There are places in the world that take your breath away—some because they are so stunningly beautiful, others because they try to roast you alive like a Sunday chicken. Uxmal, the ancient Maya city in Yucatán, did both.

Let’s start with the obvious: it was hot. Not just a ‘oh, let’s have a cool drink in the shade’ kind of hot, but a ‘who needs a sauna when you can just exist here’ kind of hot. The kind of heat that makes you question all your life choices, especially the one where you thought visiting an exposed archaeological site at noon was a great idea. But did that stop us? Of course not. Les Grumpies are nothing if not determined (and possibly slightly mad).

Why Uxmal Stole Our Hearts (Despite Trying to Kill Us)

Uxmal is not just another Mayan ruin—it’s a masterpiece. While the more famous Chichén Itzá attracts the crowds, Uxmal quietly stands in all its Puuc-style glory, looking like it stepped straight out of an Indiana Jones film (minus the rolling boulders, thankfully).

The name Uxmal means “thrice-built”, though nobody is quite sure why. Some say it refers to the layers of construction; others think it’s just the Maya way of saying “we really liked renovating.” Either way, the result is spectacular.

Fun Facts About Uxmal – Because History Should Be Entertaining

1. The Pyramid of the Magician – The site’s most iconic structure, with its unusual oval shape, looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel. According to legend, it was built overnight by a magical dwarf. Honestly, considering how fast some modern construction projects move, this sounds entirely plausible.

2. No Water, No Problem – Unlike most Maya cities, Uxmal wasn’t built near a cenote (a natural water source). So how did the inhabitants survive? Chacs! No, not a trendy new superfood, but the Maya rain god, whose face is plastered all over the buildings. Apparently, they relied heavily on rainwater collection and some serious divine intervention.

3. Architectural Drama – The Nunnery Quadrangle (which has nothing to do with nuns) features intricate carvings of serpents, masks, and Chaac’s big-nosed face everywhere. It’s basically a 10th-century power statement in stone.

4. Uxmal vs. Chichén Itzá – If Uxmal were a person, it would roll its eyes at Chichén Itzá’s fame. It’s less crowded, more elegant, and doesn’t have vendors aggressively trying to sell you jaguar whistles every two meters.

Surviving Uxmal – Les Grumpies’ Tips for Not Melting

1. Go early or late – Noon in Uxmal is basically an open-air oven. Unfortunately, we ignored this advice. Learn from our mistakes.

2. Hydrate like your life depends on it – Because, well, it does.

3. Wear a hat – Preferably a stylish one, because if you’re going to suffer in the heat, you might as well look good doing it.

4. Embrace the iguanas – They own the place. They will judge you from the ruins. Just accept it.

At the end of the day, despite nearly evaporating into the Yucatán heat, Uxmal was worth every drop of sweat. It’s majestic, mysterious, and oddly serene—even with the sun beating down like an overenthusiastic drum player.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. But next time, we might aim for sunrise. Or bring portable air conditioning.

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