Chichen Itza, Mexico
The history of Chichén Itzá is non for the faint of heart. These ancient Mayan temple ruins inwards United Mexican States are shrouded inwards mystery together with receive got a way of haunting yous long afterwards returning.
Once yous in conclusion acquire yesteryear an regular army of local vendors at the entrance, the ancient rock carvings of fearsome creatures together with bloodthirsty warriors at Chichen Itza inspire awe together with trigger unease at the same time.
This pre-Hispanic metropolis (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) has a fascinating 1,000-year-old history. It is the 2nd most visited archaeological site inwards Mexico, partly due to its closed proximity to Cancun.
Located inwards the Yucatan Penninsula, the ruins are extensive together with embrace 740 acres. Many sections receive got all the same never been excavated.
While wandering or hence this massive archaeological site inwards Mexico, I kept wondering what hidden treasures lay undiscovered beneath my feet.
In this go guide, you’ll larn tips for visiting Chichen Itza, along amongst some interesting history nigh the most popular Mayan ruins inwards Mexico.
My Chichen Itza Travel Guide
History Of Chichen Itza
One affair that makes the Chichen Itza hence intriguing, other than the giant rock pyramid, is the mysterious turn down of the Maya people themselves.
By the fourth dimension of the Spanish conquest of the Maya, this slap-up metropolis together with others similar it were virtually ghost towns.
Historians receive got several theories equally to why. Overpopulation may receive got depleted environmental resources. H5N1 slap-up drought or some other catastrophe may receive got wiped out the civilization.
Competing city-states were constantly at state of war likewise — the Maya may receive got only done themselves in.
In whatever case, Mexico’s most famous ruins are astonishingly well-restored site compared to other Mayan ruins inwards the region. Which is why it’s considered i of the New 7 Wonders Of The World.
Travel Video: Mysterious Chichen Itza
(Click to sentinel Chichen Itza – Mexico’s Wonder Of The World on YouTube)
El Castillo Pyramid
Once yous movement into Chichen Itza, yous can’t immature lady the 98-foot tall pyramid Temple Of Kukulkan (aka “El Castillo”) which dominates the northern portion of the city. Not equally large equally the pyramids of Giza, but impressive nonetheless!
Kukulkan is a feathered ophidian deity inwards the Mayan religion. The pyramid is guarded yesteryear enormous carved serpent heads at the base of operations of the stairs.
The Mesoamerican fascination amongst stars together with planets hateful the pyramid’s iv stairways stand upward for the iv points of a compass. There are 365 steps too, i for each 24-hour interval inwards the solar calendar.
Nine terraces in all likelihood symbolize the Maya belief inwards a nine-level sky too.
If yous REALLY desire a treat, see El Castillo inwards March or September during the annual equinoxes. At sunset, a play of calorie-free together with shadow creates the eerie termination of a ophidian gradually slithering downwardly the staircase…
Scientists lately discovered this pyramid actually has 2 to a greater extent than pyramids within it.
Temple Of The Warriors
The Temple Of The Warriors is some other impressive construction at Chichen Itza. Some of the 200 columns on the southward side describe warriors inwards bas-relief.
The columns in i trial supported a roof organisation that is long gone.
Also known equally the Hall of the Thousand Columns, this grand infinite powerfulness receive got been a coming together house or an indoor market.
A Chac Mool tops the wide staircase, distinctive statues establish throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Reclining figures asset bowls amongst their heads turned at a 90-degree angle together with propped on their elbows.
They powerfulness stand upward for temple guardians or slain warriors bearing gifts to Chac, the god of rain.
In Maya religious ceremonies, rock dishes in all likelihood held offerings such equally incense, tobacco, tamales or tortillas. In Aztec rituals, they to a greater extent than probable held human hearts.
The Maya Ball Court
Off to the left of the principal pyramid, you’ll observe the famed Maya ball court. While many sites include ball courts, the i at Chichen Itza is the largest inwards the world.
Maya athletes played a game where the object was to seat a safe ball (representing the sun) into a small-scale rock circle perched rattling high on a wall, without using your hands OR feet.
Some carvings advise that the winning team’s captain was decapitated, which was a sign of honor. The ball game is over 3,500 years old, making it the commencement organized game inwards the history of sports.
Some of the games were played to resolve arguments betwixt challenger cities or equally an choice to all-out war.
Cenote De Los Sacrificios
Chichen Itza agency “mouth of the good of Itza” inwards the local Maya language. One possible translation of Itza is “enchanted water.” The Yucatan is covered inwards cenotes — distinctive limestone sinkholes that cast natural pools.
Cenotes receive got deep spiritual significance for the Maya. Many scholars believe Chichen Itza was built entirely because of the large cenote located here, which provided people amongst fresh water.
Cenote de los Sacrificios (also known equally the Sacred Cenote) measures nigh 200 feet across amongst sheer cliffs that drib to the water’s surface. During severe droughts, worshippers tried to appease their pelting god Chac yesteryear sacrificing exceptional items or people (!) they weren’t rattling fond of.
Dredging this cenote uncovered thousands of artifacts made of gold, jade together with copper. Numerous human skeletons amongst sacrificial wounds littered the depths equally well…
More Cool Archeological Structures
Tzompantli agency “wall of skulls,” together with this side yesteryear side attraction lives upward to its name. The large platform supported stakes on which decapitated human heads were impaled on top of each other.
The unfortunate victims were enemies defeated inwards battle or prisoners of state of war sacrificed to the gods. Whimsical skull carvings or hence the base of operations are a overnice touch.
This exhibit would receive got scared the living daylights out of would-be enemies.
A to a greater extent than elaborate platform nearby is known equally House of the Eagles. Its motif is similarly creepy. Eagles together with jaguars, symbolizing Toltec sacrificial warriors depicted clutching human hearts.
One of the most interesting structures is El Caracol, which functioned equally an observatory. There are many to a greater extent than fascinating stops at Chichen Itza, hence excogitation to pass at to the lowest degree 3 – 4 hours to consider it all.
Swimming In Cenotes Nearby
While yous can’t swim inwards the cenote at Chichen Itza itself (unless yous desire to bring together the skeletons at the bottom!) in that place are others nearby where yous can.
The closest cenote, together with most pop amongst tour buses, is called Ik Kil. While it’s a pretty one, it’s ever packed amongst people together with feels similar a tourist trap. I’d in all likelihood skip it.
If yous desire a to a greater extent than authentic cenote experience, I’d recommend cooling off inwards the cenotes nigh the town of Valladolid. These include Cenote Zaci, Cenote Dzitnup, or Cenote Suytun.
How To Get To Chichen Itza
Rental Car
The best site to volume your machine is Discover Car Hire. They search both local together with international machine rental companies to assist yous observe the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a machine inwards Mexico.
CANCUN – Chichen Itza is 197 km (2.5 hours) from Cancun yesteryear car.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN – The ruins are 181 km (2 hours) from Playa del Carmen.
MERIDA – Chichen Itza is 119 km (1.5 hours) from Merida yesteryear car.
VALLADOLID – Chichen Itza is 45 km (45 minutes) from Valladolid yesteryear car.
If you’re looking for a to a greater extent than adventurous route from Cancun, the “libre” route runs parallel to the principal toll highway together with goes through a bunch of smaller villages for a to a greater extent than authentic experience of Mexico.
Parking your ain rental machine at Chichen Itza costs $30 MXN ($1.50 USD) per day.
By Bus
Mexican ADO Bus Service from Cancun to Chichen Itza costs nigh $202 MXN ($9) i way together with takes 3 hours. From Valladolid, there’s motorbus service every thirty minutes for nigh $26 MXN.
Collectivo Taxi
Colectivos (shared taxis) acquire out the town of Valladolid from a lot exactly eastward of the motorbus station together with cost nigh $35 MXN ($2 USD).
Chichen Itza Tours
If you’re the type of somebody who prefers joining a tour, in that place are guided tours of the Chichen Itza Ruins, some of which get from Cancun together with include transportation.
- Early morning time sunrise tour earlier the crowds: ➜ BOOK information technology HERE
- Chichen Itza, Valladolid, together with Cenote Swimming Tour: ➜ BOOK information technology HERE
Chichen Itza Conservation Programs
A grouping of scientists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has been researching the beingness of a 2nd construction located inside the Kukulkan pyramid. They establish the pyramid-within-a-pyramid using three-dimensional electrical tomography.
It’s believed the electrical current construction was built on top of the other one. Both sit down on top of an surreptitious cenote cave filled amongst water. Archaeologists conk on studying the site, together with yous may live on able to consider some of their excavations equally nosotros did behind the principal pyramid.
Tips For Visiting Chichen Itza
- Chichen Itza Tickets cost $242 MXN ($11 USD). If yous pay inwards cash, only pesos are accepted, but you’ll salve 10% because credit cards cost extra.
- You tin rent a luggage locker at Chichen Itza for $40 MXN to concur large bags or valuables.
- Chichen Itza has a “light & audio show” that starts at 7pm inwards the autumn together with wintertime or 8pm inwards the saltation together with summer. It’s included inwards the cost of admission.
- Try to see commencement affair inwards the morning time when they open, or belatedly inwards the afternoon to avoid the huge tour-bus crowds.
- Consider splurging on a guided tour. There are data plaques at each attraction, but nada similar the insight you’ll acquire from a local guide.
- Tourists tin no longer climb to the top of the Kukulkan Pyramid due to UNESCO condition together with a few deaths over the years from falling.
- The Sun is unrelenting. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen together with convey enough of water. If possible, acquire inwards equally presently equally the gates opened upward inwards the morning.
- The mediocre nutrient on-site is expensive. You tin acquire much meliorate materials downwardly the street at the hamlet of Pisté for a lot less.
- Avoid the vendors selling souvenirs at the entrance. Yes, tourists back upward their livelihood, but many of them sneak inwards without authorization, together with it’s acquire a fleck of a circus.
Chichen Itza Map
Chichen Itza Entry Fee: $242 MXN ($11 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist yous start packing for your trip. Pick upward a go backpack, photographic television receiver camera gear, together with other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Book inexpensive flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to observe deals. Also read my tips for how I observe the cheapest flights.
Rent H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a slap-up site for comparison machine prices to observe the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking inexpensive hotels.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than nigh why yous should ever carry go insurance.
Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Yucatan
Suggested Reading: The Maya: Ancient Peoples & Places
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READ MORE MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS
I promise yous enjoyed my guide to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza! Hopefully yous establish it useful. Here are a few to a greater extent than wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend yous read next:
- Check out my top highlights inwards Playa del Carmen if you’re planning to halt by.
- Road tripping the Riviera Maya? Learn nigh my favorite things to practise inwards the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Save coin on your opor-garai amongst my ultimate budget go guide to Mexico.
- Ready to explore to a greater extent than Maya pyramids? These are the best Mayan ruins inwards Mexico
- Upgrade your photographic television receiver camera amongst tips on the best go cameras for whatever budget.
Have whatever questions nigh the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza? What nigh other suggestions? Drop me a message inwards the comments below!
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