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Additional information about the 'Puuc-route' (Hilly-route):
An interesting tour that gives you an overview of the Mayan civilization awaits you just 50 miles south of Merida. Known as the Puuc (hilly) Route, the sites include Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, X-Lapak, Labna and the caves of Loltun. Each of the sites has restored Mayan pyramids and other structures, covered with brush, tree and jungle, much the way early explorers and archaeologists found them.
LABNA
Once a city of some 1,500 to 2,500 people, inhabited between 750 to 1000 AD. Presently 4 buildings are in a restored state. Notice the caretakers open thatched roof home as you enter the site. The palace at this site has 70 chultunes (water cisterns) that are not visible.
There is also an artistically intricate arch at this site.
X-LAPAK
X-Lapak (shla-POCK) which means "unglued walls", a site of some 14 mounds and three somewhat restored pyramids. This site and Sayil are less restored and manicured so you can see what the sites looked like when they were discovered. Notice the many carved stones just laying around on the ground.
SAYIL
Sayil (say-YEEL), which means "The Place of the Ants". At the entrance you will see an outdoor museum under a thatched roof. Check out the huge stellar dating from 800-1000 AD. This site is home to a beautiful 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". There are restrooms here.
KABAH
Kabah is famous for its "Palace of Chaac Masks" (Chaac is the Mayan rain god). Also here is the much photographed arch that is thought to be the center of the city and the entrance to the sacbe (white road or Mayan highway) that went to Uxmal.
UXMAL
Uxmal means "the thrice built city" with the colossal "Magicians Pyramids", impressive "Goveners Palace", intricate "Doves Temple" and the grand "Nuns Quadrangle".
If you are still there at night;
be sure to see the spectacular Light & Sound show that happens every evening.