Pyramid of the Magician
Rare rounded corners.
Adrian Hernandez — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · edenpictures — CC BY 2.0 · Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City — CC BY 2.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · edenpictures — CC BY 2.0
An ancient Maya city, among the most important Maya sites and the finest example of the Puuc architectural style of western Yucatán: buildings with smooth lower walls and upper friezes decorated with fine stone mosaics of geometric patterns. It is on UNESCO's list together with nearby Kabah, Sayil and Labná. At the entrance stands the Pyramid of the Magician, the site's tallest building, with unusual rounded corners and steep stairways. Behind it is the Nunnery Quadrangle, four long buildings around a courtyard with façades covered in elaborate stone carving, and the Governor's Palace on a raised platform, counted among the most beautiful buildings of the ancient Americas. Uxmal is far calmer and less crowded than Chichén Itzá, walking between its buildings under the trees is a pleasure, and from its raised platforms you see the whole site and the low forest around it. The site is exposed to the sun, so arrive in the morning and bring water and a hat. A visit is usually combined with the nearby sites of the Puuc Route and a chocolate workshop on the way.
Rare rounded corners.
Fine stone mosaic.
Fewer crowds than Chichén.
About 62 km south of Mérida, an hour and a quarter by road
Yes: its style differs, with fine stone decoration, it is far calmer, and it is close to Mérida.