Mexico- Chichen Itza and Uxmal

With coastlines along the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Ocean, Mexico is a unique blend of coastlines, mountains, deserts, and more. It is the seventh major traveler destination according to the WTO, and features some of the most unique beach resorts on the face of the planet. The inexpensive nature of the country means that visitors from all over the world can experience Mexico on a budget that has them living like kings.

Chichen Itza

One of the major centers for the ancient Mayans. Local guides are available who can give you a more detailed trip through the area. The entire city is an ancient site, so walking is the only mode of transportation. There are dozens of buildings to explore in Chichen Itza, ranging from the Temple of the Warriors to the Temple of the Jaguars and the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The surrounding countryside is filled with Mayan ruins as well, meaning you can spend literally weeks here if you want to truly capture the Mayan experience during your trip to the Yucatan.

Uxmal

Ruins which date back to 9th or 10th century and are considered one of the highlights of Puuc (means “hilly country” in Mayan) architecture. The architecture is ornate with elaborately carved stones all over the multi-tiered buildings. They are different than Chichen Itza or Tulum.
Xlapak Mayan Ruins - "Old wall' is a small Maya ruin located 16 miles southeast of Uxmal. Archeological site is divided in two groups: Group 1 is composed of two structures over a basement platform. The most important is the Palace that has 9 rooms  arranged in 3 rows of 3 rooms each. It has 3 entrances at the north side, 3 at the south side and one in each one of the other sides. Above each entrance there are three rows of Chaac masks. Group 2 has a similar building to the Palace of Group 1. This buildings layout and number of rooms is nearly identical to the Palace.

Uxmal Mayan Ruins - Most visible architecture is estimated to have been built between 600 AD and 1100 AD. Uxmal was founded by Hun Uitzil Chac Tutul Xiu around 500 AD. The Xiu family controlled Uxmal until after the Spanish arrival. Before archaeologists began restoration and consolidation activities Uxmal was in better condition than most other Maya sites because of superior construction materials, engineering and work ethic. Most structures were built with well cut stones set into a core of concrete, not relying on plaster to hold the building together. The majority of the structures are built in the Puuc style. The Palace of the Governor is a long low building erected on a huge platform, it is the longest façade in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

The Adivino "Pyramid of the Magician" is unusual in several ways. The perimeter shape is oval, rather than the usual rectangular or square shape. It was a common practice in Mesoamerica to build new temple pyramids directly over older ones, however, the last construction phase of the Adivino (117 ft. tall) was built slightly to the east of the older pyramid, so that on the west side the temple the old pyramid is visible.

The Nunnery Quadrangle  is thought to be the seat of the government. It is the example elaborately carved facades. Both the inside and outside faces of each of the four buildings of this quad have the carved mosaic applied to the upper portions of each. There are 74 small rooms in the four buildings that suraround the courtyard. Each of the four buildings has a unique ornate façade, and each is built on a different level.

Labna Mayan Ruins

Maya site on the Puuc Highway about 10 miles southeast of Kabah. The site was built in the Late and Terminal Classic era. A date corresponding to 862 AD is inscribed in the palace. Labna was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the five main Puuc sites. Structures to see are the Palace with more than 60 rooms, Temple of the Columns, The Mirador atop a pyramidal platform and The Mayan Arch at the entrance of the grand sacbe.

Sayil Mayan Ruins

Located amongst small hills. It was first occupied prior to 250 AD, monumental building began around 600 AD but was at its zenith between 700 AD and 1000 AD. The maximum population is estimated to have been less than 10,000. Sayil was an ally to Uxmal due to its much smaller size and its close proximity.  Structures to visit are El Palacio that is 3 stories tall with 98 room and 280 feet long, El Mirador which is a small 5 room Chenes style structure with a roof comb and the ball court.
Kabah Mayan Ruins

Kabah is 12 miles south of Uxmal and is connected by a sacbe to that city. This sacbe is a grand example at 12 miles long, 16 feet wide, at places more than 20 feet thick, with a monumental arches at both ends. Kabah is the second largest ruin of the Puuc region after Uxmal. Most of the visible architecture was built between the 600 AD to 1000 AD. The most famous structure at Kabah is the "Palace of the Masks", the façade decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac; it is also known as the Codz Poop, meaning "Rolled Matting".