Uxmal and Kabah tour from Mérida: Puuc ruins and chocolate museum

Two pyramid sites, one chocolate museum, and a typical Yucatán meal in a single day

This guided tour from Mérida visits Uxmal and Kabah, the largest Puuc-style archaeological zones in the region, with a certified guide walking you through structures and legends at each site. The day includes round-trip transportation from Mérida, a three-course meal at a local restaurant, and entry to Choco Story, where you explore the history of ancient cocoa, walk through botanical gardens with cocoa trees, and visit an animal shelter housing rescued endemic fauna. The tour runs 10 hours, departing at 8am and returning by 5:30pm, with bilingual guides (Spanish and English) and an air-conditioned van.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Uxmal, Kabah, and Chocolate Museum

• Start tour at 8:00 a.m.
• Travel 45 minutes from Merida
• Stop at store for snacks and water
• Drive to Uxmal archaeological site
• Guided tour of Uxmal ruins
• Visit Kabah archaeological site with guide
• Enjoy a typical three-course meal
• Tour the interactive Chocolate Museum
• Explore botanical gardens and animal shelter
• Return to Merida, arrive by 5:30 p.m.

The Experience

The tour leaves Mérida at 8am in a modern, air-conditioned van. After a 45-minute drive, you stop at a self-service store to pick up water and snacks, then continue another 1.5 hours to Uxmal. A certified guide leads a two-hour walk through the site, pointing out the distinctive Puuc architectural style—the stacked-stone facades and geometric patterns that define these structures—and sharing the legends tied to them. Uxmal is the larger of the two archaeological zones you'll see that day.

From Uxmal, the van takes you to Kabah, the second-largest religious center built in the Puuc style and designated a State Park in 1993. Your guide spends an hour here walking you through the structures and explaining how this site connects to Uxmal's history and design. By midday, you stop for lunch at the Halach Huinic restaurant, where a three-course meal (starter, main course, and dessert) is included and you choose what you want at each course.

The final stop is Choco Story, an interactive chocolate museum that traces cocoa from its ancient Mayan origins through its global spread to modern uses. The museum uses a series of cabins to show traditional Mayan preparation methods and the plant's history. Beyond the museum itself, you can walk the botanical gardens planted with cocoa trees and visit an animal shelter where rescued endemic wildlife—species found only in the Yucatán—are on display. There's also a meliponary (a stingless bee sanctuary) and a play area if you're traveling with children. The return drive to Mérida takes 1.5 hours, with arrival between 5pm and 5:30pm.

What’s included

• Certified guide in Spanish and English.
• round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van from Mérida with a cooler on board for drinks you bring.
• three-course meal at a local restaurant with your choice at each course.
• entrance ticket to Choco Story with access to the chocolate museum, botanical gardens, animal shelter, and meliponary.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viajes Colibrí Yucatán TOURS

Is this one for you?Most Yucatán tours from Mérida focus on one site or require you to arrange your own transport between stops. This one packs two major archaeological zones, a cultural museum, and a meal into a single organized day—the certified guide handles the history and legends at each stop, the van handles the driving, and the timing means you're back in Mérida by early evening instead of spending half the day on logistics.

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Top questions

What is the Puuc style and why does it matter at Uxmal and Kabah?

Puuc is an architectural style unique to the Yucatán, defined by stacked-stone facades and geometric patterns. Both Uxmal and Kabah were built using this style, and your certified guide explains the structures and legends at each site so you understand what you're looking at instead of just walking past it.

Is the meal included, and can I choose what I eat?

Yes, a three-course meal at the Halach Huinic restaurant is included. You choose from options at each course—starter, main course, and dessert—so you're not locked into a single menu.

What happens at Choco Story besides the museum tour?

Choco Story includes the interactive museum showing cocoa's history and Mayan preparation methods, plus access to botanical gardens with living cocoa trees, an animal shelter with rescued endemic fauna, and a meliponary (stingless bee sanctuary). There's also a play area for children.

How much walking is involved, and what should I wear?

You walk for two hours at Uxmal and one hour at Kabah, plus additional walking through Choco Story's gardens and exhibits. Wear comfortable clothes, light colors, and sturdy walking shoes. The operator recommends a moderate level of physical fitness and advises having a good breakfast before departure.

Do I need to bring cash for the archaeological sites?

Yes. Entrance fees to Uxmal and Kabah can only be paid in cash because cellular signal is limited in the area. Plan accordingly before you leave Mérida.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Included are round-trip transportation from Mérida, a certified bilingual guide, the three-course meal, and entry to Choco Story. Drinks at the restaurant are not included in the meal, and archaeological site entrance fees must be paid in cash on arrival.