Last Updated on twenty eighth February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Step into millennia of historic 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 historic Mayan metropolis. Most specialists date it to be at the least 1,500 years previous, and it has a remarkably well-preserved number of pyramid-shaped constructions (that have been historic temples) and different ruins.
By touring round Chichen Itza, you’ll be taught concerning the area’s fascinating prehistory, whereas taking in a few of the Yucatan’s finest landscapes! Here’s a full information to visiting Chichen Itza.
Why it’s worthwhile to go to Chichen Itza
One of the brand new seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza combines historic structure with tropical surroundings; it’s probably the most immersive locations in Mexico the place you possibly can educate your self concerning the Maya.
The Mayans have been a sophisticated historic inhabitants who constructed cities, created pottery and artisanal merchandise, studied the night time sky and used their findings to put in writing calendars and created mathematical creations.
The finest option to expertise Mayan findings is to delve proper into them; which you are able to do as you see the awe-inspiring constructions of Chichen Itza, imagining how folks used them for worship, play and training 1000’s of years in the past.
How to get to Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is accessible from Valladolid, Merida, Tulum and Cancun; in case you’re visiting Mexico primarily to go to Chichen Itza, you’ll wish to fly into the massive worldwide airport in Cancun.
Many guests select to lease a automobile and do a Yucatan street journey – there are many unbelievable locations to see, and most of the cenotes are solely accessible you probably have your personal two wheels!
Plus, driving on this a part of Mexico is often safer than elsewhere (simply have a transparent thought 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, in case you don’t wish to lease a automobile, Chichen Itza is well-serviced by bus routes. ADO is a coach firm that serves this a part of Mexico. Their automobiles are spacious, snug and protected, and so they join Chichen Itza with Merida, Tulum and Cancun.
The journey occasions 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 an attractive colonial metropolis, with charming historic streets, brightly colored buildings and an atmospheric sq. the place there’s all the time 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 nicely.
If you’re pushed for time and wish to just remember to see the encompassing 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 historic Mayan historical past, take a swim in a vibrant blue cenote and discover the cities and villages of the Yucatan peninsula, together with an English-speaking information and expert driver.
Here are the entire hyperlinks to e-book the excursions!
Hotel suggestions
While you don’t want to remain in a resort at Chichen Itza – it’s straightforward to entry from most of the Yucatan peninsula’s hottest cities and cities – you possibly can assure that you just’ll be on the historic website earlier than the tour teams, and in case you go to later within the day, you possibly can keep till the final vacationers peter out!
Here are a few of the finest choices for resorts close to Chichen Itza:
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa: This luxurious eco-friendly resort has conventional Mexican structure, it’s situated simply steps away from Chichen Itza and presents elegant rooms, a full-service spa, and an attractive outside pool. Check costs and availability right here.
Hotel Villas Arqueológica Chichén Itzá: This reasonably priced resort is within the Chichen Itza archaeological website, only a five-minute stroll from the ruins, and presents vibrant and welcoming rooms and a hearty restaurant. Check costs and availability right here.
Hotel Okaan: This luxurious retreat is situated within the close by city of Pisté, a ten minute drive from Chichen Itza, and presents 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 referred to 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 prime, making a complete of 365 – the identical because the variety of days within the yr. 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; in truth, 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 completely different to folks these days; they performed ball video games similar to folks at the moment may play soccer or basketball! The Great Ball Court is the place the traditional Mayans performed pok-ta-pok.
This was a sport involving hitting a ball by way of a basketball-style hoop on the finish of the courtroom – 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 courtroom and you’ll stroll the entire manner by way of 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 training and information, which served as a foundation for a lot of what we all know at the moment.
Cenote Sagrado
Cenote Sagrado, referred to as “Sacred Cenote”, is a sinkhole stuffed with water that, because the title 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 in the end changed into human sacrifices! Knowing that, you most likely 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 number of of those in different historic 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 you need 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 will be robust, irrespective of the time of yr! So remember that the solar will be harsh as you discover.
I’d suggest carrying lengthy, gentle 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; you can even buy electrolyte drinks from 7/11 outlets in Mexico.
Arrive early
In an identical vein, you possibly can beat the warmth by arriving on the historic website early.
The climate begins heating up at round 10:00 am; so in case you arrive at 8:00 am, you need 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 will help you be taught concerning the website some extra.
There are loads of guides providing their providers on the entrance; they normally have one worth per group – just remember to focus on this earlier than you are 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 every year, there are nonetheless a number of issues to think about when planning a visit there – and we’ve coated all of them on this information – don’t neglect to put it aside for reference while you’re there!
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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 comply with her adventures on her weblog, Claire’s Footsteps.