My Honest 2025 Review: The 2-Day Yucatan Tour to Uxmal and Izamal

So You’re Thinking About a Different Kind of Mexico Trip?

So, you’ve probably seen all the pictures of Cancun’s beaches, right? I mean, they are really quite nice, and so on. Yet, a little part of you might be looking for something with a bit more story, you know? That was basically me. I wanted to feel the history that is literally all over the Yucatan Peninsula. So, a two-day trip to see Uxmal and Izamal felt like, well, just the right kind of adventure. This is not really your typical beach-flop holiday; it’s more or less an exploration into a past that feels almost tangible. As a matter of fact, it’s for people who are sort of curious about the grand societies that came before the Spanish arrived. You just get to see a part of Mexico that many people, frankly, miss.

Day One Morning: Honestly, You Just Aren’t Ready for Uxmal

Alright, let me be totally honest with you, no picture actually prepares you for Uxmal. You arrive, probably a little sleepy from the morning drive, and then, you know, you see it. The Pyramid of the Magician is, like, this huge, smooth-sided thing that pretty much seems to defy gravity. Apparently, it has these odd, rounded sides which are very different from the blocky steps of Chichen Itza. We actually spent a good while just staring at it from the entrance. The entire site is covered in this ridiculously detailed Puuc architecture; you could literally spend an hour just looking at one wall and its carvings of masks and snakes and stuff.

A really good piece of advice is to just wander past the main pyramid at first. We found that the Governor’s Palace, with its incredibly long and decorated facade, was somehow almost more stunning. It’s really out on its own, so you get these amazing, sweeping views. Anyway, make sure you have some seriously comfortable shoes, because the grounds are quite expansive. The sun is also, as you might guess, pretty intense, so a hat and water are basically non-negotiable. Walking through the Nunnery Quadrangle, with its four different and elaborate buildings, kind of makes you feel very small. You’re just walking through history, you know?

Okay, I was sort of expecting ruins, but this was different. Uxmal feels more or less like a complete, abandoned city that you’ve just stumbled upon. It’s pretty magical, to be honest.

That Afternoon Feeling: Cenotes and Seriously Good Food

So, after a morning of having your mind blown by ancient architecture, you are going to be really hot and probably quite hungry. This is, like, a perfect moment in the trip. The next stop was a cenote, which is basically one of those natural underground swimming holes the Yucatan is famous for. Honestly, jumping into that cool, clear water after walking in the sun is a feeling I can’t even, you know, fully describe. It just completely resets you. The one we visited was sort of a cave cenote, with tree roots dangling down from the ceiling, which was absolutely beautiful.

Then, of course, came the food. Lunch was at a little local place that served real Yucatecan dishes. I mean, we’re talking about things like cochinita pibil, which is this slow-roasted pork that’s just incredibly tender and flavorful. And we tried sopa de lima, a chicken soup with a really distinct lime taste that is so, so good. To be honest, eating this food, cooked in a traditional way, felt like just as much of a cultural experience as the ruins did. It’s like you’re tasting the history of the region, and so on. It’s a pretty necessary part of the whole experience, frankly.

Arriving in Izamal: You Know, the Real-Life City of Gold

Right, so after the cenote, we continued on to Izamal, and it’s a place that is genuinely hard to believe is real. They call it ‘The Yellow City,’ and they are not kidding at all. Nearly every single building, from the giant convent to the little corner shops, is painted this one specific shade of golden-yellow. It’s actually a bit surreal, in a way. The effect, especially in the late afternoon sun, is just incredible. The whole town basically glows.

The centerpiece of the town is, of course, the Convento de San Antonio de Padua. It’s this huge Franciscan monastery, and as a matter of fact, it was built directly on top of the base of a massive Mayan pyramid. You can still feel the history under your feet, you know? The atrium inside is apparently the second-largest in the world, right after the Vatican, and standing in the middle of it is a really peaceful experience. For a great view, you should definitely climb the main surviving pyramid in town, Kinich Kak Moo. It’s a fairly easy climb, and from the top, you can pretty much see the whole yellow city spread out below you, which is seriously an unforgettable sight.

Day Two: Okay, More Magic and Some Real Mayan Chocolate

So, waking up in Izamal is just a little bit magical. The streets are really quiet in the morning, and seeing the yellow walls light up as the sun rises is just, well, something else. We spent some time just walking around, checking out the local market, and, you know, just soaking it all in. Instead of rushing off, you sort of want to savor the peaceful vibe of the place.

On the road back towards our starting point, we made a stop at a cacao museum. Now, this isn’t just a boring museum with displays and stuff; it’s actually really interactive. They show you how the ancient Mayans used cacao beans—which was very different from how we think of chocolate today. They made this spicy, frothy drink that was apparently reserved for royalty. You actually get to see the process and then taste it for yourself. To be honest, it was a really fun and pretty delicious way to connect with another part of the region’s deep history. It’s definitely a better souvenir than a t-shirt, right?

So, Should You Actually Book This 2-Day Trip?

Okay, at the end of the day, is this kind of trip the right choice for you? Well, if you are the sort of person who gets excited by history you can touch and see, then yes, absolutely. It’s perfect for photographers, you know, because both Uxmal and Izamal are incredibly photogenic. It’s also really great for anyone who feels like they want to get a more authentic sense of the Yucatan away from the big tourist resorts. It’s for people who, frankly, want a story to tell when they get home.

On the other hand, you may want to skip this if you’re traveling with very young kids who might get a bit tired of walking around old sites. And, obviously, if your idea of a perfect vacation is lying on a beach with a book for a week straight, this might be a little too active for you. You have two main options for doing a trip like this: you can rent a car, which gives you lots of freedom, or you can book an organized tour, which, you know, takes care of all the planning for you. Both are good options; it just depends on your travel style, really. Anyway, just pack light clothing, good shoes, and a very open mind.

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