Watch closely as the mystifying history and culture of the ancient Maya people is revealed on a full-day expedition of Uxmal, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. Watch closely as the mystifying history and culture of the ancient Maya people is revealed on a full-day expedition of Uxmal, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. A 90-minute motor coach ride leads you to what many consider the most beautiful of Mayan ruin sites. Encompassing 150 acres, Uxmal was founded in 500 A.D. as a political hub and housed some 25,000 residents until its abandonment in the 1550s. As you walk alongside an informative guide, admire the site’s Puuc architecture and learn about the astronomical significance of its layout. View elaborately carved facades at the Nunnery Quadrangle, named due to its similarities to a Spanish convent. See the ball court constructed for playing the Mesoamerica ballgame and the long mosaic edifices of the Governor’s Palace. The House of the Turtles is aptly named for its frieze of small turtles lining the building. Uxmal’s tallest structure, the massive Pyramid off the Magician, is a sight to behold. Standing 115 feet high, it dominates the ceremonial center with an unusual elliptical design. Here you’ll also hear Yucatec Maya folklore about its magical dwarf. A box lunch and refreshments will be served on the return trip back to port.