Puuc Route Trip Details Driving Distances

• Merida to Uxmal ~80 Km (~1 hr). Be prepared to get lost in Uman!
• Uxmal to Kabah 23 Km (~20 mts)
• Kabah to Grutas de Loltun ~35 Km (~30 - 45 mts)
• Uxmal to Edzna ~150 Km (~2 hrs)
• Edzna to Palanque ~ 360 Km (~4 hrs). You need to cross a toll bridge when you enter Chiapas. Toll costs 18 pesos (March 2005)

What NOT to miss

• Uxmal - and the climb up the Grand Piramide.
• Kabah - El Palacio de los Mascarones is quite good.
• Grutas de Loltun - It does not qualify as a must see. But will be a welcome change from the ruins and the sweltering heat.
• Ruins of Edzna and the view from the top of the edificio de cinco pisos.
• Palanque - this is the best Mayan site in Mexico. Don't miss the museum as well. The entry to Pakal's tomb might be closed. Please check at the museum for tickets, if open. Also don't miss the view from the top of the templo de la cruz.
• I heard the nearby Agua Azul, Agua Clara and Misol-Ha falls are a worth a stop. We didn't have time to check them out.
• The Bonampak ruins (140 Km from Palanque) has the best preserved murals amongst all Mayan ruins. Heard that this one and the ruins of Yaxchilan are worth driving to. Did not do these either. Hence can't vouch for it.

What is OK To miss

• Sayil, Labna and Xlapak
• Uxmal sound and light show. The lighting is good. But the 45 min show is quite a drag.

Stay

• We stayed at the Rancho Uxmal. Very decent rooms. Cost was 350 pesos (March 2005) for a private room with a double bed, A/C and an attached bath.
• We stayed at Hotel Posada Toucan in Palanque. It was one of the best places we had overnighted on the trip. A double bed (with A/C and bath) was 350 pesos (March 2005)

Misc.

• Grutas de Loltun have groups leaving at specific times. Check the current timings so that you won't end up waiting long for a group. You cannot explore the caves on your own. All guides don't speak english. Request one at the counter. Remember that you need to tip the english speaking guide more as he will cater to a smaller group. We tipped him 50 pesos for two people (2005 prices)
• In this region only Oxcatzub and Ticul have petrol stations. We went to the one in Oxcatzub. It was quite an adventure locating it!
• Please keep aside at least a couple of days when visiting Palanque. We were unable to check out the nearby ruins, forests, lakes, falls etc. as we had only one morning planned for Palanque.

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