The legendary Mayan city of Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and Wonder of the World since 2007, stood out as a cultural and political center of the ancient Mayan civilization and was one of the largest settlements in the center-north of the Yucatan peninsula. With an extension of 25 kilometers and surrounded by green fields, Chichén Itza was an essential part of the life of the Mayan people. The religious, cultural and administrative center covered about 6 square kilometers; approximately, between 50,000 and 100,000 people lived in palapas with palm roofs.
The Sacred Cenote
It was the heart of religious activities, not only in the city of Chichen Itza but in the entire Mayan area. It was a source of worship for the god of rain, Chaac, this is almost circular, with an average of 60 meters in diameter. The surface of the water is 22 meters from the upper shore and is just over 13 meters deep in the central part.
The Castle of Kukulkán
It is a Mayan pyramid located in Chichén Itzá, Yucatan, Mexico. It was built by the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization during its apogee in the Mayan Classic Period (750-1100). It is considered one of the most important buildings in the history of Mesoamerican architecture. The name "Castle of Kukulkan" means "Castle of the feathered serpent".
The Kukulcan temple has four staircases; each of them has 91 steps. In this way they add up to 364 and considering the upper platform of the temple we have a total of 365 units that represent the days of the Haab.
Great Ball Game
The set of structures of the Great Ball Game, oriented from North to South, and located to the north of the Castle, consists of five main structures: the Ball Game itself, the Temple of the Bearded Man, the Southern Tribune, the Temple of the Tigers and the Annex orient
Great Ball Game Warriors' Temple Temple of the Bearded Man Venus Platform Model of Traditional Maya House
The Observatory
It is an emblematic building located in the heart of Chichén Itzá. This structure was used by the ancient Mayans to monitor the sky and the stars. It is also known as "El Caracol" for its inner spiral staircase. You can explore every corner of this magnificent city by touring any of the many ruined sites found here, each with its own characteristics and unique design. The Snail
Solar equinox
An archaeo-o-astronomical phenomenon is the moment when the sun is located directly on the equator and the duration of the day and night is almost the same. This means that the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth receive the sun's rays equally, 12 hours each.
Even the word "equinox" comes from Latin and means "even night".
In them, a solar projection formed by seven triangles of light, inverted, is observed on the north staircase of the Pyramid of Kukulkán, as a result of the shadow projected by the nine platforms of the building, at dusk, which creates the appearance of a snake that gradually descends down one of the stairs. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter. That's why spring festivals or "spring festivals" are celebrated in many parts of Mexico. At dusk on March 21 and September 22, the days of the beginning of the spring and autumn equinoxes respectively.
Tips that you should consider during your visit to Chichen Itzá
How much does it cost to enter Chichen Chichen Itzá?
The entrance to Chichen Chichén Itzá has a unique price consisting of two different installments.
The INAH fee, which is $80 pesos and another that is added by the Board of Trustees of the Cultural and Tourism Services Units of Yucatan of $457 pesos for foreigners and $157 for nationals. So, the entrance to Chichén Itzá is as follows:
National - $237 pesos
Foreigners - $537 pesos
Chichen Itza's schedule
Chichén Itzá is open from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lockers and entrances close at 4 p.m.
Wear Sunscreen.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you wear sunscreen, the sun in Yucatan is VERY strong, you will be outdoors for a long time and exposed to the sun in full, there are not many places to protect yourself from the sun in Chichén Itzá VERY IMPORTANT that you wear sunscreen, the sun in Yucatan is VERY strong, you will be outdoors for a long time and exposed to the
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
As we mentioned, the heat is VERY strong in Yucatan, you will spend a lot of time outdoors and the walk is a bit long, better to go well prepared with comfortable shoes, fresh clothes and why not, a change for after the swim in the cenotes.
Stay hydrated.
Although in the area you can buy water and refreshing drinks, always take a bottle of water with you and stay hydrated, even if you don't feel very thirsty, keep drinking water, in the Yucatan peninsula it is very hot and the weather is very humid, which will cause you to sweat a lot.
Respect the local sellers.
If it's up to you to buy them something, DO IT! They are usually very humble people who spend long hours in the sun to bring their livelihood home, respect them, sometimes they can be somewhat insistent if you tell them no, they will make offers trying to get the sale, understand them and if you buy them, respect the price, don't haggle.
Arrive early!
The ruins of Chichén Itzá are full of wonders and mysteries, one more impressive than the other. But, although it is only a few hours from Playa del Carmen, it is not common for travelers to get there. The complex opens at 8 in the morning, so the recommendation is to arrive at that time or even a little earlier. Travelers who hire tours arrive around 10am, so they will have 2 hours to tour the area and challenge tourists and the heat. Another alternative is to visit Chichén Itzá at night. From Tuesday to Sunday at 20:00 (19:00 in winter) a night show called "The Nights of Kukulcan" begins with lights and sounds that increase the sensory experience of the ruins.
On Sundays, admission is free for nationals, If you are Mexican and want to save a little money, wait until Sunday so you can visit this beautiful place, so you can get to know this wonder and save a few pesos.
Explore the whole place.
Clearly the main attraction of Chichén Itzá is its spectacular pyramid Kukulcán or El Castillo, this construction is the most imposing of the complex. However, you should know that Chichén Itzá also includes several other equally impressive attractions such as the Ball Game sector, The Observatory, the Skull Platform, the Sacred Cenote and the Temple of the Warriors, among others take the time to visit all these points of interest.
Visit the nearby cenotes.
To make your experience even more magical; explore the nearby cenotes. The natural beauty of the Cenotes of Yucatan is impressive, and although you will not be able to bathe in the Sacred Cenote of Chichen Itza for obvious reasons, very close is the route of the cenotes in Yucatan where you can enjoy beautiful views and crystal clear waters that will be the ideal place for a good dip and the best memory. Don't forget to visit the Cenote Ik Kil...
How to get to Chichen Itza.
The best way to visit the Pyramid of Chichen Itza is Hire a tour in which they pick you up at a meeting point, whether it's your hotel or in the center of the city; they have several starting points. After picking up you will visit the archaeological zone of Chichen itza; it is a tour no more than 2 hours to venture into one of the most spectacular cenotes of the Mayan Riviera, where in addition to enjoying the experience you will have the opportunity to know several regional dishes on a buffet, last but not least interesting you will pass through the city of Valladolid where you will
Another good way to go is Renting a car And driving, in this way you can also explore the surroundings of this archaeological zone. From Mérida to Chichén Itzá, there are several transport options from buses, buses and taxis.
The schedules are quite frequent so it is not necessary to book in advance if you want to go on your own.
What is the best time to visit Chichen Itzá?
Tourism in Chichén Itzá has advanced in recent years, but it is still possible to make a relaxing visit during the months of May and March. Although it is not very hot (average temperatures are around 26 °C), this is because from December to April there is the possibility that it will rain almost every day you do not have much to worry about because this rain can serve to refresh the day a little and it usually does not take more than 10 minutes for the rain to pass and the sun is again in all its splendor.
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