Santa Elena Attractions
Uxmal Archeological Zone
Km 78 on Highway 261
Whether as a day trip from Mérida or part of a longer stay in southern Yucatán state, the splendor of Uxmal is not to be missed – it is truly one of Mexico's cultural treasures...
Ruta Puuc Tour
Highways 261 and 180
When visiting Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, take a day trip along the Puuc Route and visit the Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Labna, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Mayapan, pre-historic Loltun Caves, and the interesting small towns of Santa Elena, Ticul, and Oxkutxcob...
Xlapak Archeological Zone
on Highway 31, near the intersection with Highway 261
When exploring the Ruta Puuc chain of Mayan ruins south of Merida, Yucatan near Uxmal, stop at Xlapak, whose largely unexcavated state makes for a jungly, Indiana Jones-style visit a Mexican archeological site...
Labna Archeological Zone
Near the intersection of Highways 261 and 31
The hill town of Labná flourished between 600 and 900 AD. Its exquisite Mayan arch is alone worth a visit to the site, one of five archeology zones in the Ruta Puuc south of Merida and Uxmal, on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico...
Sayil Archeological Zone
Sayil is located 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) south of the archaeological sites of Kabah, 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from Xlapak and 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from Labná.
Sayil is one of four Mayan archeological sites on the Ruta Puuc south of Merida and Uxmal on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The striking North Palace was the three-story residence of this Mayan city's ruling family...
Kabah Archeological Zone
Highway 261, 9 km from Santa Elena
One of most fantastic buildings in all the Maya world is found at Kabáh on the Ruta Puuc south of Merida and Uxmal on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula: the Codz Poop, or "Wall of Masks." Covering the facade are 260 stone masks depicting the rain god Chac, one for each day of the Mayan sacred calendar...
The Best of NileGuide
There’s never a reason to be bored in Santa Elena. There are just too many things to do. Start with the must-see attractions, move to the big sights and fine museums, check out some tours, dig in to some outdoor activities, and work your way down to the between-the-cracks, off-the-beaten-path gems. Just leave some time to catch your breath.
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