Last Updated on twenty eighth February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Step into millennia of historical Mayan historical past while you go to Chichen Itza. One of the New Wonders of the world, this historic website was constructed by the Yucatan’s native Maya inhabitants, lengthy earlier than Spanish colonialists made it to the nation.
Think of Chichen Itza, and also you’ll initially consider pyramids. While El Castillo is a vital a part of the complicated, Chichen Itza was really an historical Mayan metropolis. Most consultants date it to be no less than 1,500 years outdated, and it has a remarkably well-preserved choice of pyramid-shaped buildings (that had been historic temples) and different ruins.
By touring round Chichen Itza, you’ll be taught concerning the area’s fascinating prehistory, whereas taking in among the Yucatan’s finest landscapes! Here’s a full information to visiting Chichen Itza.
Why you should go to Chichen Itza
One of the brand new seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza combines historical structure with tropical surroundings; it’s probably the most immersive locations in Mexico the place you’ll be able to educate your self concerning the Maya.
The Mayans had been a sophisticated historical inhabitants who constructed cities, created pottery and artisanal merchandise, studied the night time sky and used their findings to jot down calendars and created mathematical creations.
The finest approach to expertise Mayan findings is to delve proper into them; which you are able to do as you see the awe-inspiring buildings of Chichen Itza, imagining how folks used them for worship, play and schooling hundreds of years in the past.
How to get to Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is accessible from Valladolid, Merida, Tulum and Cancun; when you’re visiting Mexico primarily to go to Chichen Itza, you’ll wish to fly into the big worldwide airport in Cancun.
Many guests select to hire a automotive and do a Yucatan highway journey – there are many unimaginable locations to see, and most of the cenotes are solely accessible when you have your individual two wheels!
Plus, driving on this a part of Mexico is often safer than elsewhere (simply have a transparent concept of the place you’re going, converse to locals to evaluate any risks and don’t drive at night time, simply to be protected).
However, when you don’t wish to hire a automotive, Chichen Itza is well-serviced by bus routes. ADO is a coach firm that serves this a part of Mexico. Their autos are spacious, snug and protected, and so they join Chichen Itza with Merida, Tulum and Cancun.
The journey instances are as follows:
- From Merida: one hour half-hour
- From Tulum: two hours 40 miuntes
- From Cancun: three hours
If you’ve got time in your Mexico journey, I extremely suggest spending a few nights in Valladolid. It’s a lovely colonial metropolis, with charming historic streets, brightly colored buildings and an atmospheric sq. the place there’s at all times a parade. It’s additionally in proximity to most of the finest cenotes within the space.
You can take ADO buses from Merida, Tulum and Cancun to Valladolid as effectively.
If you’re pushed for time and wish to just remember to see the encircling highlights in addition to Chichen Itza, I like to recommend partaking in a tour. Tours are bookable on Get Your Guide from Tulum, Merida and Cancun.
The excursions incorporate the Izamal pyramid, Cenote Chichikan, Ek’Balam and Cenote Saamal. You’ll be capable of step again in historical Mayan historical past, take a swim in a shiny blue cenote and discover the cities and villages of the Yucatan peninsula, together with an English-speaking information and expert driver.
Here are all the hyperlinks to e-book the excursions!
Hotel suggestions
While you don’t want to remain in a lodge at Chichen Itza – it’s simple to entry from most of the Yucatan peninsula’s hottest cities and cities – you’ll be able to assure that you simply’ll be on the historic website earlier than the tour teams, and when you go to later within the day, you’ll be able to keep till the final vacationers peter out!
Here are among the finest choices for lodges close to Chichen Itza:
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa: This luxurious eco-friendly resort has conventional Mexican structure, it’s positioned simply steps away from Chichen Itza and gives elegant rooms, a full-service spa, and a lovely out of doors pool. Check costs and availability right here.
Hotel Villas Arqueológica Chichén Itzá: This reasonably priced lodge is within the Chichen Itza archaeological website, only a five-minute stroll from the ruins, and gives shiny and welcoming rooms and a hearty restaurant. Check costs and availability right here.
Hotel Okaan: This luxurious retreat is positioned within the close by city of Pisté, a ten minute drive from Chichen Itza, and gives trendy rooms with cover beds and lovely swimming swimming pools in tropical environment. Check costs and availability right here.
Things to see at Chichen Itza
While you’re exploring Chichen Itza, don’t miss the next highlights:
El Castillo
Also generally known as the Temple of Kukulcan, El Castillo is the construction that everybody thinks of after they hear about Chichen Itza!
This pyramid is 30 metres tall (which is 100 metres smaller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, nevertheless it’s nonetheless spectacular!), and it has 91 steps on every of its 4 sides.
There’s a remaining step on the high, making a complete of 365 – the identical because the variety of days within the 12 months. The positioning of El Castillo is important too; it’s speculated to be aligned with the solar.
Temple of the Warriors
A 12 metre excessive construction, the Temple of Warriors was used to host gatherings and festivities; the truth is, it’s the one late Maya constructing that was giant sufficient to host celebrations.
There’s additionally a tenth – twelfth century reclining Chac Mool – a specific pre-Columbian Mesoamerican sculpture.
The Great Ball Court
The Mayans weren’t that totally different to folks these days; they performed ball video games similar to folks right now may play soccer or basketball! The Great Ball Court is the place the traditional Mayans performed pok-ta-pok.
This was a recreation involving hitting a ball via a basketball-style hoop on the finish of the court docket – the one catch was gamers should hit it with their hip or facet – no toes, heads or toes are allowed! It’s a remarkably well-preserved court docket and you may stroll the entire method via it.
El Caracol
Translating to “snail” in Spanish, El Caraol was an observatory construction the place Mayan folks would look into the skies, analysing the star constellations and night time sky.
It enabled them to check the moon and planets like Venus and Mars, which helped the traditional folks to progress their schooling and information, which served as a foundation for a lot of what we all know right now.
Cenote Sagrado
Cenote Sagrado, generally known as “Sacred Cenote”, is a sinkhole stuffed with water that, because the identify suggests, was a holy place for the pre-Hispanic Mayan folks.
It was initially someplace the place folks would make choices to the water gods; this finally changed into human sacrifices! Knowing that, you in all probability wouldn’t wish to anyway, however swimming is strictly forbidden.
Tzompantli
Tzompantli is a wall with carvings of skulls, used for displaying the skulls of sacrificial victims from rival kingdoms. There are a couple of of those in different historical Mexican websites, and so they all pose as a chilling reminder of the sinister sacrifices of the Mayan world.
Tips for visiting Chichen Itza
There are some things that it’s best to contemplate when visiting Chichen Itza. Here are a few of my finest ideas!
Be cautious of the solar
First, remember that Chichen Itza doesn’t have a lot shade; and the Mexican solar might be robust, irrespective of the time of 12 months! So remember that the solar might be harsh as you discover.
I’d suggest sporting lengthy, mild garments, a wide-brimmed hat and making use of issue 50 sunscreen liberally.
Plus, drink loads of water earlier than, throughout and after to keep away from warmth exhaustion; it’s also possible to buy electrolyte drinks from 7/11 retailers in Mexico.
Arrive early
In an analogous vein, you’ll be able to beat the warmth by arriving on the historical website early.
The climate begins heating up at round 10:00 am; so when you arrive at 8:00 am, it’s best to be capable of have a few hours to see the highlights! This additionally lets you keep away from crowds, as most tour teams don’t enter till 10:00 am.
Hire a information
There’s a little bit of details about the location on boards as you stroll round, however you may wish to rent an English-speaking information that can assist you be taught concerning the website some extra.
There are loads of guides providing their companies on the entrance; they often have one worth per group – just remember to focus on this earlier than you’re taking the tour and have the money to pay them.
Are you prepared to go to Chichen Itza?
A should on most individuals’s Mexico bucket lists, this surprise of the world is an awe-inspiring complicated that leaves most guests starstruck and desperate to be taught extra concerning the nation’s native folks.
While it’s visited by as much as two million vacationers annually, there are nonetheless a couple of issues to contemplate when planning a visit there – and we’ve lined all of them on this information – don’t neglect to put it aside for reference while you’re there!
Enjoyed studying about one of the best of Chichen Itza? Pin this text now, learn it once more later:
Claire Martin is a journey blogger and freelance author who specialises in overland adventures. She’s drove round Australia, travelled from Bali to London with out flying, lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe. You can observe her adventures on her weblog, Claire’s Footsteps.