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Built to awe, the pyramid known as El Castillo has become the towering icon of Chichén Itzá.

Chichén Itzá

Site : Pre-Hispanic City of Chichén Itzá

Location : Mexico

Year Designated : 1988

Category : Cultural

Criteria : (i)(ii)(iii)

Reason : The brilliant ruins of Chichén Itzá evidence a dazzling ancient city that once centered the Maya empire in Central America.

The stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades, and other stone structures of Chichén Itzá were sacred to the Maya and a sophisticated urban center of their empire from A.D. 750 to 1200.

Viewed as a whole, the incredible complex reveals much about the Maya and Toltec vision of the universe—which was intimately tied to what was visible in the dark night skies of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The most recognizable structure here is the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo. This glorious step pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy—and the heavy influence of the Toltecs, who invaded around 1000 and precipitated a merger of the two cultural traditions.

The temple has 365 steps—one for each day of the year. Each of the temple’s four sides has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365th.

Devising a 365-day calendar was just one feat of Maya science. Incredibly, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. As the sun sets, this shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head at the base of the great staircase up the pyramid’s side.

The Maya’s astronomical skills were so advanced they could even predict solar eclipses, and an impressive and sophisticated observatory structure remains on the site today.

This great city’s only permanent water source was a series of sinkhole wells. Spanish records report that young female victims were thrown into the largest of these, live, as sacrifices to the Maya rain god thought to live in its depths. Archaeologists have since found their bones, as well as the jewelry and other precious objects they wore in their final hours.

Chichén Itzá's ball court is the largest known in the Americas, measuring 554 feet (168 meters) long and 231 feet (70 meters) wide. During ritual games here, players tried to hit a 12-pound (5.4-kilogram) rubber ball through stone scoring hoops set high on the court walls. Competition must have been fierce indeed—losers were put to death.

Chichén Itzá was more than a religious and ceremonial site. It was also a sophisticated urban center and hub of regional trade. But after centuries of prosperity and absorbing influxes of other cultures like the Toltecs, the city met a mysterious end.

During the 1400s people abandoned Chichén Itzá to the jungle. Though they left behind amazing works of architecture and art, the city’s inhabitants left no known record of why they abandoned their homes. Scientists speculate that droughts, exhausted soils, and royal quests for conquest and treasure may have contributed to Chichén Itzá's downfall.

Recently this World Heritage site was accorded another honor. In a worldwide vote Chichén Itzá was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

How to Get There

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Chichén Itzá is located near the small town of Piste. Bus services connect to the international airports at Mérida (under two hours) and Cancun (two and a half hours).

When to Visit

The ruins are open daily. Chichén Itzá's climate is consistently tropical—average temperatures are 93ºF (34ºC). Spring and autumn equinoxes offer the chance to see the incredible shadow serpent of El Castillo—but the often crowded site is absolutely packed at these times.

How to Visit

Staying in the Chichén Itzá area allows visitors to visit early in the morning, out of the hot sun and without the company of the many tourists who arrive on day trip tours from Mérida and Cancun. There is also a light show on the site at night.

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• ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

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Chichen Itza

By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 26, 2023 | Original: February 19, 2018

Chichen Itza was a Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Although it’s an important tourist attraction, Chichen Itza also remains an active archeological site. New discoveries are still being unearthed in the area, providing even more insight into the culture and accomplishments of the Mayan people, who ruled much of present-day Mexico and Central America prior to the arrival of European colonists. Chichen Itza was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and, in 2007, it was voted in a global survey as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Where Is Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza is located about 120 miles from the modern-day resort town of Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

The name Chichen Itza is a Mayan language term for “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were an ethnic group of Mayans who had risen to power in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula, where the city is located.

The well in the name refers to a number of underground rivers that run beneath the region and likely served as the source of water for the city. This easy access to water made the location perfect for a city the size of Chichen Itza.

When Was Chichen Itza Built?

Historic accounts differ as to when Chichen Itza was built and ultimately developed into a center of political and economic power. Some accounts place the establishment of the city in the early 400s A.D., while others suggest construction started a few years later, in the middle part of the fifth century.

What isn’t up for debate is that Chichen Itza was a significant center of political and economic activity in the Mayan culture by roughly 600 A.D.

By then, it was already one of the largest cities in the Mayan world, covering nearly two square miles with densely packed commercial, residential and other structures made of stone. Chichen Itza even had its own “suburbs,” with smaller homes occupying the outskirts of the city.

El Castillo

Remarkably, given the relatively simple technology available at the time, Chichen Itza was built in an area of rough terrain that was leveled in order to accommodate larger structures, including, most notably, El Castillo (“the castle”), a pyramid structure that, thanks to restoration efforts on the part of the Mexican government, still stands today.

Another larger structure on the site, Las Monjas, which served as a government building, was also built on leveled terrain.

All of the buildings of Chichen Itza were linked by a network of nearly 100 “sacbeob,” or paved roadways and sidewalks—which was significant, given that many European cities did not yet feature paved streets at the time.

In addition, archeologists believe the Mayans painted many of the buildings in bright colors, including reds, greens and blues. Today, though, the remains of the city retain the pale gray colors of the original stone.

Cenote at Chichen Itza

A large cenote (sacred well or spring) located at the northern end of Chichen Itza has immense ceremonial and archaeological significance.

Long rumored to have been the site of human sacrifice, the cenote was dredged in the early 1900s. The dredging yielded numerous precious artifacts made of gold, turquoise and jade, as well as human remains.

Researchers found that the human remains had bone marks and other wounds indicating that they were killed before being thrown into the cenote.

Chichen Itza as a Capital

By the ninth century, Chichen Itza was a de facto regional capital, with its rulers controlling much of the central and northern Yucatan peninsula.

Via its port at Isla Cerritos on the northern coast, Chichen Itza became an important commercial center, trading in goods—including gold and other treasures—with other cities throughout the Americas.

At its height, it is believed that as many as 50,000 people lived in the city. This population may have also been fairly diverse, at least by standards of the time, with residents immigrating to the city from beyond the Yucatan, including from present-day Central America.

The Decline of Chichen Itza

Although the fall of Mayan civilization is widely attributed to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, and the European colonialists that followed the famous explorer, Chichen Itza may well have lost its place as an important city in the region long before then.

Indeed, historians believe that many of the political and economic activities of the city had shifted to Mayapan, a newer community built to the south and west of Chichen Itza, by the mid-1200s.

There is some evidence that Chichen Itza may have been raided and looted at this time, although that remains up for debate.

Still, when Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1526, there was a thriving community living in and around the city. As a result, it was only natural that, for a time, the Spanish set up a temporary capital there.

They later used the site as a headquarters for cattle ranching activities.

Chichen Itza Today

Long abandoned by the Spanish, and then by the newly formed country of Mexico , Chichen Itza became a significant architectural site in the mid-1800s. It remains so today.

A number of important structures of the original city remain standing, some thanks to restoration efforts on the part of the Mexican government. Among them:

El Castillo: Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, named for a Mayan deity that appears as a feathered serpent. This pyramid-shaped structure stands close to 100 feet high.

The Great Ball Court: Just to the northwest of El Castillo, this structure was used for sport—primarily a team game using a ball.

The North Temple: Also called the Temple of the Bearded Man, this small building is adjacent to the Great Ball Court and features a carving on its inner walls, with the central figure of a man with a carving under his chin that resembles facial hair.

The Steam Bath: This structure features a water bath and steam chamber operated by using heated stones.

Sacbe Number One:  One of the paved streets of the city that extends nearly 900 feet.

Temple of the Warriors: Another large, stepped pyramid.

Group of a Thousand Columns:  A series of exposed columns that are believed to have supported a large roof system.

El Mercado:  A square structure at the southern end of the Temple of the Warriors that archeologists believe served as the city’s marketplace.

El Osario:  Another step-pyramid structure with a temple at its peak.

Today, some 2 million tourists visit Chichen Itza annually to explore its architectural wonders and gain further insight into Mayan history and culture. However, archeologists are still at work on the site.

As recently as 2016, scientists discovered a smaller pyramid within El Castillo using modern imaging technology. It is believed this smaller structure held religious significance to the Mayans.

Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza. UNESCO . Chichen Itza. National Geographic . Second pyramid found inside Kukulkan at Chichen Itza in Mexico. CNN . Chichen Itza. Exploratorium.edu .

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Your Complete Guide to Visiting Chichén Itzá in 2024

Visiting Chichen Itza is a highlight of any trip to the Yucatan and for a lot of people, it is their entire raison d’etre for venturing into this part of the world in the first place.

The ancient Mayan city is one of the new seven wonders of the world and has enjoyed UNESCO-protected status since 1988. At its peak, more than 50,000 people called the city their home and today, more than two million travelers pass through its gates every year. 

This comprehensive guide to visiting Chichen Itza has been written by a British Travel Writer based in the Yucatan. It will run through everything you need to know before planning your trip – how to get to the site, where to stay in the area, purchasing tickets, and important structures to look out for when exploring the ruins.

Table of Contents

Visiting Chichén Itzá: Everything You Need to Know 

Chichén Itzá was a major city of religious, political, and commercial importance during the days of the Ancient Mayan empire. At its height, is believed that as many as 50,000 people called it their home.

Although the famous pyramid, known as ¨El Castillo¨ or ¨The Temple of Kukulkan¨ is the most photographed sight within the complex, Chichen Itza is larger than many people realize and the city occupies a surface area of around 4 square miles.  

Archeologists still debate about the exact date at which the city was founded, but the site is generally believed to date back to the early 400s A.D. It really flourished and thrived between 600 and 1200 AD before it was eventually abandoned, and its residents moved to Mayapan.  

Purchasing tickets for Chichén Itzá

Chichen Itza is open every day, from Monday to Sunday from 8 am until 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm. If you are visiting the site independently, it is possible to purchase tickets online in advance, or in person at the ticket office. 

Ticket prices may be subject to change in the future but as of January 2024, a general admission ticket is $571 pesos for foreign travelers and $253 pesos for Mexicans. Yucatecans can enjoy a discounted admission price of $85 pesos. 

Mexican citizens should prepare to show a valid ID document. 

The 571 pesos admission fee for foreigners is made up of a 486 pesos archeological site fee and an 85 pesos charge for federal tax. Concessions are available for children aged 3-12 who can enter the site for just 85 pesos. 

It is a good idea to purchase your ticket online, in advance so that you know that everything is paid for and organized before you arrive. 

Go it alone versus guided tour 

You can opt to visit Chichen Itza independently or you may wish to reserve a spot on a small group or private guided tour. The best option is arguably subjective, depending on you and your personal preferences. 

If you have access to a car and you are road-tripping around the Yucatan, it is very easy to drive to the site and visit independently. You can take buses to the ruins from most major cities across the peninsula but if you are traveling from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum, these require a change and they don’t get you there until later in the morning when crowds have already formed. 

Opting to do a Chichen Itza tour takes a lot of the stress out of planning the logistics of your trip yourself. Tours include a pick-up and drop-off from your hotel accommodation in an air-conditioned vehicle so you don’t have to worry about getting to bus stations or taking multiple buses. 

If you visit the site independently, depending on where you are starting from, it is often worth spending a night in a hotel close to the archeological site or in nearby Valladolid. Then, you can get up very early the next morning and be one of the first people on the site. 

(That’s what we did and that’s why there are no people in these photos. We were literally the first people through the doors when we visited in May!) 

Best Chichen Itza tours and tickets for 2024

Many reputable travel companies operate in Mexico. Some of the best Chichen Itza tours from various starting points around the Yucatan are summarised below for your consideration.

Reserve your place online in advance to avoid disappointment!

• Chichen Itza, buffet lunch, cenote, tequila tasting, and Valladolid tour (pick up from Cancun, Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum)
• Chichen Itza, cenote, and Valladolid all-inclusive tour
• Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, cenote, and traditional buffet lunch tour
• Skip-the-line entrance ticket to Chichen Itza
• Chichen Itza, cenote and Valladolid private tour
• Chichen Itza, the pink lagoon, and pink flamingos

Important sites and structures to look out for at Chichen Itza

The Mayan city of Chichen Itza is an expansive site made up of more than 20 different groups of buildings separated by 75 different roadways. Although each of the structures is special in its right, some of the most notable ones to look out for are summarized below. 

El Castillo/The Temple of Kukulkan  

El Castillo, also known as ¨The Temple of Kukulkan¨ is no doubt the most famous and most photographed structure at Chichen Itza. The grand stepped pyramid reaches a height of 95 feet and is one of the first things that you see when you enter the complex. 

It takes its name from Kukulkan – a Mayan deity that appears as a feathered serpent (similar to Quetzalcoatl in Aztec culture). The creators of the temple pay homage to this deity in the form of detailed serpent carvings that sit on either side of the structure. 

Fascinatingly, there is a spring and autumn equinox that takes place at Chichen Itza once a year, every year around March 21 and Sept. 21. During the late afternoon, the shadows of the sun create the illusion of a serpent climbing up the steps of the pyramid and thousands of locals and visitors flock here on this date especially to see it. 

( Dzilbilchaltun also has a similar equinox). You cannot enter the pyramid, however, it was built on top of a smaller, older pyramid and if you were to venture inside, you would find a grand red jaguar throne with eyes made of precious jade. 

You will note a lot of people clapping as they walk around the pyramid. When you do so, an obscure sound that almost resembles a rattlesnake is emitted from the structure. To this day, archeologists are unsure whether that was intentional or a mere coincidence.

Tzompantli Platform

As you make your way towards the grand temple of El Castillo, keep your eyes peeled for a small rectangular stone platform on your left-hand side. Intricately carved skulls and skeletons can be found along the sides of this platform, known as the Tzompantli . 

Thousands of years ago, the Mayans would stack the severed heads of any traitors or members of enemy tribes on top of this platform as a warning not to mess with them. 

El Caracol/ The Observatory

The Observatory at Chichen Itza is one of the most unique structures on the site that is quite unlike anything found in other Mayan cities in Mexico. It is affectionately nicknamed ¨El Caracol¨ (meaning the snail/the shell) because of its conch-like appearance, in particular, the spiral staircase that leads to the upper part of the building. 

The Ancient Mayans were keen astronomers. They are said to have read constellations and to have documented and analyzed every movement of the sky above them because they believed that from it, they could understand the will of the gods. 

Archeologists believe that at Chichen Itza, El Caracol was the site of a lot of this stargazing. The structure was most likely constructed between the Terminal Classic and the Early Post Classic periods. 

The Temple of the Warriors 

The Temple of the Warriors can be found in the main plaza of Chichen Itza, just north of the El Castillo pyramid. It is immediately recognizable from the rows and rows of stone pillars and columns that are lined along the lower and upper platforms. 

Although you cannot climb or enter the building, you can see a small Chac Mool sculpture at the top of the structure, even from a distance.

You will get used to seeing Chac Mool a lot if you visit one or two Mayan cities during your Yucatan itinerary . He is a reclining figure that has his knees drawn up together and his head turned to one side. 

In his hands, he holds a flat dish that was used for sacrifices. Sacrifices could be anything from human sacrifices and human blood to things like flowers, tamales, and tortillas.

Carvings of serpents and jaguars can be found along the sides and facade of the temple.  

The Sacred Cenote 

There are a couple of cenotes (freshwater sinkholes) scattered throughout the Chichen Itza complex. There are over 7,000 cenotes across the Yucatan peninsula today that were formed when the Chicxulub meteor crashed into the earth over 65 million years ago, weakening the surface of the ground in the Yucatan. 

For the Ancient Mayans, cenotes were places of spiritual importance and they were believed to connect the human world with the underworld that they referred to as Xibalba. (Xibalba literally translates to mean ¨place of fright¨ or  ¨K’iche’ Mitnal¨ in Mayan). 

Between the 5th and 16th centuries AD, people from across the Yucatan would make a pilgrimage to the sacred cenote and make offerings in the hope of being granted health and fortune by the Mayan Gods. Sacrificial rituals would take place here where people (mostly adult men and children) would be killed and thrown into the water. 

Precious stones and gems and luxurious jewels of jade, silver, and gold were also thrown into the cenote for the gods of Xibalba. The water of the cenote is 6 to 12 meters deep but you cannot enter or swim in it, it is only to be observed from a distance. 

The Great Ball Court 

The ball court at Chichen Itza is the largest of its kind in Mesoamerica. Millennia ago, the Ancient Mayans would play a game called Pok ta Pok. (If you find yourself in Merida on a Saturday evening, you can see a re-enactment of it close to the cathedral in Plaza Grande). 

The rules of the game were that players had to whack a heavy rubber ball through the stone hoops mounted high on the walls of the court using just their hips. The game was played for fun, but it was also sometimes used as a way to settle debates and disagreements. 

Occasionally, the losing team was sacrificed. The Chichen Itza ball court has a long wall on each side, and on one end of the court, you can find carvings and images depicting the sacrifices of ball players. 

The stone hoops here are interesting because they have been carved with plumed serpents. 

La Iglesia and the Nunnery 

La Iglesia (¨the church¨) is a small structure with only one chamber that sits in the southern part of Chichen Itza and is quite a walk away from El Castillo and the center of the site. Its facade, as well as the facades of the nearby ¨nunnery¨ building, are remarkably detailed and well-preserved. 

Along the front of the structure, there are masks of the big-nosed rain god Chaac, which is representative of the Puuc style of architecture and is quite similar to the designs that you will see at the palaces of Labna, Kabah, and Sayil along the Puuc archeological route .

The nunnery sits beside La Iglesia although the name is misleading as this building was not a convent and was most likely a home for some of the city’s nobility. Carvings of people on one side of the wall are believed to represent Pok ta Pok ball players. 

The Venus Platform

Most historians believe that most buildings at Chichen Itza were once painted in bold, vibrant colors. (However, time and the elements have washed away most of the paint and so today, only the original grey color of the stones remains). 

The Venus Platform is a small platform close to El Castillo/The Temple of Kukulkan. It was likely used for dances, ceremonies, and rituals and is believed to have been painted in red, blue, green, and black. 

On one of its panels, is a carving that depicts the serpent bird man (Kukulkan or Quetzalcoatl). When the structure was excavated, archeologists found a severed human skull here which was most likely placed on the platform as an offering to the Mayan Gods.  

Sacbe/Sacbeob 

Sacbeob were white-paved roads that were built by the ancient Mayan to connect various structures and plazas in different cities together. They also ran between cities – like from Uxmal to Kabah, etc. 

There are more than 74 sacbeob at Chichen Itza. This is interesting because the Ancient Mayans started creating paved roads well before European civilizations did. 

The Temple of the Bearded Man 

The Temple of the Bearded Man is one of the best-preserved buildings close to the Great Ballcourt at Chichen Itza. It is also known as the north temple of the great ball court and the 10m long, 6m wide structure sits on top of a platform measuring 14 m long and 8 m wide. 

The temple only consists of one room, but at its rear and in its interior, you will note several detailed friezes that depict scenes of everyday life in the Ancient Yucatan, as well as various representations of Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl sitting on a jade throne. 

The Marketplace 

El Mercado/The Marketplace is a building in the southernmost part of the Chichen Itza site. It sits atop a platform 266 feet long and 49 feet wide and boasts row after row of tall pillars that alternate between rounded pillars and square pillars. 

Although the original purpose of this structure has been lost in time, a popular theory is that it had a commercial purpose and was used for trade. The site was built between 900 and 1200 AD in the Maya – Toltec style. 

Where to Stay Near Chichen Itza 

If you want to be one of the first people at the Chichen Itza site when it opens at 8 am and avoid the crowds, it is a good idea to spend the night before your visit at one of the hotels or Yucatan haciendas nearby.

There are some great hotels near Chichen Itza that are located within the archeological complex and some even have an exclusive entrance to the ruins for their guests. We stayed at the luxurious Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa which meant that we were right outside the entrance to the archeological site and were literally the first people inside. 

There are also plenty of budget-friendly options in the nearby village of Piste. If you opt to stay here, you have a plethora of excellent restaurants, bars, and supermarkets right on your doorstep for everything you could possibly need. 

Valladolid isn’t a million miles away either and is home to some very affordable and comfortable accommodation options. You can often find double rooms in modest hotels here for as little as $30 a night, but keep in mind that if you stay here you need to wake up a little earlier to allow for the 40-minute journey from Valladolid to the ruins. 

Best hotels near the ruins 

An overview of some of the best accommodation options close to the archeological site is summarised below. Despite the fact that Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most famous tourist attractions, hotel rooms in the area are surprisingly reasonable and you can easily secure a comfortable room for between $60 and $100 per night, even during the high season. 

• Hotel Ikaan – Rooms start from just $60 a night in this charming, rustic property that sits just off the Carretera Merida – Puerto Juarez close to cenote Ik Kil. All rooms have a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, cable TV, and spacious balconies with breathtaking views over the Yucatecan jungle
• Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxin Spa – Elegant rooms and suites inside this renovated, colonial-era hacienda offer an indulgent experience right within the Chichen Itza hotel zone. Guests are treated to a complimentary welcome cocktail on arrival, and the on-site restaurant serves farm-to-table Yucatecan specialties. If you really want to treat yourself, you can indulge in a spa treatment or a temezcal ceremony at the Yaxin spa.
• Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza – You couldn’t possibly get any closer to the Chichen Itza site entrance than the Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza which is located within the Chichen Itza hotel zone. The rooms and communal areas celebrate the Yucatan’s heritage and culture and have been decorated with hand-carved wooden furnishings and indigenous artwork pieces. 

Attractions Close to Chichen Itza 

It is a good idea to arrive at Chichen Itza as early as you can so that you can avoid the crowds and the intensity of the midday sun during your visit. Allow 3-4 hours for exploring the archeological site, grab lunch in nearby Piste, and then spend your afternoon exploring one or more of the below attractions near the site.

• Izamal – One of four pueblo magicos in the Yucatan state, known as ¨the yellow city¨ because all of its houses and buildings have been painted in the same bright shade of yellow. Home to one of the oldest convents in North America.
• Ek Balam – An impressive Mayan city that was not discovered until the 1980s. Famous for its remarkably well-preserved tombs and stucco masks and the 95-foot pyramid of El Torre which you can climb in order to enjoy the views over the jungle canopy.
• Valladolid – A charming town and pueblo magico home to centuries-old churches and convents, as well as interesting mercados and refreshing cenotes
• Cenote Ik Kil – Gorgeous open cenote close to Chichen Itza
• Homun cenotes – A village with more than 25 cenotes that range from cavernous cenotes to cenotes out in the jungle which receive far fewer tourists than the Instagram-famous Cenote Suytan and Cenote Ik Kil. 

Getting to Chichen Itza 

Public transport links in the Yucatan are not the best in the world but with that being said, there are plenty of buses and colectivos that connect you from cities like Tulum, Cancun, Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, and Merida, with the Mayan ruins. 

With the Tren Maya train also scheduled to be up and running by December 2023, getting to the site is due to get a whole lot easier soon. If you are renting a car in Mexico , it is very easy to drive across the Yucatan peninsula as the roads are all well-paved and in excellent condition. 

If you are not nervous about the idea of driving overseas, this can be one of the best options for getting to the site as it gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility of schedule. 

The distance to Chichen Itza from various cities across the peninsula is summarised below. 

• Cancun to Chichen Itza: 197km/122 miles distance. Circa 2.5 hours driving time 
• Valladolid to Chichen Itza : 45km/28 miles distance. Circa 50 minutes driving time
• Merida to Chichen Itza: 120km/75 miles distance. Circa 2 hours driving time
• Tulum to Chichen Itza : 151.5km/94 miles distance. Circa 2.5 hours driving time
• Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza: 185km/115 miles distance. Circa 2 hours driving time

Driving to Chichen Itza 

It is very easy to drive to Chichen Itza, whatever your starting point. Yucatan roads are excellent and have no potholes, damage, etc. There is a large parking lot at the site entrance, although you need to pay a small parking fee of around $60 pesos (circa $3 USD). 

It is easy to rent a car in Merida , Cancun, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen and numerous reputable international rental companies operate here. Depending on the time of year that you are traveling, you can easily rent a car for prices starting from around $20 USD a night. 

I always recommend using the Discover Cars rental platform as it allows you to compare and contrast prices between different rental companies so that you can secure the best deal. 

Taking the ADO bus to Chichen Itza 

Taking public transport in the Yucatan is surprisingly convenient and comfortable. ADO and Autobuses Oriente run frequent services between Cancun, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Merida, and Chichen Itza. 

Some buses are more modern and luxurious than others, but all are generally clean, with spacious seats, bathrooms, air conditioning, and entertainment on board. Some even offer free wifi.

From Merida, you can take a direct bus to and from the ruins. However, from Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun, you usually have to transfer in Valladolid and the wait time between buses is often about an hour. You might find that it is worth spending at least one night in Valladolid so that you can break up the journey. 

This is particularly worth considering if you want to arrive at the site early before the tour buses arrive as, for example, the earliest bus from Cancun doesn’t get you to Chichen Itza until around 11.20, by which time the site is already heaving with sightseers.

You can buy bus tickets online via the ADO website or the ADO app (although it often glitches and won’t accept foreign cards.) Busbud is another alternative, although the site charges a small commission. 

You can also purchase your tickets in person at the ticket office. During the high season, early buses do sell out so it’s a good idea to book your seat(s) a couple of days in advance where you can. 

Amenities at Chichen Itza 

There are plenty of amenities at the Chichen Itza Visitors Center that offer everything that you could possibly need during your visit. Although it is a good idea to bring plenty of cash with you so that you can purchase any souvenirs and trinkets that you may want to buy from the artisanal vendors inside the site, there is an ATM at the Visitors Center too. 

Here, you will also find a Starbucks Cafe and a couple of local restaurants serving sandwiches, tacos, light bites, and Yucatecan delicacies. There are ample bathrooms at the site – both in the visitors center and behind El Castillo, and the toilets are clean and in good condition. 

Be sure to buy plenty of water and make use of a sunhat and sunscreen as there is little to no shade throughout the complex. Since you are going to be walking around uneven terrain for at least 3-4 hours, be sure to wear comfortable shoes. 

If you get hungry/thirsty during your visit, there are plenty of little stores and shacks selling drinks, snacks, and ice creams. 

FAQs About Visiting Chichen Itza 

Do you have any further questions about visiting Chichen Itza? The answers to some frequently asked questions on the topic are detailed below. 

Hopefully, you will find the information you are looking for there. If not, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Can I visit Chichen Itza on my own?

Yes. It is possible to visit Chichen Itza independently. 

You can simply buy your entrance tickets online or at the ticket office for the site. Once inside, there are plenty of information plaques outside all of the various structures and ruins which explain their history and original purpose. 

It is not obligatory to explore the ruins with the help of a tour guide. However, once inside, if you do decide that you want a little more context to the things that you are seeing, you can hire a local guide for as little as 600 pesos for around 3 hours. 

Is Chichen Itza worth the money?

Visiting Chichen Itza is well worth the money, even if the site is easily one of the most expensive things that you can do in the Yucatan .  The Chichen Itza entrance fee is currently $571 pesos which works out to around $33 USD or £26. 

This is substantially more expensive than some of the lesser-known ruins in the Yucatan like Edzna and Xcambo which are only around 80 pesos to enter. However, when you visit Chichen Itza, you are not visiting just any old ruins, you are visiting one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the most important cities of the Mayan civilization. 

If you only visit one Mayan city during your time in the Yucatan, you should make it this one. You can easily spend half a day here and it will certainly be something that you remember for a long time. 

What is the best time of year to visit Chichen Itza?

It is possible to visit Chichen Itza all year round and there is arguably no such time as a bad time to visit. However, as someone who lives in the Yucatan, I would say that the best months are November and March/April. 

This is because the peak tourist season here runs between December and March and as crowds flock to the resorts along the Riviera Mayan, hordes of people take day trips to Chichen Itza. You have a very small window of opportunity very early in the morning (From 8 am to 8.30 am) to enjoy some rare quiet at the site before the tour groups arrive. 

From May onwards, it gets incredibly hot and humid in the Yucatan, and spending extended periods of time outside can often feel unbearable. From June to October, it is the hurricane season in this part of the world and although showers usually don’t go on all day, you can expect a lot of heavy downpours in August and September and there is no place to take cover at the site. 

How much time do you need at Chichen Itza?

You should allow at least 3-4 hours for exploring Chichen Itza as the site is vast. 

What is the least crowded day at Chichen Itza?

Since Chichen Itza is one of the most visited tourist sites in Mexico, thousands of people pass through its gates every day so it is hard to find a day when the site isn’t busy. Still, weekdays are definitely better than weekends, and Sundays are best avoided where possible. 

(Most Mexicans work Monday to Saturday and the site is free for Mexicans on Sundays which usually means it is more crowded than ever). 

What is the busiest day at Chichen Itza? 

Sundays are the busiest day at Chichen Itza as admission is free for Mexicans on this day and locals are all enjoying their day off work. Visiting the ruins on this date is best avoided if possible.

Public holidays like Benito Juarez’s birthday, Semana Santa (Easter), etc, can also be quite busy. 

Can you climb the structures at Chichén Itzá?

No. It is no longer permitted to climb the structures at Chichen Itza – both for their preservation and for your safety. 

In the past, this was allowed but decades of tourists clambering up and down the stairways of the temples and pyramids has caused the stones to wear down and become slippery. In 2006, a woman sadly slipped and fell to her death when climbing down El Castillo, and climbing the ruins has been prohibited ever since. 

Is there a limit to how many people can visit Chichen Itza each day?

No. I have seen various websites and sources online state that only 3,000 people are permitted to enter Chichen Itza each day but as someone who lives nearby and has visited the site numerous times, I can tell you that that is completely false. 

This seems to be something that people regurgitate to try and sell you tours etc that they get commission for. Please don’t worry about it as you are never going to be turned away from the site because they reached their maximum number of admissions for the day. That’s nonsense. 

Do you need a guide at Chichen Itza? 

It is not compulsory to have a guide at Chichen Itza and there is plenty of free information on the info boards throughout the site. That being said, if you have a keen interest in Mayan history, guides are very reasonably priced and it might be a worthwhile thing for you to consider. 

Final thoughts on visiting Chichen Itza

Visiting Chichen Itza is a highlight of visiting the Mexican Yucatan. Even if you have already visited countless other Mayan and Aztec ruins during your time in Latin America, nothing can compare to seeing the ancient city’s famous pyramid with your own eyes for the very first time. 

Are you traveling to Mexico for the first time? I live just a couple of hours from Chichen Itza, in the beautiful colonial city of Merida where I’ve been based for the last two years.

If you have any questions about planning a trip here, feel free to reach out to me. You might also find this guide to safety in the Yucatan, or this post on the best time to visit the Yucatan useful.

Safe travels! Buen Viaje! Melissa xo 

Melissa Douglas

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Getting to know Chichén Itzá, the heart of the Maya Empire in Mexico

Aug 11, 2020 • 6 min read

©Ole Steffensen/500px

The Maya have long awakened travelers’ curiosity on account of the many mysteries enshrouding this pre-Hispanic civilisation. For one thing, the city of Chichén Itzá  in Mexico was abandoned by its inhabitants – seemingly without explanation – centuries before the Spaniards arrived at the shores that would one day become the Yucatán Peninsula . 

The relationship between the Maya and spirituality, water and their notion of the underworld, has inspired many legends that archaeologists have set out to investigate – and several have proven true and given way to a deeper understanding of this rich culture.

The Temple of Kukulcan, also known as El Castillo , is on many travel bucket lists having been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, but it is the complex as a whole that exceeds travelers’ expectations. Here's more about Chichén Itzá’s history and significance to help you get the most out of your visit.

What is Chichén Itzá?  

Chichén Itzá is a city where the Maya lived from around 550 to 1200 CE, although it should be noted that estimates vary greatly. While the Temple of Kukulcan is its most famous structure, it is certainly not the only pyramid or interesting building in the compound. Its sheer size is one of the things that sets it apart from other archaeological sites. It currently occupies about 4 sq miles (10 sq km), but its original size was probably closer to 10 sq miles (25 sq km). For this reason, it is believed that many more structures could be hidden by the jungle. At its peak, the city was home to some 35,000 people.

Archaeologists believe that a “sacred geography” led the Maya to design Chichén Itzá. There appears to be a correlation throughout Mesoamerica between the landscape beneath the earth’s surface and the Maya constructions above it. The pattern seems to be that structures are built near caves, tunnels or cenotes (natural sinkholes) .

Caves were important to the Maya cosmos – they're where eternal darkness reigned and important deities lived. If a balance wasn’t maintained between them, misfortune could occur. If, on the other hand, order prevails in that region, riches are bestowed on the land, such as rain. El Osario building, for example, is built over a natural cavern. 

Special features at Chichén Itzá

El castillo .

The Temple of Kukulcan, better known as El Castillo (“The Castle”), is the main building at Chichén Itzá. It’s 24-m-high and has a total of 365 steps – one for each day of the year. The temple itself is found all the way at the top and studies have shown that there could be a large body of water beneath it, which archaeologists take to be a cenote. 

El Caracol 

Known as “The Snail” on account of the spiral shape it hides within, El Caracol  is considered to be an observatory, with astronomy as its main function. Openings in its walls and dome face towards Venus and align with certain stars on specific dates. Interestingly, the Maya carried out their observations without any type of apparatus.

Temple of the Warriors

The Temple of the Warriors is flanked to the south and west by columns carved with intricate images of Toltec warriors – denoting the Toltec influence on the site – which belong to the adjoining Group of the Thousand Columns . A sculpture of Chacmool, the Maya god of the rain, can be found here.

The Ball Court

The ball court is considered the largest in the Americas. The ball game played by the Maya resembled modern-day soccer, except that the ball was made of hard rubber and weighed approximately 8lbs (4kg), and it could only be touched with the hips and the thighs. Legend has it that one of the teams was sacrificed after the game – although it has yet to be determined whether it was the winning or the losing team. 

Sacred Cenote

The Sacred Cenote was believed to be one of the entrances to the underworld. To the Maya, water connects life with the spiritual world. Long believed to be a spot where female virgins were sacrificed to the gods, studies have found that there are also remains of males and children, which points to this being an underwater cemetery where families honored their dead, probably in addition to this being a sacrificial spot.

What does its name mean?

Given the religious importance of cenotes – which, incidentally, were the only source of water in the area – it’s not surprising that two sinkholes found nearby are believed to have given Chichén Itzá its name. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica , Chi means “mouths,” chen means “wells” and the Itzá were the Maya tribe that settled in the area.

The not so literal translation is thought to be "At the edge of the well of the Itzaes," which is also fitting.

Chichén Itzá’s connection to spirituality and astronomy

The Temple of Kukulcan owes its name to the main god of the Maya, Kukulcan, who is believed to be the Maya representation of Quetzalcoatl, the “feathered snake god” revered by the Aztec and the Toltec.

Kukulcan is the protagonist of one of the most important events in Maya culture: a light and shadow phenomenon created by pre-Hispanic architects based on the position of the stars. On each equinox, a light show representing Kukulcan fertilizing the earth and descending into the underworld can be witnessed for a duration of 45 minutes at the northern end of El Castillo. Undoubtedly, this is a grand display of the knowledge of astronomy held by the Maya, and it goes without saying that these are the busiest times of the year to visit Chichén Itzá.

Planning your trip to Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is currently closed on account of COVID-19 . Its reopening is contingent on the Mexican federal government’s guidelines, which follow a traffic light-style labelling system based on the saturation of hospitals in each state. Check the official Chichén Itzá website before planning your trip.

Best time to go

If you want to experience the light and shadow show, go on March 21 or September 22, but keep in mind that the complex will be at its most crowded. The sweltering heat is a constant throughout the year, but November through January will be slightly cooler. If you want to have the place to yourself to snap pictures you’ll actually be proud of, make sure you arrive very early (the site opens at 8am every day of the year) and be done by noon, which is when most tour buses arrive.

Foreigners: MEX$481 (around US$22; £17); nationals: MEX$202 (around US$9; £7).

How to get there

Chichén Itzá is 26 miles (42km) from Valladolid ; 76 miles (122km) from Mérida ; and 124 miles (200km) from Cancún .

Insider tips

- Consider picking up a couple of nice handicrafts at the many stalls found at Chichén Itzá. - End the day with a dip at nearby Ik Kil cenote. This place is stunning but it’s far from being a hidden gem, so make sure you arrive at Chichén Itzá early so you can also beat the crowds at Ik Kil. It’s a very refreshing experience after a day spent walking under the sun.

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Unesco social media, pre-hispanic city of chichen-itza.

• Description

This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ville préhispanique de Chichen - Itza

Cette ville sacrée était l’un des plus grands centres mayas de la péninsule du Yucatan. Tout au long de son histoire, qui s’étend sur presque mille ans, la ville fut embellie grâce à la contribution de différents peuples. Mayas et Toltèques ont laissé sur la pierre des monuments et des œuvres artistiques I’empreinte de leur vision du monde et de l’univers. L’extraordinaire fusion des techniques de construction mayas avec les nouveaux éléments venus du Mexique central fait de Chichen-Itzá l’un des exemples les plus importants de la civilisation maya-toltèque du Yucatan. Plusieurs bâtiments de cette civilisation subsistent, notamment le temple des Guerriers, El Castillo et l’observatoire circulaire connu sous le nom d’El Caracol.

مدينة شيشين ايتزا التي تعود الى ما قبل الغزو الاسباني

كانت هذه المدينة المقدّسة من أكبر المراكز التابعة لحضارة المايا في شبه جزيرة يوكاتان. فعلى مدى تاريخها الذي يمتدّ على 1000 سنة تقريبًا، جُمّلت المدينة بفضل مساهمة شعوب عديدة. فقد ترك شعب المايا والتولتيك على حجر الآثار والأعمال الفنية صورةً عن نظرتهم إلى العالم والكون. فالدمج الرائع لتقنيات البناء التي اعتمدها شعب المايا مع العناصر الجديدة التي أتت من وسط المكسيك جعلت من شيشا ايتزا من أهم الأمثلة التي تدلّ على حضارة المايا والتولتيك في يوكاتان. وما زالت عدّة مبانٍ من هذه الحضارة صامدة، لا سيّما معبدا المحاربين و"ال كاستيلو" والمرصد المستدير المعروف باسم "ال كراكول".

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

奇琴伊察古城遗址是尤卡坦半岛最重要的玛雅文明中心之一。在近1000年的历史中，许多民族都在此生活过，并留下了他们的印记，从当地的石制遗迹和艺术作品中，我们可以看出玛雅人、托尔特克人和阿兹特克人的世界观和宇宙观。玛雅人的建筑技巧和来自墨西哥中部地区的新元素融合在一起，使得奇琴伊察古城成为展示尤卡坦半岛玛雅－托尔特克文明最主要的地方之一。该遗址中有几个建筑被保留下来，其中包括勇士庙、城堡和被称为“蜗牛”的圆形天文台。

Ciudad prehispánica de Chichén-Itzá

Esta ciudad sagrada fue uno de los centros más importantes de la civilización maya en la península del Yucatán. A lo largo de sus casi mil años de historia, diversos pueblos la fueron marcando con su impronta. Los mayas y toltecas dejaron inscrita su visión del mundo y el universo en sus monumentos de piedra y obras de arte. La fusión de las técnicas de construcción mayas con nuevos elementos procedentes del centro de México hacen de Chichén-Itzá uno de los ejemplos más importantes de la civilización maya-tolteca del Yucatán. Entre los edificios que han sobrevivido al paso del tiempo figuran el Templo de los Guerreros, el Castillo y el observatorio circular conocido por el nombre de El Caracol.

古代都市チチェン-イッツァ

source: NFUAJ

Pre-Spaanse stad Chichén Itzá

Deze heilige plaats was een van de grootste Maya-centra van het schiereiland Yucatán. Gedurende zijn bijna 1000-jarige geschiedenis, hebben verschillende volkeren hun stempel gedrukt op de stad. De visie van de Maya's en de Tolteken op de wereld en het universum wordt geopenbaard in hun stenen monumenten en kunstwerken. De fusie van de Maya constructietechnieken met nieuwe elementen uit het centrum van Mexico maken Chichén-Itzá een van de belangrijkste voorbeelden van de Maya-Tolteken beschaving in Yucatán. Verschillende gebouwen zijn bewaard gebleven, zoals de Tempel van de Krijgers – El Castillo – en het ronde observatorium bekend als El Caracol.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

The town of Chichen-Itza was established during the Classic period close to two natural cavities ( cenotes or chenes ), which gave the town its name "At the edge of the well of the Itzaes". The cenotes facilitated tapping the underground waters of the area. The dates for this settlement vary according to subsequent local accounts: one manuscript gives 415-35 A.D., while others mention 455 A.D. The town that grew up around the sector known as Chichen Viejo already boasted important monuments of great interest: the Nunnery, the Church, Akab Dzib, Chichan Chob, the Temple of the Panels and the Temple of the Deer. They were constructed between the 6th and the 10th centuries in the characteristic Maya style then popular both in the northern and southern areas of the Puuc hills.

The second settlement of Chichen-Itza, and the most important for historians, corresponded to the migration of Toltec warriors from the Mexican plateau towards the south during the 10th century. According to the most common version, the King of Tula, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, or Kukulkan as the Maya translated the name, reportedly took the city between 967 A.D. and 987 A.D.

Following the conquest of Yucatán a new style blending the Maya and Toltec traditions developed, symbolizing the phenomenon of acculturation. Chichen-Itza is a clear illustration of this fusion. Specific examples are, in the group of buildings to the south, the Caracol, a circular stellar observatory whose spiral staircase accounts for its name, and, to the north, El Castillo (also known as the Temple of Kukulkan). Surrounding El Castillo are terraces where the major monumental complexes were built: on the north-west are the Great Ball Court, Tzompantli or the Skull Wall, the temple known as the Jaguar Temple, and the House of Eagles; on the north-east are the Temple of the Warriors, the Group of the Thousand Columns, the Market and the Great Ball Court; on the south-west is the Tomb of the High Priest.

After the 13th century no major monuments seem to have been constructed at Chichen-Itza and the city rapidly declined after around 1440 A.D. The ruins were not excavated until 1841 A.D.

Criterion (i) : The monuments of Chichen-Itza, particularly in the northern group, which includes the Great Ball Court, the Temple of Kukulkan and the Temple of the Warriors, are among the undisputed masterpieces of Mesoamerican architecture because of the beauty of their proportions, the refinement of their construction and the splendor of their sculpted decorations.

Criterion (ii): The monuments of Chichen-Itza exerted an influence throughout the entire Yucatan cultural zone from the 10th to the 15th century.

Criterion (iii): Chichen-Itza is the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan (10th-15th centuries).

From its abandonment during the 15th century, Chichen-Itza underwent a process of gradual deterioration until the first excavations at the site began more than a century ago. Nevertheless, the excellent materials and building techniques used by the Maya in the construction of the buildings secured that the architectonic, sculptural and pictorial essence of Chichen-Itza would be conserved through the centuries.

Until today the elements that convey the Outstanding Universal Value of the property have been preserved. However, discoveries at the site that are not considered in the original protective polygon should be officially included. Furthermore, there are a number of threats to the integrity of the site, derived from excessive use or inadequate infrastructure development to provide services, which will require constant control in order to avoid negative impacts.

Authenticity

The condition of authenticity met by the site at the moment of its inscription was maintained. However, the use of the property as stage for unrelated cultural events has sparked a discussion concerning the impact of these activities on the conservation and authenticity of the site. In order to ensure that use and function, as well as the character of the site are maintained, enforcement of regulatory measures and protection mechanisms are required.

Protection and management requirements

Chichen-Itza is protected by the 1972 Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Zones and was declared an archaeological monument by a presidential decree in 1986.

The site remains open to the public 365 days of the year, and received a minimum of 3.500 tourists per day, a number which can reach 8.000 daily visitors in the high season. This means that the site needs constant maintenance and attention in order to avoid deterioration of its prehispanic fabric.

Yucatan is the only state in Mexico where two institutions are involved in the management of archaeological sites: the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which is in charge of the care and conservation of the archaeological site, and the Board of Units of Cultural and Tourism Services of the State of Yucatan.

The Board was created in 1987 in order to manage the Units of Cultural and Tourism Services of the archaeological sites of Uxmal, Chichen-Itza, Kabah, Sayil, Labna, Zibichaltún and the Caves of Loltún and Balancanche.

Medium and long-term activities at Chichen-Itza, including investigation, conservation, thematic interpretation, administration and operation of the site, are addressed in the "Management Plan of the Pre-hispanic City of Chichen-Itza". The purpose of the Plan is to articulate and coordinate the activities at the site, especially those geared towards the mise en valeur of the property and the generation of participation of the different sectors involved in the management, including the general public.

No emergency plan exists for the site and there is no long term monitoring of the state of conservation, due to lack of personnel. This puts the site at risk from natural and anthropogenic disasters, as well as from longer term degradation. Threats like fire and lime stone erosion have been highlighted. Sustainable implementation of the defined planning tools and the allocation of resources to conservation and management are necessary means to ensure the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property in the long term. 

• Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia's website (in Spanish only)

Chichén Itzá  - One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Set 90 miles (150 km) east-northeast of Uxmal and 75 miles (120 km) east-southeast of Mérida with two main cenotes providing water, the Chichén Itzá, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, is a complex of Mayan ruins on the northern half of Mexico's Y ucatan Peninsula . Once, a vibrant city of a diverse population of tens of thousands, it now meets people with the remnants of many ancient Mayan structures. 

Covering about 5 square kilometers (1.9 miles), the heart of the Chichen Itza contains all of the important buildings and structures, while the residential area stretches around for quite some distance in circumference, about 4 square miles (10 square km). At its peak, this religious, military, political, and commercial centre of 35,000 people first saw settlers in 550, with development beginning in the following century. Whether it was the access to being built around caves and sinkholes in limestone formations, or some other energy that drew people to settle down there, it went down in history as a major focal point in Mayan history.

History Of Chichen Itza

Founded presumably in the 6th century CE by the Maya peoples that occupied the Yucatán Peninsula since the Pre-Classic or Formative Period lasting from 1500 BCE to 300 CE, the buildings then were built in the architectural style known as Puuc, and differing from those in southern lowlands. Upon the collapse of the Maya cities in the 10th century Chichén was invaded by Maya-speaking foreigners, influenced and directed by the Toltec of central Mexico. Evidence suggests that they were the Itzá, while others stick to the theory where the Itzá arrive 200 to 300 years later.

This flat limestone plateau awaiting the construction of the future temple-city of Chichen Itza was already an important pilgrimage location being sacred to the Proto-Mayans for religious reasons, having occupied the peninsula for 8,000 years, and becoming known as a Maya social center. With the arrival of the sailor merchant warriors in the 8th century that ventured inland upon colonizing the northern coastal areas, the Chichen Itza began to rise in prominence. The first major settlement near two large natural sinkholes, known as cenotes where plentiful of pure water was available throughout the year, is likely responsible for the name of the city, meaning the "Mouth of the Well of the Itza".

Quickly becoming rulers on the peninsula, the Itza Maya raised the Chichen Itza to regional prominence by the end of the Early Classic period, 600 AD. Having deep-rooted themselves firmly as a major regional capital by about 900 AD, they dominated in the northern Maya lowlands centralizing their political, sociocultural, economical, and ideological way of life, with arts and sciences flourishing even earlier, between 625 and 800 AD. Upon becoming a religious center of increasing importance, they constructed many of the great buildings that make up the Chichen Itza to this day. 

Weakening Of The Maya Influence

Towards the end of the Classic Period, from 800 to 925 A.D., the foundations of this magnificent civilization weakened, and the Maya left many of their major religious centers and the rural land around. New, smaller cities were built and the great cities like Chichen-Itza were mostly visited to perform religious rites or bury the dead. The Itza people abandoned their city by the end of the 8th century A.D. and lived on the west coast of the peninsula for about 250 years. However, by the 10th century A.D. they returned to Chichen-Itza.

Although some dispute this event, the Toltec influence is in the art and the architecture style of certain areas of the city today, which is also the evidence of trade between the Toltecs and the Mesoamericans. In the following decades beginning around 1000 AD, upon uniting themselves with other powerful regional tribes, many significant buildings were added, bearing the Toltec touch in the porches, galleries, colonnades and carvings with symbols of serpents, birds and Mexican gods. In 1194, the city of Mayapan broke alliance and overtook Chichen Itza, with the latter becoming gradually abandoned, while a revolt broke out in 1221. Turning into a civil war, it was during this time that the great market's wooden roofs and the Temple of the Warriors were burned down, while the Mayapan took over Yucatan and the Chichen Itza went into final decline. 

Recent History Of Chichen Itza

While the Sacred Cenote, remains confirmed as the place of pilgrimage, new archaeological evidence suggests that the events happened 200 years earlier, with the Chichen Itza falling around 1000 AD. Then, in 1531 when Francisco de Montejo, a Spanish Conquistador wanted to make the temple city the capital of Spanish Yucatan, he was driven off the land during the revolt from the native Maya. The High Priest’s Grave, the Colonnade (Thousand Columns) with the adjoining Temple of the Warriors were completed in the Early Post-Classic Period, from 900 to 1200, while in the Late Post-Classic Period, from 1200 to 1540), the Mayapán deprived Chichén of its power, with the latter becoming joined with Uxmal and Mayapán in a political confederacy, the League of Mayapán.

With the Mayapán power waning by 1450, the League dissolved, and when the Spanish would enter the territory in the 16th century, they would find the abandoned Chichén, left to the jungle, and although it remained sacred to the Maya, they were living in smaller towns. The site is now a prime archaeological spot in Mexico, excavated since the 19th century. 

El Castillo In Chichen Itza

The most important building at Cichen Itza, the El Castillo (the Castle), with a dominating 90-foot Pyramid of Kukulkan in the center and containing the Temple of Kukulkan or the Feathered Serpent God, Quetzalcoatl was a ceremonial structure. Since it bears no resemblance to a castle, it is inquired that it was used for religious purposes and astronomical observations. Built during the 11th to 13 th centuries, the pyramid is directionally encoded with the Mayan calendar that precisely marks the solstices and equinoxes. 

The four-sided El Castillo pyramid that rises 79 feet (24 metres) above the Main Plaza, with 91 stairs on each side and a step on the top platform adds to a total number of steps equalling the days in a year. The serpent carved at the top symbolizes a major deity of the ancient Mesoamerican pantheon, known as Quetzalcóatl, and by the Maya, as Kukulcán. Archeologists also revealed a red jaguar jade-studded throne in one of the earlier structures of the pyramid.

Other Important Buildings

The real celestial observatory was El Caracol, meaning the snail in Spanish, and named after its winding inside staircase in a snail's-like shell formation on its west side with an observation chamber on top. It was built in the transition period of the late 9th century with a round, 48 feet-high tower, a solid lower body, and two round galleries in the central portion. It was rebuilt multiple times to fit larger capacity of observers that would look through the Caracol's windows facing the cardinal and sub-cardinal directions to track the movement of Venus, the Pleiades, the sun, and the moon.

The Grand Cenote is one of the two Chichen cenotes, known as the "Cenote Sagrado" or Sacred Cenote, that the pre-Columbian Maya would throw objects and humans in as sacrifices to Chaac, the Maya rain god. Some of the offerings found were jade carvings, pottery, gold and silver artifacts, and human skeletons. The Maya also believed it to be an entrance to the underworld, with Chac Mool receiving them as a sign of respect from his people. 

The 545 feet by 225 feet Ball Court, the largest known ancient sports field in Central America, with a raised temple area at each end, accommodates perfect acoustics, where a whisper in one end would be heard clearly at the other. The rubber ball game where the players would use their hips to keep the ball in the air to get it through a 20 feet-high stone ring at each side of the court, had religious significance to the Maya. The danger and the sacred importance of the game is engraved in one of the most dramatic Maya art found on one of the sloping side benches, of a beheading of a player, with more victory celebrations also noted in carvings.

Lastly, the temple of the Warriors comprises hundreds of square columns that surround a large temple with carvings of warrior figures dressed in feathers.

Significance Of Chichen Itza

Internationally-voted Chichen Itza as one of the World's 7 Wonders is visited by tourists and religious pilgrims for many reasons, most significant of which is the Pyramid of Kukulkan, which many don't know, is the Chichen Itza of the ancient Maya. Portraying the snake, that descends from heavens to the Earth according to the Maya in a matter of minutes, symbolizes the divine union between the humans and the gods.

An area with a large concentration of cultural significance, as well as the best-preserved archaeological site in the world, Chichen Itza is a setting of many important architectural and natural wonders, including El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Sacred Cenote. With “Chi” meaning mouth and “Che’en” meaning well in the Mayan culture, while “Itz” is a magician or a sorcerer and “Há” is water, the literate translated name is “the mouth of the well of the water sorcerers”. Aside from reflecting the ancient humanity’s most notable structures, cultural histories and beliefs, the Chichen Itza at sunrise is an unforgettable experience.  

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Chichén Itzá: The Complete Guide

 TripSavvy / Angelina Pilarinos

Chichén-Itzá

Chichén Itzá is a Maya archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula that served as the political and economic center of the Maya civilization between 750 and 1200 A.D. Its impressive structures which remain standing today demonstrate the Maya's extraordinary use of architectural space, vast astronomical knowledge, as well as their keen sense of artistry. It is a must-see site on a visit to Cancún or Mérida, although it is about a 2-hour drive from either of those tourist destinations, it is definitely worthy of a day trip.

The name Chichén Itzá roughly means "at the mouth of the well of Itza." The city was established close to several cenotes, water-filled sinkholes , and the final layout was established in 900 A.D. Chichén Itzá was a pre-Columbian city that was an a major regional economic power. Due to its location and port at Isla Cerritos, Chichén Itzá could obtain resources otherwise unavailable to Mayans like obsidian and gold. Chichén Itzá was a prominent Mayan city from around the 7th century through the 11th century when the city's decline began. The exact cause of the decline is unclear, but even when trade activities slowed and Chichén Itzá lost prominence, the city wasn't completely abandoned. When Spanish conquistadors arrived on the Yucatán Peninsula in the 1500s there was still a local population in the area and may have been a deciding factor in where the conquistadors placed their capital.

Things to Do at Chichén Itzá

On your visit to Chichén Itzá, you shouldn't miss the following features:

• El Castillo: This is one of the most striking buildings in Chichen Itza. It is dedicated to Kukulkan, the Plumed Serpent. Every year on the fall and spring equinox the sun strikes the side of the building making a play of light and shadow which appears as a snake along the steps of the building. Excavations have discovered that the stepped pyramid was built over an older, smaller temple, and some experts believe that there is a hidden cenote underneath El Castillo.
• Temple of the Warriors: Hundreds of columns surround a massive temple structure carved with reliefs. Square columns remain that once held up the roof of the temple. These columns are carved on all four sides with figures of feather-bedecked warriors.
• Great Ball Court:  This is the largest known ball court in Mesoamerica, at 545 feet in length and 225 feet in width. Each end has a raised temple area. The acoustics of the ball court are remarkable: A whisper from one end can be clearly heard at the other.
• Sacred Cenote: This sinkhole was the recipient of a great many sacrificial objects. It was a place of pilgrimage for many Maya. There was a belief around the 13th century that people thrown into the Sacred Cenote who survived the fall were granted the gift of prophecy.

Getting There

Chichen Itza is located 125 miles from Cancun and 75 miles from Mérida . It can be visited as a day trip from either location, and there are also a few hotels nearby in case you would like to arrive the previous day and get an early start visiting the ruins before the heat of the day sets in and the crowds begin to arrive.

Essential Information

The site is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Time spent visiting the site generally ranges from 3 hours to a full day.

As of 2019, the admission fee for Chichén Itzá archaeological site is 480 pesos per person (for non-Mexicans). There is an extra charge for use of video camera or tripod on the site.

Visitor Tips

Dress appropriately: Choose natural fiber clothing that will protect you from the sun (a hat is a good idea too) and comfortable walking shoes. Use sunblock and take water with you.

If you visit Chichen Itza as part of an organized day trip from Cancun you will find that it makes for a long day, and you'll arrive at the hottest time of day. Another option is to rent a car and either make an earlier start or arrive the afternoon before and stay overnight at one of the nearby hotels.

Take a bathing suit and towel to enjoy a refreshing dip at the nearby Ik-Kil cenote after your tour of Chichén Itzá.

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How to Visit Chichén Itzá (Yucatan): The Definitive Guide

Chichen itza guide: everything you need to know ( 2024).

Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan site in the world . It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 New Wonders of the World .

It is also the second most visited archaeological site in Mexico , after Teotihuacan near Mexico City .

That’s why it’s very important to plan your day to make the most of your visit!

In this complete guide to Chichen Itza in Yucatan , I will give you all the practical information you need to organize your trip.

You’ll discover all the top attractions in and around Chichén Itzá , how to get there, my tips for visiting on your own or with a group , and my recommendations for the best guided tours!

So, are you ready to explore Chichén Itzá, find out where to stay , and see what else you can do? Let’s go!

• Chichen Itza Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

Visiting Chichen Itza: Booking tickets

Short history of chichén itzá, 1. the great plaza, 2. the pyramid of kukulcan, 3. the venus platform, 4. the tzompantli, 5. the temple of the eagles and the jaguars, 6. the mayan ballcourt, 7. temple of the warriors and the thousand columns, 8. the observatory, 9. akab dzib, 10. the sacred cenote, 11. the ossuary, 12. the house of the deer, 13. the nunnery complex, 14. the red house or chichan chob, 15. the noches de kukulcan show, 16. buying souvenirs in chichen itza, 17. swim in the cenote ik kil, 18. explore the balankanché caves, hiring a local guide: is it worth it, visit chichén itzá on your own (without an agency), 2. visiting chichen itza with a tour, where to stay to visit chichén itzá, how much do the tickets to chichen itza cost.

• Which are the opening hours of Chichen Itza?

How long does it take to visit Chichén Itzá?

When is the best time to visit chichen itza, my tips for visiting chichén itzá, find the best flight deal to mexico, you’re traveling in mexico these articles will help you.

If you want to buy your tickets to visit Chichen Itza at the best price , without reading the article, (even though I suggest you read it for more insights and tips!), here is the summary table of the available tickets.

Click directly on the names of the tickets to book them:

Chichen Itza means “at the mouth of the well of the Itzaes” in Mayan. It was the name of the Itzaes who founded this city in the 6th century.

At the end of the 10th century, it was invaded by the Toltecs and then abandoned around 1250, for reasons that are still a mystery today.

But what we do know is that Chichén Itzá was the most powerful city in the whole Yucatán Peninsula!

It was so influential that even after its decline, it remained an important place of pilgrimage.

What to see and do in Chichén Itzá

Chichen Itza is an important archaeological site where there are numerous buildings (temples, platforms, etc.), connected by sacbes , the Mayan roads.

Here are the best things to see and do in Chichen Itza :

The Great Plaza is the first thing you see and the ideal place to start your exploration of Chichen Itza.

Why? Because it’s the heart of the city!

That’s right, it’s where you can find the main buildings , with the impressive pyramid of Kukulcan towering in the center.

The Temple of Kukulcan , also known as El Castillo , is the most iconic pyramid of Chichen Itza and it’s in every picture!

It honors Kukulcan , a major Mayan god (the same as the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl ) who took the form of a feathered serpent.

It has a 9-level pyramid with 365 steps in total… Just like the 365 days of the year!

Its symbolism and accuracy make it one of the most amazing pyramids of the Mayan world .

A few years ago, a 66 ft deep cenote was found under the pyramid and more recently two hidden structures were discovered. It probably still hides many secrets!

The spring (March 20-21) and autumn (September 22-23) equinoxes draw lots of visitors, as a stunning display of light and shadow appears on the north staircase. It is said that it is the Serpent God who comes down to earth…

There are two structures known as the Venus Platform , but the more famous and significant one is in the Great Plaza , not far from the pyramid of Kukulcan.

It is also called the Temple of Venus because it has carvings of the planet Venus, or the Tomb of Chac Mool because of a statue that was found inside.

Both Venus platforms were used as public stages for ceremonies, rituals, dances and speeches.

One of the important monuments to see in Chichen Itza is the Tzompantli , in the Great Plaza, right next to the Temple of the Jaguar and the House of the Eagles .

The “wall of skulls” was an altar where the Maya displayed the heads of enemy warriors as offerings to the gods.

This was a common practice among many Mesoamerican people!

There are no human remains, but you can see the many skulls carved in low relief (there are more than 500!).

It is the smallest temple in the complex around the Great Plaza, located between the Tzompantli and the Temple of Venus.

It is a platform that gets its name from its amazing carvings of eagles and jaguars eating human hearts .

The Mesoamerican ballgame – Pok Ta Pok in Mayan – was a game played for over 3000 years in Mesoamerica that had ritual and political significance and served to settle different kinds of conflicts.

How was the game played?  The game involved hitting a ball (only with the calves, elbows and hips) to make it go through one of the rings on the court.

And it was very hard : the ball weighed almost 9 pounds, the rings were only 1 feet in diameter and were placed about 26 feet high.

The game could end in sacrifice to the gods, by burning, beheading or even removing the heart.

In Chichén Itzá there are 8 courts of this type, but the main one is considered the largest Mayan ball game court in Mesoamerica.

There are other ball courts at other archaeological sites – such as Edzná and Uxmal – but the one at Chichén Itzá is the best preserved I’ve seen!

The stone rings (where the ball had to go through), as well as the stands and players’ bench are in good condition, as are several carvings on the walls.

To the north of the court is the Temple of the Bearded Man where the elite watched the game.

The Temple of the Warriors , surrounded by “a thousand columns” is, in my opinion, the most stunning structure in Chichen Itza !

It is a pyramid-shaped structure where you can see – only from afar – a sculpture of Chac Mool and a table where human sacrifices were performed.

As for the “thousand” columns, there are actually only 200, but the name makes it sound more impressive 😉

El Caracol was Chichen Itza’s astronomical observatory , named for its shape (“the Snail”).

This structure, built around the year 900, was used to watch the sky and make important decisions for the city.

This observatory allowed the Maya to observe 29 astronomical phenomena (equinoxes, eclipses, etc.)

Behind the Caracol, you can find the Akab Dzib or Akabdzib , which means “The house of the mysterious writing” in Maya.

This was probably the home of the Chichén Itzá administrator Kokom Yahawal Cho’K’ak.

The structure is quite large, measuring 177 feet in length. It has a central building with two rooms at the ends and 18 other rooms attached to it.

This was a sacred place where the Maya honored Chaac , the rain god, with ceremonies and offerings.

They threw gold, jade, copper and human bones into the water, some of them from faraway lands like Central America and Colombia!

Today, this murky, green cenote (not very pretty or clean) doesn’t look like much. But despite its appearance, it was the hub of religious activities in the whole region!

Many people mix it up with the cenote Ik Kil , but they are very different.

The sacred cenote is inside the Chichen Itza site, linked by a long path to the Kukulcan pyramid, and you can’t swim in it.

Visit it if you want to see it from a historical point of view, but if you’re looking for a nice cenote to take photos , you can skip it – there are much better ones around!

The Ossuary, also called Tomb of the High Priest , looks like a smaller version of the Pyramid of Kukulcan , but with beautiful mythological carvings, such as the god Chaac and snake heads.

At the top of the pyramid, there is a vertical opening that goes down to 10 m underground.

It leads to a natural chamber where bones, shells and sculptures have been discovered!

This chamber might be connected to the cenote under the Pyramid of Kukulcan , but the passage is still blocked, so the mystery remains unsolved…

The House of the Deer is located south of the Ossuary. It gets its name from a painting of a deer that used to be inside the building, but has disappeared.

Unfortunately, there is not much left of the original structure.

The Spanish conquerors called this building the Nunnery because it reminded them of a convent.

But in fact, it would not have had any religious purpose, but rather served as the residence of someone important.

It is a Puuc style building – the same elaborate style that you can admire at Uxmal and Kabah – with many stone mosaics, amazing!

The Red House (Casa Colorada) gets its name from the traces of red paint found inside and Chichan Chob means “little holes” in reference to the holes in the upper part of the structure.

This small Puuc style temple is located in the Nunnery plaza, and it is one of the best preserved buildings in Chichen Itza .

It has a small ball court in the back.

Noches de Kukulcán (Nights of Kukulcan) is a night show of light and sound at the Chichen Itzá site.

The first part is an audio-guided tour (45 min) that takes you through the main illuminated structures.

Then, you sit in front of the pyramid of Kukulcan and watch the amazing projection show (25 min) that showcases the Mayan culture.

It’s a fantastic show, something you don’t want to miss in Chichen Itza!

• At 7 pm in summer and at 8 pm in winter
• You can buy your tickets online on the website (strongly recommended), or when you get to Chichen Itza, but you will have to wait in line.
• Important : if you don’t have a car, there are no buses at this time, so you will need to book a tour or take a taxi.

Souvenirs are more pricey here than elsewhere – they know tourists will buy them anyway!

If you really want a souvenir from Chichen Itza, try bargaining with the vendors when it’s almost closing time (around 4 pm).

Ik Kil is one of the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan ! and it’s only 4 km from Chichen Itza.

When you get to the site, you are greeted by an amazing natural sight: a blue cenote that lies 28 yards underground, surrounded by walls covered with plants and long vines.

Unfortunately, it is also one of the most touristy cenotes , so, to be honest, it’s hard to feel connected to nature with so many people around.

But on the bright side, it has a variety of services : gift shop, lockers, changing rooms and a large parking lot.

You can reach the cenote through a stone path, and then you can choose to jump into the water from a small platform or use the stairs.

The cenote is easy to access for the whole family and there are ropes in the water that you can hold on to if you need them.

• Entrance fee 180 pesos (with vest and locker), children 100 pesos, or with buffet lunch 400 pesos.
• How to get to cenote Ik Kil : from the entrance of Chichén Itzá you can take a taxi or colectivo (20 pesos). From Valladolid , the trip takes 40 minutes, by bus (33 pesos) or colectivo (40 pesos) from Calle 39.

If you don’t want to worry about transportation, I suggest this tour to Chichén Itzá with pick-up from your hotel , free time at  cenote Ik Kil and lunch-buffet.  Book it here:

My tip Near Chichen Itza there are also other cenotes less touristic and easy to access:

• Near Chichen Itza : Tsukan cenote, Yokdzonot cenote, Lol-Ha cenote, Xcajum cenote.
• In Valladolid : cenotes Dzitnup, Suytun, Zaci, San Lorenzo Oxman. Read My Article About The 21 Best Cenotes In Valladolid !
• In Cuzama (towards Mérida) : cenotes Chelentun, Bolonchoojol, Chacsinicche, Tzapakal
• In the Riviera Maya : you can read My Article About The 15 Most Beautiful Cenotes In Tulum and the 12 Best Cenotes In Playa del Carmen

The Balankanché grotto , which means “throne of the jaguar” in Maya, is a few kilometers from Chichén Itzá.

This grotto was an important ritual site during the Maya-Toltec period, as it was seen as the entrance to the underworld where several gods lived.

You can go down to 10 meters deep and explore the inside through a path of more than 1 km.

There are several caves with stalactites and stalagmites, offerings (ceramics, jewelry, etc.), and a small light and sound show that tells the story of the place.

It is a nice and educational activity that I recommend during your visit to Chichén Itzá, especially if you go with kids.

But if you want more adventure, you can check out other Yucatan caves such as Loltun, Kantun-Chi, Tzabnah or Calcehtok.

• The entrance fee is 146 pesos
• Tours every hour: in French (10 am), Spanish (9 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm) and English (11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm).
• Please note: inside the caves it is hot, humid and poorly ventilated, so the visit is not recommended for people with asthma or claustrophobia .
• How to get to the Balankanché Caves : You can take a bus or colectivo (Pista-Valladolid route). The bus drops you off at the entrance of highway 180 (350 meters from the entrance).

In my opinion, yes, it is totally worth it!

A guide will make your visit to Chichén Itzá more meaningful, as they can explain its historical importance.

There are many guides around, but watch out for the prices .

The official guides are inside (after the ticket booths) and they are cheaper than the ones outside.

It costs 900 pesos for a guide in Spanish or 1200 pesos for another language. The service is for up to 8 people, so you can join others to form a group.

How to get to Chichen Itza?

My advice Chichén Itzá is the most touristic site in Yucatán . Many buses of travelers arriving at the same time and forming long lines…Don’t waste your time waiting!

To avoid the long lines and crowds , you can book your tickets to Chichen Itza with skip-the-line access here:

Getting to Chichen Itza by bus

The cheapest way to get to Chichén Itzá is by ADO bus, the best bus company in Mexico.

Buses to Chichén Itzá depart daily from several cities in Yucatán , here are the details:

• Cancun to Chichen Itza (3h): departure at 8h45 return at 16h30. The bus stops in front of the entrance of the site and departs from the same place.
• From Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza (3h40), departure at 8h and return at 16h30
• From Tulum to Chichén Itzá (2h30): departures 6h30, 7h15, 8h15, 9h15, return 16h30
• From Merida to Chichen Itza (1h50): departures at 6h30, return at 16h30
• From Valladolid to Chichén Itzá (30 min): departures at 10h50 and 11h15, return at 16h30

Getting to Chichén Itzá with a rental car

Chichen Itza is located between Merida and Cancun , near the village of Pisté.

• From Highway 307 , which runs along the Riviera Maya , you have to take Highway 180D .
• The parking is 80 pesos.

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Yucatan and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Rentalcars.com, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Rentalcars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies , so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

Chichén Itzá is one of the main tourist attractions in Yucatán , so there are many agencies that offer tours to Chichén Itzá from different cities.

You have various options to choose from and to help you pick the best one , let me show you my 5 favorite tours to Chichen Itza :

• Chichén Itzá + Cenote Ik Kil + lunch

This guided tour to Chichen Itza is a great option that includes pick-up at your hotel in the Riviera Maya.

You will start with a guided visit to Chichén Itzá , then you will go to Cenote Ik Kil , a beautiful natural pool where you can swim and refresh yourself.

After that, you will enjoy a buffet lunch with delicious local dishes and drinks.

To end the day, the tour will take you to Valladolid , a charming colonial city with colorful buildings and a cozy atmosphere.

Book the tour here:

• Early access to Chichén Itzá (with no crowds)

Chichén Itzá is a popular destination, so it can get very crowded with tour buses during the day.

The best way to enjoy and take good pictures is to arrive as early as possible.

This morning tour is perfect for that, as it includes a transfer from the Riviera Maya to be among the first to enter and explore Chichén Itzá!

You will have a privileged visit to this amazing ancient site and learn about the Maya culture and history.

It also includes buffet lunch to regain strength before returning to the hotel in the afternoon!

Book the early access tour here :

• Mayan tour: Chichén Itzá and Cobá

This one-day excursion will let you explore two of the most important Mayan sites in Mexico: Chichen Itza and Coba .

The tour begins with a transfer from your hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen in an air-conditioned van.

You will enjoy the guided tours in Chichen Itza and Coba which is hidden in the jungle.

You will also have the chance to swim in the refreshing waters of a cenote and end the tour with a buffet lunch .

Book this tour for a small group here:

• Combo Maya Lands: Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba

To make sure you don’t miss anything during your trip to Yucatan, here is a very complete tour that takes you to see the three most important Maya sites in Mexico: Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba!

Th is full day tour includes pick-up at your hotel, guided tour in small group of Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza , with swimming in a cenote and buffet lunch. Book it here:

You have the option of sleeping near Chichén Itzá , or in Valladolid o Merida depending on your itinerary.

Sleeping in Chichén Itzá

The advantage of sleeping near the site is that you can visit it from the moment it opens .

Here is a list of my recommendations, the best hotels near Chichen Itza , for all budgets:

• La Casa de las Lunas : located in the village of Pisté, this is a small charming hotel that offers the best value for money in its category. Spacious rooms with kingsize bed, swimming pool and small garden, from only 40 usd per night!
• Mayan Bungalow : small Mayan style bungalows in a beautiful tropical garden, very clean, excellent welcome from Luis the owner, delicious homemade breakfast included , from 7 9 usd per night!
• El Encanto Villas Ecofriendly : rooms with 360 degrees views over the surrounding nature, offering great privacy, outdoor pool, good breakfast. From 135 usd per night!

Sleep in Valladolid

• Candelaria Hostel : The best budget option in Valladolid! A colorful hostel that is very well located in the centre, with a garden, access to the kitchen, and a bike rental. Good breakfast options are also included, from 17 $usd for a bed in a shared dorm or 38 $usd for a private room.
• Real Haciendas : A small, charming, yet very quiet hotel with a swimming pool , clean rooms with comfortable king size bed, and a very good welcome. Starting f rom 57 $usd per night.
• IMIX Hotel : A typical colonial house in the centre of Valladolid on the beautiful Calzada de los Frailes , nicely decorated with spacious rooms. Breakfast included, starting from 127 $usd per night.
• Le Muuch Hotel : A hotel located 5 minutes away from the main park Francisco Canton Rosado . Excellent service, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools with hammocks, rooms with garden view, air conditioning, and a bar and restaurant. A la carte breakfast included, starting from 140 $usd per night.
• Hotel Zentik Project : This is definitely one of my favorite hotels in Mexico and the best hotel in Valladolid ! Beautiful Mayan-style cabanas with murals done by local and international artists. There’s a restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool with hammocks, and a saltwater pool in an underground cave . Very good breakfast included, starting from 380 $usd per night.

Sleep in Mérida

• Nomadas : the best hostel in Merida with a very nice atmosphere, located in the center of Merida. It has a swimming pool surrounded by hammocks and plants, possibility of classes (yoga, cooking classes, etc.). Starting at only 18$usd per night!
• El Gran Hotel : ideally located in the very center of Merida, right next to the cathedral. It is a very charming hotel, where time seems to have stopped with its colonial look and beautiful woodwork. There’s a restaurant, the rooms are spacious and the wifi works well. Good value for money, starting at only 59$usd per night!
• Hotel Hacienda Merida VIP : this small, luxurious hotel is the ideal place to spend a few romantic days in Merida . Located in the historic center, it is an elegant hacienda-style building, illuminated by candlelight at nightfall. Here you will find a charming swimming pool, comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. Starting at 165 $usd per night
• Hotel Boutique Mérida Santiago : this is a small, comfortable hotel with a colorful hacienda look, modern and with a traditional Mexican touch. There’s a swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. With excellent homemade breakfasts and spacious rooms, it is the ideal hotel if you are looking for comfort without falling into luxury. Starting at 197 $usd per night

Practical information about Chichen Itzá

• For foreigners : the total price is 614 pesos (you have to pay 2 fees: one for CULTUR and one for INAH. Keep your two tickets safe because you might have to show them in case of control). The entrance fee for foreign children up to 13 years old is 90 pesos.
• 268 pesos for nationals , free on Sundays for Mexicans with INE.
• Locker rental 200 pesos.

There is an ATM to get money, but I suggest having the pesos ready in advance.

Which are the opening hours of Chichen Itza ?

From 8 am to 5 pm, but access is closed after 4 pm.

The light and sound show is from 8 pm to 9 pm in winter, and from 7 pm to 8 pm in summer.

It depends on your pace and interest, but you can tour it in 2h-3h .

A guide will take 1h30-2h to show you around.

An organized tour will give you 1h-1h30 of guided tour plus 1h of free time. In total, you should plan about 6h-8h for a tour from the Riviera Maya (with transportation, visit, etc.)

On my first visit to Chichen Itza, I made the mistake of arriving around 12 noon with all the tour buses and under a scorching heat: never again!

For a pleasant visit, I recommend going in the morning at opening time , before 10 am, or after 3 pm when it is cooler and the groups have left.

You will enjoy the site more and take better photos without the crowds. You will also avoid the sunburn and dehydration that can ruin your day. Trust me, it’s worth getting up early to see this amazing ancient site and learn about the Maya culture. 😊

• Get the early access tour to Chichen Itza here!
• Be careful of the heat : the temperature can go up to 86-104F. The sun is strong and there are no shady areas , so wear sunscreen, a hat, light clothes and drink water!
• Check what is included in the tour you are interested in: always read the details of what is included (e.g.: free or guided tour, optional activities, etc.) to avoid unpleasant surprises.
• Don’t go on Sunday : it’s the free day for Mexicans and the place is packed (even more than usual!!!). If you can, better go during the week .
• Remember that if you go on your own, the best thing to do is to buy these tickets with fast-track access to Chichen Itza you will save time and energy!

To find a cheap flight ticket to Mexico or a domestic flight , you can use our flight comparator, in collaboration with Skyscanner: it’s the guarantee to pay the best price!

Discover all my articles about Mexico : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula : Top 20 things to Do and See
• Riviera Maya : The 35 Epic Things to Do!
• Cancun : the 35 Best Things to Discover
• Playa del Carmen : Top 30 Things to Do and See!
• Tulum: 21 Best Things to Do + All My Best Tips!
• Izamal : 11 Best Things to Do in Yucatan’s Yellow City
• Mérida : 20 Best Things to Do and Must-See Attractions
• Valladolid : the 25 Best Places to Visit!
• Uxmal (Mérida) : the Definitive Guide + tips
• Itinerary : 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Mexico   – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla , Oaxaca , Chiapas, Campeche , Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary : 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico : The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month
• Itinerary : 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary : 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary : 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan : The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

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I have created this blog to give you all my best tips to plan your next trip to Mexico, regardless of your budget. I share detailed itineraries, advice about places to visit as well as recommendations for transportation, hotels and restaurants. I hope I will also help you to discover amazing off the beaten path destinations in Mexico!

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The 6 Best Hotels in El Cuyo (Yucatan)

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• All our Guides about Mexico

Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico | A Complete Guide [2023]

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: March 14, 2024

Categories Mexico , North America

Visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico? Here you’ll find a complete guide to the Chichen Itza ruins – what to visit, how to get there + practical info and prices (2023).

What would be a trip to Yucatan without a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This archaeological site, built sometime before the 6th century AD, is definitely worth a visit.

I personally, after having visited quite a few Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico , prefer other sites such as Palenque and Coba because they are quieter, but the ever-present crowds at Chichen Itza don’t make this site less impressive. From wherever you’re staying in the Yucatan peninsula, the Chichen Itza ruins are easy to get to, and you should set apart half a day to visit the pyramids.

Getting to Chichen Itza is pretty easy, no matter your budget or where you’re coming from. This super comprehensive guide will give you instructions for visiting Chichen Itza from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Valladolid.

You can follow the tips below to get to Chichen Itza via public transport, with a rental car, or by booking a tour in advance.

Table of Contents

Best Chichen Itza Tours

You’ll find thousands of tours to Chichen Itza online, and choosing the best one can be a bit overwhelming. I’ve done the research for you, and these are the tours that offer the best value for your bucks.

➤ With over 1200 great reviews, the  Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour  is the top-rated Chichen Itza tour on Get Your Guide. This tour leaves from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum. This Chichen Itza full-day tour includes pick-up from your hotel , all entrance fees, and a buffet meal. After exploring the grounds of Chichen Itza, you’ll head for a swim to Cenote Ik Kil. The tour will end with a short visit to the colonial city of Valladolid, which is definitely worth a visit. ➥  BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you prefer a quieter experience without the crowds, check out the Chichen Itza Early Access with Tequila Tasting . This tour leaves from Cancun and Riviera Maya. You’ll have to get up pretty early for this tour, but you will get to Chichen Itza by opening time, which means no crowds! You’ll enjoy a guided tour through the ruins. A buffet lunch is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ And finally, this is the tour for you if you believe that two is better than one: Chichen Itza, Ik Kil, and Coba Small Group Tour . This tour leaves from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. In one day, you’ll be able to visit both Chichen Itza and the fascinating ruins at Coba where you can climb the main pyramid. The tour includes a guided visit to both sites and a swim at Cenote Ik Kil, plus lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

How to Get to Chichen Itza On Your Own

How to get from valladolid to chichen itza, • by colectivo (shared van).

If you are traveling from Valladolid , a city near Chichen Itza, head to the Valladolid ADO bus station. Colectivos (shared vans) leave from right next to it. You can get there as early as 7 AM and you can catch the first departure to Chichen Itza. Valladolid is much closer than Cancun and the trip will take approximately an hour, so you’ll get to the ruins right at 8 AM when they open the gates.

If you want to visit the site with a guide, you can find official guides at the entrance when you buy your tickets, that you can hire a for a few hours.

Looking to skip the line? Check out the Chichen Itza Entrance Ticket with Hospitality Suite . You’ll enter the site through a separate entrance, and when you’re done visiting the ruins you can use the Mayaland Hotel pool and facilities to relax after a busy morning. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKET

How To Get From Cancun To Chichen Itza

I’ve written a whole post about how to get from Cancun to Chichen Itza , but here below you can find some quick info.

• TAKE THE ADO BUS FROM CANCUN TO CHICHEN ITZA

If you are based in Cancun , you can also take the ADO bus to get to Chichen Itza. The bus departs daily every hour starting at 5 AM (you can take it at around 7 AM) and it takes about 3 hours to arrive at the place. The ticket costs around 250 MXN, and you have to buy it directly at the terminal.

On your way back from Chichen Itza to Cancun, you’ll need to take the same bus that departs at 5 PM, otherwise another idea is to stop somewhere around Chichen Itza or Valladolid to spend the night. It’s really not a bad idea, considering you can go swim at the cenotes near Valladolid , or go visit Las Coloradas pink lakes .

• GET FROM CANCUN TO CHICHEN ITZA BY CAR

It’s totally possible to drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza (and recommended, as Chichen Itza is one of the best archaeological sites near Cancun ). The roads are pretty good and people respect the rules, so it’s an option I recommend since it gives you so much freedom. I recommend booking your rental car in advance online to avoid any scam.

I usually use  Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals when booking a car. ➥  COMPARE PRICES HERE

The 180D Highway that connects Cancun and Chichen Itza is in great condition. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Chichen Itza.

The highway is a toll road that costs 600 MXN per way (about $30 at the time of writing), but you’ll save a ton of time. Keep in mind that credit cards or US dollars are not accepted, so make sure you bring cash in pesos. There are no ATMs between Cancun and the toll road.

Before deciding to come by car, it’s also important to consider the toll fees and gas money (depending on which road you choose to take to get to Chichen Itza) to make sure it’s the best choice financially speaking.

• VISIT CHICHEN ITZA WITH THE GO CANCUN PASS

If you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya for a few days and are planning to visit a few parks and attractions, it might make a lot of sense to buy the GO Cancun Pass.

I explain in detail how you can use the GO Cancun Pass to save a considerable amount of money in this post – it includes calculations so you can really see for yourself that by using it smartly you can save hundreds of dollars. But why am I telling you this?

➤ The Go Cancun Pass includes your entrance ticket to Chichen Itza plus transportation from/to Cancun and access to the Mayaland pool and facilities where you can relax after visiting the ruins. ➥ BUY YOUR GO CANCUN PASS HERE

How To Get to Chichen Itza From Playa del Carmen / Riviera Maya

I’ve written a whole post about how to get from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza , but here below you can find some quick info.

• GET THE BUS FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO CHICHEN ITZA

➤ There is one bus a day direct from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza . It departs a few minutes after 8 AM and the ticket costs 428 MXN (approximately 21 USD) at the time of writing. The bus departs from the ADO station on 5th Avenue and the bus ride takes about 3 hours 40 minutes.

On the way back, the bus leaves from Chichen Itza at 4.00 PM. Make sure not to miss it as it’s the only one!

➤ If you’re coming from one of the hotels scattered around the Riviera Maya, you’ll have to take a taxi or a colectivo (shared van) going toward Playa del Carmen. You just need to stop one on the highway and tell the driver where you’re going (Playa del Carmen) – the ride won’t cost you more than a couple of dollars.

• GETTING TO CHICHEN ITZA BY CAR

Again, totally possible to drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza, but I do suggest booking a rental car in advance online to avoid any scams. I usually use  Discover Cars to compare prices. ➥  COMPARE PRICES HERE

Take the new 305 Highway that connects Playa del Carmen to 180 Highway, which leads to Chichen Itza. Both are toll roads, the total cost is 344 pesos per way (about $18 at the time of writing).

The drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. No US dollars or credit cards are accepted, make sure you have pesos in cash before departing.

Another option would be taking the slow road (a free one). You’d have to take the 307 to Tulum, head to Valladolid, and then take the 180 Highway to Chichen Itza. It will take you approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

How To Get from Tulum to Chichen Itza

I’ve written a whole post about how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza, but here below you can find some quick info.

• TAKE THE BUS FROM TULUM TO CHICHEN ITZA

If you’re based in Tulum , you can take the ADO bus directly from Tulum to Chichen Itza . At the time of writing, there is only one bus to Chichen Itza a day, at 9.20 AM. The bus ride takes about 2 hours 35 minutes and the ticket costs between 194 and 294 MXN (approximately 9 and 14 USD), depending on the date.

On the way back, there is one daily bus from Chichen Itza to Tulum, at 4.30 PM. The ticket costs between 144 and 294 MXN (approximately 6 to 14 USD).

• DRIVING TO CHICHEN ITZA FROM TULUM

It’s very easy to find a rental car in Tulum. You can book your rental car in advance for greater peace of mind. ➥   COMPARE PRICES HERE

Take the QROO 109 road towards Coba. When you see the sign for Chemax, turn left to stay on 180 Highway. Pass Valladolid and keep going till you reach the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.

The drive takes approximately 2 hours. This is a free road.

How to Get from Merida to Chichen Itza

• getting from merida to chichen itza by bus.

If you’re based in Merida, taking the ADO bus is a good option if you’re willing to wake up early. There’s a daily bus from Merida to Chichen Itza departing at 7.15 AM, which arrives at Chichen Itza at 8.20 AM, so right at opening time. Otherwise you can take the bus which departs at 12 PM and arrive in the early afternoon.

At the time of writing, the ticket costs 156 MXN, although it may vary depending on the promotions available.

On the way back, you can take the bus that leaves from Chichen Itza at 5.30 PM, which gives you enough time to check out Chichen Itza and Ik Kil Cenote.

• DRIVE TO CHICHEN ITZA FROM MERIDA

It won’t be a problem finding a rental car in Merida. In fact, I personally rented a car in Merida twice when I was living there for a month or so. If you prefer to rent a car online, here you can compare prices. ➥  COMPARE PRICES HERE

The road from Merida to Chichen Itza is very straightforward. Take the 180E towards Cancun, and in Kantunil turn left to continue on the 180D. Take exit number 79 and follow the signs towards Chichen Itza.

The drive takes approximately 1 hr 25 minutes. This is partially a toll road.

How to Get from Cozumel to Chichen Itza

If you’re staying in Cozumel , you’ll have to take one of the many ferries from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, and then follow the directions from Playa del Carmen. Would I recommend visiting Chichen Itza from Cozumel in one day though? Probably not. I would definitely make it an overnight trip or part of a bigger Yucatan itinerary .

Practical info for Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico

If you are planning to visit Chichen Itza, make sure you plan your trip ahead of time to make the best out of your day trip.

Where is Chichen Itza located?

The Chichen Itza ruins are located in the Eastern part of Yucatan state in Mexico, approximately 25 miles from Chichen Itza. The location of Chichen Itza in Yucatan Peninsula makes it easy to visit as a day trip. It’s indeed 2 hours 20 minutes from Cancun, 2 hours 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen, and 2 hours from Tulum.

What are the Chichen Itza opening hours?

Chichen Itza hours are from 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily.

How much is the Chichen Itza entrance fee?

Currently, the Chichen Itza entry fee is 533 Mexican Pesos per person (only applies to foreign tourists). The admission fee includes two tickets, one for the Federal tax, and one for the State tax. If you pay by credit card, you’ll have to make two separate payments.

Can I buy Chichen Itza tickets online?

I heard you can buy the simple Chichen Itza tickets online, but I honestly wasn’t able to find this option when I looked for it. At this time, though, you can buy the skip-the-line tickets here .

What about parking at Chichen Itza?

If you plan to rent a car and drive to Chichen Itza, you can find plenty of parking spots on the site and you should bear in mind that you’ll have to pay around 80 Pesos parking fee so you can be assigned a parking slot.

Can I find Chichen Itza souvenirs here?

Trust me, you’ll have no problem finding souvenirs at Chichen Itza. On your way to Cenote Sagrado you’ll find tens of souvenir stands. Make sure to bargain!

Guided Tour vs Visiting Chichen Itza On Your Own

I’m not the biggest fan of organized tours, but this is one case where I do recommend going with a guided tour if it’s your first time visiting Chichen Itza. A guide will be able to explain to you the history of the pyramids and tell you the stories that you won’t find on your Lonely Planet.

When you book a tour to get to Chichen Itza, it will usually include transportation, a skip-the-line ticket, food, and maybe a visit to a cenote or other attractions but, as you may imagine, it will cost more for the convenience.

I would recommend a Chichen Itza self-guided tour to those visitors who are either on a budget, or are really not into history and are ok with just knowing the information you can find on the panels or online.

I visited Chichen Itza in Mexico twice, the first time with a tour and the second one on my own, and I felt it was the right choice. On my first visit, I was able to learn about the site from an experienced guide, while on the second visit I took my time to wander around and take approximately a thousand or a million Instagram pictures. Both experiences were great in their own way, so it really depends on what you’re looking for!

On the “Best Tours to Chichen Itza” section above you can find a list of the tours that are worth your money and give you the best value for your bucks.

➤ If you’ve decided to go on a Chichen Itza day trip on your own but still want a more comfortable experience, you can buy a special ticket in advance that will let you skip the line, which sometimes can be really long. ➥ BOOK YOUR TICKET

A Brief History of Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

Now I want to tell you a little bit about Chichen Itza (nothing too long, don’t worry!) so you know what you’re going to see! Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that was built in the middle of the jungle in the Yucatan Peninsula.

While it’s known today as a major tourist attraction in Mexico, it used to be the home to a thriving civilization during the pre-Columbian era and there are many historic accounts about how and when the Chichen Itza was built.

When was Chichen Itza built?

Most of the historic accounts point to the early 400 AD, but there’s also evidence that shows that the ancient structures were constructed a few years later (some citing the middle of the 5 th century).

Why was Chichen Itza built?

While the date when the ancient civilization was built remains a debate, one thing is undeniable– the structures served as the center of political and economic power, and as the heart of the Mayan culture.

This is not a small place, the entire archaeological site spans 3.2 square kilometers, which means that there are more sites that could be unearthed. In fact, archaeologists have continued their study and research on the site in order to further understand how the ancient Mayans lived and what led to the decline of such a powerful civilization.

Curious to know more? Here are some fun facts about Chichen Itza that I’m pretty sure you didn’t know!

What to Visit at Chichén Itzá, Mexico

When you visit Chichen Itza, you should explore the following famous constructions on the site to really take advantage of your trip.

El Castillo Pyramid (Temple of the Kukulkan)

The El Castillo is the most important structure in Chichen Itza archaeological site, and what people refer to when they talk about the Chichen Itza pyramid. It’s in fact a pyramid structure that still stands today after all this time, mainly because of the restoration efforts they made at the site to preserve the ancient monuments.

El Castillo of Chichen Itza is also known as the Temple of the Kukulkan, and literally dominates the site.

This structure consists of square terraces that have stairways on all four sides of the pyramid and there are also sculptures of plumed serpents that run down the balustrade of this pyramid, which is really something you should look at closely.

And if you manage to visit at the right time, the Chichen Itza snake comes down! There is a really amazing phenomenon that happens only during the spring and autumn equinoxes where the sun strikes at the balustrade in the late afternoon, particularly the northwest corner of the pyramid. As the light of the sun hits the balustrade, it creates the illusion of the serpent slithering down the pyramid.

PHOTO TIP : You want to know how I managed to take pictures of the pyramid of Chichen Itza with no one in the background? I came here early! I spent the previous night in Valladolid , was at the entrance by opening time and rushed directly to El Castillo before visiting any other structure. I must say though that for the first full hour the complex was pretty quiet…after that, forget it!

Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza

The Great Ball Court, also known as the Grand Ball Court, is another striking structure in the Chichen Itza Mayan city. This is the largest rectangular arena (about 2.2 times the size of an American football field!) that was used by the ancient Mayans.

It’s quite unclear, however, with what purpose they actually used it, researchers don’t know if it was used as a playing field or as a ceremonial site. Aside from the elaborate design that decorates the structure of the arena, this place is also known for its astounding acoustics.

Chichen Itza Temple of the Warriors

This Chichen Itza temple is a complex with a large stepped pyramid that features numerous columns carved to look like warriors. This one is built on a large scale – it’s composed of 200 columns on both the south and west sides.

Unfortunately, climbing this pyramid is no longer allowed. If you really want to climb a Mayan pyramid, you should definitely head to the Coba ruins though, where it’s still possible to do so (and honestly, the Coba ruins are pretty underrated in my opinion) .

The statue of the Chac Mool, which is considered a messenger of the Gods for the ancient Mayans, is located at the top of this pyramid. The Temple of the Warriors also features the same serpent design that you can see in El Castillo.

Cenote Sagrado (Chichen Itza Cenote)

Another must-see site when you visit Chichen Itza is the Cenote Sagrado, or Sacred Cenote (or again Cenote Xtoloc in Mayan). This is a large cenote at the northern end of the archaeological site, valued for its archaeological and cultural significance.

It’s not spectacular like many of the cenotes in Mexico, and it’s forbidden to swim in the Chichen Itza cenote, but it’s an important cenote as it was the site of many ceremonial practices that were performed by the Mayans.

In fact, researchers believe that human sacrifice was performed at the cenote at Chichen Itza. Tons of human remains were in fact unearthed by the archaeologists during their explorations of the cenote and other structures within the site.

Chichen Itza Light and Sound Show

Chichen Itza Light and Sound Show is one of the most special ways to visit Chichen Itza if you’re up for visiting at night. When the sun sets, you’ll have the opportunity to see the magnificent Mayan structures transform with dramatic lighting and 3D mapping projection.

This light and sound show retells the history of the Mayans in a unique fashion, in which impressive light and image mapping display are complemented by rhythmic sounds.

➤ If you’re interested in witnessing the show for yourself you can get tickets directly at Chichen Itza. You’ll start your day with a swim at a cenote, followed by a buffet lunch and a skip-the-line guided tour through Chichen Itza. You’ll then have time at Mayaland hotel to relax by the pool, before heading back to the ruins for the Light and Sound show. The tour also includes a light dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Cenotes Near Chichen Itza Ruins

After you are done visiting Chichen Itza, you’re probably going to be hot and sweaty. Scratch the “probably”. Why not head to one or more of the beautiful sinkholes, in Spanish cenotes , by Chichen Itza, where you can relax and refresh? For me, there’s no better way to complement your visit to the ruins.

READ ALSO : 6 Best Cenote Tours from Valladolid [2023]

Visit Cenote Ik Kil near Chichen Itza

Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most popular cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, partially because of its proximity to Chichen Itza. Many tours that visit Chichen Itza also include a stop at this cenote which is arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes in the region. 

Whether or not you book a tour to Chichen Itza or Yucatan Peninsula, this cenote is a must to stop. There is no doubt that you have seen photos of Cenote Ik Kil as it’s one of the most photographed cenotes in Mexico.

This cenote near Chichen Itza is an open sinkhole surrounded by circular walls that are covered in vines and branches. Those vines and roots that hang from the trees at the mouth of the opening of the cenote create a spectacular, and picture-worthy, look.

It’s always really busy, but if you visit Chichen Itza right at opening time and then head straight here, you probably won’t find the bus tours.

Cenote Ik Kil is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. As one of the most popular cenotes for tourists, there are plenty of tourist facilities on-site including a restaurant, changing rooms, lockers, and life vests for rent.

At the time of writing, the entrance fee to Cenote Ik Kil is 80 Pesos for adults and 40 Pesos for children.

Other Cenotes by Chichen Itza

However, Cenote Ik Kil is not the only cenote worthy of your time around Chichen Itza. There are a few others that in my opinion are even better than Cenote Ik Kil minus the crowds.

READ MORE: A Guide to 11 Incredible Cenotes in Valladolid & Near Chichen Itza

Cenote Zaci is an interesting one because it’s located right in the middle of a city – Valladolid -, which is not the usual location for cenotes. This cenote close to Chichen Itza (45 minutes by car) is a half cave half-open cenote, and a pretty deep one. You can jump from one of the ledges if you’re feeling adventurous! The best part? You won’t find nearly as many people as at Ik Kil. When I visited in the middle of the afternoon, we were maybe 15 people total.

READ MORE : Cenote Zaci, Valladolid – Prices & Info [2023]

I’ve written many posts on this blog about my favorite cenotes in Mexico, so you can click on the individual posts for each cenote on this list to plan your trip. You’ll find info on how to get there, admission price and opening hours, and what are the facilities available at the cenote.

The next one on this list is Cenote Suytun , which you might have already seen as it’s become Instagram famous in the last couple of years. With its man-made peninsula and the ray of light that at certain times of the day illuminates the circle, this cenote is definitely unique. Check it out for a chance to take some incredible shots.

Cenote Oxman is one of my favorite cenotes near Valladolid . It might be because it’s inside a beautiful Yucatecan hacienda, or maybe because even if it’s just a 20-minutes bike ride from Valladolid, you can easily have the cenote all for yourself as it doesn’t seem to be as popular as others. I don’t really understand why, because Cenote Oxman is so beautiful!

READ MORE : Why You Shouldn’t Miss Cenote Oxman

Here it’s a short video I took of Cenote Oxman.

And finally, Cenote Samula and Xkeken .

What’s better than one cenote? Two cenotes, of course! Cenote Samula and Xkeken are right next to each other, and it’s worth visiting both. They are both enchanting, with tree vines dangling from the sky, a dim sunlight from the top, and blue water… they are definitely worth your time.

READ MORE : Cenote Samula: A Magical Spot Near Valladolid Cenote Xkeken: All You Need to Know

Best Time to Visit Chichen Itza

There are plenty of tours that operate within the Chichen Itza archaeological site. These tours come in masses so when they arrive, expect a huge flock of tourists on the site. To avoid the crowd, I recommend you to visit right after the site opens. This will give you a chance to explore the area without the huge crowds, as the group tours haven’t arrived yet.

Another option is to go late in the afternoon, right before the site closes (around 3 PM). The tours usually arrive around midday so you can go there after they have left.

It’s also a no-no to visit on Saturdays and Sundays as the weekends are typically when there is a higher amount of visitors on the site, but during the weekend you can find tons of Mexican tourists as well. Sundays experience the peak of tourist visits. The best day to visit Chichen Itza in my opinion is either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

What to Pack for Chichen Itza

To maximize your enjoyment of Chichen Itza and the archaeological ruins on the site, it’s important to pack a few essential items with you on the tour.

• Comfortable clothes : remember to wear comfortable clothes. If you visit during the summer, expect the weather in Chichen Itza to be hot and humid. Make sure you wear something that is lightweight, breezy, and comfortable. This will help keep you cool as you explore the ruins right under the sun.

• Good quality walking shoes : make sure to bring your trusted pair and don’t even attempt to break in your shoes.

• Sunscreen : again, do not underestimate the heat in Mexico so make sure you are protected from the intense heat of the sun.

• Hat and sunglasses : it’s also a good idea to pack other types of sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses. This will make it easier for you to explore the ruins without worrying about the heat. Plus, a hat always makes for great Instagram pictures!

• Drinking water : when it’s so hot, it’s very important to stay hydrated at all times. You can’t drink tap water in Mexico, so either bring bottled water or go sustainable and buy a LifeStraw or similar product. This is a straw that filters the water while you drink, so you can save money and plastic by filtering tap water.

• Bug spray or insect repellent . A bug spray or insect repellent is a must too. Remember: the ruins are built in the middle of the jungle so make sure you are protected from all kinds of bugs and insects that are present in this type of environment.

This is all the info you need to plan the perfect day trip to Chichen Itza. I hope this Chichen Itza guide was helpful, but if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you book something through one of my links I might get a commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Chichén Itzá

Get facts, photos, and travel tips for chichen itza, a world heritage site in mexico, from national geographic..

Site : Pre-Hispanic City of Chichén Itzá

Location : Mexico

Year Designated : 1988

Category : Cultural

Reason : The brilliant ruins of Chichén Itzá evidence a dazzling ancient city that once centered the Maya empire in Central America.

The stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades, and other stone structures of Chichén Itzá were sacred to the Maya and a sophisticated urban center of their empire from A.D. 750 to 1200.

Viewed as a whole, the incredible complex reveals much about the Maya and Toltec vision of the universe—which was intimately tied to what was visible in the dark night skies of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The most recognisable structure here is the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo. This glorious step pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy—and the heavy influence of the Toltecs, who invaded around 1000 and precipitated a merger of the two cultural traditions.

The temple has 365 steps—one for each day of the year. Each of the temple’s four sides has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365th.

Devising a 365-day calendar was just one feat of Maya science. Incredibly, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. As the sun sets, this shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head at the base of the great staircase up the pyramid’s side.

The Maya’s astronomical skills were so advanced they could even predict solar eclipses, and an impressive and sophisticated observatory structure remains on the site today.

This great city’s only permanent water source was a series of sinkhole wells. Spanish records report that young female victims were thrown into the largest of these, live, as sacrifices to the Maya rain god thought to live in its depths. Archaeologists have since found their bones, as well as the jewelry and other precious objects they wore in their final hours.

Chichén Itzá's ball court is the largest known in the Americas, measuring 554 feet (168 meters) long and 231 feet (70 meters) wide. During ritual games here, players tried to hit a 12-pound (5.4-kilogram) rubber ball through stone scoring hoops set high on the court walls. Competition must have been fierce indeed—losers were put to death.

Chichén Itzá was more than a religious and ceremonial site. It was also a sophisticated urban center and hub of regional trade. But after centuries of prosperity and absorbing influxes of other cultures like the Toltecs, the city met a mysterious end.

During the 1400s people abandoned Chichén Itzá to the jungle. Though they left behind amazing works of architecture and art, the city’s inhabitants left no known record of why they abandoned their homes. Scientists speculate that droughts, exhausted soils, and royal quests for conquest and treasure may have contributed to Chichén Itzá's downfall.

Recently this World Heritage site was accorded another honor. In a worldwide vote Chichén Itzá was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

How to Get There

Chichén Itzá is located near the small town of Piste. Bus services connect to the international airports at Mérida (under two hours) and Cancun (two and a half hours).

When to Visit

The ruins are open daily. Chichén Itzá's climate is consistently tropical—average temperatures are 34ºC. Spring and autumn equinoxes offer the chance to see the incredible shadow serpent of El Castillo—but the often crowded site is absolutely packed at these times.

How to Visit

Staying in the Chichén Itzá area allows visitors to visit early in the morning, out of the hot sun and without the company of the many tourists who arrive on day trip tours from Mérida and Cancun. There is also a light show on the site at night.

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Visiting Chichen Itza: Everything You Need to Know

Ethan doyle white.

• Last Checked and/or Updated 26 January 2024
• No Comments

Chichén Itzá Entry Tickets & Guided Tours

Skip-the-line entry ticket.

• Entry ticket only
• No transport to the site
• No audio/live guide
• 1.5 hr Guided tour only

More information and/or book online , or select your visit date on the calendar below.

Guided Group Walking Tour

• Entry ticket/tax included
• Live guide – English/Spanish
• Max. 15 people/1.5 hours

Day Trip from Cancun/Riviera

• Optional hotel pickup from from Hotel Zone Cancun and Riviera Maya
• All-inclusive option
• 12-hour day trip

More information and/or book online , or select your date and options on the calendar below

Our most recommended activities for Chichén Itzá as listed above are supplied by GetYourGuide. More activities and guided tours to the archaeological Site of Chichén Itzá can also be found on GetYourGuide , Tiqets , Civitatis and Viator .

What is Chichén Itzá?

Chichen Itza is a ruined, pre-Columbian city. It was built and inhabited by historical Mayan people, descendants of whom still live in this part of Mexico. The city developed in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican archaeology, around the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Over time, the city became a major economic powerhouse in the region, with much fabulous architecture built here to demonstrate the power and influence of its elite. Chichen Itza reached its apogee in the subsequent Terminal Classic and Postclassical periods although by the 13th century had entered a decline, with many of its elite buildings falling into disuse. The exact reasons for this fall are still the subject of archaeological debate and enquiry.

Although Spanish invaders tried to establish their own base at Chichen Itza in the 16th century, their plans were scuppered by violent opposition from the local Maya population. By the 19th century, jungle had overgrown much of the ancient city, creating a romantic ruin that helped fire the imagination of explorers and antiquarians alike. Archaeological excavation helped reveal more of the site in the 19th and early 20th centuries, after which several of the buildings were partly reconstructed to help capture their former splendour.

Although climbing the steps of el Castillo pyramid, or the temple of Kukulcán – one of the site’s most monumental stone structures, a walk around Chichén Itzá remains a treat for anyone with the slightest interest in Mesoamerica’s past. It really is little surprise that when a major international poll was undertaken in the early 21st century, Chichén Itzá was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, having already been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Buying Tickets for Chichén Itzá

There are two sums that make up the entry fee for Chichen Itza: one to the Institute of History and Anthropology of Mexico (the custodians of the site) and the other to the Ministry of Culture of Yucatán, the local government tax. When visiting Chichen Itza, if you have not bought tickets online in advance, you will be required to queue twice to pay these two parts at two different ticket booths. Both are located near the main entrance.

It is advisable to bring sufficient cash (with Mexican pesos) as the card machines can be unreliable.

The cost of entry varies depending on who you are. As of early 2022, the price for non-citizens is 533 Pesos (80 to the site custodians and 453 Pesos in taxes to the state), which is approximately US$26 for an adult. Mexican citizens are charged 157 Pesos on top of the 80 Pesos general entry fee, but not on Sundays.

Chichen Itza is currently operating with certain restrictions. Only 3000 visitors are allowed entry per day to prevent excessive crowding inside the site. This makes it a good time to see the site without having to compete with the sheer number of visitors one usually finds here.

Buying a Ticket Online, in Advance

You can buy Chichen Itza tickets in advance, online. Benefits include not being disappointed on the day when all the tickets have sold out, avoiding the hassle of needing cash and/or hoping the card facilities will be working at the ticket booth.

Entry only, skip-the-line tickets for Chichen Itza can be purchased online on GetYourGuide or Tiqets , they are currently the same price,  with the same benefits. Both tickets can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. 

With tickets from both suppliers all government taxes are included and you are able to skip-the-line – both queues in fact – the site entry fee and the local tax levied on top. The number of people allowed into the site each day is limited, with these tickets your entry is guaranteed. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Chichén Itzá?

First of all, the best time of the year to visit this part of Mexico is the period from November to April. By choosing these months you will avoid the rainy season and the colder months of the year. Not surprising then it is the most popular time of the year to visit the Yucatan and Chichén Itzá. 

The earlier you get to Chichen Itza, the better. The doors open at 8am, by which point a small queue has often already formed. Things get busier from around 10am onward, at which point the site can usually get quite crowded, although current restrictions mean that it will not be as congested as in previous years. Going early in the morning also means you can get a good look around the site before the heat of the midday sun hits.

For this reason, if you really want to avoid the crowds of day-trippers you are well advised to stay in a hotel near the site, or the nearby town of Piste. There are hotel recommendations further down this page. 

As locals get free entry on Sundays, this is often a day when crowds grow larger and should be avoided if possible.

Plan to spend at least two to three hours inside the site. Keen archaeological explorers could conceivably spend far longer, especially if you stay for a meal at the on-site restaurant.

What Should I Take?

Chichen Itza is an outdoor experience and you can expect to be exposed to the elements – whether that be baking sun or pelting rain. For this reason, it is important to come prepared. Although slightly cooler between November and January, the weather in this area is fairly constant throughout the year, meaning that there are plenty of hot, sunny days. A sun hat, sun cream, and plenty of drinking water is a must. If rain is forecast, an umbrella or poncho will be very handy.

As you will be on your feet most of the time, wear appropriate footwear. Under the heat of the Mexican sun, some visitors decide to wear flip-flops, but these probably won’t give your feet the needed support for the day. You are better off with comfortable trainers.

If it is great photo opportunities you are after, you are advised to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Those with camera tripods or video recorders may be charged for an extra permit so it is best to check ahead of time if you are planning on bringing professional-level photographic equipment.

On-site explanations are comparatively limited, so keen archaeological explorers might want to bring along a specialist book purchased beforehand. Alternatively, there are many professional guides available for hire at the entrance to the site itself. Those visiting as part of a pre-arranged guided tour can sometimes rely on their guide to provide them with an overview of the site and its history.

What Can I Expect to Find at the Site?

There is an air-conditioned restaurant, Oxtun, located inside the archaeological site. The menu is based largely on traditional Mexican cuisine, although has been adapted to international tourist tastes. Vegetarian options are available. There are other cafes and restaurants within a short drive of the Chichen Itza site itself.

Those wanting a souvenir of their visit will find sellers competing to provide you with a range of standard tourist memorabilia. Many of these sellers blow whistles and cause quite an annoying racket, much to the chagrin of visitors. Be prepared for some sellers to behave in a particularly pushy manner; it is not unknown for sellers to hand you one of their wares unrequested and then demand payment.

Although Chichen Itza is a largely safe place for tourists, like many popular attractions it can attract pickpockets so visitors should be careful with their belongings. Lockers for suitcases and bags are available near the entrance.

How to Get to Chichén Itzá?

Many visitors choose to visit Chichen Itza as a daytrip from Cancun, the coastal city popular with tourists. With about 120 miles between them, the archaeological site is roughly two hours away from the city by car. One option, particularly suited for visitors who like their independence, is to rent a car in Cancun and drive to Chichen Itza themselves. A car park is available near the archaeological site.

An alternative option is to join an organised tour from Cancun. These will usually mean less hassle but also less freedom to plan your visit as you please. These groups usually arrive at Chichen Itza in the middle of the day, when the crowds peak, and often include a scheduled lunch stop on the itinerary.

From Cancun there are a number of different options for day-trips to Chichen Itza. One has an early start that allows you to miss the midday crowds.

It is also possible to take a day-trip to Chichen Itza from Mérida, the capital of the Yucatan state which is located 76 miles away.

For those not wanting to visit Chichen Itza on a daytrip, there is the option of staying overnight at one of the hotels close to the archaeological site itself. Staying at one of these locations will make it easier to get to the ruined city early in the morning, before the crowds.

See our Choice of the 10 Best Day Trips to Chichen Itza , from Cancun, Riviera Maya and Merida, for sunrise tours, and day-trips including more Mayan sites.

Chichén Itzá

Attracting over 2 million tourists each year, Chichén Itzá is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Once a great centre of Maya civilisation that at its peak housed 35,000 people, it now survives as a series of monumental platforms, temples and a grand ballcourt. It was conquered by the Spanish in 1534 AD, but resistance from Mayan peoples prevented a Spanish settlement being established here. By the 19th century it was taken over by forest. Since 1988, Chichén Itzá has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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A first timer's guide to Chichén Itzá

• Chichén Itzá

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichén Itzá is an ancient Mayan capital and the most famous of all the archaeological sites on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

Built between the 9th and 12th century, the sacred city is located 75 miles east of Merida , and covers an area of approximately six square miles where hundreds of buildings once stood. It is a beautifully restored collection of stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades and other stone structures that were inhabited by the Maya  between 750 AD and 1000 AD. Its centerpiece is the magnificent Pyramid of Kukulcan (or El Castillo), which was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and rises to about 100 feet. We highly recommend a visit as part of your vacation to Mexico, as it is a fascinating site with an interesting history.

How do you get to Chichén Itzá?

We suggest flying into Merida or Cancun and then taking our  Chichén Itzá tour or hiring a car. The journey takes around two to three hours by car. Our specialists recommend spending a full day at the site to fully explore without rushing. Spring and autumn equinoxes offer the chance to see the incredible shadow serpent of El Castillo but the often crowded site is extremely packed at these times.

When is the best time to visit Chichén Itzá?

November to April is an ideal time to visit Chichén Itzá on a vacation to Mexico, avoiding the rainy season and the coldest months. You can find out more about the weather in Mexico in our practical information section. We would recommend staying at a hotel close to the site, enabling you to visit before the day-trippers arrive and when it's still cool. See our accommodation ideas further down in this guide.

What can you see there?

We recommend visiting with one of our guides who can show you the different parts of the site and explain the history of Chichén Itzá in more detail. The Maya’s astronomical skills were so advanced they could even predict solar eclipses, and an impressive and sophisticated observatory structure remains on the site today. Look out for the lizards and iguanas scurrying around the ruins.

Each year during the spring equinox a natural phenomenon occurs: the sunlight creates a shadow image of a plumed serpent descending the pyramid's stairs.

The sinkhole of treasures

At Chichén Itzá you can visit the spectacular Cenote Sagrado, a large sinkhole that measures 60 meters in diameter. All sorts of treasures have been found here including rings, necklaces, gold and jade objects, as well as the bones of young women that were thrown into the water as an offering to Chaac, the Mayan rain god.

The largest ball court in Mesoamerica

Chichén Itzá's ball court is the largest in the Americas. Measuring over 160 meters long and 70 meters wide, Mayan men played a game called Pok Ta Pok here. Anthropologists believe that the object of the game was to hurl a ball through a ring that was mounted on a wall, seven meters above the ground. Each team had six field players who would attempt to pass the ball — using any body part except their hands — to their captain who would attempt the shot using a racket of sorts. The captain of the team that made the first successful shot was then decapitated as a sacrifice to the gods. This was seen as an honor and guaranteed entrance into heaven.

All sorts of treasures have been found here including rings, necklaces, gold and jade objects, as well as the bones of young women that were thrown into the water as an offering to Chaac, the Mayan rain god.

Did you know?

• The name Chichén Itzá is a Mayan word: CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and ITZA (of the witch water). Some say this is because people were often thrown into the nearby cenote as sacrifices, and those who survived were believed to be seers.
• Its location is believed to have been chosen because there are two large natural sinkholes nearby, which would have provided water year-round.
• The El Castillo pyramid has 365 steps — one for each day of the year. Each of the four sides has 91 steps; the top platform is the 365th.
• Unfortunately you can no longer climb any of the temples or structures.
• Chichén Itzá was more than just a religious and ceremonial site. It was also a hub for regional trade. But after centuries of prosperity and absorbing influxes of other cultures, the city met a mysterious end. Scholars place the demise of the city anywhere between AD 1000 and the 1400s, when people abandoned the city and fled to the jungle, leaving no written record of why they left.

Nearby sites of interest

The smaller and less crowded ruins of Uxmal , south of Merida and the barely restored Maya site of Coba  are worth a visit during a trip to Mexico. The town of Merida is also worth a visit and still retains its colonial charm. Built on the site of an ancient Mayan city, it has a rich cultural life, reflected in its diversity and many free concerts, performances and events held daily.

The pink flamingo sanctuaries and swimmable crystal-clear cenotes (sinkholes) are some of the natural attractions of the Yucatán Peninsula . The cenotes do get very busy though, we'd recommend the ones closer to Merida and the coast. The Sian Ka'an biosphere on the coast is also worth a visit. The reserve is home to jaguar, puma, ocelot, monkeys, turtles, peccaries and a huge variety of land and aquatic birds. The Mayan Riviera also has beautiful white sand beaches and warm, turquoise seas and the famous ruins of Tulum at the southern end.

What to pack

The Yucatán Peninsula can get very hot around midday so wear light clothes, a hat, sun cream and comfortable shoes as you'll be doing lots of walking. Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you take a private tour with one of our guides they will supply water.

Is there anywhere nearby to eat?

There are restaurants in the hotels near the ruin. We recommend Hacienda Chichén as it uses many home-grown ingredients but is a little expensive.

Places to stay near Chichén Itzá

Hacienda Chichén

Chichén Itzá

Our suggested trip ideas for Chichén Itzá

Highlights of Mexico: Mexico City, Mérida & Isla Holbox

11 days from $4,700pp

Classic Mexico tour

14 days from $6,140pp

In search of the Maya through Honduras, Belize, Guatemala & Mexico

20 days from $7,655pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide
• From tacos to tejate: Mexican food experiences to try on your trip
• Family vacations in Mexico
• Mexico’s Day of the Dead, demystified: a brief guide
• Luxury vacations in Mexico

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The 6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Chichén Itzá

To the north of the Yucatan Peninsula is Chichén Itzá, base of the Mayan culture and currently one of the most famous archaeological sites on the planet for its architecture and mysticism. Discover why you can not miss this wonder of the world!

Chichen Itza, World Heritage Site

In 1988 this archaeological site was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is one of the best preserved testimonies of the Mayan civilization, which served as a political and cultural center.

Temple of Kukulkan, Wonder of the World

Recognized in 2017 as one of the new seven wonders of the modern world, this building is the main one of Chichén Itzá, it shows the knowledge that the Mayans had about astronomy, mathematics, acoustics and geometry.

It has 18 bodies that represent the same number of months of 20 days each, four staircases, each with 91 steps, which represent the days of the haab (Mayan calendar) that when added to the platform result in 365.

It is worth to note that while Europe lived the Middle Ages in Mexico there was already a calendar with more precision than the Gregorian… Interesting, right?

The feathered serpent of light and shadow

On the days of the spring and fall equinox, March 21 and September 22, respectively, a solar projection consisting of seven inverted triangles of light is observed on the north stairway of the Kukulkan Temple, which make appear a snake shadow that goes down little by little to the head that is located at the bottom of the pyramid, thus completing the feathered serpent.

A similar process occurs during the lunar equinox, in the early hours of the full moon, but in the staircase of El Castillo building.

The song of the quetzal

This sound can be heard by making a noise of short duration, but with intensity, such as an applause or by playing a percussion instrument, at a distance of approximately 40 meters in front of the staircase of the main pyramid.

This acoustic effect was first discovered in 1998 by the American engineer David Lubman, also in 2004 Belgian scientists showed that waves bounced off the ladder produce a sound similar to the quetzal (sacred animal of the Mayas) and raindrops.

The sacred cenote

Approximately 300 meters from the pyramid of Kukulcán is the Sacred Cenote, which has a diameter of 60 meters and a depth of 15 meters, in which rituals and ceremonies were held in honor of the gods.

From the bottom objects of jade, gold, copper and pieces of fabric have been extracted, believed to have been thrown as tribute to Chaac, god of rain.

You can read too:  Places in Cancun Where You Must Take a Picture

The court that is in these ruins is the best preserved and largest in all Mesoamerica, measures 120 meters long and 30 wide, is oriented from north to south and is located north of the temple of Kukulcán.

Now that you know this info about Chichén Itzá add it to your list of places you must visit. We can’t wait for your review!

Don’t leave without reading:  Get to know Playa de Oro a traditional beach in Puerto Vallarta

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Is Chichén Itzá Worth It & Why You May Want To Skip It 2024

Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Ashlea J. Russell

Is Chichén Itzá worth it? I’m getting into why it is and isn’t.

If you’re headed to Yucatán or the Riviera Maya, Chichén Itzá is probably on your radar when it comes to things to do. But whether you’re trying to figure out bus schedules or comparing tours (that all seem to be the same), the time and money starts to add up.

You may find yourself wondering, is Chichén Itzá worth it?

As a Mexico expert I figured the next time I’m in the area I should check this out for myself, and that’s exactly what I did.

In this post I’m going to tell you why Chichén Itzá is worth visiting and why you might want to skip it . I’ll also cover your best options for visiting, what it’s really like when you’re there, and tips for having a great trip.

So let’s get into it!

Is Chichén Itzá Worth it?

It only takes a quick Google or scroll of social media to see that Chichén Itzá is beautiful . The perfectly geometric pyramid set against a backdrop of green grass and blue skies is swoon-worthy .

To hang in the ranks of the New 7 Wonders of the World alongside the likes of the Roman Colosseum and the Taj Mahal, Chichén Itzá must be worth visiting! Surely!… Right?

The answer to this question is yes… and no.

But we’ll start with the yes.

Why Chichén Itzá Is Worth Visiting

For a lot of people Chichén Itzá is worth visiting, especially if you’re already in the area. As a day trip, this is a great way to learn about the culture of the region (beyond tacos and tequila, folks) and switch things up from the pool bars and beaches.

So let’s get into the reasons why you should go to Chichén Itzá.

It’s Culturally Important

Mexico can get a bit of a reputation of being all tacos and tequila but in reality, it has a rich culture and long, interesting history .

There were actually several ancient civilizations in Mexico but in the southern part of the country the main one was the Maya .

This civilization is interesting because the ancient Maya seemed to be so ahead of their time . Feats of engineering and architecture have been causing head scratches for centuries as we try to understand how they knew what they knew .

Take the famous pyramid for example. The Temple of Kukulkan was built in honour of the chief god of the Maya by the same name, depicted as a feathered serpent .

The pyramid was built symmetrically with 91 steps on each of the four sides and one step on top , adding up to 365 steps (just like the number of days in the Mayan sun calendar).

Every year on the spring and autumn equinoxes a shadow is cast on the pyramid showing a serpent descending to the earth marking that it’s time to plant or harvest crops.

A feathered serpent, just like Kukulkan. 🐍

The pyramid also happens to be built on top of a cenote , a sacred water source for the Maya. And surrounding the pyramid, of equal distance to the north, south, east and west are four more cenotes .

I guess what I’m trying to say is, the Maya don’t exactly throw things together.

• About 8 million Mayans still live today in Southern Mexico and Central America. Although many live a modern life, there are still those who speak the languages and live by the ancient traditions and customs.

One of the highlights for me at Chichén Itzá was the Great Ball Court .

I first learned about the Maya ballgame at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and have seen a few ball courts since then, but none compare to the one at Chichén Itzá .

In addition to being huge (the largest in Mesoamerica) and in good shape, this ball court also has ancient carvings of the ballgame, what it looked like and what it meant.

Standing on the very spot it was played and looking at the pictures is a pretty surreal connection to a 3,000 year old game .

It’s the Best Site Near Cancún

If you just want to visit any ole ruins near Cancún then you can save yourself the journey and head to the Museo Maya de Cancún (Mayan Museum of Cancún) in the Hotel Zone. They have some small ruins on the museum grounds that can scratch that itch.

But if you want to visit somewhere much more impressive and interesting then Chichén Itzá is hands down the best archeological site near Cancún .

Chichén Itzá isn’t just a pyramid, the core site is 5 square kilometers/2 square miles and features a variety of structures and buildings , in various states of ruin dating back almost 1,000 years .

There are other ruins near Cancún such as Coba and Ek Balam but they don’t compare with the scale and quality of the experience at Chichén Itzá.

If you’re interested in Mayan culture and want a really great historical experience from Cancún or Playa del Carmen then Chichén Itzá really is the best choice .

If you’re staying in or near Tulum then the ruins there are a great alternative . The setting of the Tulum ruins is jaw-dropping, overlooking the ocean , but they don’t have a pyramid so that’s something to consider.

• Chichén Itzá is actually only 2 hours from Tulum so if you wanted to go see the pyramid, it’s not too far away.

You Can Turn It Into a Mega Day Trip

If you’re heading out to Chichén Itzá from somewhere like Cancún, Tulum or anywhere else along the Riviera Maya then it’s really a long way to go just to do this one thing.

The good news is, there are other things to include in the area that can make for one big day trip of multiple experiences.

Most of the organized tours to Chichén Itzá include swimming in a cenote and a visit to the charming city of Valladolid .

This means you get to learn about the Maya and visit the ruins , then go swimming in one of their sacred underground swimming holes, and get a taste of authentic Mexico in a typical city.

Even if you rent a car to drive yourself you can recreate this itinerary .

By rolling three memorable experiences into one 11-12 hour day trip you maximize on time and value.

It’s a New Wonder of the World

In 2007, Chichén Itzá was voted onto the New 7 Wonders of the World list, which is a pretty cool designation to have!

• FYI this wasn’t the most scientific process. This was an open vote to anyone on earth and everyone could vote as many times as they wanted.

The criteria for the candidates was pretty loose, but all were a UNESCO World Heritage Site , architecturally impressive , and people thought they were pretty cool to look at.

Regardless of how the vote was structured, there are only seven wonders on the list which makes them all special!

Some people have even made it a mission to visit all seven wonders – I’m about halfway there.

Chichén Itzá also happens to be the only New Wonder of the World in North America so it’s a great place to kick off the list if you’re already nearby.

Why Chichén Itzá Might Not Be Worth It For You

Did you know there are hundreds of ruins and archeological sites in Mexico that are open to visitors? Well there are. Hundreds.

If you’re visiting other parts of Mexico and you want to include some ruins in your trip, you may want to save yourself for another site. Let’s get into the reasons why you might want to skip Chichén Itzá.

It’s Expensive

The pyramid of Chichén Itzá is a major, major tourist attraction (2.5 million visitors a year) and one of the most expensive, most visited, and most touristy archeological sites in all of Mexico.

Let’s look at ticket prices alone.

One of my favourite archeological sites in Mexico is Monte Alban in Oaxaca. The current cost of entry to Monte Alban is $70MXN [$4.25USD/$5.50CAD]. The current cost of entry to Chichén Itzá is $614MXN [$37USD/$50CAD].  That’s almost 9x more expensive!

When you add on transportation and a tour guide, a visit to Chichén Itzá can be an expensive day out.

• Always, always hire a guide at any archeological site. These are licensed pros who know the history inside out and they will make a big difference to your experience.

It’s Busy

Money isn’t everything. Chichén Itzá also happens to be really, really busy . Some people don’t mind crowds but I actively avoid them. I travel during off season, I find hidden gems, and I avoid places with English writing.

If you’re like me, you may enjoy your time more at a quieter or even larger site.

I went to Chichén Itzá early in the morning, which I highly recommend to avoid the crowds or taking a small group tour. When the tour buses of groups of 48 travellers start rolling in it can feel a little like you’re being herded.

Sites like Monte Alban in Oaxaca and Teotihuacan in Mexico City are larger and have fewer visitors which makes for an overall calmer experience.

It’s Inconvenient

If you’ve looked into visiting Chichén Itzá at all yet, you’ll see that it’s kind of a pain to get to! Even with the new highways it’s still a 3 hour drive from Cancún and a 2 hour drive from Mérida .

Unless you’re already driving between Cancún and Mérida, you’re looking at a 4-6 hour round trip just to visit this site which makes for a long day.

• That’s 4-6 hours round trip assuming you’re driving yourself and don’t hit any traffic. For tours and buses, expect longer.

If you’re short on time with your trip you may want to consider if you’re willing to lose an entire day to visit Chichén Itzá.

Weigh up how important it is to you vs the time commitment before deciding to make the journey.

I’ve Seen Better

🚨Unpopular Opinion Alert!🚨

I see a lot of people raving about Chichén Itzá and how it’s amazing and how everyone should go and it always leads me to the same conclusion: They don’t have much to compare it to.

Don’t get me wrong, Chichén Itzá is an interesting and important historical site and I am glad I went .

There’s a lot to like about it, which is why I started with the reasons why you should go!

But as an expert who explores Mexico for a living, and also as a lover of the country, Chichén Itzá is not my favourite site .

The pyramid at Chichén Itzá is probably the most beautiful and in tact pyramid I’ve visited in Mexico but in terms of overall experience, I prefer some other sites.

The mountaintop setting of Monte Alban in Oaxaca was breathtaking, I loved the magical sense of history in Uxmal near Mérida, and the sheer scale of the enormous Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan outside Mexico City is something to behold.

Chichén Itzá is the most popular archeological site in Mexico but I think a lot of that has to do with geography .

If it wasn’t near the busiest tourist hub of the country I think it’d be a different story.

• If you’re staying in Mérida, Uxmal is a fantastic day trip just an hour from the city! The main pyramid is not as pretty as the one at Chichén Itzá but the site is magical, quiet, and gorgeous!

Should I Do a Tour of Chichén Itzá?

Whether you go to Chichén Itzá as part of a tour group or independently, I strongly recommend that you take a tour of the site.

• If you take an organized tour, the Chichén Itzá guide will be included and if you go independently you can pick up a licensed English-speaking guide at the entrance.

In Mexico tour guiding is a career . To be a tour guide in sites like Chichén Itzá the guides must undergo training , pass licensing exams laid out by the Ministry of Tourism , and renew their license every five years.

The government takes this job very seriously which is great news for us visitors. This means we’re going to get an amazing experience with our guides!

Chichén Itzá is nice to look at but when you’re just walking around, you don’t really know what you’re seeing unless there’s someone there to tell you.

There are some self-guided audio guides out there but I don’t think anything beats the breadth of knowledge that a local expert guide can provide.

Hiring a local guide makes the whole experience of visiting Chichén Itzá worth it.

How To Visit Chichén Itzá

When it comes to visiting Chichén Itzá can either go independently or go as part of a tour. I’m going to cover both of these options to help you decide which one is right for you.

Taking a Tour to Chichén Itzá

Taking a tour to Chichén Itzá is definitely the easiest way to visit this archeological site. A guided tour removes the need for working our logistics and allows you to just sit back and enjoy the day. But not all tours are created equally!

The most important things you need to look for when choosing a tour to Chichén Itzá are:

Guided tours to Chichén Itzá aren’t the cheapest but they tend to include multiple activities and a buffet lunch . This means you have a good idea up front of exactly how much this day trip is going to cost.

When you consider all the inclusions and transportation the value for money is actually pretty good!

The Best Tour From Cancún & Playa del Carmen

The best Chichén Itzá tour from Cancún and Playa del Carmen is the Chichén Itzá , Ek Balam and Cenote Tour . This tour leaves early in the morning (5am-6am) which means beating the crowds to the sites.

This tour visits two major archeological sites, Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam , and an opportunity to cool off in a cenote swimming hole.

The tour is run by one of the most reputable tour companies in all of Mexico and is capped at 20 people which is less than half the size of most of the other tours! This will make a big difference to your overall experience (a lot less waiting around!).

Although it’s a long day, the day trip is packed full of amazing memory makers and includes the following:

• Round-trip transportation in an air conditioned vehicle
• Bilingual guide
• Entrance to Ek Balam
• Entrance to Chichén Itzá**
• Admission to the Cenote
• Buffet lunch

**Note: The base ticket for Chichén Itzá is included but the foreign taxes are not. $54USD is due on the day in cash. This tax applies to all tours to Chichén Itzá. Some include it in the tour price, others collect it separately but you always pay it.

The Best Tour from Tulum

The Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid Small Group Day Trip is the best tour from Tulum with the best company from Tulum! This small group tour is all about eco friendliness and sustainable tourism.

Unlike the big coach tours, this small local company supports the local economy , operates under a zero waste recycling program and keeps groups small to improve experience and the impact on the sites. So you can feel good about your choice!

In addition to exploring Chichén Itzá, this tour includes a Yucateca lunch (regional meal) at a colonial restaurant in downtown Valladolid and some free time to explore this beautiful city.

• The big tour buses eat in tourist buffet restaurants outside of the Chichén Itzá grounds, so this is a big upgrade!

Then you’ll round out the day by cooling off with a swim in a cenote run by a local Mayan community .

This tour includes:

• Entrance to Chichén Itzá
• L unch in Valladolid
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Foreign taxes

The Best Tour From Mérida

The best tour from Mérida is the Chichén Itzá, Pink Lagoon & Flamingos Small Group Tour .A totally different experience than the tours from the Riviera Maya, this tour is super unique!

With an early start around 6am your group 8 or less will beat the crowds to Chichén Itzá. After exploring the archeological site you’ll head for a dip in one of the lesser known cenotes in the area.

You’ll end the day at the bubblegum pink salt lake of Las Coloradas , complete with flamingo spotting . 🦩

• Tour of Chichén Itzá **
• Bottled water
• Biosphere reserve fee 🦩
• Visit to Las Coloradas pink lagoon***

**Ticket to Chichén Itzá is to be paid upon entry to the site.

***Entrance to Las Coloradas is $75MXN [$4.50USD/$6CAD] is to be paid locally, but the flamingo reserve fee is included.

How to Visit Chichén Itzá By Bus

Visiting Chichén Itzá independently by bus is the cheapest way to get to the site at around $340MXN [$20USD/$27CAD] per ticket return . First class buses in Mexico are safe and comfortable but this route has some logistical challenges.

Sunday through Friday there is only one direct bus per day from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum to Chichén Itzá and only one return .

The ADO direct buses take 3-3.5 hours and depart in the morning between 8am – 9am depending on the city. The return departs around 4pm .

• The state of Quintana Roo uses Eastern Time and rest of southern Mexico uses Central Time. This means that the Riviera Maya is one hour ahead of Chichén Itzá . Keep this in mind so you don’t miss your bus. ⏰

These buses can be very busy since there’s only one a day. I highly recommend booking your bus tickets in advance (especially the return). The ADO website is only available in Spanish but you can book bus tickets in English with BusBud .

While the downside to taking a bus from the Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá is that you are left for 5 hours waiting for the bus home. There really isn’t much of a town to explore so it’s not an ideal circumstance.

If you’re coming from Mérida things are a lot easier ! There are a few buses going back and forth every day.

By Bus via Valladolid

If the One-Bus-a-Day thing doesn’t work for you the other option is to go to Chichén Itzá via Valladolid .

You’re going to want to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the good news is, there are more bus options to Valladolid which means you can arrive hours earlier the Chichén Itzá buses.

Once in Valladolid you can either take a taxi to Chichén Itzá or take the colectivo .

An authorized taxi can be taken outside the bus terminal and will cost about $600MXN [$36USD/$47CAD] each way .

• Uber is technically available in Valladolid but don’t bank on it as the availability of drivers is very limited. An Uber to Chichén Itzá costs about half of the authorized taxi cost but you will have to find another way back.

A much cheaper method is the colectivo . The colectivo is not going to be a comfortable ride but at only $80MXN [$4.50USD/$6.50CAD] return they can be forgiven.

I’ve included walking directions and the exact location of the colectivo stop in the map below. The first colectivo leaves for Chichén Itzá at 7am and the last return is 5pm .

The colectivos are cash only and the journey takes about an hour each way .

How to Visit By Car

Thanks to the introduction of decent highways in the Yucatán visiting Chichén Itzá by car is pretty easy! Just pop it into Google Maps and you’re on your way.

Parking is available on site for $80MXN [$6.25USD/$4.75CAD] per vehicle or if you don’t mind walking you can try to find a spot on the road or in one of the cheaper local lots.

If you’re renting a car to visit Chichén Itzá I recommend making a day of it! The yellow town of Izamal is located just over an hour from Chichén Itzá heading toward Mérida.

This town is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics and Mayans and has an interesting storied history.

The town centres around a large yellow convent , which the Spanish built some 500 years ago. This convent is beautiful and boasts the second largest monastic courtyard in the world after the Vatican.

But as is to be expected, with colonialism it’s not all sunshine and yellow paint.

The San Antonio de Padua Convent was built on the site of the Mayan acropolis . The Spanish actually took the stones from the ancient Mayan temple on this site and used them to build the convent.

While the convent is an interesting visit it also has a gorgeous view over the town and surrounding area.

A few golden blocks away you can visit some more Mayan ruins which are free to enter or you can just wander the streets of bright yellow buildings.

Any time you choose to drive in Mexico just be sure to follow these tips:

What To Expect at Chichén Itzá

When you arrive at Chichén Itzá there is a large parking lot out front. When you approach the visitor centre you will find the ticket office outside .

Here you’ll see licensed guides in white shirts with guide IDs around their necks. If you don’t already have a guide, this is the place to get one!

The visitor centre consists of:

When it’s time to enter the archeological site you’ll scan your ticket at the turnstile to enter. A dirt path leads you up through the forest until you emerge into the open to find the main event, the pyramid .

Guided tours around Chichén Itzá take 2-2.5 hours in all and the pace is leisurely with lots of breaks . There are some seats sprinkled around the site or you can always do what I did and find a tree stump as needed.

The tour guides at Chichén Itzá speak excellent English and are very conscious of the heat. Where possible they will bring the group to the shade during the longer talks.

There are a total of 26 ruins for visitors to see and all these areas are well-maintained. The paths connecting different areas are dirt and uneven so keep an eye on where you’re putting your feet to avoid any accidents .

There are souvenir vendors inside the archeological site offering all sorts of Chichén Itzá themed kitsch and gifts . You can negotiate prices here as there are so many competing vendors, but do expect prices to be high .

The various ruins are spread out across quite a large area so expect to walk anywhere from 1-3 miles / 1.5-5kms .

At the end of the tour you are free to continue exploring the grounds and taking photos.

When you’re ready to leave you can head back to the visitor centre to find the exit.

When you exit Chichén Itzá you will enter a large covered market area with an enormous amount of vendors selling everything from shot glasses to musical instruments to t-shirts. This is your last opportunity to make a souvenir purchase!

How Much Time Should You Spend at Chichén Itzá?

If you’re taking a guided tour, I recommend 3-4 hours at Chichén Itzá. This allowed 2-2.5 hours for a leisurely guided tour and time to explore and take pictures.

If you decide not to take a tour, 1-2 hours would be enough time to explore the site and take pictures.

Tips For Visiting Chichén Itzá

However you decide to visit Chichén Itzá there are a few tips you need to follow to have the best time. Here are my top tips and things I wish I knew before I went!

1. It’s The Hottest Place On Earth

Okay, this is a slight exaggeration but it’s not far off the truth. The Yucatán is unforgivably hot , especially in summer.

January is the coolest month of the year and it’s regularly around 86F/30C . In the summer you’re looking at humidity and temperatures around 104F/40C .

Unlike the coastal areas, there is no sea breeze cooling things down, it’s just pure heat and the hot sun beating down.

When you visit Chichén Itzá you’ll be walking a lot in wide open spaces in direct sunlight so prepare accordingly .

I visited Chichén Itzá in July and it was unbearably hot. I ended up with heat stroke at the end of the day and needed a recovery day. Please be careful and always have travel insurance .

2. Bring Cash

Cash is King in Mexico! You will need cash on your trip to Chichén Itzá.

Credit card is accepted at the ticket office however the machines are unreliable . Not all foreign credit cards are accepted. You may also be asked to produce photo ID that matches your credit card.

To be safe you’ll want to bring enough cash to cover the entry fee .

You will also need cash to pay and tip your guide , buy anything from the many souvenir vendors, and make purchases from the gift shop , café , or store . If you decide to drive you’ll also need cash for parking .

The bathrooms and toilet paper are free to use.

3. Beware the Time Zones

I’ve mentioned this already but I’m going to say it again. The state of Quintana Roo operates in the Eastern Time Zone . This means that anywhere in the Riviera Maya including Cancún , Playa del Carmen , Tulum , Akumal and Cozumel are all in the Eastern Time Zone.

Quintana Roo is the only part of Mexico that uses this time zone. The state made the choice in 2015 to switch to EST to make travel easier for US and Canadian visitors.

• Quintana Roo always uses Eastern Standard Time. The time does not change with daylights savings.

Once you leave Quintana Roo and enter the rest of southern Mexico you are in the Central Time Zone .

This is especially important when you’re booking transportation as transportation is always listed in the local time.

It’s also important when you’re heading back to the Riviera Maya after a day trip. If you leave Chichén Itzá at 5pm and it takes 3 hours to get back, you’ll actually arrive an hour later, at 9pm local time.

4. Your Camera May Not Be Allowed

Mexico has strict laws when it comes to the type of camera equipment they will allow into anthropological and historical sites.

Obviously taking pictures is allowed , that’s why my photos are in this post! But there are some restrictions .

Cell phones with cameras are permitted without issue and are free to be used for photo or video. This is your safest bet for following the rules.

If you want to bring a video camera or GoPro you’ll need to pay a fee of $50MXN [$3USD/$4CAD] in cash.

Professional camera gear is not permitted unless you apply for a permit at 10 business days before your visit.

Finally, tripods of any size are not permitted , including those for phones.

5. Avoid Sundays

On Sundays Chichén Itzá is free to Mexican nationals and foreigners with Mexican ID. These days can get very, very busy and might make you wish you skipped it!

If Sunday is the only day you have to visit Chichén Itzá then it’s still worth visiting, but if you have more time select another day for your trip.

Visiting Chichén Itzá FAQs

You’ve got questions about Chichén Itzá and I’ve got answers!

What Is So Special About Chichén Itzá?

Chichén Itzá is home to the world’s largest Mayan ball court, the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid which is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and is a prime example of Mayan ingenuity and architecture.

Is Chichén Itzá Safe?

Chichén Itzá is totally safe to visit. There isn’t much to do or see in the town other than eating at one of the buffet restaurants. The site itself is maintained and well staffed.

The main safety hazard at Chichén Itzá is the uneven ground. To avoid a rolled ankle, watch where you step especially on the dirt pathways.

Is Chichén Itzá a Wonder of the World?

Yes, Chichén Itzá is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It received this designation in 2007 after a worldwide popular vote.

Which Is Better to Visit Tulum or Chichén Itzá?

Tulum and Chichén Itzá are both impressive sites but offer different experiences . The ruins at Tulum are best known for their stunning backdrop of the turquoise Caribbean Sea , but Chichén Itzá has something Tulum doesn’t: a pyramid .

If you want to learn about Mayan culture and history then the c ity of Chichén Itzá is the better choice, but if you just want to explore some beautiful ruins in a gorgeous setting then Tulum is a great option.

Can You Still Climb to the Top of Chichén Itzá?

No, you cannot climb any of the ruins at Chichén Itzá and please, just don’t. Climbing ancient ruins compromises their structural integrity and can damage the structure. It’s also dangerous to climb steep, unstable structures.

Summary: Is Chichén Itzá Worth It?

So after all that, is Chichén Itzá really worth it?

There are a lot of things about Chichén Itzá that make it a special and historically significant place to visit but there are some drawbacks to visiting a place this popular.

If you’re visiting Cancún and the Riviera Maya and you want to have a cultural experience then a day trip to Chichén Itzá is worth it for you.

And if you’re going to be in the area already or will be passing by then you should definitely stop in!

But, if you’re not planning to be in the region or you’re heading to other parts of Mexico then Chichén Itzá may not be worth the trouble for you.

And you can click here to find out if Cancún is worth visiting for you.

How To Visit Chichen Itza: Guide For First-timers

Have you ever seen pictures of Chichen Itza and wondered how to visit? This post will guide you through everything you need to know to make your first trip there a breeze!

We’ll cover tickets, transportation, where to stay, what to see, and more. So read on for all the info you need to plan your dream vacation to one of Mexico’s most famous sites!

If you’re looking for an unforgettable Mexican vacation, look no further than Chichen Itza.

This ancient Mayan city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and it’s easy to see why.

With its awe-inspiring architecture and rich history, Chichen Itza is a must-see for anyone visiting Mexico. But if it’s your first time visiting, it can be a little daunting knowing where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide on how to visit Chichen Itza – so you can make the most of your trip! Keep reading for everything you need to know.

How To Explore Chichen Itza

It’s no question that visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula should take the time to go and see Chichen Itza.

You should know that the area is massive and it is more than just the one pyramid that is typically pictured in postcards or on social media.

Depending on how interested you may be in the details and how much time you will want to dedicate to roaming around, we suggest giving it at least 2 hours to make it a worthwhile visit.

While it was difficult for us to tour Chichen Itza fully with a small child, it was, nevertheless, very interesting and fun to go!

To enter you will need a ticket. Yes, you have to pay to see Chichen Itza! Tickets cost MXN$80 for children and MXN$533 for adults.

You can buy tickets online or at the entrance to the ruins. There is also a light and sound show in the evening for a higher priced admission.

2. Transportation

The easiest way to get to Chichen Itza is by car. The drive from either Cancun or Playa Del Carmen takes about two and half hours.

It takes an hour less to get there if you are driving from Merida.

Other options include shared taxis or bus. Getting a private tour shuttle is the best and most hassle-free way to do it (this was our choice and we loved it!)

It may take a few days to visit all of Chichen Itza’s sites.

And if you want to spend even longer in Mexico (which we recommend!), there are several nearby towns where you could stay or do day trips from.

The “Pueblo Magico” of Valladolid is probably our favorite option because it has so much charm and character!

This town makes for a great base while visiting Chichen Itza because it allows easy access without any major crowds.

3. Accommodations

Our top picks for where to stay near Chichen Itza include:

• Casa San Juan ($),
• Casa Tia Micha ($$),
• Hotel Posada San Juan  ($$$)

Once you have your ticket, it’s time to start planning what you want to see! Chichen Itza is a large site, and it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring here. 

Archeological Highlights To See

If you’re short on time, we recommend focusing on these three sites:

• El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulkan) is the most iconic building at Chichen Itza, and it’s hard to miss.
• The Ball Court was used for ceremonial purposes rather than sporting events, but how cool does that sound? Our guide mentioned that there is a theory that either the winning team or the loosing team may have been sacrificed, so that part is not cool!
• Finally, the Observatory provides an unparalleled view of the surrounding area – you really can’t beat this perspective!

In the same vicinity of the main pyramid are the Temple of the Warriors and Venus Platform so you can easily explore those without having to venture too far out.

If you have a little extra time, you should also check out Sacred Cenote which is about a 15 minute walk, round-trip. 

We didn’t get a chance to see it because we had to start heading back to Playa Del Carmen but hopefully will go back and check it our next time as it is one of the top things to see at Chichen Itza.

Should You Go With Or Without A Tour?

The short answer would be to go with a tour guide.

Unless you are purely there to see the structures and just take photos simply because they look “cool” you may want to actually learn about what you are seeing.

Some might argue that they can just learn about it online and that may work.

However, it’s just not the same as getting the information and connecting it to the site while actually being in it.

If you get a good tour guide, they will probably fill you in on some bonus information that may not be available easily elsewhere.

For instance, our tour guide went into detail about the four cenotes (one on each side) that surround the main temple (some are at a distance and may not appear on site maps) and how the waterways from those “wells” connect to one cenote or underground lake) right under the pyramid.

This is, perhaps, why the name refers to “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.”  

At the very least, it would be best to get an audio tour. This gives you both the freedom to enjoy the site on your own terms as well as giving you interesting information about this amazing World Wonder.

By the way, this was our fourth World Wonder. We have been fortunate to have see the Great Wall of China, Petra , and the Colosseum in Rome !

Interesting Historical facts to know:

• There are 4 cenotes , one on each side of El Castillo with rivers connecting to big lake under main temple. This is a huge difference when you compare Chichen Itza with Tulum Mayan ruins .
• Girls around age 14/15 were sacrificed in wells during ceremonies. Valuable items were also sacrificed in the cenote. Among some of the things that have been discovered are items made in places in South America like Costa Rica !
• The main pyramid was originally painted red . As guests entered they were given a drink and hallucinogen to enhance the magnificence and splendor of this place. Other ways that visitors were rattled and intimidated were with the many skull carvings at the entrance where thy walked through. 
• Sound carries well from the top of the pyramid . This was helpful when speeches were given to masses of people down below. Sound carrying far is also a characteristic of the Ball Court.
• If you clap at the base of the stairs, the sound will echo and sound like the quetzal bird , which was an important symbol in Mayan culture.
• Two times a year, during spring and autumn equinox , a shadow of a snake will be cast on the side of the stairs as a result of the design of the pyramid. As the sun slowly sets on those days, it gives the illusion of the serpent moving down the stairs where its head is sculpted.
• The Temple of Kukulkan and nearby monuments were built by slaves .
• There are a total of 365 steps (No, you cannot walk up the pyramid) at The Temple of Kukulkan representing the days of a year and the four sides for each season. In a way, the monument is like a calendar they used to help determine when to plant and harvest crops.

Suggested Itinerary

We were coming from our visit in Playa Del Carmen , but this itinerary can also be utilized by those leaving from Cancun.

We ate breakfast and packed Petra’s breakfast to go in order to get out and on the road around 8:15ish am.

We wanted to get there early so that temperatures would be a bit cooler and to deal with less crowds.

Our goal was to stay at least 2 hours and explore whatever that time would allow us so that we could be back by 4pm.

Our tour cost $180USD per person. We used My Quest Concierge Tour for our private tour and transportation.

We brought Petra’s car seat to Mexico with us so that came in handy. The cost included the tolls along the highway that our driver had to pay along the way.

For our on-the-go lunch we packed sandwiches and chips and we also packed food and water for Petra.

Be aware that there is no food option on the drive to Chichen Itza until you are about 20 minutes out in Piste area where you will have some local food options as well as a Subway and convenience store for snacks.

Also, there are no bathroom stops either!

The drive to Chichen Itza is pretty easy and flat with little scenery so we were ready with toys for Petra to keep her entertained a bit.

The key thing that helped us is that we time the drive to overlap with her nap time, so she was asleep a good portion of the 2 hour drive.

Quick Tips For Visiting Chichen Itza

• Plan your time – know how much you want to see. You can spend anywhere between 2 to 4 hours there realistically.
• Get there early (but late afternoon works, too)
• Have cash handy
• Eat outside . Food is limited to snacks once inside so eat at nearby Piste or Valladolid.
• Get a guide for full experience
• Dress appropriately . You will need: sunblock, hat, water, comfortable shoes/sandals – limited shade available
• Be prepared to walk through lots of souvenir vendors (bargain if you want to make purchases)
• It is stroller-friendly, but if you have a small baby, a carrier is more suitable
• Do not to touch any structures or climb them

With these tips under your belt, you should be ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

From getting there early and wearing comfortable clothes with plenty of snacks and water, to going with an expert guide who can answer all your questions about this amazing site- Chichen itza is waiting for you!

Have any other questions? Let us know in the comments below so we can help out as much as possible before you embark on one of Mexico’s most popular tourist attractions.

Check out these articles:

Where To See Wildlife In Cancun And The Mexican Caribbean

Islands Near Playa Del Carmen That You Should Visit On Your Mexico Vacation

Tulum Ruins Vs Chichen Itza – How To Pick The Best Mayan Site To Visit

Taiss Nowrouzi

Hi! I’m just a California girl addicted to travel and adventure with a passion for art and dance on the side. Born in Iran, but I consider myself a citizen of Earth, adhering to the belief that “The world is but one country and mankind its citizen.” I strive to make a positive impact on everyone I meet and learn as much as possible from them. My degree out of college is in Marketing. However, I entered the hospitality business at an early age and worked my way up to hotel management. After about 13 years in that industry (5 of which I was a hotel assistant manager), I made the decision to move to Thailand and leave the 9 to 5 grind behind. My husband and I set off for a life of living abroad and hopes to continue traveling the world, just 3 months after our wedding. It all started with the two of us, along with our cat, together in Thailand. Can’t wait to see where life takes us next!

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12 Essential Tips for Visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico

by Taylor On A Trip | May 18, 2021 | Mexico , North America , Travel , Uncategorized | 0 comments

Visiting Chichen Itza in the Yucatan is one of the most popular things to do in Mexico.

Not only is the site one of the seven new wonders of the world, but it’s also incredibly historically significant and awe-inspiring.

Founded by the Maya people roughly 1500 years ago, Chichen Itza was once the most populous city on the Yucatan Peninsula and, as it has been impeccably preserved, you can still find temples, pyramids, cenotes, and abundant culture at the site.

So, what should you know before you go to Chichen Itza, Mexico?

In this article, we’ll cover:

• ✅ 12 essential tips for visiting Chichen Itza
• ✅ What to bring to Chichen Itza
• ✅ The best time to visit 
• ✅ And so much more!

Tip #1 – Arrive as Early as Possible

Given that Chichen Itza is the most visited site in all of the Yucatan Peninsula, to say it gets busy is an understatement.

To beat the hordes of fellow visitors, I recommend showing up as early or late in the day as possible. Personally, I showed up at around 8 AM and had the place to myself (save a few others) for a couple of hours.

Conversely, if you want to show up for the light show (more on that below), plan your visit for the late evening. If not, keep in mind that during certain times of year Chichen Itza closes as early as 5 PM. 

Me in front of the main pyramid of Chichen Itza — Temple of the Kukulkan

Tip #2 – Be Sun Ready

It’s no lie that the sun beats down hard on Chichen Itza. Granted, I planned my trip to the area in August (big, big, big mistake), but I found the sun and humidity to be absolutely stifling. 

To combat this, plan your trip to Chichen Itza during winter when the humidity is at a manageable level, and make sure you bring a sunhat , sunscreen , sunglasses, umbrella , and a ton of water.

Read More: The 11 Best Things to do in Valladolid, Mexico

Tip #3 – Don’t Pack a Tripod

You can imagine my confusion when I got to Chichen Itza before everyone else, whipped out my tripod, and then immediately had a man tell me that I needed a permit to use it. Womp, womp.

I’ve read contrasting facts on this — some people say they used tripods no problem, others have said they had to pay for a permit. So, when in doubt, either be discreet or have a backup plan.

The photos that I took at Chichen Itza of myself were by way of propping up my camera on my backpack. 

Tip #4 – Arrive via Bus (or a Tour!)

When I traveled to Chichen Itza, I did so by taking the ADO-brand bus from Valladolid. This bus will take you from the main station and drop you off directly at the steps of Chichen Itza for less than 5USD.

In my experience, the first-class ADO buses are clean, cheap, and efficient. My only tip would be to download a google map of the area to your phone beforehand, so you know exactly where you are every step of the way (especially if you don’t speak Spanish well). 

🔥  Alternatively, taking a tour is a great way to see the area. This highly-rated Chichen Itza tour includes a stop in Valladolid, transportation to a cenote, and more!

If you’re not keen on taking a full-day trip tour, then you can also book a guide at the main Pavillion of Chichen Itza as well.

The Group of the Thousand Columns

Tip #5 – Be Aware of the Vendors

One of the main tips I wish I had known before going to Chichen Itza is that the vendor army comes out in full force . Lining the trails and roadways of the site, the vendors are there to sell you everything from cheap knick-knacks to higher-end items. 

There is nothing wrong with purchasing a souvenir or two, but keep in mind that they can be relentless, so mentally prepare yourself for that.

Personally, I purchased a hand-painted piece of artwork which I absolutely LOVE (it’s hanging in my living room as we speak).

Read More: Three Days in Valladolid and Chichen Itza: An Introduction to Mexico

Tip #6 – Allot 2-3 Hours

How long does it take to traverse Chichen Itza, you ask? Whether you travel independently or with a tour, I recommend you allot 2-3 hours. 

Sure, you can spend more or less time here, but I think this is a perfect window to not get burnt out of your surroundings, yet still get a good feel for the place.

Tip #7 – Bring Cash With You

While there is certainly an ATM in Chichen Itza, I found that the lines were too much to handle and that the ATM could be easily skipped by getting cash out elsewhere.

I have a thing where, whether I’m at home in Canada or abroad, I try to only take money out of ATMs in banks, and that’s definitely what I recommend in Mexico.

Find a bank in a nearby city, hit up the ATM, and you’ll be set for the day.

Read More: Is Coba, Mexico Safe?

Tip #8 – Pack Water and Snacks

Though water and snacks will be available at the pavilion when you first enter the grounds, I highly recommend you bring your own supply for the day.

Not only is it a pain in the butt to have to head back to the doors every time you want to eat or drink something, but fare here also tends to be highly overpriced.

Given that you’ll want to stay as hydrated at Chichen Itza as possible, bring enough water to last you through the day, or bring a water purification device and fill up as you go.

Tip #9 – Consider the Light Show

On select nights after the sun goes down, the great pyramid of El Castillo gets lit up with a spectacular light and sound show. 

This show includes a 3D mapping that tells the story of the ancient Mayas; giving a glimpse into the lives of the earliest inhabitants. Check the Chichen Itza website for exact days and times.

Tip #10 – Avoid Sundays and Holidays

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds at Chichen Itza, then definitely avoid Sundays or Mexican holidays. Sundays in Mexico mean that local citizens get free access to many of the major sites, Chichen Itza included.

While this is awesome for the locals, it’s definitely not a tranquil experience. Try and plan your visit for any other day of the week.

Tip #11 – Don’t Expect to Swim

Though it’s believed that the site of Chichen Itza was originally chosen due to its proximity to Xtoloc Cenote, an underground freshwater source/limestone sinkhole, there are actually no swimmable cenotes within the Chichen Itza grounds themselves. 

The other notable cenote at the site being Cenote Sagrado (sacred cenote) in which sacrificial human remains were found.

If you’re yearning for a dip after visiting Chichen Itza, then I recommend going to Cenote Ik Kil (one of the most famous in the Yucatan, and only 5.7km away), Cenote Yokdzonot (18km away), or Cenote Lol-Ha (25km away).

🔥  This Chichen Itza day tour from Cancun or Playa del Carmen includes a stop at Ik Kil Cenote!

Read More: 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Cenotes in Mexico

Tip #12 – Prepare to Walk

The core excavated area of Chichen Itza covers approximately 1.9 square miles (5km), and is, for the most part, pretty spaced out. For this reason, you’ll find yourself racking up your daily dose of steps in no time.

Although it is one of the more wheelchair-accessible ruins in the Yucatan (it’s fairly flat and has maintained trails), be prepared for a full day out in the sun.

Chichen Itza FAQ

What should i bring to chichen itza.

To beat the heat, you should bring a sunhat , sunscreen , and a large water bottle to Chichen Itza. A sun umbrella is also a good idea. Additionally, make sure you have enough cash on you for the day, and bring a nice camera to document your adventures.

If you plan on going to a cenote after Chichen Itza, then definitely bring a bathing suit and quick-dry towel as well.

What is there to see at Chichen Itza?

Some of the most famous sites are Casa Colorada, Temple of the Bearded Man, La Iglesia, Tomb of the High Priest, Sacred Cenote, Temple of the Skulls, Main Ball Court, El Caracol, Temple of the Warriors, and Temple of Kukulkan.

Is it worth going to Chichen Itza?

One of many ancient ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula, it is absolutely worth going to Chichen Itza. One of the seven new wonders of the world, this site is excellent to learn about ancient cultures and traditions.

What’s the best time to go to Chichen Itza?

The best time to go to Chichen Itza is during the winter months, and either early in the morning or late in the evening.

Is Chichen Itza crowded?

While you’ll never be shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone, Chichen Itza does get relatively crowded from late morning to early evening. For this reason, I recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. 

Can you climb Chichen Itza?

Due to the sensitive nature of the ruins, El Castillo and the other structures at Chichen Itza can not be climbed. 

That’s it for my top 12 tips for visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico!

I hope this gave you a ton of inspiration and knowledge for your trip — don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments if you have any questions or thoughts.

Have fun in Mexico!

Keep Reading:

Tulum, Mexico Travel Guide: Tips For Planning Your Dream Trip

12 Essential Tips for Visiting the Coba Ruins in Quintana Roo, Mexico

If You Like Getting Caught in the Rain: An Ode to Rainy Season in Mexico

Unmarked Vans, Mexican Caves, and a Mixtec Prayer

43 Things You’ll Learn By Living in Playa del Carmen for a Month

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Why Does Everyone Want to go to Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

Chichen Itza is certainly the number one tourist attraction (besides going to the beach here). Bus loads of people flow from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen daily to this Mayan site. More than 1.2 million tourist visit Chichen Itza every year. Why is this so?

Well a lot has to do with the semi restored extensive ruins at this site. There are many ruins that are just mere hills covered in jungle. How many people want to see that? Once you see one you have seen them all. At sites like Ek Balam and Coba you can see these “hills” that are really unrestored temples in addition to the restored pyramids. Today Chichen Itza has been restored and preserved as much as possible and the once wealthy city with a culturally advanced civilization can be experienced by walking around.

See our top tips to visiting Chichen Itza Maya ruins here in our video

Tours to Chichen Itza

Do you want to go on a tour to see this marvel of the world? We have teamed up with a tor provider that offers good prices to see these ruins.

Click here to check prices for tours and what is included.

What is there to see at chichen itza.

The main attraction and most identifiable is “ El Castillo ” or the castle which is 90 ft. tall. It has staircases on each side with 365 steps representing the number of days in a year. This pyramid was used  for  religious and astronomical observation purposes. It is also called the Temple of Kukulkan, after the feathered serpent god. Mesoamerican cultures  periodically built  larger pyramids atop older ones, and the Temple of Kukulkan is one such  example. In the mid 1930s, the  Mexican government sponsored an  excavation into the pyramid. They  discovered a staircase under the north side of the pyramid.  By digging  from the top, they found another temple buried below the current  one.  Inside the temple chamber was a Chac Mool statue (The Chac-Mool depicts a  human figure  in a position of reclining with the head up and turned to  one side, holding a  tray over the stomach. The meaning of the position  or the statue itself remains  unknown) and a throne in the shape of  jaguar, painted red with spots made of  inlaid jade. After installing a  set of bars and a locked gate to protect the  jaguar figure they allowed  tourists to come and view it, but in 2006 the tunnel  leading to the  temple chamber was closed to all but archaeologists.

Tip : A visit to Chichen Itza  on the  vernal and autumnal equinoxes will give you a fascinating view of the phenomenon between the sun’s light and the edges of the stepped terraces on the pyramid. This very brief shadow display will be on the sides of the northern  stairway a serrated line of  seven interlocking triangles that gives the  impression of a long tail leading  downward to the stone head of the  serpent Kukulkan, at the base of the  stairway. This makes the body of the snake visible.

The Observatory at Chichen Itza  is called  El Caracol (or snail in Spanish) because it has an interior staircase  that spirals upward like a snail’s shell. The first structure was  probably  built during the period of the late 9th century and  consisted of a  large rectangular platform with a stairway.  A round tower of  about 48 feet high was built on the platform,  with a solid lower body, and an  observation chamber on the top. The round,  concentrically-vaulted Caracol was built and  rebuilt several times  during its time of use in order to calibrate its  astronomical  observation capacity. The windows in the Caracol point in the  cardinal  and sub cardinal directions and are believed to enable the tracking of  the movement of Venus,  the sun and the moon and other  celestial  objects.

Chichen Itza is  also famous for its Great  Ball  Court with stone rings 20 feet high upon two its walls.  Each of the northern, southern and eastern  sides  supports temples, which were probably used for rituals on the days when  the sacred games were played. There are sloping benches on the sides of  the court and  they were probably used to help keep the ball in play.  They are carved with  reliefs of the victory celebrations. One  of the  scenes, the beheading of a player in center field witnessed by the players of both teams, is one of the most dramatic examples of Maya art.  The  scene not only illustrates the danger faced by the players but  also the sacred  importance of the game.

Other notable buildings and structures at Chichen Itza is the Temple of the Warriors, also known as the Temple of the Thousand Columns. There is also a traditional Mayan house recreation to give you an idea of what the area once looked like. These houses were made of wood, clay and thatch roofs, so every trace of them has been erased with time.

Interesting Fact : Mayan houses were oval shape and hurricane resistant.

On one side of the Chichen Itza is one of the two cenotes The  larger cenote is called “Cenote Sagrado”  or Sacred Cenote. According to  sources the  pre-Columbian Maya threw sacrificial objects and human beings into the cenote as a form of worship to Chaac, the Maya rain god. When  archaeologists dredged the cenote in 1961 and 1967 they found various types of offerings, including jade carvings, pottery, gold and silver  artifacts and even  human skeletons. The cenote was also considered by  the Maya to be an entrance  to the underworld and it is believed that  the sacrificial victims were venerating Chac Mool by entering this  underworld. Could these human sacrifices have been the downfall of the city? Did the water source become polluted? We don’t know for sure but it is important to be logical between mixing religion and your drinking water.

Besides having so much to offer as far as restored buildings, Chichen Itza was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. This gave a high amount of publicity to the site. The government of Mexico knew this would have a major effect on tourist for the Yucatan and promoted the voting to elevate Chichen Itza to the new status. This has added thousands of jobs to people in the area.

Today Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the second most visited of Mexico’s archaeological sites. You can no longer climb the pyramid in Chichen Itza but you can at Ek Balam and Coba. Most people arrange a tour to come and see the site. It is a full day trip since it is about 1hr 40 min. -2 hr 40 mins. depending on the route the bus takes from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Most tours take in a beautiful cenote called “Sacred Blue Cenote” in Ik Kil and may stop in the colonial city of Valladolid . Tours usually allow a full two hours at Chichen Itza because it does involve walking  a lot and of course shopping for souvenirs.

What to bring on tour to Chichen Itza

• Bring bottled water with you. You can purchase food and water there but it is tourist prices.
• Bring sun protection with you and that might include an umbrella for the large walking area at Chichen Itza. If you are planning on swimming in the cenote, make sure you have biodegradable sunscreen. The chemicals in regular sunscreen damage the fragile eco system and pollute the water which gets in your eyes.
• Comfortable loose clothes and comfortable walking shoes will be needed.
• And of course your camera!

Have you been to Chichen Itza? Do you have some tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments below.

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11 Comments

Hi, Thanks for sharing about this amazing and beautiful place. We loved going to Chichen Itza! Marvelous ruins.

Thanks for the post. We are planning to drive there ourselves from Playa. Appreciate if you have any tips suggestions and what is the admission price as well as any activities to do along at chichen itza

We have this other guide for getting to Chichen Itza and it highlights some tips and cost for you. If you need anything else, feel free to ask. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/chichen-itza/

It was a fabulous place to visit I was only there for a couple of hours and would love to return one day

I would love to go here. It is a piece of history that has bin around hundreds of years. What makes it so special to me is at onetime long ago the ppl that lived here and walked here and built this with there own hands and now we can walk and touch and visit the same place

Update for February 2019. Just went there and paid $80MX to park, $481MX admission fees complete. It’s gone up a wee bit since my last visit. Yikes!

There are credit card machines that issue tickets. Walk past the line, look to your left at the official book store. two machines that look like ATMs will let you purchase with a card.

I am getting pretty disgusted with the commercialization of the site itself. There were vendors lining every pathway and road inside the park. How about moving them out of the park proper and clear an area just for them to annoy people?

The price did just go up. It was a surprise to a lot of tour companies that sold tickets already at the old price. At one point they moved all the merchants out front but they entered again to line the paths. Uxmal is a good site and has no one selling things inside. This is a good alternative to Chichen Itza.

I have a question…..I am going to Mexico in September on a cruise and have a choice to Chichen Itza, Coba or Tulum. Which one should I visit on this trip. I’m kind of leaning to Coba since I can climb to the top. Any advice would be great. Thanks…..

Hello and thank you for your question. We would suggest Coba also as the best option. Tulum will be the closest ruins to visit followed by Coba. Chichén Itzá it a six hour round trip plus ferry crossings, so it is a lot of transportation time. Coba is fun because it is deep in the jungle and offers a great view from climbing to the top.

Is there a Visitors Center at CHichen Itza with maybe a gift shop that sells quality souvenirs instead of the “almost free” and “Just $1” crap the harrassing outdoor vendors sell? I visited Chichen Itza in 2005 and bought a lovely silver bracelet, but can’t remember if it was from a street vendor or an indoor shop. I do remember an indoor museum, but 15 years ia a long time to remember everything.

There are probably more venders around the trails at the ruins now. There are shops at the entrance also.

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How to Visit Chichen Itza Mexico, The Ultimate Guide

Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan ruins visited in Mexico, a must-see on your trip. Chichen Itza was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998, and a Wonder of the Modern World since 2007.

The Riviera Maya and the Mexican Caribbean are the most popular destination in Mexico.

Statistics show that Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Cobá are among the 4 most visited ruins in Mexico, with the great capital Teotihuacán near Mexico City.

This tells us about the importance of the Riviera Maya as a tourist destination.

In this post about Chichen Itza, Mexico, we’ll share the best information so that you can enjoy the ruins of Chichen just like this iconic destination deserves.

How to get to Chichen Itza, what not to miss, history, tips for the visit, the best tourism, basically everything you need to know.👌

After reading this post you will feel you won’t need a guide anymore when you visit Chichen Itza. However, we suggest you hire one anyway to have a better understanding of this complex civilization.

And with the information we are sharing in this post you will be able to ask more questions and get deeper into the mystery of Mayan history.

Table of Contents

SOME HISTORY OF THE CHICHÉN ITZÁ MAYAN SETTLEMENT

Can you imagine any great capital in history without influences from different cultures? We only have to think of cities like New York, London, Paris… they all have their own cultural imprint together with various foreign influences.

In every big capital, we see temples of different religions, restaurants with different foods, and people of various ethnic groups… the best melting pots are in the capital cities.

Chichen Itza experienced various influences from foreign elements. The most notable influence was from the Toltec culture, bringing a new deity, which was Kukulcán.

Let’s quickly go through the history of Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza was established in the 9th century AD. It is believed that they were Putun or Chontal Mayans.

These Mayas created a vast domain with a unified culture whose center was Chichen Itza. Once settled, its apogee begins, with the Itzaés as a strong ethnic group.

Before the arrival of the Itzaés, the influence of the architectural style of the Puuc is noticeable.

You should know that the Mayans developed several architectural styles in their different territorial domains and the Puuc was one of them.

This style is evident in buildings such as the Grupo de las Monjas, which belong to the 600 to 800 century AD.

This part is one of the most beautiful in Chichen Itza, so don’t miss it. We will show it to you on the map, step by step because Chichen is very big. 😊

Over the years we can see in Chichen the confluence of two cultural regions, the Mayan and the Toltec.

This gave rise to deep social, political, economic, and religious transformations, especially in the period from 800 to 1100 AD (Early Postclassic).

The most significant is the cult of Kukulcán, the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl. This new deity became the central figure of Chichen Itza.

We live in continuous transformation, this is the cycle of life. It is in this period that Chichen reaches its climax.

At the end of its journey, Chichén Itzá was part of the great League of Mayapán, a triumvirate between the three great lineages (the Xiu, Itzaes, and Cocomes) that dominated before the arrival of the Spaniards in the center-north of the Peninsula of Yucatan.

Here is a brief summary of the evolution of Chichen Itza

• 435 – 600 Foundation of the city
• 600 – 918 Puuc influence
• 918 – 987 Increase of the Toltec population. Mayapan lineage
• 1194-1200 Decadence of Chichén Itzá. 1250 – The city is abandoned

APOGEE: Postclassic stage 800 AD – 1100 AD

It is easy to observe the continuous transformation in large cities, while small cities remain more isolated and homogeneous over time. Chichen Itza is a beautiful puzzle where you discover different pieces.

Did you know?

✅ Chichen Itza empire covered up to 25 km2 of territory.

✅ The religious, cultural, and administrative center covered about 6 km2, where the elite lived.

✅ The population of Chichen got to a growth that exceed 50 thousand inhabitants.

✅ Chichen Itza has an exceptional road network that communicated with other Mayan cities. These paths also tell us about the importance of Chichen Itza: better connected, and more relevant are the cities.

✅ The Sacred Cenote acquires great importance as it was a place of pilgrimage in the area.

Meaning of Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá means “At the mouth of the well of the itzáes” or “at the edge of the well of the itzáes” (in Mayan: Chi’ ch’e’en = mouth of the well its ja’ = wizards of the water

As we have previously mentioned, the Itza populated this area.

The Chichen Itza archaeological zone is famous worldwide for the game of light and shadow that occurs at each equinox on the steps of the pyramidal base known as El Castillo. (We’ll talk about it further on, in this post.)

CHICHÉN ITZÁ EXPLORATION HISTORY

The ruins of Chichen Itza are among the most documented in the Mayan world. The most illustrious explorers of the Mayan civilization have gone through that Mayan settlement.

We are going to show you the information with photographs because we love these open windows to the past where we can observe directly what happened.

We are fascinated by the history of exploration of the Mayan world. Old photos, documents, and books are a source of knowledge and inspiration in our incursions into that fascinating civilization.

So here below we wanted to share with you a brief chronology of the main explorations led in Chichen Itza.

► 1840: The pioneers of the explorations of the Mayan world were the American lawyer John Lloyd Stephens and the architect Frederick Catherwood, who traveled and illustrated their expeditions through these lands in two books.

Catherwood’s illustrations and Stephens’ narrations have gone down in history for all those enthusiasts of the Mayan world. Featured Book: “Incidents of Travel in Yucatan” (1843)

► 1881 and 1894: the legendary Alfred P. Maudslay made eight explorations to Chichen in those years. He took photographs of the monuments and glyphic inscriptions and made plaster and papier-mâché molds that are collected in 400 figures that the British Museum preserves.

► 1874/1885: The photographer and writer Alice Dixon Le Plongeon together with her husband Augustus Le Plongeon spent 11 years photographing and exploring in southern Mexico and Central America.

His great legacy was the more than 2,400 photographs and discovering the famous ChacMool of Chichen Itza.

Some of his theories such as that the Mayans had been in communication with Atlantis, ancient Egypt, and Jesus has been discarded today.

► 1984 – The most controversial of the explorers is surely Edward Herbert Thompson. Fascinated by the stories of the pioneers Stephens and Catherwood, he spent 30 years in the Hacienda of Chichén Itzá, which he acquired.

His explorations to the Sacred Cenote were a historical milestone, being the first cenote diver in an exploration. He is a controversial individual because he stole several finds.

► 1923 – the archaeologist Sylvanus Morley, sponsored by the Carnegie Institution of Washington and the support of the National Geographic Society.

His most relevant discovery was the finding of the 400 columns that are part of the Group of the Thousand Columns, the reconstruction of the Temple of the Warriors, and the identification of the Caracol building.

Morley was a scholar of the Mayan glyphs, who spent the next 18 years deciphering them.

Featured Book: The Ancient Maya (1946)

► 1938 – Tatiana Proskoriakoff left her mark as an epigrapher with graphics on the Mayan world.

He also illustrated Chichen Itza as we see in the image.

His legacy is one of the most valued. Her feminine intuition made her discover the Mayan women in the inscriptions: where they only saw priests with robes, she saw that they were female rulers.

Here is an interesting fact about Chichén Itzá that not many know

The Kukulcán Castle was built on top of another identical structure that it keeps inside. The only difference is that it has a staircase only on the north side. Below the temple, there is a cenote. It is currently being investigated by divers trying to reach this cenote through conduits from surrounding cenotes.

HOW TO GET TO CHICHÉN ITZÁ

Chichen Itza is located almost halfway between Cancun and Merida. From Riviera Maya calculate about 2 hours and a half by road and from Mérida 2 hours.

The nearest tourist city is Valladolid, just 40 minutes away. And the closest town where you find several hotels to sleep in is Piste.

STATE: Yucatán

How to get Chichén Itzá by car

Chichen Itzá ruins are located 200 km (124 miles) west of Cancun (2 hr 40 min by car) at 187 km (116 miles) west of Playa del Carmen (2 hr 30 min by car) and 150 km (93 miles) from Tulum town.

From Mérida 119 km (74 miles) (1 hour 45 minutes by car) and from Valladolid just 45 km (28 miles) (45 minutes by car).

Renting a car on the Riviera Maya is something you would want to do if you want to be free to move around and discover all the amazing sites in the region.

It’s a relatively safe place to drive, the roads are good and the sites are well-marked. Therefore traveling by car is a very good option.

However, remember, if you decide to get a car rental, make sure you include full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress. 

➣ When renting a car in Mexico we recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.

How to get to Chichén Itzá by local bus

The ADO bus company offers service to Chichen Itza from different cities. This is surely the cheapest way to visit Chichen Itza on your own.

We recommend you go to the ADO website to see any possible schedule changes and buy your tickets in advance. They have interesting discounts.

🚌 From Cancun to Chichen Itza (3 hours): departure at 8:45 am and return at 4:30 pm. The bus stops in front of the site entrance and leaves from the same place.

🚌 From Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza (3h40), departure at 8h and return at 16h30

🚌 From Tulum to Chichen Itza (2h30): departures at 6:30, 7:15, 8:15, 9:15, return at 4:30 p.m.

🚌 From Mérida to Chichén Itzá (1h50): departure at 6:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.

🚌 From Valladolid to Chichen Itza (30 min): departures at 10:50 am and 11:15 am, return at 4:30 pm

How to get to Chichén Itzá by taxi

All taxi drivers must have their official price list and they should show it to you.

However, those are only one-way rates. If you want a taxi driver to take you to Chichen Itza, wait for you and take you back, you must agree first on a price for the full day as there are no official prices for this service. Obviously, the more time he has to wait the higher will be the rate.

If you are going to visit Chichén Itzá from Valladolid, we recommend a taxi driver friend who will give you excellent service and will also take you to a nice cenote in the area. CONTACT 👉 Manuel Sánchez +52 985 112 21 43 ( Tripadvisor Maya Adventure Yucatan )

HOW TO VISIT CHICHÉN ITZÁ, ON YOUR OWN OR ON A TOUR?

You only know which one is best for you depending on your travel plan, the comfort you are looking for, the budget, and other factors.

We will try to give you as much information as possible on both options so that you can decide which one is the best way to travel for you. 🙌  🌎

From Riviera Maya, Mérida, and Valladolid you have the opportunity to go on a tour, either private or in a group.

The truth is that going on your own is a long day on the road if you travel from Riviera Maya or Mérida.

Here are some approximate prices in case you are going to visit Chichen Itza on your own.

Calculate a car rental rate of around 800 pesos per day (it depends a lot on the car and the company, of course), 340 pesos for the highway fee, plus 571 pesos for the entrance fee per foreign person, 80 pesos for parking per car.

Plus, if you want to hire a guide at the entrance of the Chichen Itza site it will be an extra 800 to 1000 MXN.

This would be the minimum expense.

The tour makes everything easier and gives a lot of advantages and it’s cheaper everything considered.

In addition, the vast majority of tours offer other interesting stops along the way to complete the visit to Chichen.

There are tours of different prices and possibilities. We offer you a series of possibilities of tours to Chichen Itza, you will surely find yours.

In conclusion, if you are already on a road trip or in Valladolid, it may be more convenient to visit Chichen Itza on your own, otherwise, it’s much faster and cheaper to join a tour.

HIRE A LOCAL GUIDE IN CHICHÉN ITZÁ

If want to learn about Chichen Itza’s history and culture, we definitely recommend the service of a local guide.

In Mexico, only guides accredited by the Government of Mexico can guide in the archaeological zones.

Prices in Chichen range from 900 pesos per guide in Spanish, to 1,200 pesos for a guide in English or another language.

The groups are of a maximum of 10 people. If you are traveling alone you may be able to share the guide with another group if they are starting at the same time and they agree.

We would like to give a shout-out to Toni because he gives very good service and we have known his work for years.

Not all guides have the same knowledge and professional level. We leave you the contact in case you find it useful.

👉 Guide Toni Ojeda +52 985 106 3121 – to arrange a visit you should contact him a few days in advance.

CHICHÉN ITZÁ MAP

On the map of the Chichen Itza ruins you can see the main buildings. Many travelers only visit what would be the buildings of the central area, which we know as the “ Gran Nivelacion “.

Several of the main buildings are located here, but there is much more to explore in Chichen Itza.

Normally if you hire a certified guide, they will only take you to visit these main buildings. If you want to tour the entire section with a guide, you should ask him in advance and negotiate a price, because it is not a usual itinerary.

Later we will leave you the contact of a guide who will surely give you a good service. Below we present some of the main buildings of Chichen Itza.

Of course, we recommend you visit the entire site to enjoy the full experience.

CHICHEN ITZA MAIN STRUCTURES (“GRAN NIVELACIÓN “)

The kukulkan castle.

The Kukulkan Castle is the jewel of Chichen Itza, a monument that pays tribute to time. It measures 60 meters per side at the base and 24 meters in height.

When the guide explains this building to you, you will be in awe 😊

THE BALL COURT

The Ball Court is the largest in all of Mesoamerica. It’s around 90 meters long, with a width of 30 meters.

On the walls are the stands. One of the rings is preserved. Temple of the Jaguars: one of the buildings that we like the most for its rich decoration and details that can be seen inside.

Be curious and watch, you will see various characters with different outfits. War scenes are also seen, it is very beautiful.

THE SACRED CENOTE

The Sacred Cenote was the heart of religious activities, not only in the city of Chichen Itza but in the entire Mayan area.

It was a reason for worshiping the god of rain, Chaac.

Objects of gold, jade, copper, cloth, and basketry have been extracted from its muddy bottom, which was apparently thrown as ceremonial offerings.

You will be able to see another cenote, the one we know as Xtoloc. Be careful not to fall into the cenotes and be the sacrifice to the deities yourself 😉

The skulls of defeated rivals were placed on this platform. Even back then, fear was a great tool for power control.

TEMPLE OF WARRIORS

This temple was built on top of the Chac Mool Temple. The Temple of the Warriors is decorated both with representations of the long-nosed god of rain, Chaac and by the bird-serpent-man.

Again we see this cultural symbiosis of the big cities.

PLATFORM OF VENUS

It is just north of the Castle. Venus was a great reference to the celestial vault for the ancient Mayans.

GROUP OF THE THOUSAND COLUMNS

It includes the Market, the Temple of the Sculpted Columns, and the Temple of the Small Tables. It is a beautiful building, and if you wanted to count the columns, we can already tell you that there are well under 1,000.

GROUP OF STRUCTURES OUT OF THE MAIN AREA

Osario group.

Where we can see another platform of Venus, platform of the Tombs (where several burials were found), and El Osario, which is the other building that functioned as a ceremonial temple.

GROUP OF COLORED BUILDING ( CASA COLORADA )

Also called Chichanchob, which was another building with a religious function (it receives this name due to the red paint on its interior) and El Caracol O Observatorio: it is named for the spiral staircase that is in its interior and because it was most likely used for astronomical observations.

GROUP OF THE NUNS

The buildings of the church and the Annex of the Nuns have architectural characteristics of the Puuc, also of the Chenes (both are 2 of the ancient Mayan architectural styles). The ornamentation of this group is simply wonderful.

CHICHÉN VIEJO (OLD CHICHEN)

There is a group of buildings that are not open to the public, we know them as Chichen Viejo. It can be visited with special permits, we hope one day to be able to do so.

These are residential buildings where the elite lived and small temples. You can see the Temple of the Phalluses, the Temple of the Snails, the Temple of the Monkeys, and the Temple of the Initial Series, from which the group takes its name: Group of the Initial Series.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION CHICHEN ITZA MEXICO

As usual we want to offer the most up to date information for your trip 🛺🌎

✅ Parking lot: 80 pesos per car

✅ Souvenir shops

✅ Possibility to hire a Certified Guide

Chichén Itzá opening hours

Chichen Itza is open from 8 am to 5 pm every day. The last entrance is at 4 pm. From 4:30 you will be asked to leave, by 4.45 for the central plaza.

Chichén Itzá entrance fee

💲614 MXN foreigners 💲284 MXN Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residency.(you need to bring your ID) 💲90 MXN Yucatecan up to 13 yr old

In Chichén Itzá you have to pay for two entry tickets del INAH y CULTUR (this is also valid for Uxmal y Ek Balam)

✔ On Sundays, the entrance is free for Mexicans and foreigners with permanent residence. 

✔ Access to the Mayan ruins is open every day for kids up to 12 years old, students, teachers, and seniors (must show ID).

ALSO FREE ENTRANCE TO CHICHEN ITZA FOR :

Mexicans: over 60 (with official ID) • Retired people with official documentation • Mexican Professors and students (with official ID) • Kids up to 12 ys • Researchers and scholars (with a special permit from the INAH) •

Mexicans and foreigners : with disabilities

5 Tips for visiting Chichén Itzá

✅ Use comfortable light clothing and shoes, a good hat will also help with the high temperatures. There is not much shade in Chichén

✅ Being the most visited ruins you will always find people. The best time is definitely at 8 in the morning, both to avoid the heat and the big crowds

✅ Bring a bottle of water and keep in mind that you cannot walk in with food or alcoholic drinks.

✅ Big backpacks are not permitted. There are lockers

✅ You can hire a certified guide at the entrance

How much time do you need to visit Chichén Itzá ?

If you are going to visit the entire complex, consider about 3 hours.

If you hire a local guide, something that we highly recommend in order to understand and appreciate the splendor of the place, they will be with you for 1 hour and a half.

They are focusing mainly on the buildings in the central square.

You can explore the rest of the section at your leisure.

EQUINOX AND SOLSTICE IN CHICHÉN ITZÁ

In several archaeological sites, we can enjoy archaeo-astronomical phenomena.

The best known of all is the spring and autumn equinox of Chichén Itzá (March 21 and September 22).

On those dates, and keep in mind that the days before and after are equally appreciated, you will be able to observe a phenomenon for 45 minutes with unique and impressive light and shadow.

On the north staircase of the Castle, the one that faces the Sacred Cenote, you will see a light projection in the shape of a snake that gradually descends down the stairs until it exits through the mouth of the feathered serpents that is at the base of the staircase.

Simply spectacular. On these dates, thousands of people gather in the huge Chichen square to enjoy this phenomenon.

Unfortunately, we have bad news, because, despite the fact that it is visible, it is not possible to see the complete phenomenon because the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá is closed before sunset.

Other phenomena that can be seen is at dawn on days 20, 21, and 22 June, during the summer solstices, where the light only accurately illuminates the stairs on the North and East sides of the Castle.

On the winter solstice, at sunset from December 20 to 22, you can see the shadow that falls on the North and East stairs, the inverted phenomenon.

The mathematical accuracy reveals the ancient Maya’s vast knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.

It is something very beautiful 💛 It can also be observed on the lunar equinox during the early morning of the full moon, the shadow triangles that simulate the feathered serpent.

We have yet to see this, it is not easy to get special permissions for these unique events, but we hope to have this opportunity soon.

CHICHEN ITZÁ SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW

We believe that the Chichen Itza sound and light show is the best show of its kind that you can see in Yucatan.

THE CHICHÉN SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW IS CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

What we love the most about it is the fact of being able to contemplate the main buildings such as the Castle, the Ball Court, and the Temple of the Thousand Columns illuminated at night is a fantastic tour.

In addition to the show itself which is projected on the wall of the Castle, the walk between the buildings illuminated at night is very beautiful and unique🙌

The tour is 45 minutes and the projection lasts 25 minutes, during which you are sitting in a chair in front of the temple of Kukulcán.

Mondays are the only day that there is no show at Chichen Itza

You can buy tickets online on this website

Price: 510 pesos, on Sunday there is a discount for Mexicans: 255 pesos

Hours: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in winter time (from the first Sunday in October to the first Saturday in April) / 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in summer time (from the first Sunday in April to the first Saturday in October).

Keep in mind that if there is a cancellation due to bad weather, the return of the money is definitely easier if the purchase is made directly at the Chichen Itza ticket office.

INSIDER TIPS – “La Gran Nivelación” what are we talking about? Just as they did in other Mayan cities, before building the structures of the city, they built a large platform on which the buildings of Chichén Itzá are distributed that make up the great complex of the square: The Castle, Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, El Tzompantli and the Platform of Venus. You can see part of this large leveled structure in the excavations near the Castillo de Kukulcán.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE ABOUT CHICHEN ITZA MEXICO

The great controversy in Chichen Itza is the large number of vendors inside, who sometimes make the view somewhat annoying for some visitors.

We know, after so many years, several vendors, and we know that it is their livelihood and they fight tooth and nail not to be taken out of there, something that has been tried on several occasions.

The local Mayans claim their space to sell. Keep in mind that most tours take tourists to off-site stores where they receive commissions on sales.

Many agencies encourage them not to shop on the premises. It’s been a fight for years.

We try not to comment on it, just explain the reality that you are going to find.

Definitely, the atmosphere would be much more magical without vendors, though.

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT CHICHEN ITZA MEXICO

Chichen is simply breathtaking. Especially if the guide manages to explain the Castle or Temple of Kukulcán well, you will be able to understand that this building is the most beautiful tribute to the time made by the Mayans. Simply magnificent and precise in every stone.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CHICHÉN ITZÁ

Without a doubt, the highlight of Chichen Itza is the building that we know as the Castle or Temple of Kukulcán.

In addition to being a beautiful construction that shocks and impresses the visitor, when they explain the temple itself, you are fascinated.

It is of brilliant mathematical accuracy, there you can appreciate the knowledge of the ancient Maya regarding the domain of time.

WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY

➡️ Cenote Ik Kil 6 km/ 3.7 miles ➡️ Valladolid 45 km/ 28 miles ➡️ Cenote Yokdzonot 18 km/11 miles ➡️ Cenotes Dzitnup 43 km/ 26.7 miles ➡️ Cenote Oxman 42 km/ 26 miles ➡️ Cenote Selva Maya 39.5 km/ 24.5 miles

➡️ Ek Balam ruins 68 km/ 42 miles

HOW TO VISIT CHICHEN ITZÁ , MEXICO FAQ

Can you bring backpacks to chichen itza.

You cannot enter with bags or luggage. The good thing is that they have lockers available so you can store your luggage during your visit.

Can you bring water into Chichen Itza?

Yes, you can enter with your own water, in fact, we recommend it. You could buy it inside but it’s outrageously expensive.

How long do you need in Chichen Itza?

Consider between 1 hour and a half and 3 hours depending on how curious you are and how much you want to explore.

What do I need to know about Chichen Itza?

Chichen was one of the great Mayan cities of this territory, with a population that exceeded 50 thousand inhabitants.

Why is Chichen Itza so special?

The Toltec influence (it is a culture originating from another region) made it different from other Mayan cities. The worshipping of Kukulcán, the Feathered Serpent or Quetzalcoatl was something remarkable. The Kukulcán Castle or Temple is a unique building, where the feathered serpent is the main protagonist.

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