Mexico 2012 RV Trip – Day 23, January 19, 2012 Uxmal - Celestun

This morning we walked over to the ruins to arrange a tour. The posted cost for and English tour is $550 pesos ($40USD). We were hoping to find some other folks to split the cost, but the two other English speaking groups we met were just going to wander on their own. The guide manager offered us the tour for $350 pesos (about $26USD), so we decided to take it. I guess they figured $26 is better than nothing!

Our tour guide, Ricardo, did a nice job explaining the history of the ruins and the Mayan culture during the 1-1/2 hour tour. Construction at Uxmal began about 600BC, but the “glory” years when most of the temples were built was between 600AD-1000AD. These may be the most beautiful of the Mayan ruins with lots of decorative and intricate stone work and facades. Uxmal was originally a walled city. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
There are a number of big structures, one being the Pyramid of the Magician, which is the first you see upon entering Uxmal. It is the tallest of the buildings. The Pyramid of the Magician was supposed to have been constructed over one night, thus getting its name.

We were able to climb to the top of the Great Pyramid. Tobey more or less shamed me into joining him – I really don’t like heights so it was quite a challenge for me! The view was breathtaking … but then we had to come back down!

We left Uxmal about 2pm heading to Celestun, on the Gulf of Mexico. Tobey said that the highway is like an American highway – fairly smooth and flat and he was able to drive 60 mph!

We arrived in time to find a nice free spot on the beach where we are spending the night. We met a really nice young man, Beto, who lives here. His family is building Villas del Mar which will have gated beachfront RV parking  in addition to some kitchenette type rentals about 3 blocks from here. They have horses you can ride and kayak rentals. Tobey walked there with him and they had a nice conversation. He is a Broncos football fan, too!

We walked down the beach after this glorious sunset and had a WONDERFUL dinner at Restaurant LaPlayita. There was so much food we had to bring our leftovers home for lunch tomorrow! Delicious.

Tomorrow we plan to see the flamingos!

GPS 20.85798°N, 90.40228°W