YUCATAN CRUISES
  • CRUISING THE YUCATAN
    • State of Yucatan
    • State of Campeche
    • State of Quintana Roo
    • Mayan Ruins Cruises
    • Mayan Civilization
    • Riviera Maya Cruises
    • Mexico Cruises
    • Mexican Riviera Cruises
    • Cancun Hotel Zone
    • Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula
    • Golf Courses of the Yucatan Peninsula
    • Yucatan Peninsula Attractions >
      • 3D Museum of Wonders - Playa del Carmen, Yucatan
      • Chaak Tun Cenotes - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Atlantis Submarine Tour - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Chichen Itza, Yucatan Mexico
      • Cozumel Chef Tour - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Cozumel Island Museum - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Cozumel Pearl Farm - Cozumel, R.O.
      • Cozumel Tours - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Frida Kahlo Museum - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Dzibilchaltún - Merida, Yucatan
      • Garrafon Natural Reef Park - Isla Mujeres, Q.R.
      • Great Museum of the Mayan World - Merida, Yucatan
      • Hacienda Sotuta de Peon - Merida, Yucatan
      • Holbox Adventure - Isla Holbox, Q.R.
      • Isla Pasion - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Jean Laffitte Pirate Dinner Cruise - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Jungle Buggy Tour - Playa Del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Las Coloradas in the Rio Largardos - Yucatan, Mexico
      • Magical Yellow City - Izamal, Yucatan
      • Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows - Chichen Itza, Yucatan
      • Mayan Bee Sanctuary - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Mayan Cacao Company - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Mexico Blue Dream - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • ​​Mayapán Archaeological Zone - Telchaquillo, Yucatan
      • Muyil-Chunyaxche - Quintana Roo, Mexico
      • Punta Sur - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Río Secreto - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • San Gervasio - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • San Miguelito Archaeological Zone - Cancun, Q.R.
      • Scuba Life Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Secrets Maroma Beach Resort - Cancun, Q.R.
      • Selvatica the Adventure Tribe - Puerto Morelos, Q.R.
      • Señor Frog’s - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve - Quintana Roo
      • Tulum Ruins - Quintana Roo
      • Uxmal - Yucatan, Mexico
      • Xcaret Park - Playa Del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Xel-Há Ecological Park Quintana Roo, Mexico
      • Convent Route, Yucatan Mexico
      • Haciendas in Mexico
      • Puuc Route, Yucatan Mexico
      • Caves - Grutas in Mexico
  • Yucatan Cruise Lines
    • Victory Cruise Lines
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Victory 11 Day - Yucatan's Mayan Cruise Tour
  • Destinations
    • Cancun, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Costa Maya, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Cozumel, Mexico Cruises
    • Holbox Island, Mexico
    • Isla Mujeres, Mexico
    • Mérida, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Progreso, Mexico Cruises
    • Tulum, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Uxmal, Yucatan Mexico
    • Valladolid, Mexico Cruises
  • Yucatan Blog
    • Mayan Food
    • Mayan Hammocks
    • Yucatan Photos
    • Yucatan Videos
    • Cancun Condos
  • Paseo de Montejo - Merida, Yucatan
  • Catedral de Merida - Merida, Yucatan

Uxmal, Yucatan Mexico

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​​An Impressive Mayan City that Flourished Between 600 - 900 A.D Largest City Built in Puuc Style
As we drove along the highway that leads to Campeche, on our way to these ancient Mayan ruins, we found new places to explore that we had missed on previous trips.

We drove through the free road (La Libre), we did not take the toll highway, which is shorter and faster.

You do not have to pass through any of the little villages that are on the way, or lower your speed due to the many "speed bumps", pedestrians or animals of the towns you pass. In short the toll highway is more convenient.

​But, if you have never been to Yucatan before and you are the adventurous type of person, you will miss out on a lot of interesting things - Beautiful old 17th and 18th century haciendas, breathtaking cenotes, amazing underground caves and quaint cool little towns.

You would see things that you never imagined existed. Don’t miss out on an amazing, unforgettable and educational experience.
  • Hacienda Ochil
  • Cenote Dos Ojos
  • Loltun Caves

A friendly warning though - for some people the ancient Mayan temples are just a bunch of old rocks and stones, unlike others which regard them as awesome precious stones.

If you are in the first category, it’s fine, but, you are going to be bored to death, there are many other activities that I am sure you would enjoy a lot more.
On the other hand if you are into other civilizations and cultures, history, architecture and art, you are going to enjoy visiting these Mayan cities immensely.

I’m going to talk about Uxmal, not from the point of view of a tourist which I’m not, Yucatan is my home and it is where I’ve lived most of my life.
This will be a short account of these Mayan pyramids, what they are, and what you would expect to see.
  • Uxmal Mexico
  • the City Three Times Built 
  • Uxmal Yucatan Entrance

Uxmal Mexico (oosh - MAL), is a worldwide famous Mayan City, which is situated in Yucatan Mexico, also home to many other ancient Mayan ruins.
The Mayan word Uxmal (oosh - MAHL), derives from the word Oxmal (ox = three) which means Three Times Built or Occupied.

These ancient Mayan ruins are located 80 km (50 miles) south of Merida the capital city of Yucatan, on the road to the state of Campeche, and 358 km (222 miles) from Cancun, in an area made up of a series of very low hills, known as the Puuc Region, (pook) which in Maya means “Range of Hills”.
  • Quadrangle of the Nuns​
  • Nunnery Arch

I consider worth mentioning that the Yucatan landscape is completely flat with very few exceptions that I wouldn’t actually call hills, they are more like heaps or mounds.

Later in time, the architectural style of the different Mayan cities located in this area, became known as the “Puuc Architectural Style”, famous for its elaborate beauty, which features heavy ornamentation and complex artistry.
Hence the name Puuc Route or Ruta Puuc which travel agencies advertise as an interesting day trip which it actually is.
​
Included in this route, are the Caves of Loltun, awesome Cenotes (sinkholes), imposing old Haciendas and quaint Mayan villages.

Also the Mayan cities that were established in what is now called the Puuc Region or Puuc Route, of course Uxmal (which is the largest),
  • Kabah
  • Sayil
  • Labna

They were all connected by white roads called sacbe (sahk - BEH), which were popular at the time.

Uxmal is an impressive Mayan City that flourished between 600 - 900 A.D - it was one of the largest Mayan cities of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the largest city built in Puuc style, which at the peak of its power was home to 25,000 Mayan people.

It was a well planned city. When designing the city the Mayan people took into consideration astronomical, geometrical and metaphysical calculations.

Since the area was devoid of cenotes (sinkholes) which was the only source of natural water, the inhabitants of Uxmal Mexico built cisterns, known as Chultunes (chool-too-nehs) which are tanks or reservoirs for rainwater collection.

It’s understandable why Chaac the Mayan Rain God was of utmost importance to these people. 

Currently many people claim that Chichen Itza Mexico is considered as the most impressive Mayan city in the Yucatan Peninsula, and Uxmal Mexico is considered to be the most beautiful. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
12/20 - apt
PART OF THE AUTHENTIC VOYAGES GROUP
​Great Lakes Cruises
New England Cruises
Cuba Cruises
© COPYRIGHT 2021
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
YUCATAN CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
9524 E 81st Street, Suite B1721
Tulsa OK 74133
​Toll Free: +1-888-756-9008
Phone: +1-918-393-2900
​Email: info@AuthenticVoyages.com
  • CRUISING THE YUCATAN
    • State of Yucatan
    • State of Campeche
    • State of Quintana Roo
    • Mayan Ruins Cruises
    • Mayan Civilization
    • Riviera Maya Cruises
    • Mexico Cruises
    • Mexican Riviera Cruises
    • Cancun Hotel Zone
    • Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula
    • Golf Courses of the Yucatan Peninsula
    • Yucatan Peninsula Attractions >
      • 3D Museum of Wonders - Playa del Carmen, Yucatan
      • Chaak Tun Cenotes - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Atlantis Submarine Tour - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Chichen Itza, Yucatan Mexico
      • Cozumel Chef Tour - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Cozumel Island Museum - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Cozumel Pearl Farm - Cozumel, R.O.
      • Cozumel Tours - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Frida Kahlo Museum - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Dzibilchaltún - Merida, Yucatan
      • Garrafon Natural Reef Park - Isla Mujeres, Q.R.
      • Great Museum of the Mayan World - Merida, Yucatan
      • Hacienda Sotuta de Peon - Merida, Yucatan
      • Holbox Adventure - Isla Holbox, Q.R.
      • Isla Pasion - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Jean Laffitte Pirate Dinner Cruise - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Jungle Buggy Tour - Playa Del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Las Coloradas in the Rio Largardos - Yucatan, Mexico
      • Magical Yellow City - Izamal, Yucatan
      • Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows - Chichen Itza, Yucatan
      • Mayan Bee Sanctuary - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Mayan Cacao Company - Cozumel, Q.R.
      • Mexico Blue Dream - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • ​​Mayapán Archaeological Zone - Telchaquillo, Yucatan
      • Muyil-Chunyaxche - Quintana Roo, Mexico
      • Punta Sur - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Río Secreto - Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
      • San Gervasio - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • San Miguelito Archaeological Zone - Cancun, Q.R.
      • Scuba Life Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Secrets Maroma Beach Resort - Cancun, Q.R.
      • Selvatica the Adventure Tribe - Puerto Morelos, Q.R.
      • Señor Frog’s - Cozumel, Quintana Roo
      • Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve - Quintana Roo
      • Tulum Ruins - Quintana Roo
      • Uxmal - Yucatan, Mexico
      • Xcaret Park - Playa Del Carmen, Q.R.
      • Xel-Há Ecological Park Quintana Roo, Mexico
      • Convent Route, Yucatan Mexico
      • Haciendas in Mexico
      • Puuc Route, Yucatan Mexico
      • Caves - Grutas in Mexico
  • Yucatan Cruise Lines
    • Victory Cruise Lines
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Victory 11 Day - Yucatan's Mayan Cruise Tour
  • Destinations
    • Cancun, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Costa Maya, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Cozumel, Mexico Cruises
    • Holbox Island, Mexico
    • Isla Mujeres, Mexico
    • Mérida, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Progreso, Mexico Cruises
    • Tulum, Mexico Cruises ​​
    • Uxmal, Yucatan Mexico
    • Valladolid, Mexico Cruises
  • Yucatan Blog
    • Mayan Food
    • Mayan Hammocks
    • Yucatan Photos
    • Yucatan Videos
    • Cancun Condos
  • Paseo de Montejo - Merida, Yucatan
  • Catedral de Merida - Merida, Yucatan