The peaceful community of Santa Elena lies smack-dab in the middle of the Puuc Route, just 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) east of Uxmal and seven kilometers (4.3 miles) north of {node:34575 link Kabah], the first of the smaller sites.

It’s a pleasant and convenient base for exploring the entire region, with two fine lodging options, a couple good restaurants, and an impressive church.

Getting There

Like almost everywhere on the Puuc Route, Santa Elena is easiest to reach and negotiate if you have a car. That said, many people do visit by bus and do just fine. Second-class buses between Campeche City and Mérida pass in both directions on Highway 261, a block from Flycatcher Inn and right in front of Bungalows Sacbe.

To see the ruins, you can catch the ATS Puuc Route bus from Mérida as is passes through Santa Elena, at around 9:15 a.m. every morning. It stops for 25–30 minutes at each of the four smaller Puuc ruins, before returning to Uxmal, passing back through Santa Elena. You can get off then, or continue to Uxmal and catch a Campeche-bound bus back to Santa Elena later in the afternoon.