de Chocolate, we saw a Mayan musical ritual and although it was put on for visitors, it was nothing we’d witnessed before.

The only other thing to really “do” at Uxmal is to eat at the restaurant on site within the paid area of the ruins. The eatery is called Restaurante “Yax-Beh. ” The brief menu includes Yucatan classics like cochinita pibil (Yucatan marinated slow-cooked pork), poc chuc (Yucatan-style pork) and some Mayan soups. One highlight is that they have unlimited nachos with a rather zesty salsa/pico de gallo, and unlimited bread as well.

Here’s a photo of a standard meal at the restaurant on site inside the Uxmal archaeological park. I’m not sure what the meal actually costs, because it was included in our tour price (the tour actually included a 3-course meal, which made the tour a great deal overall).

Is Uxmal worth the trip?

I’d say yes, for sure, for the reasons mentioned above like it was less groan-inducing than Chichen Itza, which is completely over-touristed unless you are the first one into the park for the day (like we were).

Uxmal is a well-restored archaeological and historical site, and at the end of the day, it is not terribly far from Merida. If you got stranded for whichever un-planned-for reason, you would probably find your way back with any of the ways mentioned above.

The only off-putting factor about the visit to Uxmal is the price of the entrance ticket, which starts to seem like a lot of money once you’re in the Merida region (because everything is so affordable). Consider that if you were back at home, $22 or $23 would be the price of dinner or a few drinks out.

Overall, Uxmal was a good thing to do to round out our trip in the Yucatan region. If you’re looking for more things to do for a well-rounded trip that hits all the markers of culture, nature, beach and city, check out our guide to te best cafes in Merida , along with trips to Izamal and Valladolid .

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Guide to Visiting Uxmal Ruins: How to Get to Uxmal From Merida

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links – which means, at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link.

Heading to Merida, Mexico soon? Don’t forget to include visiting Uxmal Ruins as an activity on your itinerary! This popular day trip from Merida is one of the best preserved Maya archaeological sites in the Maya world.

However, compared to other tourist attractions, it might be hard to find information on how to visit the Uxmal Ruins from Merida . 

That’s why I’m here to share with you all the research I’ve done to visit this incredible Mayan Ruins. This is the complete guide you need to visit Uxmal Ruins! 

Visiting the Uxmal Mayan Ruins will definitely become an unforgettable experience and the highlight of your trip to Mexico.

Did I mention it’s also climbable?

Table of Contents

Uxmal Ruins Entrance Fee & Attraction Details

Entrance fee: $541 MXN

There are two parts to the Uxmal entrance fee. A federal fee of $80 + general admission $461 ($225 for Mexicans).

Parking fee: $80 MXN

Opening hours: 8am-5pm daily. Last entry at 4pm.

Duration: You can easily spend 2 hours touring the Uxmal ruins.

Guided tour: $900 for an English guide

Google maps : Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal

Is Uxmal Worth Visiting

Yes, Uxmal is well worth the trip! The archaeological site is one of the most impressive in the Yucatan, and a visit to Merida would not be complete without it. 

The Uxmal Ruins offer a rare glimpse at the ancient Mayan civilization. They provide insight into their rich culture and history.

A Brief History on Uxmal

Uxmal is located in the jungles of southwest Yucatan, Mexico. Just an hour south of Merida. And because of this agricultural-rich environment, Mayans thrived for centuries in the ancient Maya city of Uxmal.

Many buildings we see today, such as the Governor’s Palace, were constructed during the city’s golden age under the rule of Lord Chac (Chan Chak K’ak’nal Ajaw).

Uxmal didn’t have access to any natural bodies of water, so they primarily relied on rainfall to bring water to the site. Many historians agree that the most likely cause of Uxmal’s abandonment in 900 AD is due to prolonged drought.

What is Uxmal Famous For

Uxmal is famous for being an important part of Maya civilization. The ancient city of Uxmal is also renowned for their beautiful Puuc style architecture. Because of these two points, Uxmal is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Fortunately, because of the remoteness of the region, Uxmal is one of the most well-preserved Mayan ruins you’ll find in the Yucatan Peninsula today. 

So when you’re there, don’t forget to look closely at all the intricate stone carvings on the buildings. They are a sight to behold.

The most famous building at the Uxmal archaeological site is The Pyramid of the Magicians.

Can You Climb Uxmal Ruins

Yes! This is one of the best parts about visiting the Uxmal ruins. It is possible to climb certain‌ structures for incredible views over the Uxmal Ruins.

The Great Pyramid used to be climbable. However, they have fenced off the area because of Covid.

Don’t be too upset, because the steps leading to the viewpoint behind the Governor’s Palace are still accessible. It’ll give you a stunning view of the Pyramid of Magicians.

When to Visit the Uxmal Ruins

The best time to visit the Uxmal Ruins is early in the morning. There’s little to no shade around the archaeological site, so the heat from the sun gets pretty intense after walking around for a while.

What to Pack for Visiting Uxmal Ruins

• Water. Lots of water. Staying hydrated under the sun is important.
• Hat or umbrella for shade. The archaeological site is enormous and there’s barely any shade.
• Sunscreen. Your skin will thank you when you come back without a sunburn.

Where to Stay for Uxmal

Best hotels near uxmal.

Located right next to the Uxmal Ruins ​​in the archaeological zone, you have Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum . You’ll get to stay in the same place as many important guests, such as Queen Elizabeth II. Enjoy swimming in the pool after a day of exploring the ruins and relaxing in your cool AC rooms.

If you prefer to stay in a bungalow-style accommodation, check out The Lodge At Uxmal , which is a close-by sister property of the hacienda. 

Slightly further away (30 mins walk) from the Uxmal Ruins is Uxmal Resort Maya . While it’s a little out of the way, it’s a more budget friendly option. You can also book a Temazcal treatment, which is a Mexican spiritual ceremony performed by a shaman.

Book Your Stays

• Hacienda Uxmal Plantation
• The Lodge At Uxmal
• Uxmal Resort Maya

Best Hotels in Merida

Merida is the perfect place to base yourself if you want to explore Uxmal and the rest of Yucatan state. There are plenty of Mayan ruins and popular tourist destinations in the area to keep you busy.

Budget Stays

• Hotel La Nacional By Kavia – Budget stay in the city center
• Hotel Caribe Merida Yucatan – Hotel with a beautiful courtyard
• Kuka y Naranjo – Cozy hotel close to the bus station
• Ontico Urban Design Hotel – Modern hotel 10 mins from historic center

Midrange Stays

• Piedra de Agua Merida – Stay right in the city center
• Mansión Mérida Boutique Hotel – 19th century French-style mansion in city center

Luxury Stays

• Hotel Hacienda Mérida – Stay in a hacienda with colonial-style rooms
• Ya’ax Hotel Boutique – Peaceful retreat at a five-star boutique hotel

How to Get to Uxmal From Merida

Unlike other popular Mayan archaeological sites like Chichen Itza or Tulum Ruins, the Uxmal Ruins is not as developed as a tourist destination. Unless you have a car, figuring out the logistics of getting to the site and back takes some work. 

Before going to Uxmal, I’ve researched intensively so that I will not be trapped without a way back. Here are all the methods I’ve found.

Visiting Uxmal By Car

Driving is the easiest way to visit Uxmal ruins from Merida. It takes around an hour to drive to the ruins. Along the way, you can take detours to Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Hacienda Ochil, and El Mirador del Muna to learn about some Maya culture.

Having a car also makes visiting the other 4 Mayan ruins (Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna) on the Ruta Puuc route really easy. And compared to the cost of an Uxmal ticket, the entrance fees to these ruins are ridiculously cheap.

Bus from Merida to Uxmal

You can take the SUR bus from Centro Merida at the TAME bus station.

Uxmal is a stop on the Merida to Campeche route. For this trip, there are no round-trip tickets. You’re only able to buy one-way tickets at the ticket booth.

The SUR bus uses the Ahorra card (which is a rechargeable card which you tap to get on the bus). If you have enough money on the card for the ride, you don’t even need to go to the ticket booth.

Money Saving Tip: The more money you charge on to the Ahorra card at once, the more bonus money you receive. 

If you plan out all your travel routes beforehand, you can calculate how much money you’ll need for all the bus rides. By recharging the larger sum, you’ll get a bigger bonus than if you had recharged for individual tickets. 

The attendant at the ticket office will help you calculate the amount you’ll actually need to pay (considering the bonus added). 

The bus to Uxmal will be at the TAME station at 9am . It takes about 1.5 hours to get to Uxmal from Merida. 

Unlike the ADO buses, there are no seat reservations for the SUR bus . Meaning, you’re likely to get on an oversold bus because people don’t need to buy a physical ticket (as long as they have a balance on their Ahorra cards). 

This ‌happened to me and I ended up standing for the whole 1.5 hours. So line up as soon as you see the bus arrive!

Returning From Uxmal to Merida

Now the return trip to Merida is the tricky part. Because there are no round-trip tickets, you end up having to figure out the logistics yourself.

To go back to Merida, you’ll need to wait at the open area in front of the red Papaya Orange Cafe food truck (at the entrance of Hacienda Uxmal Plantation). From here, you can take taxis, the SUR bus, and colectivos to Merida.

You’ll often see taxis stopping by the waiting area to pick up passengers. This is probably the easiest way to get back to Merida. 

Some people recommend taking the taxi to Muna (the city closest to Uxmal) and then buying a bus ticket from Muna to Merida. You can share a taxi with some other people that’s also at the waiting area. 

One review says their taxi cost 50 pesos per person. Buses from Muna to Merida are every half an hour and cost 35 pesos. So the overall cost with this method is 85 pesos.

The bus back to Merida does not pass through Uxmal until 3pm. So that means you’ll have 4.5 hours at the Uxmal ruins (if you took the 9am bus from Merida).

Now because the Uxmal stop is in route between Campeche to Merida, there’s no guarantee the bus will arrive exactly at 3pm. It’s often delayed.

On the day I was there, the SUR bus never showed up before I left around ~3:15pm.

Colectivos to Merida (Shared Vans)

This was the method I used to get back to Merida.

A colectivos stopped by to let off passengers. Afterwards he shouted toward our waiting area to see if there’s anyone that wanted to get on. 

Everyone who got on went to talk with the driver individually. I don’t know how much they paid, but as a group of 2, I paid 90 pesos per person .

The colectivos will stop at the colectivos area in Centro Merida.

Going to Uxmal By Tour

If just reading the logistics is giving you a headache (I don’t blame you, it’s a bit crazy), then consider taking a day tour to Uxmal Ruins instead. 

These day tours from Merida have all the transportation and entrance fees figured out, so you can just sit back, relax and follow along.

• Book a private tour to Uxmal ruins & Chocolate Museum
• Book a 3-in-1 tour to Uxmal ruins & Hacienda Yaxcopoil & Cenote Peba (meals included)

Exploring the Uxmal Ruins

What’s impressive about Uxmal Ruins is that many of the structures are still intact, so you can actually see the different Maya architectures. 

There will be areas that are fenced off, so just follow along the arrow signs for where to go next.

Upon entering the Uxmal archaeological site, the first thing you’ll see is the majestic Pyramid of the Magician . It’s also known as the Pyramid of the Soothsayer . 

Accessible only by priests and nobles for sacrificial ceremonies, the Pyramid of the Magician is the tallest building in Uxmal.

The Pyramid of the Magician is the postcard child of the Uxmal Ruins. Legend has it ‌they built the pyramid overnight (of course, structural evidence confirms this was not true).

The reason ‌the Pyramid of the Magician is so unique amongst other Mayan buildings is because its outline is elliptical instead of the common rectangular outline.

Walking past the Mayan pyramid, you’ll soon reach the Nunnery Quadrangle.

The Nunnery Quadrangle in Uxmal was built around the 10th century. It comprises four palaces of varying heights surrounding a vast courtyard.

You can walk around the courtyard and wander into the rooms of the four palaces. If you’re lucky, you might even see a residential bat.

When you’re tired, take a short break. Join the others sitting on the steps and people watch for a bit.Exiting the Nunnery Quadrangle, you’ll come up to the Ball Court . This is where the Uxmal Mayans used to play the Mesoamerican ballgame .

Once you’re done imagining a lively ball game match in the ball court, keep walking until you’ve arrived at the Governor’s Palace.

The Governor’s Palace is considered one of the most beautiful Mayan architecture.

A little further than the Governor’s Palace is the Great Pyramid (also known as the Grand Pyramid ), a truncated pyramid with nine step sections.

What’s special about the Grand Pyramid is that it used to be one of the few Mayan structures we can climb in the Yucatan Peninsula. From atop the Great Pyramid, we can see the entire Uxmal site.

However, it’s currently fenced off, so you’re not allowed to climb up the Great Pyramid anymore.

Instead, you can walk up the stairs to the Governor’s Palace. 

First thing you’ll see on the platform is the Temple of Turtles.

As a substructure of the Governor’s Palace, the Temple of Turtles is one of the simplest structures you’ll see in the Uxmal Mayan city. Its name comes from the turtle carvings at the top of the structure.

Take a few moments to admire the architecture of the Governor’s Palace.

From the Governor’s Palace, you have an excellent viewpoint of the Pyramid of the Magicians. Don’t forget to take some pictures with it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yanlin | Travel (@myadventurouswings)

After all this walking under the sun, you’re probably already burnt out. Take a breather and rest under the shades (rare) near the Governor’s Palace.

Once you’re rested, make your way back to the entrance. Enjoy some cold ice cream or refreshing drinks from the vendors. You deserved it.

Don’t forget to take a bathroom break and browse the souvenir shops for some Maya goodies to take home..

What to Do After Visiting the Ruins?

After you visit Uxmal Ruins, you can spend some time in the Choco-Story (chocolate museum) or visit a cenote.

Mayaland Adventures & Hacienda Uxmal Plantation

Check out their collection of vintage cars. Mayaland Adventures also offers tour options to drive the cars to the plantation.

Check out Coco-story Chocolate Museum

Learn about the history and the process of making chocolate in the Mayan world. You can watch a Mayan ceremony that happens every 20 minutes. 

Besides the chocolate museum, they also have a botanical garden and an animal shelter. You’ll see monkeys, deer, and crocodiles.

Entrance fee : $165 MXN

Hours : 9am-7:30pm daily

Here are tours to Uxmal Ruins & Choco-story:

• Book a day trip tour to both locations plus cenote! You can also book on TripAdvisor .
• Here’s a private tour to Uxmal ruins & Chocolate Museum

Swim in a Cenote

This option is for those with a car or taking a taxi.

After a long day of walking in the sun, there are plenty of cenotes to visit on the way back to Merida for a refresh. 

Cenote X’batun and Cenote Kankirixche are two popular ones. They are on the opposite sides of the highway.

The drive to the cenote will make you feel ‌you’re secluded in the jungle.

More Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula

• Chichen Itza
• Tulum Ruins

Day Trips from Merida

• Progreso beach
• Celestun for flamingos
• Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas (pink salt)

Final Thought

Although prices will change overtime, everything you need on visiting Uxmal from Merida is in this Uxmal travel guide. If this guide helped you‌, I’d love to know!

Visiting Uxmal is definitely going to be worth your time. Have fun at Uxmal. I know you’ll love it!

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THE BEST Day Trips from Merida to Uxmal

Day trips from merida to uxmal.

• Merida to Chichen Itza
• Merida to Homun
• Merida to Uxmal
• Merida to Celestun
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Tour to Uxmal, Cenote & Kabah from Merida

2. Uxmal and Kabah Ruins Tour with Chocolate History

3. UXMAL Private Tour and Chocolate Museum plus Cenote

4. Yaxcopoil Hacienda & Uxmal Plus Cenote from Merida

5. Cultural Day in Uxmal, Kahba Ruin from Mérida Tour

6. Uxmal and Choco Story Private Tour

7. 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express

8. Private Tour: Archeological Site Of Uxmal and the Chocolate Museum Day Trip

9. Tour to Archaeological Uxmal

10. Private Tour:Uxmal, Choco-Story Museum & Hacienda Yaxcopoil by Yucatan Concierge

11. Amazing Trip to Uxmal, Chocolate Museum from Mérida

12. Uxmal and Kabah Ruins Tour from Merida with Lunch

13. The Authentic Yucatecan Tour: The Mayan City of Uxmal + a Choco Museum + Cenote

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Progreso Xcambo Mayan ruins excursion and beach break

Progreso Shore Excursion: Small Group Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

Cenotes, Historic Haciendas & Mayan Honey Tasting in Seyé Tour

What travellers are saying.

Day Trip from Merida to Uxmal, Muna Point, and an Amazing Cenote

Home » North America

I love when friends come to visit me as it gets me out exploring and playing a little bit of tourist. My friend Jules, from Goa, came to visit us a few weekends ago and we did a LOT over the weekend. On Friday, we made a pretty epic little day trip from Merida to Uxmal and I thought I’d share it with you in case you want to cover my tracks, as we stopped at a great look-out point and saw local handicrafts being made, saw Mayan ruins, swam in an empty cenote, and ate traditional food at a stunning ancient Hacienda.

It’s fantastic that if someone comes to visit for three days, one can be spent in culture at the ruins, haciendas, and cenote hopping, day two can be the beach, pink lakes, and flamingo spotting, then day three can be downtown Merida exploring the amazing architecture, local markets, and seeing shows. There is so much to take friends to do here!

Day Trip from Merida to Uxmal, Muna, Secret Cenote, and Hacienda Ochil

This trip is a very easy peasy one and doesn’t mean too much time in the car – about an hour out there and an hour back of actual driving. Luckily, there are SO many Mayan ruins, cenotes, and haciendas all over the Yucatan within a drive from Merida, so you have a lot of options. That can also mean TOO many options and it can be hard to narrow it down. Since I have unlimited time, I’m just trying to hit up as many places as I can and then eventually will be able to share my favorites. In this case, we chose Uxmal as they are the closest huge set of Mayan ruins to Merida. Many say they prefer these to the world wonder two hours away, Chichen Itza , which we visited last winter.

While reading up on this, I noticed there is a route PUUC RUTA, of the Pucc route . This goes to Uxmal on the same path but hits up more ruins, caves, and haciendas. You could certainly do this whole route in one day but for us, we found it would be a little too repetitive to keep seeing more sites all in one day and we’d rather drive back out – hitting up new lunch spots and cenotes each time.

We went to Muna lookout point where you can see the ruins from afar and see handicrafts being made. This is the highest point in the entire state – which is not very high ha! Yucatan is notoriously flat and low. From there, on to Uxmal. Next, to the Kankirixche cenote to swim, then lastly to lunch at Hacienda Ochil. I’ve mapped these all out for you below.

Visiting Uxmal Mayan Ruins from Merida on a Day Trip

When you first walk in, there are shops, snacks, and restrooms. Then you get your ticket and enter. Once you walk into the complex of the ruins, you’ll see straight away a huge pyramid – although small compared to Chichen Itza. As you walk around it and onward, you’ll find so much more to see – more ruins and the area where they played the ball games.

The price was 234 pesos per person, or around $12. It is a tiny bit less expensive if you are Mexican. I recommend hiring a guide here so you can learn about the history. You can stay as long as you like, but 1-2 hours would probably be the average. We went Friday afternoon and there were no crowds. We preferred Uxmal to Chichen Itza.

Stopping at Muna on the way out

You can avoid going to Muna as it’s an exit off the highway, but if you get off and go through Muna town it’s just about 5 minutes longer on your journey and you’ll go up and back down some winding roads. At the highest bit, is Muna lookout point. Online it looked like we’d see epic views of Uxmal, which is about a 10-minute drive further, but whoever had posted those must have had a serious zoom lens, as the ruins are a dot in the distance.

However, I recommend stopping here as it’s more about seeing the local handicrafts. I loved seeing the liquor, bees and honey (which is famous from Uxmal), the rain sticks (Jules bought us one as a present), and all the jewelry and carvings.

Cenote Kankirixche

On the way back home from Uxmal, there is stop on the main road for Hacienda Ochil – from there you can take a road toward Kankirixche cenote or you could go another way to a couple more cenotes. We chose this one on a whim. You can choose to either eat first then go to the cenote or swim then eat. We chose to swim first, then head back to the main road to eat. It’s just 10 minutes to the cenote.

You’ll see the “here” point on the map, but wonder “umm… where is it!?”. You need to drive a bit further and you’ll see on your left a dirt road. Take it about 5 minutes until a man is there asking for 30 pesos per person to access the cenote.

It doesn’t look like much:

There were a few people there but they were leaving as we go there so we ended up with the whole thing on our own. It’s really incredible and better than the famous ones we visited near Tulum as it was so secluded. When you first look down it, it looks kind of dark but once you’re inside, it’s bright blue light. Cenotes are really interesting and were said to be created from the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs – the whole of Merida is on top of a cenote. You can read more about them here . Most people think of Yucatan when they hear cenote as most are here but you’ll find them in some other places like Belize, Austrailia, and even the USA in Roswell.

PS there are a ton of horse flies here and they hurt so much when they bite! They aren’t down in the cenote thankfully but you wouldn’t want to pack a lunch and hang out here – just swim and go. The toilets were clean, but no toilet seat just a squatting situation. You can change there.

Lunch at Hacienda Ochil

Hacienda Ochil is completely beautiful. Haciendas are from when the Spanish came to Yucatan and colonized it – they built these. They are basically mansions. Around the Yucatan, you can go to them as hotels, spas, weekend getaways, or just pop in for lunch. Many have their own cenotes. We didn’t go in the cenote here, but just ate lunch and wondered around.

Yucatan food  is unique to this part of Mexico and that is due to the Mayan influence. You’ll have things like salbutes, panuchos, kibis, cochinita pibil, poc chuc, queso relleno, and more. Tacos, empanadas, tamales, and other things you find around the rest of Mexico have a Yucatan twist. Haciendas are a great place to try the local food – not that you have a choice and it’s typically all they will serve. That means no making it “gringo” style on a flour tortilla. It’s going to be the Yucatan style all the way.

The food here was very affordable and tasty. The fish (which is freshwater, not sure the type) was the best dish. From here, we were stuffed and exhausted so headed home which was about 50 minutes back into town. For this trip, we didn’t have to wake up early. We watched a world cup game and didn’t head out until around 1130. We were home by 6 pm. We had a glass of wine at lunch and took things slowly – so you can definitely do it quicker or longer and add in more stops.

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10 Comments

Have I missed previous articles? This is the first I heard that you are in Mexico.We arrive in Mexico City tomorrow so I’m very interested to know of your journey.Thank you…John.

Hey, yep – we moved to Merida from India you can read about it here

Absolutely gorgeous photos! I would love to go visit one day!!

Hi! Another (more recent) quit-my-job-to-travel nurse, here :) Headed to Mérida as we speak and going to do this day with my boyfriend on Friday. Thank you! We have two more days in Mérida after that. Do you have a post about how you spent the rest of your weekend with your friend visiting? Or a “3 days in Mérida” recommendation? Thanks in advance!

Hi Lindsay, working on a 3 day recommendation this week but for now all I can point you to is this post with the top 50 things to do in merida!

Hi I just wondered how you got around, you don’t mention a taxi/bus/hire car in your article? Did you hire a car and if so from where and was it easy? Thanks! Liv

Liv, I drove as I own a car here – but check out this post which tells about how to get good car rental deals

We’re visiting Merida next week and wanted to rent a car, any recommendations or advice on how to get one? I’ve read a lot of horror stores and am a bit nervous. Would love to follow your tracks and see the same places you visited in your article.

Best, Crsital

Hey Cristal – check out this post where I talk about that more

My Okie Indian Territory born grandmother Me-Ma travelled here in 1968. They called themselves the Bartlesville Six. In 3 weeks they went from Oklahoma -Mexico City et environs -Merida- Guatamala et environs-Tegucigalpa, Honduras-Managua,Nicaragua-San Jose then Limon, Costa Rica- Panama City,Panama- Santiago,Chili -EASTER ISLND- Miami and back to Oklahoma on the company jet. 1968.

Thanks for the descriptions ! So fun to read more and see more about her destinations !

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How to Visit Uxmal from Merida

On a recent girlfriend getaway to Merida , we all had one thing on the top of our list: see some ruins!

After weighing the pros and cons of the various archeological sites within driving distance from Merida (including world-famous Chichen Itza), we eventually decided to check out Uxmal.

I am SO glad we did!

We basically had the whole site to ourselves and were able to enjoy the history in peace (and away from the excessive selfietography that seems to plague much of Mexico’s ruins and other highlights).

What is Uxmal?

“Uxmal” refers to the empty remains of a city called Uxmal that was built somewhere around 700 AD. At its prime, Uxmal had nearly 25,000 inhabitants. People are thought to have been living in the area nearly 1000 years before the city itself was built.

Now, Uxmal’s ruins are well-preserved and intricate, and have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Why You Should Choose Uxmal Over Chichen Itza

Fewer tourists at Uxmal than Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza gets PACKED with people (it receives over 1.4 million tourists a year). Uxmal has significantly fewer tourists, and you can pretty much have the ruins to yourself at certain points throughout the day (especially if you arrive promptly at opening time, on a weekday, like we did).

Uxmal offers a more interactive experience

At Chichen Itza, the ruins are mostly roped off and you aren’t allowed to touch, climb, or go inside them.

At Uxmal, you can actually climb and go inside many of the ruins. Not only does this create a more tactile and immersive experience, it also allows for amazing views (and some stellar photographs). 

Uxmal is less well-known but no less spectacular

Chichen Itza is a popular destination because of its “World Wonder” status, finding its way onto many bucket lists.

Uxmal is less popular only because it is less well-known and less hyped up. It’s just as impressive, beautiful, and historic as Chichen Itza.

I’d argue that the experience at Uxmal is even more memorable and breathtaking than at Chichen Itza, just because you actually get the headspace and selfie-stick-less views to actually be able to imagine what it was like to be there over a thousand years ago.

When to Go to Uxmal

Uxmal is open year-round from 8am – 4:30pm, but I’d recommend arriving before opening, so that you are the first (or among the first) to enter.

On Sundays, admission is free for citizens and residents, so it is much busier. Weekends are also busier, as are school holidays.

How to Get to Uxmal

The distance from Merida to Uxmal is just over an hour, and you’ve got a few options for for how to get there (if you’re coming from Cancun or elsewhere to Uxmal, I’d recommend going on a tour ). 

Cheapest Option: Take a bus from Merida to Uxmal

Buses to Uxmal from Merida go from the TAME bus station. The journey takes about an hour and a half and costs 65 pesos. Check in with the bus station for the most up-to-date timetable (as it changes seasonally), but plan on buses leaving about every 2 hours in each direction, starting at 6am and ending at 6pm.

Option We Chose: Rent a car to go from Merida to Uxmal

The road from Merida to Uxmal is pretty straightforward, as long as you try to stay on the main and major roads as much as possible. Avoid cutting through small towns both for potential safety reasons and to avoid worse roads and frequent, high topes (speed bumps).

If you don’t have access to data on your phone (to utilize Waze or another real-time navigation app), make sure to download Offline Maps through Google Maps.

Taking 180 to 261 is a good plan

Easiest Option: Go on a tour to Uxmal

Viator is my favorite international day tour provider because they have a low price guarantee and incredible customer service.

For Uxmal, they offer nearly 40 different tour options , including a combo tour of Uxmal and Loltun cave , a Uxmal day trip and psychedelic light show , and a private combo tour of the two ruins of Uxmal and Kabah .

Other option: Take a taxi to go from Merida to Uxmal

You can negotiate with a taxi (or get a recommendation from your hotel or Airbnb host) to go to Uxmal, wait for a pre-decided period of time, and return. This should cost around 2000 pesos.

At the time of writing, you can actually take an Uber from Merida to Uxmal for 900 pesos, but it is not available for the return trip (so you would need to take the bus or a taxi). [if you haven’t used Uber before, you can get a free ride with this link ]

Other option: Hire a driver to go from Merida to Uxmal

For this option, it would be best to receive a recommendation from your hotel, Airbnb host, or local travel agency (in Merida) to get a reliable, safe driver.

What to Wear at Uxmal

I’ve been paying more attention to my environmental footprint lately, and am totally sold on the idea that the most ecologically-friendly way to shop is secondhand (google Fast Fashion and you’ll see why). I’m currently obsessed with ThredUp , the largest secondhand clothing retailer on the planet (you can also sell clothes to them). They’ve got shoes, accessories, and every brand of clothing you can imagine, at bargain prices for nearly new items. You can get $10 off your first shopping experience at ThredUp with this link.

• Comfortable walking shoes – you’ll be walking in grass for the most part, so no high heels
• Loose clothing for hot weather
• Hat (to protect you from the sun)

What to Pack for Uxmal

• BPA-free Water bottles (I’d highly recommend freezing water in them overnight, to stay cool)
• Eco-friendly Sunscreen (because it’s better for you and for the planet!)
• Bug spray (eco-friendly, please!)
• Travel roll of toilet paper
• Natural hand sanitizer
• Cash (the entrance fee is 304 pesos, parking is 30 pesos)

A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative ) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!

Find me on: Web | Instagram | Facebook

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You care about your environmental footprint and find it cool to touch and climb ruins? I smell IG hypocrisy.

The government of Merida allows you to walk through and touch the ruins – I’m only doing what’s allowed. This is a blog, not IG, so not sure what you’re referring to, but thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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This is NOT a scheduled tour, you can choose how much time you spend in each of the recommended places we visit.

Do you want to stay more time in Uxmal? No problem . Do you want to stay less time in a Cenote? No problem .

We’re  not  tour guides, we’re your friends who know a little bit about these Mayan Archaeological Sites and would love to take you there to see , learn , and have a great time .

Uxmal Private Tour

• Private Tour
• Comfortable transportation with A/C
• Visit a Cenote or Hacienda
• Visit a Restaurant

We'll pick you up at your hotel located in Mérida.

We'll start by visiting the Mayan Archaeological Site of Uxmal.

Stop to visit a Cenote or Hacienda.

To rest and eat after discovering the past of the Mayan People, we'll stop at a restaurant where you will enjoy delicious local food.

We'll take you back to your hotel or Airbnb.

All Inclusive

• Entrance fee to Uxmal
• Guided tour in Uxmal
• Water and Snacks

Book Today!

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The 15 Best Day Trips in the Yucatan from Merida Mexico

January 17, 2020 By John Widmer 71 Comments

One of Merida’s greatest attributes is its centralized location in the Yucatan, which is so full of intriguing excursions to take. That’s exactly why we rank Yucatan day trips as #1 in our Best Things to Do in Merida Travel Guide .

There are so many awesome day trips from Merida to tour the entire region! You’ll discover an abundance of the Yucatan’s best beaches, Mayan ruins, cities, cenotes, and other attractions all scattered within close proximity to Merida.

Each of the day trips from Merida listed here are within a two-hour drive from Merida . There are enough worthwhile Merida day trips to fill an entire one-week or two-week Yucatan itinerary. Yet even with a few days basing yourself in Merida, you’ll be able to pack in many of these excursions, as you explore the many awesome adventures throughout the Yucatan!

But it hasn’t always been easy to figure out where everything is located, how to get there, how much it all costs and what is actually worthwhile to visit. That’s why we decided to assemble this detailed travel guide of what we’ve found to be the best day trips from Merida, Mexico . We hope that our effort of putting together this info-packed guide will help other Yucatan travelers to plan out their adventures and enjoy the best of what the Yucatan has to offer!

In each of the following Merida day trips, we provide suggestions for Merida tours and DIY directions. The Merida tour recommendations should prove helpful for those looking for convenience. Meanwhile, independent travelers and those traveling through the Yucatan on a budget should appreciate the detailed do-it-yourself directions. We show how to get to each of these locations on your own from Merida, using public transport or rental car. Having your own wheels is essential for a few of these Yucatan day trips from Merida. Other sites can be easily traveled to by public transportation or a Merida day tour.

Meanwhile, taking a day tour from Merida can be a seamless and affordable way to visit other attractions. For each Merida day trip recommendation, we compare what we’ve found to be the best tours at the best prices. Sit back and leave all of the logistics to the Merida tour agency. Simply get scooped up directly from your hotel and have a guide to fill you with local knowledge along the way.

However you arrive to these intriguing destinations throughout the Yucatan, we do hope the following suggestions for Merida day trips are helpful to your travel planning!

🏛️ Best Mayan Ruins near Merida Chichen Itza | Uxmal | Mayapan | Ruta Puuc |  Dzibilchaltun

🏖️ Best Beaches near Merida Progreso | Celestun | Other beaches

🕳️ Caves & Cenotes for Yucatan Adventure Cuzama Cenotes | Other Cenotes |  Calcehtok | Loltun |  Tzabnah

🌇 Cultural Cities & Towns to Visit Campeche | Izamal | Valladolid | Acanceh

🏜️ Best Haciendas & Culture Attractions Choco-Story Museum | Yaxcopoil | Ochil | Sotuta de Peon

And here’s a handy Yucatan map to refer back to. (If you’re doing some travel planning, you may want to bookmark this page.) If you get lost in this big info-laden post, simply scroll back up to the top here and use this map or the table of contents to help find your way.

Best Mayan Ruins Near Merida

There are numerous Mayan ruin sites all throughout the Yucatan peninsula. The recommendations below are what we firmly suggest as the best Mayan ruins near Merida. It includes a mix of the most popular Mayan ruins, in addition to a few lesser visited ruin sites near Merida that you can find off the beaten path.

1) See the Famous Chichen Itza Ruins without the Crowds

But with all of these superlatives, Chichen Itza has become the most popular Mayan ruin site in the region. It attracts quite the crowds and vendors. Don’t let this deter you from a visit though. Simply plan to arrive early, right when Chichen Itza opens, or even a bit before. There are no crowds at Chichen Itza during these early morning hours. Most of those annoying hawkers haven’t even arrived yet. This calm and cooler environment makes for a much more pleasant experience.

As of 2020, Chichen Itza opens its gates at 8:00 am. As such, the famed ruin site can be virtually empty until 9:00, with only light crowds lasting until about 10:00. Crowds really begin to arrive in full force around 11:00. Noon-3:00 is always the busiest time to visit Chichen Itza. This is when tourist hoards arrive from buses, coming from the Cancun resorts and the Cozumel cruise port, a few hours away to the east.

It takes 2½ hours to reach Chichen Itza from Cancun. But Merida enjoys a much closer position with a drive of less than 90 minutes. So when coming from Merida, it’s easy to be among the first few people into these impressive Mayan ruins near Merida. Arriving in the morning, visitors can expect no crowds, no pesky vendors, and without that harsh midday Yucatan heat when all the tour buses arrive from the Riviera Maya.

If you have your own means of transportation, we would suggest departing Merida around 6:15 am, in attempts to arrive to Chichen Itza by 7:45, just before the gates open. Or take this small group Chichen Itza Dexluxe tour which departs at 7:00am (confirm times), arriving to Chichen Itza before all the large group tours show up from Cancun.

Directions: How To Get from Merida to Chichen Itza:

While it’s possible to get from Merida to Chichen Itza using the following four ways, we recommend to either rent a car or take a Chichen Itza day tour from Merida .

🚗 Self-drive from Merida to Chichen Itza : It is an easy and direct route from Merida to Chichen Itza using the very nice highway 180D, which has hefty tolls of $95 pesos, each way. The drive takes about 90 minutes if things go smoothly, but you may want to budget for two hours, pending traffic departing Merida. Parking fees at Chichen Itza are an additional $30 pesos. Exact driving directions: here on GoogleMaps .

🚕 Taxi from Merida to Chichen Itza : You may be able to negotiate a round-trip fare of $1,000 pesos for a taxi from Merida to Chichen Itza. This should include a few hours waiting time at the ruins. Expect to cover tolls ($180 pesos) and parking fee ($30 pesos) in addition to the taxi fare. Once you factor in admission ($486-pesos) and lunch, you can expect the total cost to well exceed US$100 for a couple, even if a good taxi fare is negotiated. Hence, we believe a tour or rental car is a better option.

🚌 Bus from Merida to Chichen Itza : Buses from Merida to Chichen Itza depart from both the CAME and Noreste terminals for the approximately 2-hour ride. Second-class buses start around $70 pesos each way, while the ADO  bus from Merida to Chichen Itza are $150 pesos each way. There are typically 3-4 ADO buses that depart Merida in the morning hours. (Check ado.com.mx for an up-to-date timetable.) The problem with the ADO bus is that there is only one return bus from Chichen Itza to Merida each day, which is not until 4:30 pm in the afternoon. This leaves visitors at the sweltering ruins for a longer time then needed.

We instead recommend considering the  Your Way Shuttle Bus to Chichen Itza ( check here for schedule and availability ). It’s a great deal since it’s just a bit more than the ADO bus, but this shuttle bus further includes an access pass to the adjacent Mayaland Resort and pool! There’s a private entrance between the resort and the ruins, so it’s easy to use that pool to cool off after roaming around the hot ruin site. Book it on Expedia .

🚐 Chichen Itza Day Tours from Merida : Chichen Itza day trips from Merida can present good value, given the convenience and all that is included in the price. Most tours include a full lunch, resort pool access at the ruins, a professional and guided tour of Chichen Itza.

For a Chichen Itza day tour that arrives early, before the crowds, it’s well worth it to take this Open-the-Gate tour that departs Merida between 6:00-6:30. It arrives to Chichen Itza right as the gates open and even takes guests through a hidden side entrance. Check availability and prices .

Chitzen Itza tours from Merida can be a good option for a day trip to Chichen Itza, not only for the convenience but because you’ll also get an informative guide who will explain the many details about this impressive ancient site. Yet it’s all the extras that really add value, as some day trips even detour to nearby cenotes before returning Merida. All tours mentioned below include access to Mayaland Resort, in which you can use their private entrance to Chichen Itza and free use of their pool. Pack a bathing suit!

See the table below to compare these popular tours from Merida to Chichen Itza. Be sure to click thru the links to confirm up-to-date info, availability, latest reviews, and pricing (there are periodic deals, in which pricing is actually less than indicated in this table.)

2) Explore the Uxmal Ruins from Merida

Uxmal is arguably the best Mayan ruins near Merida to visit . The Mayan ruins of Uxmal are the other major Mayan ruin site within easy reach of Merida. It’s our favorite Mayan ruins near Merida to roam around and we highly recommend. Go to Uxmal to learn all about the importance of Rain God, Chaac. It’s all an interesting education about the Mayan inhabitants who once thrived here centuries ago.

Ancient Uxmal, built between 700-1,000 AD, was once a massive city of 25,000 people living here in the dry jungle of the Yucatan. Today the well-preserved ruins give a glimpse deep into Mayan history, allowing visitors to immerse themselves throughout the intricate complex that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unlike at Chichen Itza, it is permitted to actually climb atop and even inside many of the ruins at Uxmal. This makes for a fun experience and some incredible views! Gaze down and imagine what this impressive site must have been like when the Mayans ruled the land.

The Uxmal ruins are much less trafficked than Chichen Itza. Yet Uxmal can still become moderately popular in the afternoons. Arriving early is a good idea to beat any crowds, but it’s really not as big of a concern compared to Chichen Itza. Morning visits are still a good idea, more so to beat the heat than the crowds.

The video below shows what a visit to the Uxmal ruins is like, as captured in June during the late morning hours (10:00-Noon).

Nearby : While in the area, consider combining a trip to Uxmal with a visit to the nearby Kabah ruins and the excellent Choco-Story Museum. (Info on those sites follow in this guide.)

Directions: from Merida to Uxmal :

Uxmal is an easy day trip from Merida. To get from Merida to Uxmal – driving, buses, and day tours to Uxmal are all great options to consider.

🚗 Drive from Merida to Uxmal : It’s a straight shot on good roadways that should take slightly more than an hour to reach Uxmal. Consider driving through the town of Muna, not around it using the bypass. Muna has mirador (viewpoint) and it’s worth stopping there for both the views and to take a look at Pedro’s artwork. Parking at Uxmal is $30-pesos. Exact driving directions are here on Google Maps .

🚌 Merida to Uxmal Bus : Buses depart from Merida’s Terminal de Segunda Clase (TAME)  bus station for the ~1.5-hour journey. The fare is $65 pesos each way. The timetable at time of writing shows departures from Merida to Uxmal at 6:00, 9:00, 10:40, 12:00, 14:35, 17:00, and 18.05. There are five return buses from Uxmal to Merida that depart roughly every 2-3 hours. You can plan your departure time for approximately a two-hour visit to Uxmal.

🚐 Day Tours from Merida to Uxmal :

Day tours to Uxmal can be a very convenient option, including hotel pick-ups, lunch, resort access to cool off in their pools, and to get all the knowledge that a guide can fill you in about the fascinating site. The tours can also be a good bet, adding in stops nearby, such as the Kabah ruins, Mayan Planetarium, and/or the Choco-Story museum. Below is a comparison chart of two Uxmal tours from Merida that we recommend. We suggest the Uxmal, Kabah & Planetariu tour as the best way to pack in all these top sights while near Uxmal for great value. Although those who desire a more leisurely and flexible visit may want to consider Uxmal On Your Own .

3) Appreciate Having the Under-Rated Mayapan Ruins All to Yourself

About 25 miles outside of Merida are the majestic Mayapan ruins. These impressive Mayapan ruins are what we vouch are the most under-appreciated Mayan ruins near Merida . The site is not as large nor as popular as Uxmal or Chichen Itza. But that’s all part of Mayapan’s appeal. You will likely be able to enjoy the beauty of these Mayan ruins all to yourself. Take in the tranquility. Be sure to climb all the way to the top of Temple of Kukulcan and get some postcard-worthy photos.

At a mere $40-peso entrance fee, a visit to these ruins is of incredible value. And after frenzied experiences at other popular ruin sites, you’ll be treated to a quiet and serene experience at Mayapan. For all of these reasons, we put the Mayapan ruins firmly amidst the best day trips from Merida. And it’s among the closest Mayan ruins sites near Merida too!

Directions: from Merida to Mayapan Ruins :

It can be a little tricky to take the bus from Merida to the Mayapan ruins, but it’s doable. Mayapan is better approached by rental car or day tour.

🚗 Self-drive from Merida to Mayapan Ruins : Taking state road 184 south will enable you to reach Mayapan in under an hour. You’ll see clearly marked signs for Mayapan, just a bit past the town of Telchaquillo. Consider stopping at the town of Acanceh, which is on the way. (There’s more about Acanceh later in this article.) Exact driving directions to Mayapan ruins are: here on Google Maps .

🚌 Bus from Merida to Mayapan Ruins : Use the Noreste bus terminal, located here at Calle 67 and Calle 50 . Buy a ticket on the Telchaquillo bus, which will get you close to the Mayapan ruins. Be sure not to confuse the ruins of Mayapán with the village of Mayapán, which is a completely different place that shares the same name. Say “ruinas de Mayapán” or “zona archeologica de Mayapán.” The bus cost is $25 pesos each-way. Departures and returns run about every hour. As this is a 2nd-class bus, it makes many stops and will take about 1.5 hours to get to the Mayapan ruins.

🚐 Day Tour from Merida to Mayapan Ruins : Although we think a visit to Mayapan is very worthwhile, it is not a common or popular day tour from Merida, so you may have trouble finding an operator who offers it. This Mayapan tour on Viator is a good option that also includes a visit to the Mayan town of Acanceh and a nearby cenote. Check current prices, availability, and latest reviews .

4) Drive Over the Hills of the Ruta Puuc Ruins & Kabah

The Ruta Puuc is a great driving route for anyone wanting to explore some of the lesser visited Mayan ruins near Merida . Coast across the hilly and forested terrain and you’ll pass by three separate Mayan ruin sites. This includes Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna.

Each site has its own unique features and feel. Labna has its impressive and elaborate arch that is not to be missed. The Xlapak palace may be smaller than neighboring sites but has a wild feel to the unrestored mounds that remain. Meanwhile, Sayil  sports a rugged atmosphere with an impressive palace and other structures.

Each of the three Mayan ruin complexes has short trails connecting different ruins to one another. While nearby Uxmal and Kabah are largely exposed to the sun, the jungle canopy of trees throughout the Ruta Puuc offers a welcomed reprieve and provides a sense of exploration. It’s that sense of discovery of these more wild ruins and the lack of anyone else here, that makes the Ruta Puuc ruins such a worthwhile day trip from Merida to embark on.

If visiting these three Mayan ruin sites along the Ruta Puuc from east to west, you’ll then reach the Mayan ruins of Kabah . This site is bigger and grander than the previous three and it’s logical to also include a stop at Kabah while touring the Ruta Puuc. Some consider Kabah as a part of the Ruta Puuc too. It’s here at Kabah that you’ll find the former administrative structure of Codz Poop and the hundreds of detailed Chaac masks that still adorn the building today.

For more about this awesome route that connects multiple Mayan sites, then be sure to read all the details in our full separate post :

• How To Visit Ruta Puuc: Yucatan’s Road Trip Across the Mayan World
• Sayil Entrance Fee: $55 pesos
• Xlapak Entrance Fee: Free
• Labna Entrance Fee: $55 pesos
• Kabah Entrance Fee: $55 pesos

Nearby : It’s worthwhile to consider further extending your Ruta Puuc road trip to culminate at Uxmal.

Directions: From Merida to the Ruta Puuc :

We believe that the Ruta Puuc is best experienced by car. Yet there are some limited bus and day tour options from Merida for those who may be uncomfortable driving the Ruta Puuc.

🚗 Drive from Merida to the Ruta Puuc : We suggest beginning on the east side, starting with Labna, which should take 1½-2 hours. From Merida to Ruta Puuc, take 184 towards Oxkutzcab. From there, it’s another 15-minute drive up 31 to the Ruta Puuc turnoff, which is clearly signposted. Continue on the Ruta Puuc to Labna, Xlapak, then, Sayil. Consider further continuing to Kabah and Uxmal to pack in a very full day of Mayan ruins from Merida. Exact directions from Merida to the recommended east turn-off for Ruta Puuc is here on Google Maps .

🚌 Ruta Puuc Bus from Merida : Oriente Bus operates on Sundays only , departing at 8:00 am and stops at all three sites on the Ruta Puuc for 30-minutes each. The bus continues onto Kabah (40-minute stop) and Uxmal (2-hour stop). The price is $280 pesos per person, plus all admission fees at your own expense (+$583 pesos for all 5 sites). This totals $863 pesos + lunch expense (about $50 USD total) for the Sunday outing. This Ruta Puuc bus returns to Merida around 5:00 pm. The bus departs from the Terminal de Segunda Clase (TAME station) on calle 69 between 68 and 70 .

🚐 Ruta Puuc Adventure Tour from Merida : Instead of taking the big Sunday bus, consider this small group tour to the Ruta Puuc and Loltun Caves . It’ll cost a bit more. But it runs every day of the week, is a more intimate experience, includes transportation and guide to the three Ruta Puuc sites, plus the Loltun Caves. This makes for a nice full day of adventure from Merida. Check prices and availability .

5) Visit the Closest Mayan Ruins Near Merida: Dzibilchaltun Ruins

The Dzibilchaltun Ruins may not be as large as Chichen Itza, as impressive as Uxmal, as intimate as Mayapan, or as much of an adventure as the Ruta Puuc drive. But the  Dzibilchaltun ruins are the closest Mayan ruins to Merida , includes an artifact-filled museum and an even onsite exposed cenote that you can swim in.

Another appeal of Dzibilchaltun is that you are permitted to climb up some of the temples here. So while it may not hold quite the esteem as some of the aforementioned Mayan ruins sites, Dzibilchaltun still makes for a very worthwhile half-day trip from Merida.

We recommend Dzibilchaltun for convenience, given it’s close proximity to Merida. Dzibilchaltun is so close to Merida, that on a clear day atop these ruins, you can even see the skyline of Merida off in the distance!

And if you happen to be in the Yucatan during an equinox (around March 21 or September 22), it is highly advisable to visit the Dzibilchaltun Ruins at sunrise to witness the Templo de las Siete Munecas light up, making the doors of the temple glow since they are perfectly aligned with the sun.

While most of the other Mayan ruin sites in this guide are full-day excursions, Dzibilchaltun can be easily visited from Merida in a half day. If going to Dzibilchaltun on a hot day (which is just about every day), be sure to bring your bathing suit to take a swim in the refreshing waters of Cenote Xlakah.

Directions: to Dzibilchaltun Ruins from Merida:

Being the closest ruins near Merida, Dzibilchaltun makes an easy day trip from Merida that can be reached using any of the following options. Tip on best time to go to Dzibilchaltun : To have a more tranquil experience, avoid busier weekends and avoid days that cruises are in port at Progreso ( check Progreso cruise schedule here ).

🚗 Driving from Merida to Dzibilchaltun : Depending on traffic, you can reach Dzibilchaltun from Merida in less than a half hour, although planning for 30-45 minutes may be more realistic. It’s $20 pesos for parking at Dzibilchaltun. The site is well signed and exact directions from Merida centro are here on Google Maps .

🚌 Colectivos from Merida to Dzibilchaltun : Colectivos are frequent and depart from Parque San Juan . Check on Calle 69a and 67a, between Calle 62 and 64. Cost is $11 pesos for the 30-minute trip and you’ll get dropped off about 1 km from the ruin site. Then walk (or take a mototaxi) the remaining way to the ruins.

🚕 Uber/Taxis from Merida to Dzibilchaltun : An Uber estimate to Dzibilchaltun is about $200 pesos, each way, although you may have to negotiate with your Uber driver to wait there for the return trip since it is a bit far of a pick-up spot. Taxis have been known to do the round-trip from Merida to Dzibilchaltun for $250-$300 pesos including an hour or so of waiting time at Dzibilchaltun.

🚐 Tour to Dzibilchaltun: Given how close Dzibilchaltun is to Merida, a tour isn’t really necessary since it can be easily reached by public transportation or taxi at a reasonable cost. But this tour combines Dzibilchaltun & Progreso Beach  to make a full day trip for those who may prefer a tour from Merida. (More about Progreso beach below.)

Other Mayan Ruins Near Merida, Mexico

The Mayan ruin sites listed above are what we recommend as the 5 best ruin sites from Merida to visit. But know that there are even more ruins near Merida and throughout the Yucatan. If you want to continue exploring the ancient Mayan world, you can consider visiting Xcambo and Oxkintok . These lesser visited ruin sites are best approached from Merida by car .

Oxkintok Ruins

The ruins of Oxkintok are said to be among the oldest in the area . There’s a well-preserved pyramid that you may be able to climb and even go inside. Located in the hills of the thick jungle, when driving to Oxkintok, be careful of the growth on the skinny road that will easily scratch your car. Oxkintok is very close to the Calcehtok Caves, 45-minutes west of Uxmal, and about an hour or so drive directly from Merida to Oxkintok. Open 8:00-5:00, entrance fee: $55 pesos,  located here .

Xcambo Ruins

The Mayan complex of Xcambo is an interesting detour to make if driving along the coast near Telchac Puerto. It’s certainly worthy of dropping in for an hour if already in the area, but this smaller ruin site of Xcambo may not justify a day trip from Merida onto itself. Xcambo is said to be a former fish curing and salt-producing center, which makes sense given its location near the coast. Xcambo is another ruin site that allows you to climb up the structures and you’ll likely be the only visitors. Open 8:00-4:30, entrance fee: $70 pesos,  located here , about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Merida.

Best Beaches Near Merida, Mexico

The city of Merida itself is landlocked, so there are no Merida beaches, per se. Yet there are plenty of beaches all around Merida dotting the Yucatan coastline!

These beaches near Merida may not have quite the large expanse of white sands as in nearby Cancun and the Riviera Maya. But the beaches near Merida are very nice nonetheless. Even better, you’ll be able to enjoy a much more local beach experience near Merida, rather than tourist crowds or spring breakers often found at the sprawling resorts on the other side of the peninsula.

The beaches near Merida also tend not to be bombarded by the influx of Sargasso seaweed that often affects Mexico’s Caribbean beaches. An added appeal of the beaches near Merida is that you’ll pay a fraction of the cost at restaurants and hotels on these Gulf Coast beaches, compared to the Yucatan peninsula’s eastern shores.

A day at the beach makes for an easy and excellent trip day from Merida. So which beach near Merida to go to?

6) Relax on the Beaches of Progreso, Mexico

A short 27 miles from Merida is the tranquil beach town of Progreso. This makes Progesso the closest beach near Merida. It’s even easily possible to reach Progreso beach from Merida Centro in less than an hour!

For those looking for a relaxing day trip from Merida, a day at Progreso beach is a perfect idea. Go here to escape the city heat and to have some fun in the sun. In Progreso, you can take a dip in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters while marveling at the longest pier in the world.

Take a stroll down Progreso’s mile-long malecon lining the shorefront to work up an appetite. When it’s time for lunch, find one of the many seaside restaurants to devour some fresh local seafood. Or pull up a plastic chair at one of the abundant palapa restaurants on the beach to kick back a few cervezas while you bury your toes in the sand. This is what Progreso beach is all about.

So where to grab some seafood and a beer while chilling out on Progreso beach ? There are endless opportunities. We can personally recommend Sol y Mar for their delicious ceviche and they’ve been known to run a ceviche promotion that includes a pitcher of beer. Also, the Eladio’s location right on the beach is excellent. The beers at Eladios are slightly overpriced but they more than make up for it with the extremely generous platefuls of bontanas (Mexican tapas) that are delivered to your table complimentary. Expat favorite, Milk Bar , is always fun to pop into whether for a shake or a beer.

El Corchito Ecological Reserve: An Awesome Side-trip from Progreso

While roaming around Progreso, consider taking a side trip to El Corchito. A mere $35 pesos grants entrance to this eco-reserve, including a boat ride across a lagoon and into a mangrove tunnel. Great value! It feels worlds away from Progreso beach as you are immersed in this natural environment where local critters are known to hang out. Expect to see raccoons, coatis, and fresh-water turtles. Speaking of fresh water, there are three exposed cenotes at El Corchito to swim in. If the beach gets too hot or windy, El Corchito can make for a most pleasant retreat to swim around in the clear fresh waters among the friendly wildlife.

The boats to El Corchito depart from here , which takes about a 30-minute walk from Progreso beach or a very quick taxi or drive. The mosquitos love El Corchito just as much as the lazy raccoons and coatis, so definitely pack some natural bug repellent like this .

Tip to beat the crowds at Progreso Beach : Understand that Progreso is a port for Carnival Cruise ships. These cruises tend to come 1-3 days each week. Plan your visit to Progreso beach when a Carnival cruise is not in port to avoid a heavy influx of visitors, higher prices at some restaurants, and an abundance of people searching for shore excursions in Progreso. So check this  Progreso cruise ship schedule  to see which days a ship may be in port during the time you’re visiting. Avoid those days if possible.

Also, Progreso beach gets packed with Merida residents over the weekends, particularly so during hottest summer months. Consider a weekday visit if you want a more tranquil beach experience. Yet we find that the local weekend crowds give Progreso a fun & festive atmosphere. ¡Fiesta!

Directions: How to Get from Merida to Progreso Mexico:

The closest beach to Merida is easy to get to. We recommend to either drive or take the very frequent bus to Progreso beach.

🚗 Self-Drive from Merida to Progreso Mexico : If you have a car, it’s an easy straight shot up highway 261. Once you’re out of the city, it’s about a 20-30 minute drive to Progreso beach. But plan for at least 45 minutes if you’re departing from Merida centro.

🚌 Bus from Merida to Progreso Mexico : There’s a very convenient bus from Merida to Progreso, operated by AutoProgreso, that runs every 10 minutes between 5:15 am to 10 pm. The price is $20 pesos one-way or $36 pesos round-trip. Catch the bus from Merida to Progreso from the AutoProgreso terminal on calle 62 between 65 and 67 .

🚐 Tour from Merida to Progreso : A day tour to Progreso really isn’t necessary. The AutoProgreso buses running every 10 minutes make Progreso, an easy and inexpensive beach to get to from Merida. But for those who are more comfortable with having a guide, consider this Dzibilchaltun Ruins & Progreso Beach tour .

7) See Flocks of Flamingos at Celestun Beach

Celestun is a sleepy fishing town on the western side of the Yucatan peninsula. The beaches are decent and you’ll likely have them all to yourself.

Beachfront restaurants serve up fresh-caught seafood. Meanwhile, inexpensive hotels offer fantastic value to the trickle of travelers who decide to stay in Celestun overnight. It’s one of the rare places around the world where you can score a nice beachfront hotel with an ocean view room for only $30! Check availability at the beachfront Hotel San Julio .

But the real draw to Celestun beach is the eco-tour boat trip through the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestun. This is where you can find thousands of wild flamingos that tend to flock here in the winter months and into the spring.

If you poke around the swampland on the road leading into Celestun, you may be lucky to spot a few of the pink birds. But if you really want to see thousands of flamingos flocking and squawking, you’ll want to take the two-hour boat tour around the Celestun River Biosphere Reserve. For any nature lovers visiting the Yucatan, seeing the flamingos in Celestun is a must-do day trip from Merida!

See what our boat tour of Celestun was like when we first visited in 2014.

If you arrive at the docks on your own, the 2-hour boat tour will cost $1,500 pesos for the entire boat. But you can split that cost with up to 6 other people since the boats fit 7 passengers total. You’ll have a chance of paying as little as $215 pesos per person if there happens to be the perfect amount of other people to join you on the boat. But this is not a hugely popular tour. So there is a real possibility that you may arrive at the boat docks and find no one else there to split the costs.

Tip : It is said that the flamingos are most active in the morning, so you may opt to drive to Celestun the evening before and stay overnight in order to be there to catch an early boat in the morning.

Directions: from Merida to Celestun :

🚗 Self-drive from Merida to Celestun:  From Merida, it’s about a 90-minute car ride westbound on Highway 281. The docks for the boat tour are well sign-posted, on the left, about 1.5 km before you reach Celestun’s beaches. Here is the exact location of where you can catch the boats for the flamingo tour: on Google Maps .

🚌 Bus from Merida to Celestun : You can take a bus to Celestuun from Merida’s  Noreste bus terminal on Calle 50 at 67 . The bus departs hourly from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm. The cost is $56 pesos each way. If visiting only for the boat tour at the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestun, ask the bus driver if he can drop you off there. Otherwise you’ll be dropped off near the beach and will need to backtrack by walking (or take a taxi) 1.5 km to the boat docks at the Reserve.

🚐 Celestun Day Tour from Merida : A convenient option to visit Celestun is with a small group tour from Merida. That way, you’ll get picked you up directly from your hotel, with an informative English-speaking guide, to seamlessly get to the Celestun River Biosphere Reserve to see the flamingos. This Celestun Flamingo Tour on GetYourGuide receives positive reviews, includes the flamingo boat tour, a beach-front lunch, and free time at the beach! Check availability and prices .

Other Beaches Near Merida

If looking for a beach day near Merida, the aforementioned Progreso and Celestun are the two clear favorite beaches for ease, convenience, facilities, and nearby attractions. Yet there are a few more beaches near Merida you can consider for those who want to explore deeper. The locations of these beaches near Merida are each marked on the map that’s embedded at the beginning and end of this post.

🏖️ Chelem : This beach is a 20-minute drive west of Progreso is this small little beach town that is growing in popularity with expats.

🏖️ Chicxulub Puerto : Almost an extension of Progreso, the Chicxulub beach lies 8 km to the east of its more developed neighbor. The beaches around Chicxulub are skinnier here with high tide often bringing the ocean up close to the many beachfront properties that line the shore. Unlike Progreso, the shorter pier here is open to the public.

🏖️ Sisal : This is perhaps the most out-of-the-way beach from Merida, as it isn’t connected to any of the other barrier beaches by road. But those who do take the hour+ drive from Merida Centro, will be rewarded with tranquility at the beach in this sleepy port town.

🏖️ Telchac Puerto : Further east from Progreso, it’s about a half-hour drive from Progreso to reach the small beach Telchac, which has some facilities and a central pier you can walk out on. The beach isn’t anything distinctly different from the others, but there are some other interesting and worthwhile natural attractions nearby. The road from Progreso towards Telchac is along a lagoon, rather than the beach. As you approach Telhac, there are a few spots along the way where you can find pink lagoons and even flamingos (although not in abundance as in Celestun). It’s just across from the lagoon from the  Xcambo ruins . See the map for exact location.

Caving and Cenotes Around the Yucatan

A quintessential and very unique experience in the Yucatan is visiting one of the many cenotes throughout the peninsula. Taking a dip in these natural underground swimming holes can be an otherworldly and refreshing experience. There are hundreds of cenotes within close proximity to Merida.

So what are the best cenotes around Merida to visit? That’s a matter of opinion and can be subject of fierce debate among travelers to Merida. We’ve listed our favorites below. Get underground!

8) Get Underground at the Cuzama Cenotes

If you were to only visit one set of cenotes, our recommendation is to go to the Cuzama cenotes. The cenotes themselves are impressive. Yet half the fun of visiting the Cuzama cenotes is the process of getting there. Your means of transportation is by using a mining cart that’s pulled by a horse!

It’s an exhilarating and bumpy experience. There are three different cenotes to explore as the horse-drawn cart brings you to each one. This horse-cart ride to the cenotes is such an awesomely unique adventure in the Yucatan!

Don’t just admire the cenotes though. To really experience them in full, you’ll need to jump on in. Bring a mask and snorkel to be able to see the beautiful dark blue abyss below along with interesting rock formations.

If you had to ask us to pin down an absolute favorite Yucatan day trip, we may vouch for this one. You can experience the adventure of the horse cart, take in the scenery of the dry jungle, and relax in the clear illuminated water of the cenotes themselves. This is so refreshing under the hot Yucatan sun. It’s all a magical day trip from Merida.

For a better understanding of this adventure, check out our full blog post from our first visit to the Cuzama cenotes .

Directions: How to Get from Merida to Cuzama Cenotes :

There are three completely separate cenote complexes around Cuzama run by three entirely different cooperatives: X’Tohil, Cuzama, and Chunkanán. It is very easy to get them confused with one another. All three Cuzama cenote cooperatives provide similar experiences with a horse-pulled cart ride, yet they simply visit different cenotes. Competition is fierce and you’ll experience people flagging you in as you approach. We’ve personally been to two of the three (Cuzama and Chunkanán) and found experiences at both to be similarly great and have heard the same about the other (X’Tohil).

So which of the Cuzama cenotes to go to? That’s entirely up to you. There’s really no bad option. The cenotes at all complexes are fascinating and each has their own appeal. These recommendations may help you to decide. On a tight budget:  We recommend Chunkanán, as it is $100-pesos less than the other two. Longest horse-cart ride : We suggest Cuzama cenotes as it gives you the most time being pulled around on the carts. Coming by public transpor t: We advise X’Tohil, as it’s most convenient to reach by bus or colectivo from Merida.

Here’s exactly where each of the three Cuzama cenote complexes are located:

🚗 Self-Driving from Merida to Cuzama Cenotes : From Merida Centro it takes about an hour or so to reach Cuzama. Directions are here on Goolge Maps . Those directions take you past the X’Tohil Cenotes, to the center of Cuzama town. Make a right, to head towards Chunkanán. Within a few kilometers, you’ll see a Cuzama cenote complex on your right. Another kilometer or so past that is the final Cuzama cenote complex of Chunkanan. You’ll have no problem finding any of the three sites as there are ample flaggers and even kids on bikes directing you.

🚌 Colectivo or Bus from Merida to Cuzama Cenotes : Buses to the town of Cuzama depart the Noreste terminal, located here on calle 67 and 50 . The bus to Cuzama costs $20 pesos each way and takes 1.5 hours. The Cuzama buses depart at these times: 7:45, 9:15, 10:45, 12:30 and 14:30 (at last check, times may change). Alternatively, there are colectivos that depart across the street from the Noreste terminal on calle 67. If you are using public transport to reach Cuzama, you may want to ask the driver to drop you off at the X’Tohil cenotes before reaching the town of Cuzama. Otherwise, you’ll need to walk or take a motor taxi the additional 2+ km south of the town, to reach the other Cuzama cenotes.

🚕 Taxi from Merida to Cuzama Cenotes : From the taxi stand at Santa Ana in Merida, expect to pay $1,000 pesos round trip from Merida to Cuzama, including waiting time. But it may require some negotiating to reach that rate.

🚐 Day Tour of Cuzama Cenotes : You can book this well-priced  adventure tour to the Cuzama cenotes that includes hotel pick-up, guide, the horse ride, all entrances, a visit to the town of Acanceh and even lunch too!

Search for Other Cenotes around Merida

There are so many great cenotes all around Merida. There must be over a hundred of them, if not a thousand! Some are very well-known and packed with people, while others are located on private property. There’s even a handful of hidden cenotes scattered around Merida not written about anywhere.

We stumbled across one of these secret cenotes near the small town of Tekit. There were no signs and no entrance fees. Just a drive down a dirt road, park, and you’ll have a private oasis completely to yourself. Go on an adventure and discover your own off-the-beaten-path cenotes while in the Yucatan. Visiting a centote is one of the best day trips you can take from Merida.

To attempt writing about each of the best cenotes in the Yucatan would demand another article entirely. Instead, we’ll round-up some of our favorite and most popular cenotes near Merida.

• Cenote San Ignacio : Perhaps not one of the nicest cenotes, but it’s one of the closest cenotes from Merida, about 30 minutes away, and has an onsite restaurant.
• Cenote X’batun : Beautiful cenote located off highway 261, just past Hacienda Yaxcopoil, about 45 minutes drive from Merida.
• Cenote Xlacah : Exposed cenote located at Dzibichaltun (see Dzibichaltun section of this guide for more info) that’s worth a jump in after exploring the ruins.
• Cenote Kankirixche : Blue-water cenote located about 50-minutes drive south of Merida.
• Homun Cenotes : There are so many cenotes all around the town of Homun, about 1:15 hours’ drive from Merida: Cenote Tza-Ujan-Kat, Santa Rosa, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Antonio, Yax Balcaltun, and more!
• Cenote X’keken and Samula (Dzitznup) : Visit these cenotes near Valladolid. (See the Valladolid section that follows for more info).
• Cenote Zaci : Visit this cenote right in the middle of Valladolid. (See the Valladolid section for more info).
• Cenote Azul : between Valladolid and Chichen Itza
• Ik-Kil : Visit this scenic and very popular and scenic cenote near Chichen Itza.
• Secret cenote : We can’t tell you. It’s a secret! 😉

How to Get to these Cenotes from Merida

Most all cenotes mentioned above are best reached by car. Some require traveling down a dirt road, as you can see in the short video below which shows the road to Cenote Kankirixche. Meanwhile, Cenote Zaci is within Valladolid and hence can easily be walked to. Similarly, the Dzitznup cenotes are a short cycle or cab ride from Valladolid. Most others will require your own wheels to get to.

9) Go Caving Near Merida

If you’re ready for high adventure, then get low into Yucatan’s largest cave systems, which are just a short drive away from Merida!

Grutas de Calcehtok: Best Cave Near Merida for High Adventure

Grutas de Calcehtok  is the largest dry-cave system in the Yucatan. Yet when approaching this cave, it looks like nothing more than a hole in the ground. Local guides lead you on private tours of the cave system, based on the level of adventure you feel most comfortable with: “easy,” “adventure,” or “extreme!”

We chose “adventure,” which we felt to be pretty extreme by our standards (and we’ve done a lot of caving around the world). Here at Calcehtok, there were no helmets, no harnesses. Yet down you go! During the adventure tour, it was about two hours spent underground, crawling through the tightest of passages and getting hopelessly stuck at times. This is not for anyone who is even mildly claustrophobic.

The payoff of making it through these tight squeezes is not just a sense of accomplishment. We were further rewarded by gazing upon ancient Mayan relics and even the remains of sacrificial sites that have been preserved deep in this cave, untouched for thousands of years. This cave experience is a bit crazy and only for the adventurous. It goes down as an all-time favorite adventure in the Yucatan! Wear old clothes. You will get filthy.

🚗 Self-Drive (best method) from Merida to Grutas de Calcehtok : 75 Km Southwest of Merida off highway 184, just past the town of Calcehtok. Be careful driving there, as there is a turn-off for another cave that is part of the Calcehtok system, called X-Pukil, which is incorrectly marked as Grutas de Calcehtok on Google Maps. X-Pukil may also be a great experience but we’ve yet to investigate. So we can only provide our account for Calcehtok, in which you’ll need to look for the turn-off towards the Oxkintok ruins, both of which are clearly signposted. This is the exact location of the Calcehtok Caves we ventured to.

Grutas de Loltun: Most Physically Accessible Cave Near Merida with Big Illimunated Chambers

The Loltun Caves are another dry-cave system in the Yucatan. The cave is most known for the amount of ancient Mayan artifacts that have been discovered in the cave, as well as murals by the ancient people. The cave can only be entered via a tour that departs at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. The tours (one hour and 20 minutes) are usually in Spanish, but can be in English if that is the majority of the language of the people in the tour group.

The Loltun Caves are the most accessible and least physically demanding of the dry caves within reach from Merida. That said, there is still a bit of light climbing involved, uneven pathways, and semi-tight passages. But there’s no crawling and the spaces throughout Loltun are generally spacious, with lighting throughout to easily see the rock formations

The Grutas de Loltun are often visited as part of the Ruta Puuc, as they are located near the end of the route.

Directions: How to Get from Merida to Grutas de Loltun:

The Loltun Caves are the only caves that can be reached by a day tour from Merida and we’d recommend that or to self-drive. Although it is possible to reach these caves, with a little extra effort by using colectivos plus a taxi.

🚗 Self-drive from Merida to Grutas de Loltun : Access Loltun from Oxkitzcab, taking 261 to Muna, then 184 to Oxkitzcab, to make a right on 31 to Grutas de Lotun.

🚌 Bus from Merida to Grutas de Loltun : Second-class buses depart from the Noreste Terminal in Merida to the nearby city of Oxkutzcab (8:30 am). The price is $38 pesos for the 1.5-hour trip. There are also regularly colectivos ($55-pesos) departing from  Parque San Juan on c alle 69 to Oxkutzcab. 🚕 Once at Oxkutzcab, you must take a taxi the remainder of the 7Km to the Loltun Caves ($120 pesos roundtrip).

🚐 Grutas de Loltun Day Tour from Merida:  This  tour visits the Loltun Caves and the Ruta Puuc ruins   all in one day. The price includes lunch, all entrance fees, and guide.

Grutas Tzabnah: Rural Cave Near Merida with Cenotes and Bats

The Tzabnah Caves are another adventurous approach to caving near Merida. For this one, you’re provided a hard hat and we soon found out why this was needed. As you walk through the Tzabnah Caves, crouching is necessary for most of the way and it is so easy to hit your head as the ceiling begins closing in.

It’s about a one-kilometer walk, each way, through this hot and muggy cave. You will encounter bats hanging from the ceiling, which take flight when startled. Also, there are about a dozen cenote pools along the way, which contain shrimp and fish that you can see near the surface with a flashlight.

Towards the end of this cave, the space tightens as you’re forced to crawl on your hands and knees to get to the final cenote. We found ourselves dripping with sweat by the time we reached it, so we were relieved to be able to swim in this one. Most refreshing!

Directions: How To Get from Merida to Grutas Tzabnah

The Tzabnah Caves are best approached by car.

🚗 Drive from Merida to Grutas Tzabnah : It’s about a 45-minute drive from Merida Centro, located just south of the town of Tecoh. The exact location of the caves is here on Google Maps .

Historic Cities, Towns, and Villages near Merida

Throughout the Yucatan you’ll find a number of interesting towns to poke around. These are big cities like the impressive Campeche to smaller hidden gems not listed in the guidebooks, such as Acanceh. Whether big or small, they all are very friendly and worthy of exploring. Visit the recommendations listed below to discover which cities may clique with you.

10) Discovering the UNESCO Walled City of Campeche

Campeche is a stunning seaside city with colorful architecture and fascinating history. The historic city is a designated UNESCO heritage site, only about a two-hour drive from Merida. The historic center of Campeche is surrounded by a two-mile wall that was built in the 1600’s to protect the city from invading pirates. Today, portions on the top of the walls are used by visitors to admire the beautiful view of the city.

Explore the colorful buildings throughout the walled city and pop inside some of the fort’s bastions which have now been turned into museums and gardens. Climb atop the city’s walls for a birds-eye view or have a leisurely stroll along Campeche’s most-pleasant malecon. There is plenty to do in town. Here are our top 5 Things to do in Campeche . You may even want to make it more than a day trip from Merida, and stay for a night or two.

How To Get from Merida to Campeche:

🚐 Drive from Merida to Campeche : It’s an easy 2-hour drive on the well-trodden Highway 180. Exact directions are on Google Maps here .

🚌 Bus from Merida to Campeche : There are frequent buses from Merida to Campeche. The duration is 2.5 to 3 hours and prices run from $138 pesos to $300 pesos, one way. Check ADO for up-to-date pricing and schedule.

🚐 Day Tour from Merida to Campeche : This  day trip to Campeche includes round-trip transportation, guide, admission fees, lunch, and a visit to the nearby Becal town along the way.

11) Explore Izamal : The Yellow City

A short drive east of Merida is the picturesque city of Izamal. Known as the “Yellow City,” Izamal is a lovely place to spend hours strolling the streets and finding the ancient Mayan ruins which are interspersed all throughout town. Izamal may be one of the best day trips from Merida for photographers. You’ll love snapping photos of all the unique and bright yellow architecture found all over Izamal.

The most notable building in Izamal is the monastery: Convento de San Antonio de Padua (free, $5 pesos to enter the museum 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm on Sundays). Spaniards came here in the 14 th century and destroyed a Mayan temple that was once on this site. They then used the stones of the temple to build the monastery! If you look, you’re still able to see carving designs from the former Mayan temple within the church stones.

Also be sure to visit the Mayan pyramid of Kinich-Kakmo. It’s free (8am-5pm) and well worth trekking up the steep steps for the best panoramic view of Izamal!

A good way to see all of Izamal is from a horse-drawn carriage. $200 pesos will get you an hour tour of this gorgeous yellow city.

How to Get From Merida to Izamal:

🚗 Driving from Merida to Izamal : It’s about an hour drive Eastbound on 180. There’s plenty of free street parking around the monastery. Exact directions are here on Google Maps .

🚌 Bus from Merida to Izamal : There are frequent buses from the Noreste bus terminal ( Calle 67 and Calle 50 ) for the 1.5-hour journey to Izamal. Price is $31 pesos one-way.

🚐 Day Tours from Merida to Izamal : This  day tour to Izamal  includes hotel pick-up, horse-drawn carriage tour, climbing the pyramids, a visit to the convent, and even lunch at what we think is Izamal’s best restaurant, making for a perfect day in the yellow city. It only runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Check prices & availability for your dates .

12) Find the Colonial Charm and Cenotes around Valladolid

The quaint colonial town of Valladolid offers a backdrop of beautiful historic buildings, plazas, and even a cenote right in the middle of town. Relax in Valladolid’s pleasant square and admire the Church of San Bernardino. That’s a good place to start exploring the city, as there is an adjacent Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace) which houses a tourism information office. Walk up the stairs above that office to get a birds-eye view of the plaza from the palace’s balcony.

Take a walk down the Calzada de los Frailes to the Convent of San Bernardino of Siena, where you can tour this convent that dates back to the late 1500’s. Stop into the many boutiques along the way or wander over to one of Valladolid’s local markets.

Be sure to dip into one of the town’s many restaurants to sample the local cuisine, such as lomitos de Valladolid, of which the city is known for this signature pork loin dish.

And don’t miss the Cenote Zaci. This beautiful blue cenote is situated right in the middle of town. Speaking of cenotes, consider combining a day trip to Valladolid to also visit Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula, which is located just a few kilometers outside of town. You can cycle to these cenotes from Valladolid. Otherwise, it’s a short and easy drive.

How to Get From Merida to Valladolid :

It’s best to approach Valladolid by car or bus. Or even consider staying a night or two.

🚗 Drive from Merida to Valladolid : It’s about a two-hour drive from Merida to Valladolid using 180D toll road. The toll is $149 pesos each way. There is free street side parking around Valladolid. Exact directions are here on Google Maps .

🏨  Stay Overnight : If venturing out to Valladolid, it can be worth staying overnight. We always stay at the  Colonial La Aurora Hotel . The lovely interior pool and courtyard is even more charming in person than the pictures. Try the breakfast on the rooftop patio. Best of all, this 3-star hotel presents excellent value at around USD$30 per night!  Check availability and rates for Colonial La Aurora here .

13) Acanceh: A Mayan Temple within a Small Mayan Town

Acanceh is a small village located just 19 miles outside of Merida. The highlight of Acanceh is the ancient Mayan temple that’s integrated right within the town. You’ll also find a cathedral at the town square right across from the archeological site.

Acanceh is like a smaller, less-traversed version of Izamal. It’s most certainly a worthwhile stop while in route to Cuzama, Mayapan, or other regional highlights. Yet it may not be worth a trip solely to visit this town on its own. So we recommend stopping at Acanceh on your way to another Yucatan location. Plan to spend about 30 minutes or so exploring the little town, visiting the cathedral, and admiring the pyramid, where you can often find a local to open up the gates to provide a brief impromptu tour for a few pesos.

How to Get From Merida to Acanceh :

You will pass through Acanceh on the way to the Mayapan ruins or Cuzama.

🚗 Driving from Merida to Acanceh : It takes about 45-minutes from Merida centro to reach Acanceh using highway 180 & 184. Directions are here on Google Maps .

🚌 Bus from Merida to Acanceh : Buses depart from the Noreste Station located on Calle 67 between 50 and 52. The price is $24 pesos one-way. Buses leave about every few hours. You will find more frequent colectivos from Merida to Acanceh, across from the Noreste Station.

🚐 Day Tour to Acanceh : As this is not a major attraction on its own, there are no scheduled tours solely to Acanceh. However, tours to Cuzama and Mayapan do pass through Acanceh. This  Mayapan tour on Viator  makes a visit to Acanceh. So does this  adventure tour to the Cuzama cenotes.

Cultural Attractions & Haciendas Near Merida

Many of the best museums and cultural attractions in the Yucatan are located directly in Merida. See our Top Things to Do in Merida for several recommendations right within the city. Yet further afield, in addition to the museums and culture experienced at the ruin sites, we recommend a visit to the Choco-Story Museum near Uxmal and also the quintessential Yucatan experience of a hacienda visit. There are many haciendas near Merida that you can simply pop in to take a brief tour on your own.

14) There’s Much More than Chocolate at the Choco-Story Museum

The Choco-Story museum is so much more than a museum about chocolate . What seems like a total tourist trap, located right across from Uxmal, is actually an extremely well-done museum that goes far beyond the story of chocolate. Mayans are credited with the discovery cocoa after all, so the museum does examine its origins here.

But Choco-Story ultimately delves deep into the Mayan civilization and culture, which we found to be more in-depth and informative than the onsite museum at neighboring Uxmal, or any of the other ruin sites for that matter.

Choco-Story has a unique layout too. This interactive museum is part eco-park, as it takes you into the Yucatan jungle. The museum is sprawled out across a number of open-air huts connected by trails. Choco-Story also operates as an animal rescue center, where they are caring for and rehabilitating jungle life such as jaguars that were discovered injured or illegally captured, hence cannot go back into the wild. So you’ll have an opportunity to see these native species that have been rescued. And halfway across the trails, don’t be surprised to find yourself ushered into a private Mayan ceremony. Cool experience!

But a highlight, of course, is tasting the fresh hot chocolate drinks made from an ancestral recipe. There’s additional chocolate to taste, in the form of bars, when exiting through the gift shop.

Located next to Uxmal, the Choco-Story Museum is an easy add-on during a day trip to Uxmal. And c’mon… it’s chocolate – yum!

How to Get to  the Choco-Museum Uxmal from Merida :

The Choco-Story Museum is located across the street from the entrance road to Uxmal, right here .

🚗 🚌 By Bus or Car : Follow the directions that were provided to Uxmal.

🚐 Day Tours to Choco-Museum from Merida: Some day tours from Merida to Uxmal may stop at Choco-Story Museum. Although now in 2020, Uxmal day tours are beginning to opt to stop at the Planetarium instead.

15) Step Back in Time at a Hacienda

A quintessential Yucatan experience is visiting an old hacienda, making for one of the best day trips from Merida. Haciendas in the Yucatan are sprawling farming and manufacturing estates, that aren’t so dissimilar to plantations of the US South. The main crop produced at these Yucatan haciendas is henequen, used for its fiber, which led to a boom and subsequent wealth to the region in the late 1800’s and into the early 1900’s.

With the Great Depression and the invention of synthetic fibers, most of these once-wealthy estates began to fall into disrepair by the early 1900’s. More recently there have been efforts to restore some of these haciendas to their former glory. As such, there are beautiful estates that have been transformed into 5-star luxury resorts and high-end restaurants.

Even if you can’t afford the $200-per-night price tag, just take a look at some of these absolutely incredible haciendas to swoon and dream over:

• Hacienda Temozon, A Luxury Collection and
• Hacienda San Jose Luxury Hotel

For those on a more modest budget, thankfully there are other haciendas near Merida that can simply be toured during the day to learn about their unique history and henequen production from over a century ago. The following suggestions are what we’ve found to be among the most affordable, interesting, and easily accessible haciendas from Merida .

Hacienda Yaxcopoil: Well-Preserved with Period Furnishings

The Yaxcopoil Hacienda dates back to the 1600’s and its Mayan name translates to “place of the green Alamo trees.”Yaxcopoil was considered to be one of the most important haciendas near Merida , for both its cattle ranches and its henequen production. This atmospheric hacienda has been handed down from generations from the family who owned it in the 1860’s. Their descendants have kept it well-preserved, as you can visit the hacienda today to view the famed Moorish double arch, the workshops, and even wander into the main building to see the period furnishings. Plan to tour the hacienda for about an hour.

How to Get From Merida to Hacienda Yaxcopoil :

Hacienda Yaxcopoil is an easy stop-off on the way to Uxmal and is best approached by car or tour.

🚗 Driving from Merida to  Hacienda Yaxcopoil : It takes about a half hour or so to reach Hacienda Yaxcopoil from Merida centro. Directions are here on Google Maps .

🚐 Day Tour to Hacienda Yaxcopoil : This Hacienda Day Tour on Viator   visits Yaxcopoil, two other haciendas, and two cenotes, packing in quite a lot for a modest price. Check current rates .

Hacienda San Pedro Ochil: Scenic Estate that’s  Great for Lunch and Exploration

Stop by this scenic hacienda to get a better understanding of henequin production. Hacienda Ochil includes grand Moorish archways, palm-tree lined rail tracks, artifacts from the boom days, and a lovely open-air restaurant that sits in the former casa principal. There’s also a small museum on-site and a cenote surrounded by an amphitheater. It all makes for some great photography opportunities.

How to Get From Merida to Hacienda San Pedro Ochil :

Hacienda San Pedro Ochil is another easy stop-off on the highway towards Uxmal and is best approached by car or tour.

🚗 Driving from Merida to  Hacienda Ochil : It takes about a half hour or so to reach Hacienda Ochil from Merida centro. Directions are here on Google Maps .

🚐 Day Tour to Hacienda San Pedro Ochil : This Hacienda Day Tour on Viator   visits Hacienda San Pedro Ochil, the aforementioned Yaxcopoil, another hacienda, and two cenotes. Great way to see many haciendas in single day.  Check current rates .

Hacienda Sotuta de Peón: Most Popular Hacienda to Tour from Merida

Sotuta de Peón may be the most popular hacienda near Merida to visit. At $550 pesos, it also may be among the priciest to tour, yet it leaves many satisfied customers. Unlike the prior two haciendas where you can simply drop by, you must visit Sotuta se Peon as part of a tour.

At Sotuta de Peon you can learn how a traditional hacienda operated back in the 1800’s. This hacienda has been immaculately restored to its former glory. In the heyday, Souta de Peon harvested mass quantities of fibers of the henequen plant, which was (and still is) planted throughout the property.

In fact, Sotuta De Peon claims to be one of the only haciendas that still has the ability to process the henequen . The fibers from the plants are ultimately used to make various products here, such as rope, rugs, and handbags.

The pricey tour of Hacienda Sotuta De Peon does include a cart ride pulled by mules and a visit to the cenotes on property, the Dzul-Ha Underground River. Consider coming for lunch.

How to Get From Merida to Sotuta de Peon:

🚗 Driving from Merida to Sotuta de Peon : The drive from Merida takes about 45 minutes, pending traffic. Directions here on Google Maps .

🚐 Day tour to Sotuta de Peón : Tours depart from Merida hotels and other locations throughout the city. Visit their website for exact times and locations, or to make a reservation. Price for tour, lunch, and transport is now $1,210 pesos in 2020.

Important Items to Pack for Yucatan Adventures:

There are a few unique items you’ll want to bring with you for your Merida day trips. Many of these items are not available in or around Merida, so plan accordingly. Pack lots of dry-wicking clothing and a bathing suit , of course. I f you will be swimming in cenotes, please consider the ecological implications that your sunscreen and insect repellent will have and come prepared with some of these suggested natural products.

• *Biodegradable* sunscreen  is very important to bring if you plan to go into the area’s cenotes. Regular sunscreen can cause damage to the cenotes, kill the fish, and add chemicals to the fresh water. So please use biodegradable sunscreen, which can be difficult to find in Merida. This Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 is a great choice on Amazon , has consistently great reviews, and is inexpensive too.

Getting Around the Yucatan from Merida

How to pursue all of these various day trips from Merida is entirely dependent on your comfort level with independent travel, the destinations you’re trying to reach, your budget, and personal preferences. Buses can be a great bet for some people for some locations, but tours and rental cars are more practical (or necessary) for other Yucatan attractions.

Using Public Transportation to Move Around the Yucatan

For those comfortable with independent travel, public transportation can be a good consideration to get around Yucatan’s more connected destinations. Frequent buses make day trips to places like Progreso a very easy journey. Yet for some of the more far-flung destinations, traveling by bus can be inefficient or difficult. It’s always cheap though!

When using buses to travel from Merida throughout the Yucatan, be careful to note the departing terminal. There are a few different bus terminals and departure points in Merida. There’s the ADO bus terminal, Segunda Clase (TAME), Noreste, and the AutoProgreso bus terminal to Progreso. Understand which one you need to get to your location. And be sure to know return times for less frequent routes.

Renting a Car in Merida to Drive around Yucatan

Rental cars in Merida can be very inexpensive if you book in advance. Renting a car can make for a good way to get around the region on your own terms.

We find the Yucatan highways to be in good condition overall. But in rural Yucatan, you will encounter hazards such as livestock, potholes, and steep “topes” (speed bumps), among other obstacles. Other considerations are Merida traffic, Spanish road signs, rental car insurance, and navigating through unfamiliar areas. Yet if you’re comfortable driving internationally, rental cars can be a great option to explore around Merida.

Cheap Rental Cars in Merida

For good deals on rental cars, we like to use the Priceline Rental Car Search , as we’ve used it to find rental cars in Merida at major agencies for as low as $5-USD per day and less! Most of the main rental car agencies (Budget, National, Alamo, etc.) have locations in Merida and they’re all listed on Priceline (often at lower prices than booking direct).  Check the rates now .

When reserving a rental car in Merida using Priceline (or any site), be sure to note whether the car you’re reserving is manual or automatic. The transmission is always listed, but sometimes it doesn’t stand out. So if you can’t drive manual, be careful to look for an automatic so you don’t show up to the rental agency and get stuck with a stick shift you’re unable to drive.

Also, pay attention to the location you’re reserving a car. If you’re staying in Merida Centro, we recommend booking at one of the agencies on Calle 60 in between 55 & 57. National, Enterprise, Payless, and others are located there. Meanwhile the Plaza Americana area can also be convenient and has rental car agencies such as Hertz, Budget, Alamo and more. Be careful not to rent a car from the Merida airport, unless you want to pick it up when flying in, of course.

If you don’t book in advance, usually the best prices we’ve found for a rental car on day-of tends to start around $500-$700 MXN ($25+ USD), including the required insurance. For this day-of price, we’ve booked with an agency called EasyWay on Calle 60 and never had any problems. But you’ll stand to save more by booking with one of the main agencies on Priceline .

Search your travel dates on Priceline to see rental car deals for your trip .

Using Day Tours to Get Around the Yucatan

Jumping on a tour can be another great way to see some of the main sights of the Yucatan. Many of the tours from Merida are very competitively priced, offering full days of adventure for what can be minimal cost. It’s a seamless and easy way to comfortably be whisked around the main sights. But perhaps the best benefits of taking a day tour are some of the great guides who can fill you in with local knowledge, which you can’t get by traveling independently.

So, where to book a day tour? There are agencies scattered throughout Merida that you can book day tours with once you’ve arrived in Merida. Often this can be the least expensive option for a tour, but it can come at the expense of taking the time to visit different agencies, discussing tours (sometimes in Spanish only), and negotiating the price. These unvetted tours may even become fully booked during busy times like the busy winter high season in Merida.

Instead, we recommend reserving your Merida day tours before arriving. We love using Viator.com to book tours in Merida, because they offer such a wide variety of Merida tours, have 24-hour phone support in English, generous cancelation policies (usually free if canceled 7+ days), and have easy online booking (no emails or phone calls necessary). Viator also lists verified traveler reviews, so you can easily vet out the good tours from the not-so-good. They also have a low-price guarantee so you know you paid the cheapest rate. If you find a lower price once you arrive in Merida, Viator refunds the difference.

Search all Viator tours from Merida for your travel dates .

Yet, you may have noticed that we also listed Merida day tours from GetYourGuide   throughout this post. GetYourGuide is another well-trusted website to find day trips in Merida, which also has a similar low-price guarantee and English customer support. GetYourGuide simply offers a different inventory of Merida day tours.

Search all GetYourGuide tours from Merida .

Some of the tours and pricing are different between the two competing websites, so it can be worth searching both to find day tours that best fits what you’re looking for. Although, we’ve picked out what we’ve found to be the best Merida day tours for the best price within each section of this travel guide.

When comparing tours, be sure check the latest reviews so you can book a good tour with confidence. And be careful to pay attention to what’s included (meals, entrance fees, etc.) and what you’ll need to cover with your own pesos.

Best Yucatan Day Trips from Merida?

Have you been to any of these day trips from Merida? Which Yucatan adventure is your favorite or are you most excited to pursue? Please let us know in the comments.

If you’ve found this Best Merida Day Trips travel guide to be helpful in planning your trip to the Yucatan, we’d love to hear from you. 🙂 Or feel free to ask us any questions about all these different day trips from Merida.

Also, if you haven’t come across them yet, be sure to check out our other detailed travel guides to Merida Mexico :

• Top 15 Things to Do in Merida Mexico offers several suggestions you can do from right within Merida.
• Best Restaurants in Merida provides what we think to be some great local dining recommendations and also shows where to find all the best cheap eats in Merida!
• 75+ Best Mexico Travel Tips to Know Before Your Trip in 2022  reveals how to save money, avoid hassle, stay safe, respect cultural etiquette and have fun in this wonderful country!

Have a great trip to Merida and the Yucatan!

Publishing note: This Yucatan travel guide is continually updated in an attempt to best reflect recent changes, new Yucatan attractions, and price fluctuations. This post was most recently updated in January 2020.

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June 4, 2020 at 1:19 PM

Oh my god!! THANKS A LOT 🙂 so much to learn and visit in this beautiful Peninsula in Mexico! and you did an spectacular job… this is one of the most complete descriptions that certainly are very helpful for we that love travel and learn those little details not included in commercial travel packages. THANKS A LOT for sharing all this information that opens my mind about more hided places that I must visit in my next trip in that area that hopefully is not that far due to the actual situation. I enjoyed a lot reading your experiences and info. THANKS!

April 9, 2020 at 12:36 AM

Wow thank you so much for all your hard work in posting this for all of us travelers! My husband and I are coming to Progresso on a carnival cruise ship and are very interested in doing a trip to one of the Cenotes or something of the like. Do you have any recommendations (places to go, or fun adventurous activites) specifically for those coming in by cruise ships with limited time (8:00 – 4:00pm)? We would greatly appreciate your advise!

April 20, 2020 at 3:53 PM

It really depends your interests, travel style, and budget. But I can try to suggest a few ideas. The ship’s excursions may be the most convenient, particularly if you’re trying to go far from Progreso. Personally, I wouldn’t attempt to go to Uxmal or Chichen Itza, since time constraints would make it a lot of time in a bus to arrive at the ruins during the most hot and crowded time. Instead, I’d recommend one of two options.

For one, you could go to Merida for the day, as there’s much to do in a day in that beautiful city. (See our separate guide of things to do in Merida). On the way there or back, you can stop by the Dzibilchaltun ruins to explore and take a dip in the open-air cenote. You could try to do this on your own using bus/taxi/Uber or I believe Carnival may offer an excursion that goes to Merida and Dzibilchaltun.

Another idea would be to stay along the coast. From Progreso beach, go to El Corchito to see the raccoons & coatis and swim in the exposed cenotes there. It’s possible to book a half-day tour that takes passengers to El Corchito, then east towards Telchac Puerto. Along the way you can find pink lagoons, flamingos, and other beaches. If time permits, you may be able to include a visit to Xcambo ruins too. Carnival may sell such an excursion. But we’ve also seen them available locally.

Whatever you do, I’d suggest to plan to arrive back to Progreso at least an hour or two before the ship departs. That’ll give some wiggle room in case you hit a delay. But also it’ll give you time to enjoy Progreso too! It’s a nice little beach town to explore a bit and perhaps stop for a drink. And if you just wanted to have a more relaxing day, you could always just hang around Progreso all day and just chill out.

Hope that helps and you have a great trip!

December 23, 2019 at 2:05 PM

I’ve been to Isla Mujeres and/or Cozumel a dozen times, and am now combining with a week in Merida’. Great site- thanks so much! I have a much better idea of what to plan in the area. Keep up the great work, and I’ll remember to give feedback once I’m back in mid-January.

December 3, 2019 at 10:46 PM

Thank you so much for this great useful info. I have resurchrd slot and yours is probably the best and easiest. My question is I have been greatly…hugely cautioned about the Mexican police giving tickets/fines to non natives in rental cars. We are brave souls and even.know how to drive a stick and have no issues driving off road but I am leery about the tickets. I was told “never,never,never rent a car out of Cancun (I’m blond and white). I’m thinking merida is different? What is your experience?

December 20, 2019 at 5:16 PM

We’ve driven widely throughout the Yucatan and have never been stopped by police for tickets or fines. From our perspective, it’s not a widespread practice around Merida. That said, it certainly has been known to happen in Mexico. It’s called “Mordida.” And it’s illegal. If the police were to stop you for no reason and ask you to pay a fine on the spot, you can refuse to pay there and ask to be taken to the police station to pay the fine there. If you haven’t done anything wrong, they may just let you go on your way to avoid all that. Likely it won’t happen at all and if it does may not even come to that. While it is a possibility, I wouldn’t worry about it or let it prevent you from renting a car. But it is good to know about mordida and have some idea of what to do if it happens. Hope you have a great trip!

October 16, 2019 at 3:01 PM

HOLA – this is not my usual doing – I hardly ever take time to leave a reply – always running after Mr. time – this “time” it is different – after reading ALL of your SUPER GOOD ADVISES so well formulated – I hereby crown you to the best blog ever – I m 70 and planning YUCATAN for this winter – THANKS to all your good advise it will make it a whole lot easier to travel around and abroad – many THANK YOU s are still not enough – take care – feel free to sleep on my coach in Cannes (small apartment) only for a few nights if ever you would travel this side of the world – I suggest that all people taking advantage of your precious time do invite you when passing in their area – ALOHA so much love and light to both of you NAMASTE

October 17, 2019 at 4:04 AM

Thanks so much for the kind sentiments, which fuels us with much encouragement to keep on writing travel guides like this. It puts smiles on our faces to hear this is helpful in sorting out trip plans. Hope you have such a great time in the Yucatan and enjoy it to the fullest!

May 31, 2019 at 4:31 PM

WE are taking our two teenage daughters (16 and 13) to Merida/Akumal in August. Are there any other tips or suggestions for traveling in Merida and going on day trips with teenagers? Is it best to pay in pesos/cash? What would be the best affordable private tour for Uxmal and ChichenItza for a family with teenagers (so they are informed but not bored) 🙂 Any other suggestion for the Akumal/Cancun area (we don’t want really touristy stuff, more cultural exposure for our daughters. My husband and I both are fluent in Spanish and familiar with Mexico. Thanks!

June 2, 2019 at 5:32 PM

With teenage daughters, I’d imagine cenotes throughout Yucatan may be particularly appealing and interesting. In August, I’d just really limit ruin visits and other outdoor activities to the mornings because it does tend to get scorching hot in the afternoons. Great time to take a dip in the cenotes though! Yes, it’s only pesos accepted around Yucatan. Some restaurants and most hotels will take credit card, but attractions and smaller shops tend to be cash only. For interesting things around the Akumal area, we enjoy renting bikes to cycle through the Coba ruins. Some great cenotes around there too. Also, we really enjoy Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, where you can take a boat ride to float down an ancient Mayan-dug canal, for a really unique experience. More info on that here: https://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/how-to-visit-sian-kaan-biosphere-preserve/

March 1, 2019 at 6:11 PM

Awesome blog, thanks! I’m going to spend 2 weeks in the Yucatan, dividing my time between Merida and Valladolid, as my primary reason for visiting the Yucatan is to explore Maya sites. Would you recommend I split my time 50/50 between Merida and Valladolid? Or, is there much more to see and do in Merida than Valladolid? Again, my primary interest is visiting Maya sites and experiencing local culture, as I do speak Spanish and I’m something of a Maya history buff. Thanks!!!

March 3, 2019 at 12:40 PM

Our two cents… We’d recommend considering to spend more time in Merida compared to Valladolid. We love Valladolid and there are some great Mayan ruin sites around there (most notably, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Coba.) Those are easy and ideal to reach within a few days or so, based in Valladolid. But Valladolid is much smaller compared to Merida, where you’ll find much more to do, making it worth more time there. Merida will likely prove to be a more ideal base for all the other ruins mentioned in this guide. And as a Mayan buff, you’ll definitely want to spend some time at Merida’s vast Mayan World museum, among others. You may also want to consider spending a night or two near Uxmal while exploring the Ruta Puuc. It’s worth it, in our opinion, to be able to spend more time at those major ruin sites south of Merida, rather than running back and forth between there and Merida. So with two full weeks, perhaps 3-4 days in Valladolid, a full week based in Merida, and a few days out by Uxmal and Ruta Puuc.

March 3, 2019 at 5:26 PM

Wonderful, thanks so much for the advice! It makes a lot of sense to do it the way you recommend. I’m using your blog as a primary tool for planning my trip 🙂

February 26, 2019 at 5:19 PM

You have covered the area very well. I might add one place: Isla of Arena out on the west coast is interesting, has a modern movie museum dedicated to a local movie star from the 40s and 50s, a few restaurants, cabanas and no one there. The drive out is through old hellequin plantations and a very long causeway through mangrove swamp-the drive is worth the trip. I think it is about a two hour drive from Merida.

March 3, 2019 at 1:08 PM

Thanks for the recommendation! Really sounds quite fantastic. I think we’ll definitely need to add Isla of Arena to our list of places to check out during our next adventure through the Yucatan! 🙂

February 20, 2019 at 5:44 PM

I wish you nothing but success! Unlike many travel blogs which are more focused on the writer, you offer a tremendous amount of help to the traveler. I’m planning a solo trip to Mérida next month and you have provided some great ideas and useful information. Keep traveling and keep writing!

February 22, 2019 at 8:57 PM

That’s so encouraging to hear! 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping us a comment to let us know. Hope you have a great trip to Merida and enjoy it to the fullest! We’re excited to be heading back to Mexico in the upcoming months to continue writing more travel info about this beautiful country!

December 8, 2018 at 2:53 PM

Thank you for putting me in touch with Viatour. They fully answered my questions, but if I decide to rent a car instead what difficulties would there be? (Parking, waiting in line, getting lost?)

December 10, 2018 at 1:01 PM

A car could get you there even earlier and you’ll have the autonomy to go at your own pace, both nice perks. But driving in the Yucatan can be intimidating for some and is not without some hassles. We’re totally comfortable driving around the Yucatan but others may not be. After departing Merida, the toll highway to Chichen Itza is fairly straightforward, but there’s always potential to get lost. You will encounter fee-based parking at Chichen Itza and potential ticket lines. A tour will have more simplicity and ease, in addition to an informative guide to provide more insight about the famous ancient site. They each have their pros and cons. Really it just comes down to which of the two methods you think you may prefer and may be more comfortable with. Hope that helps. Have a great trip!

December 2, 2018 at 8:52 AM

I have several questions about the Chichen Itza Early Tour that I cannot find answers to online. How do I email this tour operator?

December 6, 2018 at 8:20 AM

That particular tour is through Viator, so I’d suggest directing any questions through them. We’ve used their customer service before and they tend to be pretty helpful. Their contact info is here: https://www.viator.com/faq/articles/kA0d0000001HioICAS Hope you get the answers you’re looking for and have a great trip!

November 30, 2018 at 6:48 PM

I have been to 13 countries in the past 4 years and this is by far the best summary of adventures in any country, city or state that I have come across. Better than guidebooks. Thank you so much for being so thoughtful and thorough. I prefer public transit/colectivos and I can easily plan my trip based on your transportation advice. I am even considering renting a car and driving through Ruta Puuc- it seems like the experience of a lifetime. Thank you!

December 1, 2018 at 3:25 PM

Thanks so much for the kind and thoughtful feedback! Always makes us smile to read such sentiments. 🙂 We also tend to prefer using public transit. But it is nice to have the freedom of a car in the Yucatan too. Plus the cheap rentals and the semi-easy driving conditions make it such an attractive option too. Just watch out for the added rental insurance they’ll try to push on you. We love the Ruta Puuc! Hope you make it out that way and enjoy it to the fullest – happy travels!

April 3, 2018 at 11:57 AM

Hi – just wanted to say I know you posted this a while back but I just discovered this article. I am currently in Mérida for a while studying Spanish and this is the best summary of all of the sights to see that I have found. You put so much work into this and especially useful is the transport information by car or bus etc and the links to suggested tours. Thank you so much!!

March 20, 2018 at 1:54 PM

Helpful information. My wife and I plan on going late-2018 and this page will definitely help us plan our day trips. thank you for posting this.

March 21, 2018 at 12:55 PM

We’re thrilled that you found our guide helpful! Have a fantastic time exploring the Yucatan!

March 5, 2018 at 5:21 PM

Hello there! I spent a week in Merida and used many of your travel trips when I wanted to get out of Merida but not go too far. The Ruins and beaches were amazing! Your advice and descriptions of each activity was perfect!

My favorite were the small but impressive Dzibilchaltun ruins, mainly because of the swimmable cenote there, and I wanted to give an update on how to get there. I went searching for the combis to the ruins, but they either were discontinued or only run on weekends or Sundays. So I found my own way, but thought I would keep you guys informed.

Travel to Dzibilchaltun: Combis leave for Chablekal on Calle 65 and Calle 58 about every 15minutes for 10 pesos. Take the Combi all the way to Chablekal center and from there it’s a quick 10-15 pesos moto-taxi to the actual ruins. Repeat in opposite to return to Merida.

December 17, 2017 at 11:00 AM

Invaluable – Thank you!

Off on Monday 🙂

December 18, 2017 at 8:58 PM

So glad it’s helped! ¡Buen viaje!

November 15, 2017 at 4:32 PM

Hello there!

Thank you so much for all the wonderful info! Would you be willing to share an estimated daily cost of rental cars out of Merida (including insurance, fees, etc.)?

November 18, 2017 at 4:27 AM

So glad it’s helped! Every time we’ve rented a car in Merida, we’ve used the Easy Way Rental Car, located in Centro. They’ve tended to have the best walk-up rates among the couple of agencies that are located right next to each other in Centro. We’ve always had a fine experience using them, decent cars, and never had any issues. I can’t remember the exact amount we paid but it was around $500-600 pesos per day, including the necessary minimal coverage, for a compact automatic car. (We use our credit card which further covers us.) Hope that helps!

August 20, 2017 at 3:27 PM

Hi guys, I just wanted to say a big thanks for your blog – it has been so helpful to me, as a solo traveller without my own transportation. Keep up the awesome work!!

August 21, 2017 at 5:48 PM

So glad to hear it’s been helpful! Thanks for stopping by to let us know! 🙂 Have a great trip to the Yucatan!

June 10, 2017 at 12:50 PM

This is very helpful, particularly the “getting there” section. I am going to Merida tomorrow, and I found this blog is a quick guide for making my checklist to visit Merida.

June 12, 2017 at 11:31 AM

Fantastic! We’re always so glad to hear these guides are proving helpful. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting to let us know. Have a great trip to Merida and exploring all around the Yucatan!

April 26, 2017 at 10:39 AM

Thanks for this. It was very timely, as we are thinking of going to Merida this summer or fall. 🙂

May 1, 2017 at 4:42 PM

Thanks for the comment Melissa! We have no doubt that you’ll have a wonderful time exploring beautiful Merida and it’s surroundings 🙂

March 28, 2017 at 2:34 PM

This was really helpful and I referred back here every day on my 5 night Merida visit. Merida is a great city and the plentiful choices for day trips makes it a Primera destination. Thanks!

April 3, 2017 at 11:03 AM

Hi Peter, Thanks so much for the comment. We’re so happy that you found our Merida guide helpful during your recent trip! What was the highlight during your visit? We’re thrilled that you enjoyed beautiful Merida and it’s surroundings as much as we did 🙂

December 8, 2016 at 1:23 AM

Sotuta de Peon was AWESOME! We visited there on our trip in 2012 and we loved it. At the end there is a great cenote for swimming. My husband’s family lives near Chichen Itza and we’re taking our kids for their first visit to the ruins next week! Can’t wait to be back in Yucatán!

December 8, 2016 at 10:59 AM

Hey Renee! Thanks for the comment! How great is it that you can take a dip in a refreshing cenote after roaming around the hacienda? Have a great time exploring all the ruins with your kids and enjoy being back in the Yucatán!

October 22, 2016 at 7:24 PM

I’ve been to Mexico City twice, and we traveled all around Puebla, Mexico. Merida is our next stop, and this list is AMAZING! Thank you! Now I can fathom staying in Merida for 7 nights with all of these day trips!

November 3, 2016 at 11:11 AM

Ah, cool – we loved Mexico City and Puebla. Merida is so different from those places but we hope you find it to be equally awesome! So glad to hear you found this helpful in your travel planning. There really is so much to do there. We had no idea during our first visit just how much there was to do in the area. You couldn’t definitely fill a week if you wanted to. Have a great trip and enjoy the Yucatan!

May 6, 2016 at 10:42 AM

This was seriously so helpful! I’m going to Merida next week, and this is the most detailed blog post (especially the travel information!) about day trips that I have found.

I’m even more excited now!

May 8, 2016 at 12:37 PM

Yay! We’re so glad to hear this article proved to be helpful! Thanks for the kind feedback. We hope you have a great trip to Merida and throughout the Yucatan! Buen viaje!

March 17, 2016 at 12:29 PM

Hi Mandy. We talked about smash in Merida. I would love to do some of these day trips so kids could learn about Mayan Civilation and so much else. Take a look when rested.

March 18, 2016 at 12:57 PM

I’m not sure if this was intended to be a comment or an email to someone else. But either way, I hope it gets to the right person and you enjoy everything there is to do around Merida. What a great opportunity to introduce kids to the Mayan civilization!

March 16, 2016 at 7:10 PM

Valladolid also serves as a great base to hit Chichen Itza from if you can’t handle the hustle and bustle of Merida 😉

March 18, 2016 at 1:06 PM

We loved staying in Valladolid too! Great as a base to Chichen Itza, lots of cenotes, and Izamal, among other places.

March 15, 2016 at 12:51 PM

Wow! So many trips I don’t know how to choose! I think i’d go to Campeche first because it looks like an amazing photography stop and then i’d probably head to the beach to get a bit of sun!

March 18, 2016 at 1:20 PM

Campeche definitely has some great photography opportunities. Lots of colorful buildings to take pictures of! There are some beaches around there too, so it is possible to kill two birds with one stone 🙂

March 15, 2016 at 8:45 AM

Wonderful and informative post, John! I feel bad that I didn’t get the chance to explore the rest of Central America while living in South America. I’ve daydreamed countless of times about all the ruins, villages and cenotes scattered all over the Yucatan peninsula. I can’t wait to experience every bit of history, culture and cuisine of Mexico! Someday! Keeping my fingers crossed! Would you say that the country is safe for solo female travelers? Thanks for sharing all of this, John!

March 18, 2016 at 1:26 PM

Hi Trisha! We also hope that you make it to the Yucatan to experience all of it’s charms. From our experience here, we definitely think it’s safe for solo female travelers. Heather goes out all the time by herself with not the slightest of issues. We’ve found the Yucatan to be extremely safe and it is often cited as the safest state in all of Mexico! We hope you make it here someday but until then, happy travels!

March 14, 2016 at 9:17 PM

I just bookmarked your post! So many neat ideas on day trips. I’m definitely including the flamingos and the yellow city. It looks really cool!

March 14, 2016 at 5:42 PM

Great list! And once you’re done with the cenotes in Cozuma, you can try the ones in the nearby village of Homun.

March 18, 2016 at 1:39 PM

Thanks! We’ll have to check them out the next time that we’re in the Yucatan. There are so many awesome cenotes to explore, we’ll never make it to them all. But we’re adding the Homun cenotes to our list 🙂

March 14, 2016 at 1:04 PM

Thanks for the tips on the “less busy” ways to see Chichen Itza! When we visit the Yucatan, this is definitely something i would like to spend time doing (and photographing with less people around ahah)!

March 18, 2016 at 1:42 PM

Glad we could help! The Chichen Itza ruins get absolutely swamped with tourists in the middle of the day. Add to that the extreme heat and hundreds of vendors selling souvenirs throughout the entire site, and it can make for a unpleasant experience. We’ve found that it’s definitely best visited in the early morning. We were actually able to get shots of the entire pyramid without any other visitors. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Yucatan and have a great time at Chichen Itza!

March 13, 2016 at 11:54 PM

I love Mexico and I would love to explore this area further. I was bummed that I didn’t get to make it to Chichen Itza last time I was there!

March 18, 2016 at 1:43 PM

We love Mexico too! Sounds like you’re going to need to come back here and make it to Chichen Itza some day. 😉 Although that’s the big-named ruin site here, definitely consider some of these other ruins too which we’ve found to be equally impressive and much more tranquil!

March 13, 2016 at 7:33 PM

Wow! This is such an excellent post! You’ve opened up a world of things to see and do outside of Merida! I’ve been to Chichen Itza, but I’d love to enjoy the ruins at Mayapan! The historic towns, like Campeche, are so colorful and ooze with culture and history. The flamingos at Celestun would be beautiful to see, too. I’m going to pin this post for future travel to Mexico. 🙂

March 13, 2016 at 5:19 PM

I have yet to explore the Yucatan, but the Mayan ruins would be at the top of my list. I studied Mayan culture in college, and seeing the temples in person would be unbelievable.

March 13, 2016 at 5:49 PM

Add the Yucatan to your list and get down here 🙂 There are so many Mayan ruins that await your visit!

March 13, 2016 at 9:48 AM

This is super timely as I’m planning a trip to the Yucatan. I love that you include public transport options for all of these sites as well!

March 13, 2016 at 1:05 PM

So glad you caught this before your trip and hope it helps with your planning. Have a great trip and let us know if any questions!

March 12, 2016 at 11:53 AM

I was supposed to be heading out to Mexico next month but plans got changed. Hoping to make it out next year now so this will come in very handy. Thanks for such an informative post!

March 13, 2016 at 1:07 PM

Oh no, well we hope you do make it to Mexico next year to explore some of these awesome places. We’ve been in the country for over two months now and are absolutely loving it.

March 12, 2016 at 10:20 AM

I’d love to see Chichen Itza… and the flocks of flamingoes! What a great post with some beautiful photos!

March 13, 2016 at 1:18 PM

Thanks Tami! Chichen Itza really is impressive, as are the flamingos. Hope you make it over to the Yucatan to see these awesome sights first hand!

May 29, 2016 at 3:10 PM

Good job on your post… I have been to most of these spots and many others here in Yucatan, retired here from Canada 4 yrs. ago. Do day rides on my Harley to many interesting spots.. Keep up the good work!

June 8, 2016 at 12:49 PM

Thanks! That means a lot coming from someone living in the area. What a great place to live, by the way! And what an awesome way to get around the Yucatan… on the back of a Harley! Love it!!

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Uxmal & The Puuc Route from Merida

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Local English -and Spanish- speaking guide
• Fees & entrance to the ruins
• Entry/Admission - Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
• Entry/Admission - Zona Arqueológica de Kabah
• Entry/Admission - Zona Arqueologica de Sayil
• Entry/Admission - Labna
• Dessert and drinks
• We pick up from all hotels in the Downtown area Reconfirm your pick up time 24 hrs in advance the starting time
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Zona Arqueologica Uxmal Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 2 Zona Arqueologica de Kabah Stop: 40 minutes - Admission included See details
• 3 Zona Arqueologica de Sayil Stop: 40 minutes - Admission included See details
• 4 Labna Stop: 40 minutes - Admission included See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• W6429ZZelenak 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Flamingoes and other birds It was a great trip. Carlos, our driver, was with us at all times and did his job perfectly. The boat trip was fantastic! We saw at least four types of birds, bright colored flamingos among them. Highly recommended. Read more Written April 9, 2024
• AnneRick 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Flamingos Galore! This tour was so much fun. We saw thousands of flamingos in early February, and the ride through the mangroves was fascinating with many birds and gators to view. Our guide Julio was great. The 3 hours at Celestun beach may seem like a long time to stay, but we enjoyed all of it: from walking the almost deserted beach to collecting some shells, to having an excellent mango daquiri and a snack at the restaurant on the beach with tables in the sand. It was a little windy with rough surf to go swimming, but that didn't take away from the day. We highly recommend this tour. Read more Written February 12, 2024
• AnneRick 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour! This was a great tour. Jorge, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the history surrounding the Hacienda and especially about Uxmal. It was all fascinating and taking a dip in the cenote at the end was very refreshing. We highly recommend this tour. Read more Written February 12, 2024
• Nolagurl1956 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Not To Be Missed Founded in the 17th century this hacienda is a treasure. Once a working henequen plantation there is much to discover as you walk the grounds of this beautiful hacienda. Read more Written January 26, 2024
• 982laurier 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles They cancelled and we did not get to experience. We were very excited about this tour. We showed up at the meeting spot. No one arrived from the tour service. I called them and they said I should have received a cancellation email. I had not received this. I did have a email notice that my payment had been sent. Paid Uber for ride to and from meet spot. Out money for Uber and didn’t get the tour. Better communication is definitely needed! Read more Written December 15, 2023
• Discover24372279518 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun trip! It was so fun! We saw lots of flamingos and birds. The boat ride was great. Nice lunch at the beach club and fun to collect shells walking along the beach. Overall, the trip was great, with a very informative and friendly guide. Read more Written December 9, 2023
• 740almar 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour ever! Wow. Where do i begin. It was most definitely an amazing experience. From the pick up, location was a few blocks walking. Our tour guides Miguel and Rodrigo were exceptional and very knowledgeable, very personable to say the least. From beginning to end, beautiful. Valladolid at night - amazing. Then the cenote, the Mayan ritual, the food, the tequila tasting- wow. Just wow. We recommend this tour and will be doing it again. 🩷 Read more Written November 2, 2023
• poca_NH 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Very chaotic and the guide couldn’t speak English very well We arrived at 08:20 as aligned for our 2x Combo Tour! It was totally chaotic and all the guides were running in circles. Somehow they mixed the days (our 1st day tour got to be the second and visa versa) and we were left at the meeting point. No guide wanted to take a minute to talk to us. After 1 hour a guide told us to call a number and we had to take an Uber to another location where we met our group. Also, it was really hard to understand the tour guide; his English was hard to follow and he had to switch between English and Spanish, which did not make it easier for him (we were 2 groups in one). It was “ok” at the end, nevertheless not worth that much money. Read more Written October 29, 2023
• Curiosity49591565144 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great No English, I don’t think many do & we’re from a border town. It was great, good price, beautiful & will go again. Good place to learn Spanish. Will definitely return. Read more Written July 18, 2023
• Lovesbeachtraveller 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Very worthwhile if you enjoy swimming and rustic settings The three Cuzama Cenotes (at Santa Barbara) were wonderful. I especially appreciated that our guide Freddy decided to pick us up early so we beat the crowds and had the first cenote to ourselves. It was very tranquil and magical. Freddy was very experienced, answered our many questions about the area, had excellent English skills, and kept an eye on our belongings while we swam. The meal at the restaurant by the cenotes (where there are also changing rooms) was hearty and tasty. Overall, a great day trip that I highly recommend! Read more Written November 11, 2022
• SusanaL1546 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Visiting the maya Rivera has been by far the most amazing experience. I will definitely return in the near future. Friendly knowledgeable guide. Beautiful experience nothing like it. One of Mexico's most amazing places to visit. We're are in awe. Read more Written October 6, 2022
• 774amber 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best part of the trip! This was my favorite part of the trip!! I loved how easy it was to be picked up directly from our hotel and guided through the locations. Definitely the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life and would love to go back and experience it again one day. 100% recommend! Read more Written June 16, 2022
• janicevw2017 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Company canceled tour, awaiting refund Our trip was canceled because we were the only couple and I guess they don’t do private tours. Other companies do so be sure to inquire and read the fine print. Still awaiting our refund. Read more Written March 30, 2022
• TomB524 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great Day Our guide, Ricardo, was amazing and VERY passionate about the tour and the information. We had a great day, learned SO much, and had a beautiful swim in the cenote. The bus seats were not very comfortable and hardly any room between the seats, which made for a long ride :( It would have been nice to have had a bit of shopping time at Chichen Itza while at the ruins (even 1/2 an hour to pick up a couple little knock knacks). Over all, we were very happy with our choice of tours, met some new people and have new experiences under belt. Read more Written March 27, 2022
• Agnes S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best guide and place ever I got a really nice time. If you can, ask for Pablo !! He is the best guide you could ever have. I was lucky to have him as a guide for 2 different tours and it wouldn’t be the same with another one. He share his passion and he always do something more. For example Here he passed by to the cemetery because we ask some questions about it (without we request anything) Read more Written November 23, 2021

More to explore in Merida

Uxmal & The Puuc Route from Merida provided by Amigo Tours Mérida

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7 of the best Maya ruins to visit in Mexico

Remnants of ancient civilisations still stand across Central America — and well-preserved temples and jungle-cloaked pyramids are open to visitors across southern Mexico.

Before the Spanish colonised Central America in the 16th century, the ancient Maya were one of the most sophisticated civilisations in the Western Hemisphere. They developed a complex calendar system through their knowledge of astrology and mathematics, used intricate hieroglyphics to record their history and built large, lavishly decorated cities, complete with pyramids, temples, and plazas.

At its height, the ancient Maya civilisation comprised 40 cities across Central America, spanning southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua. In the southern Mexican states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Chiapas, many of these settlements — the largest housed up to 50,000 people — still stand today, offering visitors a unique insight into the social, cultural and religious lives of the ancient Maya.

From carefully reconstructed sites like Chichen Itza to the wild, jungle-clad pyramids and ceremonial temples of Calakmul, these are the ancient Maya ruins not to miss in southern Mexico.

1. Chichen Itza

Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the beautifully preserved Chichen Itza in Yucatán is Mexico’s most famous Maya ruin. Despite the crowds, few are disappointed with El Castillo — a carefully restored pyramid that rises up 80ft and has 365 steps — or the city’s tlachtli , the largest Maya ball court in the Americas.

Occupied until the 16th century, Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited by the Maya and the only one built by the coast. The pyramids here aren’t as large as other Maya ruins in Mexico, but the setting, on 40ft-high cliffs above turquoise Caribbean waters south of Cancun, more than makes up for it.

Home to the tallest pyramid in the state of Quintana Roo, Cobá was once one of the most important Maya cities in Yucatán. Located around 30 miles west of Tulum ruins, the city was built in around 600 CE and it eventually grew to 50,000 inhabitants. Though much of Cobá has yet to be excavated, travellers can climb the 138ft-high Nohoch Mul — a pyramid that offers sweeping views over the Yucatán jungle. Cobá is also known for its sophisticated sacbe,   or ‘white road’2,   network —   limestone pathways that connect the city to neighbouring settlements.

4. Palenque

Deep in the jungles of northeastern Chiapas state in southern Mexico lies Palenque , a Late Classic Maya city known for its detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions and sculpted reliefs. These highly sophisticated designs have helped archaeologists understand more of the ancient Maya's history, mythology and calendar systems.

5. Calakmul

Cloaked by the second-largest expanse of tropical forests in the Americas, in Campeche’s Calakmul Biosphere Reserve near the border with Guatemala, Calakmul is one of Mexico’s wildest Maya ruins. It has the largest and tallest pyramid in Yucatán and more than 6,000 structures, many of them covered by jungle. The site is particularly beautiful at sunrise, when the surrounding jungle comes alive with birdsong, howler monkeys and, if you’re lucky, the roar of a jaguar.

6. Ek Balam

Around 25 miles north of the Yucatán city of Valladolid is Ek Balam , which means ‘black jaguar’ or ‘jaguar star’ in the Yucatec Maya language. The city reached its height in the eight century, when more than 20,000 people lived here. Its largest pyramid is 160 metres long and 105ft high, and contains the tomb of Ukit Kan Le´t Tok, the king of Ek Balam between 770 CE and around 797 CE. Archaeologists found the ruler buried with more than 7,000 pieces of jade, bone, ceramic, shell and precious metal, and the outside walls decorated with stone jaguars, winged creatures and human skulls.

A one-hour drive from the Yucatán capital of Merida is this seventh-century Maya city, once large enough to house 25,000 inhabitants. The Uxmal ruins are part of the Ruta Puuc, a 25-mile road network that connects Uxmal with the archaeological sites of Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Oxkintok, Grutas de Calcehtok and Grutas de Loltún.

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• HISTORIC SITES
• ADVENTURE TRAVEL
• PREHISTORIC CULTURES
• ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

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The Maya Train Will Get You to All of Yucatán’s Best Spots. But Not Yet.

In December, the train began running on its first route through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. On a five-day journey a few months later, the author encountered enthusiasm, and scheduling hiccups.

By Elisabeth Malkin

Elisabeth Malkin has been visiting the Yucatán Peninsula for three decades.

I stepped off the platform at the gleaming new Maxcanú train station, eager to see the magnificent Maya archaeological site of Uxmal. All I needed was a taxi to take me there, a trip of about 30 miles away.

There are no taxis, said the stationmaster, as we stood on the polished limestone floors of the high-ceilinged station, which was cool and breezy despite the brilliant late-morning sun outside. And I was the third person in two weeks to get off at Maxcanú expecting to reach Uxmal, he said.

I was midway through a five-day trip to explore the brand-new Maya Train and several of its destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico . Designed to run 965 miles (1,554 kilometers) around a loop of 34 stations when completed, the train will whisk passengers in cool comfort through colonial cities, archaeological sites, splashy resorts and tropical forests.

Now I was stunned. Wrangling a taxi has never been a problem in Mexico. But the drivers gathered in the main square of Maxcanú offered only beat-up vans that hopscotch through small towns, where I might or might not find a taxi to Uxmal. The next van was leaving in 45 minutes.

Yucatán’s layers of history have long held me spellbound. During earlier car trips, I have clambered up deserted Maya temples and palaces, stepped into the cool naves of massive 16th-century churches and visited restored haciendas, testaments of the ostentation — and hardship — of the peninsula’s 19th-century plantation economy. Traveling by train, I thought, would allow me to steep myself in more of that history.

But as I found in Maxcanú, a train won’t necessarily get you to where you want to go.

During my February trip, I traveled on the only route then available, an east-west leg that opened in December and runs from Cancún to Mérida, and then south through the port city of Campeche to the Maya site of Palenque (a short route between Cancún and Playa del Carmen opened last month, with three trains a day). I encountered scheduling confusion, unfinished stations and a dearth of trains — just two operating daily each way between Cancún and Campeche, and only one to Palenque. Overnight sleepers and special dining trains seem years away.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the Maya Train his showcase development project, and wants to inaugurate the rest of the train before he leaves office on October 1. Based on my experience, that goal seems elusive.

A $29-billion route through the jungle

I started my journey in Cancún, where in the pre-dawn gloom the station hovered like a glowing spaceship. An attendant scanned the ticket I had bought online and a half-dozen more pointed me toward my tourist-class car, which was about a quarter full. I planned to go to Campeche, about 300 miles away, stopping once each day. At 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) an hour, the train covers the route in about six hours, the same as a car. (When construction is complete, the train’s speed should increase to 160 kilometers an hour.)

The car’s wide windows looked out at a wall of low jungle. The blue-green seats were comfortable and there was ample space between the rows. I bought a very good cappuccino at the snack bar, but declined the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. The rest of the merchandise was fruit cups, milk boxes and junk food.

The train will ultimately cost much more than the $29 billion budgeted so far, and it’s not the first time ambitious planners have alighted on the region. Cancún was once a tiny fishing village, selected half a century ago as a tourist hub. Last year 10 million international tourists flew into its airport, more than the airports of Mexico City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta combined.

But uncontrolled growth has stressed the Caribbean coast’s fragile environment. The Maya Train, scientists warn , will push those problems south, threatening the area’s water supply, its unique system of underground limestone caves and its vast nature reserves.

Mr. López Obrador has charged ahead, handing the train over to the military , and arguing that it will spread Cancún’s wealth and attract new visitors. Mexico received more than 42 million overseas tourists last year and they spent almost $31 billion .

Local governments see an opportunity. “The train will allow people to disperse throughout the peninsula,” said Michelle Fridman, the tourism secretary for Yucatán state, which promotes dozens of attractions far beyond highlights like Mérida and Chichén Itzá .

Now that the train is operating, transport companies will begin to connect stations with lesser-known sites nearby, she said.

It’s fair to ask whether the train is the most effective way to develop the peninsula’s tourism. Tour companies already run trips to many sites from major cities, which are well served by buses. Driving a rental car through most of the area is considered safe , according to U.S. State Department travel guidance .

Route of Mexico’s Maya Train

Canceled trip.

It took two hours (and one time-zone change) to reach Valladolid, a colonial city of handsome streets and ancient churches, where I bought the rest of my tickets at the station. A tourist-class ticket from Cancún to Valladolid costs 472 pesos (around $28) for foreigners and 355 pesos (around $21) for Mexicans. First class, with wider seats, costs 755.50 pesos and 566.50 pesos, and discounts are available for older travelers and residents of the five states along the train’s route. (A first-class bus from downtown Cancún to Valladolid costs between 222 and 344 pesos, depending on the time of day, and takes half an hour longer.)

It was impossible to run the new Maya Train tracks into dense city centers and the Valladolid station, like the rest, was outside the urban core. A waiting bus took disembarking passengers downtown, a 15-minute ride for 35 pesos.

That day I toured Ek Balam , the site of a ninth-century Maya kingdom that is dominated by a 100-foot palace distinguished by a facade of carvings depicting winged warriors, stylized animal features and geometric patterns bordered by giant fangs. Admission to the site includes entry to the X-Canché cenote, one of thousands of limestone sinkholes that were sacred to the Maya.

Later that afternoon, I was wandering through the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, a private collection of traditional dress, embroidery and hats, when a WhatsApp message from the ticket office blinked on my phone. My train scheduled for the following day was canceled.

I decided to deal with the problem in the morning and enjoy the city. As I wandered past the antique shops and boutique hotels of the elegant Calzada de los Frailes, it was clear that Valladolid’s tourism, and the infrastructure to handle it, was well established. The Maya Train is simply an alternative way to reach a city that tourists discovered years ago.

‘We’re on the Tren Maya!’

In the morning, I found that my train had not been canceled, but the station for which I had a ticket, Tixkokob, was closed. I got off instead one stop earlier at Izamal, known for its ocher streets and the giant Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop the ruins of a pyramid.

During the 90-minute ride, I heard widespread enthusiasm among fellow travelers who expressed a willingness to give the train time to work out the kinks. “We’re an experiment,” said Oliva Escobedo Ochoa, 64, who was vacationing from her home in central Mexico.

Leticia Iliassich, 57, who is Mexican, was traveling with her Croatian husband along with relatives from Mexico and Croatia. They had initially been scheduled on an earlier train to Mérida that had been canceled. “We knew that it was a new project,” she said. “We don’t mind.”

The group had already sent a video to friends declaring, “We’re on the Tren Maya!”

At the Izamal station I hitched a 15-minute ride into the town center with a man who had asked me to take his photo alongside the train and his father. From there I negotiated a taxi to Hacienda San Lorenzo Aké, a working hacienda that still turns the fiber from an agave plant called henequén into coarse rope. Global demand for henequén, known as Yucatán’s “green gold,” brought fantastic wealth to the region in the mid-19th century, speckling the peninsula with more than 1,000 haciendas. ( Many are now sumptuous hotels.)

Where geometry, nature and the divine merge

It was during my third day that I found myself stuck in Maxcanú, after a 90-minute train ride from Izamal. The stationmaster, an army captain, offered me a ride to Uxmal, just as he had to the stranded tourists before me.

Eying Uxmal’s 4 p.m. final ticket sale, I accepted.

My situation made it clear just how distant the Maya Train’s promises are for tourists seeking to explore more of Yucatán. In time, that will change, said Ms. Fridman, the tourism secretary. “The idea is to have more hotels along the train line,” she said. “That will happen little by little.”

But Uxmal , among the most stunning of the Maya sites, made up for the inconvenience. Uxmal’s grand buildings are faced with intricate decorative masks as well as friezes in which geometry, nature and the divine merge. New plaques at each structure offer detailed information in English and Spanish, part of the government’s investment in improving displays at Maya sites for the train project.

Most tourists either take day trips by car or bus to Uxmal from Mérida or stay at one of three nearby hotels. As I finished dinner at my hotel, the dining room began to fill up: 47 Polish tourists had arrived.

Panama hats and a cramped van

My plan for the day was to go by taxi to Bécal, a town where Panama hats are woven in limestone caves to keep the fibers soft, and then pick up the afternoon train in nearby Calkiní for the port city of Campeche.

But I spent so much time watching the hat-making demonstration and then fitting my new hat and buying gifts that we set off with little time to reach the station. To my chagrin, I missed the train, the last one of the day.

On Calkiní’s central square, I found a van that was leaving for Campeche. Cost: 65 pesos. Time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes, similar to what I would have spent on the train. Of course, I was trapped in a cramped seat and had to listen to the driver’s choice of sentimental ballads, but I was dropped off in downtown Campeche, close to my hotel.

The next day, I toured the Museum of Maya Archaeology , an expertly curated collection that included haunting jade funeral masks, glyphs and delicate ceramic figures.

José Madrigal, 45, an engineer from Fremont, Calif., was trying to make Maya pottery interesting for his twin sons. The boys had just turned 5 and their birthday present had been a ride on the Maya Train. “They love trains,” Mr. Madrigal said. Then the family moved on, keeping up a brisk clip through the museum. They had another train to catch.

Should you take the train?

Yes, if you are traveling between larger stations. The train also offers a way to get to Palenque, which is harder to reach and has roads with security concerns. Travelers can stow bicycles on board.

To see train times, check the destinations on the website . You cannot buy tickets online more than a week in advance. But when you finally board, the ride is smooth — and the coffee is excellent.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Best Ways to Enjoy a Luxury Trip to Yucatan, Mexico

Y ucatan is one of the destinations that has it all for travelers: a great variety of ecosystems, culture, gastronomy, adventure, and tourist products that, without a doubt, will keep you busy and amazed from beginning to end.

If you visit Yucatan, a spectacular destination, whether for vacation or a short getaway, we recommend incredible experiences in luxury. The destination is flexible for those who don't want to spend a lot and those who wish to pamper themselves and treat themselves, creating an unforgettable experience.

DISCOVERING WHITE MERIDA

The Historic Center of Merida is a mixture of buildings, museums, houses, and activities that coexist in time, keeping alive the essence of the land of the Mayab. During your stay, we recommend taking a free tour from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m., which consists of walking through the most representative places of the Historical Center, among them are The Municipal Palace, Plaza Grande, Casa de Montejo, Ateneo Peninsular, San Ildefonso Cathedral, Government Palace and the Murals of Fernando Castro Pacheco, always accompanied by a certified guide.

Visitors can enjoy the Night of Legends Tour, a fusion of theater and tourism with a historical approach whose objective is to learn about the essential points that created the personality of the city of Mérida interactively. It is a show where the characters are in contact with the public in real scenarios that show the history of Mérida in different places such as the Peón Contreras Theater, the Third Order Church, the Cathedral, the Casa de los Montejo, the tunnels of the Casa de Los Ladrillos, the Convent of the Conceptionist Mothers, among others.

Tickets are on sale starting at 5 p.m. in front of the cathedral. This tour can be enjoyed on Thursdays and Saturdays for $20 for adults and $5 for children.

As eating is a must in this state, visit the Taqueria La Lupita, located inside the Santiago Market, where visitors can enjoy the most emblematic cochinita tacos (pork meat) of the city, or you can make a stop at the Palace of Music and enjoy a delicious meal at the Kexti'i restaurant, in any of these places you will eat satisfactorily for less than $15 per person, and then visit the museum that tells the history of traditional and popular Mexican music for only $20 per person.

ADVENTURE IN THE MAGICAL TOWN OF IZAMAL

Izamal is part of the Magical Towns of Mexico, in addition to being considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and noted for the beauty of its yellow houses. The city of the 3 Cultures is located one hour from Merida by car and 1.5 hours by public transportation, leaving from the center of the Yucatan capital at an approximate cost of $5 (round trip).

Once there, it is possible to tour the streets on foot, by bicycle or ATV, for approximately $20 per person. Put on a helmet, get on the ATV, accelerate, and safely take an exciting ride through the beautiful streets of the Magical Town of Izamal.

During the tour, you will be accompanied by an expert local guide, who will take guests through a picturesque and elegant city, a lively and animated town. Visit the majestic Franciscan convent with the most enormous atrium in Latin America and the second largest worldwide. You will also admire Mayan pyramids, colonial buildings, and artisan workshops, making the ancient holy city of Izamal an actual open museum, considered the most important cultural destination in the Mayan World.

On the gastronomic side, we recommend two icons of local cuisine, Zamna Restaurant and Kinich Restaurant. In both, you will be able to taste authentic food from the Mayan world and discover why these places are gastronomic ambassadors of the region. The average bill per person ranges from $20-$55, and, without a doubt, it will be completely worth it.

A LITTLE LUXURY IN UXMAL

Just an hour away from the state capital, it is possible to find an excellent experience for adrenaline and culture lovers. This is a tour around the archaeological site of Uxmal in a Land Rover; in this adventure, you can feel like an old landowner while you involve all your senses, enjoying the water of a cenote and admiring incredible landscapes that culminates with a visit to the remains of the Hacienda Uxmal. The approximate cost of this activity is $65 per person.

Another option in this area is to visit the beer spa of the Hotel Uxmal Resort Maya, where it is possible to undergo a unique practice of its kind. This service includes a relaxing foot massage with barley, a hot bath in a jacuzzi-like barrel, and a neck and head relaxation massage with hot beer while tasting two regional beers. This experience costs around $100 per person, not including food.

Last is Echoes of Uxmal, a night tour through this majestic archaeological site and a play of light and sound. You will be transported to the past of this ancient town and its impressive legends. Admission per person to this event is around $35.

Take your time, and on your next vacation, visit Yucatan, one of the safest destinations in the country, and enjoy these and more of its 365 tourist experiences. Use the travel planner of yucatan.travel and enjoy a unique trip to the lands of the Mayab, where you can find paradisiacal beaches, exotic nature, extraordinary haciendas, ancient culture, and gastronomy of significant levels in a cosmopolitan city considered one of the best cities to visit in 2023.