Uxmal
Oosh-mahl is not on the scale of Chichen Itza, but is way more beautiful, ornate and tranquil - just how you expected a Mayan temple site to be !
Somewhat off the tourist trail ( too far from Cancun for the shorts wearers), it nestles in undulating hills. Fairly remote, low key tourism, well maintained buildings and grounds make this a little bit of paradise. You can wander around in relative peacefulness, immersing yourself in all the wonder and beauty without distraction.
It has the unique oval Pyramid of the Magician and unusualy, no cenote. The God Chaac was worshipped here, to bring much needed rains.
Most amazing !- the spectacular view over the buildings and forest canopy. Sit atop the one-sided pyramid and breathe it in ! Mmm....
My tips for visiting - Entry 166 pesos ($15) Open 8am -5pm daily.
Low key tourism, but has a pleasant courtyard with coffee place. Take your own sandwiches and drink and enjoy atop previously mentioned pyramid ! Lovely surrounding area, tasteful and worth a nights layover. The light show at 7pm winter/8pm spring onward is included and worth staying for. Bus details? Contact me.
My rating 9/10
Travel tips - This is worth the effort, especially as the entrance is only 31 pesos ( $3) and the mini-bus from Merida ( 35 minutes) is only 40 pesos ($4) return ! There is a bathroom there, but no other facilities at all. Bus details ? Post a message.
My rating 9/10
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| Two headed jaguar throne |
Mayapan
Even more remote than Uxmal, Mayapan was one of the last great Mayan cities to be built and at one time was the regional capital that included Chichen Itza and Uxmal - even though it is much smaller than both of them.
A very compact centre, well restored and maintained buildings and grounds, coupled with an almost tourist free environment and peaceful atmosphere make this a little gem on the Temple trail.
Abandoned in the 1400's even before the Spanish arrived, the City had a population of around 12,000 and it's later construction is more obvious in the detail and rare painted wall murals.
You can climb on the structures, even the main Pyramid, that is a copy of the Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza. This is a great site to sit in peace and ponder over the Mayan comings and goings.
Most amazing ! - you could well be the only visitors there on a weekday.
Travel tips - This is worth the effort, especially as the entrance is only 31 pesos ( $3) and the mini-bus from Merida ( 35 minutes) is only 40 pesos ($4) return ! There is a bathroom there, but no other facilities at all. Bus details ? Post a message.
My rating 8/10
Dzibilchaltun
Sybil-chal-toon had been a settlement since as far back as 500 B.C.E and thrived as a major commercial centre and ultimately urban centre until it's demize when 'they' (the Spanish) arrived.
With over 8,000 structures covering an area of nearly 20 sq.km, it may well have had a population of up to 40,000, making it one of the largest in Mesoamerica.
Today though, it doesn't have the wow! factor of the other sites, there is very little standing to jaw-drop over. Most buildings are at ground level or a few levels high, but the scale is clear and the 'sac be'oob' ( ancient straight roads) are clearly visible and give substance to the sheer size of the City.
The temple of the seven dolls is an interesting and unusual building, location of another annual solar phenomenon that has become the trademark of the incredible Mayan culture. There is half a temple, enough to get a panoramic view of the area and you can walk on all the structures.
Many of the artifacts found here have been removed unfortunately, hopefully some of them are in the museum that is currently closed for renovations. There are also a number of nature walks through the forest and a couple of off- track buildings, if you really want to chill out in peace.
Most amazing !- the huge surface cenote was probably the reason for the early settlement here and is still crystal clear, sparkling water, full of fish and flowering lilly pads ! At 44m deep at one end, it is one of the deepest in the Yucatan. Perfect for a late afternoon cool-off, after roaming the site in the baking heat ! Take a mask or goggles !
Travel tips - considering how close to Merida it is ( 10 miles), they haven't exactly made it easy to get to. I did find an infrequent bus (eventually) that cost all of 8 pesos ( 75 cents) and took about 30 minutes. There are limited facilities that closed early and good bathrooms. There were tourist coaches there, but not enough to detract from the experience and the site was deserted by 3pm.
Entrance fee is 107 pesos ($10).
My rating 7/10
