""Thrice built"" a Ruinas Uxmal Travel Page by smirnofforiginal

Whilst the Mayan word "Uxmal" means thrice built, it was actually built 5 times!

Uxmal is set in the Puuc Hills. The Puuc Hills being the only non-flat region of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Uxmal was an important city during the Late Classic period 600-900 AD. Also in this area aer the towns of Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labna.

There is a scarce supply of water in the Puuc Hills so it is quite a feat that a large population lived here... but perhaps not so much of a surprise that they god of rain, Chac, was of great significance here!

Uxmal was abandoned around 900 AD but it is not known why. One theory is that drought proportions forced the inhabitants to relocate. Another theory is that Chichen Itza became so great that the people flocked there.

Archeologists found Uxmal in the 19th century and excavation started in 1929. Much has been restored but there is apparently more just waiting to be discovered.

The drive to Uxmal is one of the best in the whole peninsula - You drive along, tra la la la la, then up the hill you go and there, rising out of nowhere, is the Pyramid of the Magician. Just as yours eyes and brain are acknowledging this amazing sight, it slinks back into the jungle, hidden once again.

Uxmal is open daily from 8am - 5pm. In 1999 entrance was only US$5 and free on Sundays. Car parking was a mere US0.75

The Unidad Uxmal building stays open until 10pm because there is a sound & light show "Luz y Sonido, every evening. English at 9pm and Spanish at 8pm. The cost (in 1999) for the English show was US$5.50 and the Spanish show US$4.

Uxmal has good visitor facilities.
Be sure tyo have plenty of liquids with you - it was SO hot and humid the day we were at Uxmal - sweat was literally pouring down us and we couldn't drink enough.