Puuc Route

Information

subir

Oxkintok

Here one can find the structure known as El Laberinto (the labyrinth), believed to represent a trip to the underworld.

Located in the westernmost region of the Puuc, 70 km to the south of Merida, in the state of Yucatan. It is accessed is by the federal highway number 180, going to Campeche. Open from 8:00 to 17:00 hours

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 horas.
Cost: $37.00 pesos.

Kabah

City known as the second greatest religious center of the Puuc style. It communicates with Uxmal via a sacbé (Mayan road) that originates in El Arco, main door to the city. The most outstanding building is the Palacio de los Mascarones shows its impressive facade composed of 250 large masks of the God Chaac, carved in stone.

Kabah is located to 23th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the right in 16th km.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $43.00 pesos.
Services: Bathrooms.

Sayil

This city is distributed in three zones: the first one is the nucleus of the site since it groups the buildings of the elite; the second includes residences once inhabited by the ancestors; and the last zone extends towards the satellite settlements of towns that rendered tribute to Sayil.

In the facade of its buildings the decoration of stone mosaic it’semphasized. “The Palace” building can be contemplated, wich is the most remarkable construction in the zone, its second level is decorated with mosaics showing the figure of the descendent God, in addition its approximately 70 rooms were constructed resembling a new architectonic technique.

Sayil is located to the 33th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the right in km 34.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $37.00 pesos.

Xlapak

Here is one of greatest jewels of the Puuc architectonic style, also named El Palacio (the palace), with a magnificent facade with a board of stone mosaic with greca patterns and geometric elements. There are spectacular large masks of Chaac in its corners and center. The building is an impressive example of this type of decoration, since the large masks protrude from the ceiling of the false arc.

Xlapak is located to 38th km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261, and detour to the left to state highway number 31.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Services:Parking lot, stores, cool drinks, magazines and crafts. Guards service.

Labná

It is made of a set of dispersed buildings in a small valley. World famous for having a beautiful Mayan construction carved in stone: El Arco (the arch). We can also find other important buildings, like El Palacio and El Mirador, linked by an old Mayan road.

Labna is located to 42 km to south-east of Uxmal by the highway number 261; deviation to the left in km number 30 by the state highway number 31.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $37.00 pesos.
Services:Parking, guards and toilets.

Loltún

The tour starts at the entrance of Nahkab, or beehive, where the famous bas-relief known as El guerrero de Loltún (the Loltun warrior) is located, which seems to be emerging from the caves and is believed to be the God of the underworld. Another attraction of great interest is the cave paintings: in a wall one can see negatives of hands, in another one there are more elaborated paintings representing faces, animals and staggered greca patterns. In the diverse halls, galleries and chambers - almost 60 m deep and extending over more than 700 m - diverse archaeological pieces, ceramics, stone artifacts, marine shells and petroglyphs have been found, corresponding to the Mayan culture in its different stages of development.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $70.00 pesos.

Chacmultún

This old city is integrated by four monumental architectonic groups named Chacmultún, Cabalpak, Xethpol and Central; together they cover approximately one square kilometer. The first three groups, in which the structures of the zone that may be visited are found, were constructed over huitz or hills; the ground was leveled so that each group was surrounded by artificial terraces that heighten their magnificence. Surrounding the heart of the settlement are numerous platforms and mounds on which houses of diverse hierarchies were constructed.

Days of visit: Monday to Sunday.
Schedule: 8:00 a 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $37.00 pesos.

Tekax

In the municipal lands there are no overground water flows; however, there are underground deposits formed (known as cenotes). There are several historical and archaeological monuments such as the ex-convent and Parish of San Juan Baptist, from the XVII century; the Hermitage of San Diego, XVII century; the Chapel of San Francisco and the Chapel of the Eternal Father, besides Chacmultún. It is located 199 km to the south of Merida. There are restaurants, hotels, etc.

Nota: Los domingos el acceso a las zonas arqueológicas es gratuito para visitantes nacionales, previa indentificación. De lunes a sábado se aplican descuentos para estudiantes y maestros con credencial vigente, personas de la tercera edad con credencial del INAPAM (antes INSEN) tienen acceso gratuito.

History

subir

Puuc, is the mayan name of a series of hills of little height with a cultural zone and very singular style. Uxmal, as mentioned, is one of the best examples, but near it, also we can be delighted with other zones with the same style, that were important mayan large cities at the time.

Some elements featured in Puuc scenery include: pyramids finished off by watersheds; the small and false columns fitted in the facades, and the figurations of streamlined Mayan huts. Also very the rhombuses and the lambda-type ones are used, in which some figurative elements like the serpents and the large masks of Chaac, the God of rain are added, characterized by great eyes, a mouth provided with large teeth and mainly by a prominent and curve nose in the form of tube. That type of scenery is constituted by many stone pieces, carved previously and soon assembled in the form of mosaics, which produces a magnificent decorative effect.

Several cisterns or chultunes existed in this zone, they served to gather rain water, since there was no another source or supply of this indispensable liquid; it is by that in the Puuc zone the representations of the God Chaac are so many and had so much importance, this is why the mayan population worshipped him, in order to request sufficient rains to him.

Location

subir