The Puuc Route is located in the southwestern part of the Yucatan below Merida. It consists of a number of ruins: Kabah, Sayil, Labná and the famous Uxmal. The Puuc style is recognizable by its sophisticated architecture made up of clean lines, rounded walls, ornate stone frescoes with intricate patterns, rows of columns and high vaulted arches. Many of the buildings are flat, low elongated built on artificial platforms and laid out in quadrangles. They are perhaps the most elegant ruins in the Maya world.

Loltun (stone flower)

Seven kilometres south of Oxcutzcab, and about 66 kilometres south of Hacienda Temozon are the Loltun Caves. These are the largest known caverns in Yucatan. In addition to being a fabulous natural phenomenon, Loltun is an important archaeological site. These caves contain evidence of humans’ earliest presence in Yucatan. Researchers have found a collection of bones belonging to extinct mammals, including mammoths, dated from 9000 - 7500 BC. Early pre classic ceramics (2000 - 1250 B .C.) have also been discovered here. The most important archaeological find is the relief called "the Warrior", which is just outside the entrance. Researchers believe that it was carved in the Izapan style of Kaminaljuyu, the enormous pre classic site near Guatemala City.

Labna (abandoned house)

Once a city of some 1,500 to 2,500 people, inhabited between 750 to 1,000 Ad. Presently 4 buildings are in a restored state. The palace at this site has 70 "Chultunes" (water cisterns) that are not visible. There is also a artistically intricate arch at this site.

X-Lapak (unglued walls)

A site of some 14 mounds and 3 somewhat restored pyramids. This site and the following are less restored and manicured so you can see how this sites were found. Notice the many carved stones just laying around on the ground.

Sayil (the place of the red ants)

This site is home to the interesting palace that included 90 bedrooms for some 350 people… From the top level of the palace you can see the church at Santa Elena and across the way a tiny ruin on the side of a mountain, which is called "The nine masks". Check out the huge stellae. Dating from 800 - 1,000 Ad.

Kabah (man with strong and powerful hands)

Kabah is famous for its "Palace of Chaac Masks" (The rain god). Also here is the arch that is thought to be the center of the city and the entrance to the "sac-be" (white road Mayan highway) that went to Uxmal.

Uxmal (thrice built)

Located 80 kilometres south of Merida in a range of low hills covered with brush, Uxmal is the largest Maya city of the Puuc region. The city is believed to have been the hub of a district that includes the sites of Kabah, Sayil, Labna, and Xlapak. These sites, largely restored, experienced their golden years between AD 800 - 1000. The characteristics of the Puuc architecture are the thin squares of limestone veneer, decorated cornices, boot-shaped vault stones, rows of attached half columns, and upper facades heavily decorated with stone mosaics. The city is characterized by its quadrangles in which large, elongated, multi roomed buildings orm a closed complex around a square courtyard. The nunnery quadrangle is considered the most outstanding example of Puuc architecture in the Maya world.

Little is known of the origins and development of this important political, economic and learning centre. Although the Maya word Uxmal means "Thrice Built", there is strong evidence that it has been rebuilt 5 times.

Light & sound show schedule: Winter 19hrs., Summer 20hrs.

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