Chichen Itza- The New World Wonder Guide

Chichen Itza- The New World Wonder Guide

This is a guide to the city of Chichen Itza, established at the end of the Classic Period, around 445 AD. It was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Chichen Itza is close to two natural cenotes, which gave the town its name “At the edge of the well of the Itzaes”. It’s the largest, most impressive Mayan ancient city and in 2007 was named one of the New World Wonders of The World. 

In this guide, you will find all the information you need to spend a perfect day visiting Chichen Itza. When to go, what to see, where to eat, how to beat the crowds or what to bring: we wrote it all down for you!

A bit of history

Chichen Itza was not only a religious and ceremonial site. It was also a sophisticated urban centre of the Maya empire and main place of regional trade. The Maya and Toltec warriors from the Mexican plateau who migrated towards the south during the 10th century, created an incredible complex using the excellent materials and building techniques which secured the conservancy of the city through the centuries. 

But after a period of prosperity and absorbing influences of other cultures like the Toltecs, the city met a mysterious end.

During the 14th century, people abandoned Chichen Itza. Though they left behind amazing works of architecture and art, the city’s inhabitants left no known record of why they abandoned their homes. So what pushed this highly advanced civilisation to so suddenly leave their homes and wealth? The scientists speculate that prolongated period of low rain, exhausted soils, and royal quests for conquest and treasure may have contributed to Chichén Itzá’s downfall. The truth is, it might have been yet a different reason… which we might never discover. ? 

Visiting Chichen Itza

El Castillo: Temple of Kukulkan

After a short walk following the main path from the entrance and passing countless souvenir vendors, the most recognizable structure comes in sight. The Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, is an impressive pyramid that shows the importance of astronomy in Maya culture: the temple has 365 steps —one for each day of the year. Each side of the temple has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365th. The pyramid’s four stairways represent the four points of a compass and are guarded by enormous carved serpent heads at the base of the stairs.

Chichen Itza - Kukulkan temple

Fact : Twice a year during 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. 

Visitors are no longer allowed to climb this site, as a result of the devastating impact climbing had on the monument, as well as a few deaths caused by falling.  

TIP : Remember to arrive as early as the opening time, to avoid the crowds

Temple of the Warriors and  The Hall of the Thousand Columns

Right next to El Castillo you will see another impressive structure. Standing on a platform, this magnificent building contained several spacious columned halls (a roof system that is long gone). There are some rows of square pillars guarding the foot of the stairway and at the top: Chac-mool. The south side the The Hall of the Thousand Columns used to be an indoor market or a meeting place.

Cenote de los Sacrificios 

A 300 m long pathway (filled on both sides with vendors) leads to the Cenote Sargado, also known as the Sacred Cenote. This giant, almost perfectly round natural water hole is 60 meters across. Its steep sides plunge 24 meters to the surface of the water, and it’s about 82 meters deep. Cenotes had deep spiritual significance for the Maya- many believe that existence of this cenote is the reason Chichen Itza was build right here. Unfortunate young female were thrown into the largest of these, alive, 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. Grim.

There is no further way from here, to continue exploring Chichen Itza you must return the same road. Keep to the right this time and our Chichen Itza guide will take you to the next step.

The Wall of Skulls

This square platform with amazingly preserved carvings, holds yet another terrifying story. It was a base for the stakes on which the decapitated heads of human sacrifices were impaled- that is the reason for the rows of skulls decorating the sides. ☠️

The Temple of the Jaguars

This temple takes its name from the carved stone animal in the lower shrine. Inside, unfortunately unaccessible for tourist, are murals depicting a battle between the Maya and the Toltec.

The Ball Court

Chichen Itza’s ball court is the largest known in the Americas, measuring 168 meters long and 70 meters wide. During ritual games here, players tried to hit a 5kg rubber ball (representing the sun) through stone hoops set high on the court walls. Competition must have been fierce indeed- losers were put to death! Decorations on panels at the bases of the walls are proof of that, they display players being decapitated. 

The Nunery

Crossing the main square, continue the sightseeing going down the road passing other structures like The Tomb Of High Priest or The Observatory. All the way to the end, find The Nunnery- a small structure with amazingly carved wall. Symbols of Maya rain god Chac are clearly visible on this enigmatic temple. This part of Chichen Itza is less recognisable, but it’s still beautiful. Even if you don’t need to spend lots of time here- it’s definitely worth seeing. 

The Nunery all the way at the end of Chichen Itza ancient city

The only thing we can suggest you miss and don’t look for, is the cenote Xtoloc. It’s hard to find (badly mapped) and you can’t even see the bottom. 

Cenote Il-Kil

After visiting Chichen Itza, the next last step of our guide is to drive to Cenote Il-Kil for a refreshing swim. 

It’s located just few minutes from the site and is one of the most beautiful in Yukatan. 

The entrance fee for this cenote is 70 pesos (plus small charge for the parking). Its open on the same hours as Chechen Itza from 8AM to 5PM.

TIP : There are lockers where you can leave your belongings. Showers are mandatory before entering the water and life vests are distributed to everyone. Nonetheless, you are not forced to swim in them.

There is a small platform from which you can jump into the cenote. It’s just few meters high and a fun way to enter the water. 

Fun Fact : There is Redbull Cliff Diving Competition held in this cenote, when the passionate cliff divers jump all the way from the top of the cenote into the water.

Read : Best Cenotes to Visit in Yucatan

General Information

Opening time

Chichen Itza is open every day, 365 days a year, from 8 am to 5 pm. 

You will need minimum 2h to visit the site. But you could spend there even whole day, exploring every single structure. 

Entrance fee

Ticket costs 480 pesos per person (for non-Mexicans) and no other currency is accepted. It’s possible to pay by card but there is an extra commission and big chance the machine won’t be working. We highly suggest you bring cash. 

Parking

There is big a parking lot right in front of the main entrance and if you arrive early you won’t have any problem finding a free spot. The parking costs 30 pesos. But some don’t want to pay thats why you will see plenty of cars parked on the side of the road just before the gate. For peace of mind, we preferred to pay the small charge and not worry about the car while visiting the site.

The Observatory

Arrive as Early as Possible

We can’t stress enough in this guide how important it is, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited sites in the world and gets from 3 000 to 8 000 (during high season) visitors per day. Arriving as soon as the site opens is the only way to experience it without hundreds of people around. By 11 am countless busses with tours from all around Mexico arrive. We arrived at 8 am and by 11 am were leaving the site- and couldn’t believe the mass of people going through the gates. 

What to bring

  • cash for the entrance ticket
  • plenty of water (in reusable bottles)
  • comfortable footwear as you will walk a lot (avoid flip flops as the pathways are uneven)
  • light fabric clothing, as it gets really hot during the day
  • hat or scarf to protect your head from the strong sun
  • sunscreen to put on the uncovered parts of your bodies like shoulders or face to avoid getting sun burn
  • camera as you will take lots of pictures
  • small snacks (you can get food on the site but its overpriced and not good)
  • swimwear and towel for cenote Ik-Ki

Be aware of countless vendors that very pushingly will try to sell you the souvenirs, shirts and whatever else they have on the site. It’s up to you if you decide to purchase anything, but once you show interest in something its nearly impossible to brush them off. Also brace yourself for the constant barrage of what sounds like a wild cat—it’s actually vendors blowing through a jaguar whistle. 

Do not eat at the restaurants at the main entrance. The food is overpriced and low quality. There are plenty of spots on the road to Pisté instead. If you are driving to Tulum you can stop in Valladolid for lunch at the amazing Hosteria del Marques. Make sure to try the lemon chicken soup and guacamole which the waiter will prepare right in front of you!

We hope our Chichen Itza Guide helped you prepare your visit! And if it did, don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below ?

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