Uxmal — The Lost Codices

Your quest for the codices begins at the Pirámide del Adivino, an ovoid structure 35 meters high, one of the few circular pyramids in the Mayan region. Built between 850 and 925 AD in the Puuc architectural style, its smooth base walls and complex upper-level decorations are characteristic of this era. According to local Mayan tradition, this pyramid was erected in a single night by a dwarf, son of a witch born from an egg. Exploring this Mayan archaeological site, you decipher the first clues leading you to the well-kept secrets of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The path then leads you to the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas, a complex of four buildings forming a quadrangle around a central courtyard, located north of the Juego de Pelota. Also built between 850 and 925 AD, at the zenith of the city of Uxmal, this complex is a remarkable example of the Puuc style with its intricate stone carvings, geometric patterns, and openwork designs. Here, you discover hidden inscriptions and symbols that, according to local Mérida guides, could reveal the location of the codices, those precious documents that have endured centuries in the Yucatán Peninsula.

Continuing your exploration of the Mayan archaeological site, you arrive at the Palacio del Gobernador, a central element of the urban complex located south of the Juego de Pelota. Built between 850 and 925 AD, this palace is a masterpiece of the Puuc style, with its facade adorned with complex decorations and geometric motifs. This administrative and ceremonial center of the ancient city of Uxmal holds fragments of information about Mayan rituals and knowledge, essential for unlocking the next stage of your GPS treasure hunt. The architectural richness of Uxmal testifies to the grandeur of the Mayan civilization, whose history is palpable with every step.

Your itinerary then takes you to the Gran Pirámide, another major structure of the Uxmal archaeological site, whose construction also spans between 850 and 925 AD, a period of maximum expansion. This pyramid, with its multiple sections and parts still undergoing excavation, features the same Puuc style of smooth walls at the base and complex decorations on the upper levels. The Gran Pirámide, like the cenotes in the Yucatán region such as Cenote de Sambula, was an anchor point for rituals and astronomical observations, practices that could guide you to the truth behind the codices. The pre-Columbian archaeology of the Puuc region is a cornerstone of Mexican culture.

Finally, you arrive at the Juego de Pelota, the only structure of its kind in the Puuc region, positioned between the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas and the Palacio del Gobernador. This is where Pok-ta-Pok was played, considered the first team sport in history, a highly competitive game whose visible baskets today give an idea of the initial configuration. Similar courts have been discovered as far as Guatemala, highlighting the importance of this sport. By solving the final enigma at the heart of this historic court, you uncover the information that will allow you to reconstruct the history of the lost codices, thus completing your Yucatán outdoor escape game. This interactive visit will have immersed you in the heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula, just 78 kilometers from Mérida.