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Chichen Itza Tour Classic

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• Chichen Itza Ruins
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• Chichen Itza Hotel
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Chichen itza tours.

Enjoy the best Chichen Itza Tours to visit this Wonder of the World. Chichen Itza was named one of the 7 Wonders of the World in 2007, but long before that it was pretty well known for travelers visiting Cancun, Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula.

You can visit Chichen Itza with a whole range of tours that go from the “Classic Chichen Itza Tour” which is really complete, to the Chichen Itza Tour Deluxe that will pamper you with premium drinks along the ride as well as on the buffet meal. But you can also book the Private or Luxury Chichen Itza Tour if you wish to go at your own pace.

This is the classic Chichen Itza Tour and it’s perfect for a journey to visit the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza.

Enjoy the perks of the regular Chichen Itza Tour, Plus some extra amenities like unlimited drinks onboard the bus.

This is a great tour for you. The Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour has all the benefits of the Plus tour, but in addition you get a Box lunch, Premium Drinks onboard the bus and an Umbrella at Chichen Itza.

This Chichen Itza Tour will provide you with all the perks of a Chichen Itza Tour Diamante, including drinks and other amenities.

Visit Chichen Itza at your own pace. With the Private Chichen Itza Tour you can visit the Mayan Ruins whenever you want and how you want to… Go to Chichen Itza earlier than everyone, or later.

Enjoy the perks of traveling in Luxury. If you want to get in style to Chichen Itza, you must book this tour. Get to Chichen Itza from Cancun or the Riviera Maya in a Suburban vehicle with refreshing amenities on the ride.

Make your trip to Chichen Itza in style spending a whole day with the people you care about traveling in a premium vehicle.

CHICHEN ITZA TOUR GUIDE

Immerse yourself in the mysteries of Chichen Itza with our expert tour guides. Explore the iconic pyramids, temples, and cenotes of this ancient Maya city.

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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Are you also tired of being rushed through the destinations in large multilingual groups without personal attention?

Then you have come to the right place!

Claudia Zöbisch

 Founder of Aledia Tours

My name is Claudia Zöbisch. Originally I am from Munich, Germany and since 2002 I have been living on the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula in the city of Playa del Carmen. Through my marriage to Joel Ku Caamal, who grew up in a Mayan village away from tourism, I have been able to gain many insights into this fascinating culture.

Years of experience in ecotourism gave me the idea of starting my own business and creating individual trips close to nature and people. Over the years, due to my activity as a tour guide for large tour operators, I saw and experienced some disadvantages in the implementation of the tours: if the groups are too large, the personal touch with the customers gets lost and as a tour guide you can also quickly fall into a monotonous routine due to a lack of interaction with the individual customer. This is why it was soon clear that I will keep my own tours in a small frame so that they remain diversified and interesting for the clients and for the tour guides as well.

Our Philosophy

In 2007 our company Aledia Tours was founded. Our goal was to guide small groups in a personal and familiar atmosphere to the most beautiful places in the region. Our concept stood out from the rest of the local offers at that time, as it was still unique in its form. Our years of hard-earned knowledge helped us a lot while designing and developing the excursions and in only a short period of time we were able to make a name for ourselves as a competent provider. Our business model was a success with customers from the very beginning. We now have many returning guests who highly recommend us to their family and friends, as well as on the Internet via Facebook and TripAdvisor.

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Aledia Tours - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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Chichen Itza + Ek Balam

Price Adult

Price Child

What you can expect?

On the tour Chichen Itza Mexico and Ek Balam ruins tour you will see two of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Visit these two ancient cities with plenty of time to explore on your own, to take lots of pictures or just to wonder how everyday life might have been there in pre-Columbian times.

The city of Ek’ Balam (Black Jaguar in Mayan), is considered one of the greatest Mayan areas ever discovered ,  it clearly reflects how a mayan city was at that time.

The mythical representations in the painted covers , as well as human beings and animals showned in the walls of the buildings, express how artistic they were.

This city was burried for centuries in the middle of the jungle, now it is waking up little by little, allowing us to admire its greatness and majesty. Archaeologists are still discovering amazing information .

Ek´Balam is an archaeological place, as never seen before.

After exploring this amazing new discovery , you will be driven to one of the 7 NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD,  Chichen Itza .

Take your time to learn more about the Maya civilization during your tour of Chichen Itza . Visit the Kukulcan Temple, the Great Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote at Chichen. Aand  you will see why archaeologists say that its buildings were designed, constructed, and decorated by the best architects, craftsmen and artists in the whole Yucatan Peninsula.

One of the coolest parts of your tour of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam ruins is that we stop at a beautiful cenote where you can swim. Cenotes are natural sinkholes common to the Yucatan Peninsula; the ancient Mayas believed cenotes were portals to the underworld and were considered sacred.

Book now a Chichen Itza and Ek Balam ruins tour and join an expedition that will change the way you see Mexico forever!

With additional cost

Know before you book, recommendations.

• Share Pick up from your hotel
• Round trip tour on board of deluxe panoramic buses or vans
• Specialized bilingual guides (English/Spanish) during the whole tour
• Guided access and walk to the archaeological sites (Bilingual
• Free time for photos and a walk through the surroundings
• A bottle of water (provided at the entrance of the archaeological sites)
• Visit to the Cenote “Selva Maya” | Swimming is allowed (An additional fee of $1 USD is charged by the place for lifejackets and lockers

With additional cost:

If any service is of your interest, ask our chat advisors

Use of video camera

Beverages in the restaurant

Rent of vests and lockers

Know before you book:

Backpacks not allowed inside the archaeological areas by official regulations of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH in Spanish)

Children under 4 years old and with a maximum height of 100 cm have free entrance not using a seat and with the company of an adult

The archeological sites do not count with wheel chairs for the handicapped

Recommendations:

• Take a certain amount of cash with you for products and services not included in the package
• Avoid carrying heavy or bulky backpacks or bags
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as sunglasses
• Remember to use biodegradable sunscreen
• Bring a towel and a bathing suit
• Bring water shoes
• If you have any health or physical problem please contact us before you make your reservation so we can provide you with advice on the matter.
• Bring a cool cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun
• If you have any health or physical problem please contact us before you make your reservation so we can provide you with advice on the matter

How to get to:

TOUR AMAZING CHICHEN ITZA

Chichen itza excursions faq's.

Q: I'M ON A CRUISE SHIP - CAN I DO THESE TOURS? A: The only one that is a maybe would be the private tour.  You'll still need at least 10 hours, but if you're in port long enough, you can do this one.  On a cruise excursion, though, you'll be better served to visit Tulum or Coba, both of which are much closer.

Q: HOW FAR AWAY IS CHICHEN ITZA? A: Chichen Itza is about a 2.5 hour drive from Playa del Carmen.

Q: I'M NOT SURE WHICH MAYAN RUINS SITE TO SEE? A: If you are staying in Playa del Carmen, and only have time to see one ruins site, Chichen Itza should be it.  It is the only ruins site in the area to be a "wonder of the world" and a UNESCO Heritage Site.  It is the most impressive ruins site in the area, and the most famous.  The other sites are great too, but there is only one Chichen Itza.

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Destinations , Mexico · Last Updated: March 14, 2024

Self-Guided Tour of Chichén Itzá: How to Visit Without a Tour!

🗺 Wondering how to visit Chichén Itzá without a tour? Easy! Print our free map, follow our self-guided tour, OR download our recommended audio guide to Chichén Itzá.

With our quick self-guided tour and map, you’ll be able to visit Chichén Itzá trouble free… and better still you’ll do it without paying for a guide. Below we explain a little bit of the history & how to navigate your visit around Chichén Itzá. We provide a brief description of each attraction followed by walking directions that you can use alongside our free printable map .

Step 1️⃣ – print map or download it to your phone (no strings attached) Step 2️⃣ – visit Chichén Itzá like a pro!

In addition to our AWESOME self-guided walking tour of Chichén Itzá, you need to read our guide on how to get from Valladolid (& beyond) to Chichén Itzá . In it we cover everything else you’ll need to know about visiting Chichén Itzá. Details like how to visit without ALL the crowds, what the tickets cost , nearby cenotes for swimming and the best modes of transport for your visit.

SO… to sum up, if you’re looking to visit and experience Chichén Itzá without a tour, then read on. Because we got you completely covered!!

* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!

Table of Contents

Chichén Itzá Self-Guided Tour – The History!

Chichén Itzá – Wonder of the World! It kind of rolls off the tongue, but what does this actually mean. How has Chichén Itzá earned this place of such high ranking? Here’s a little history to help you understand more…

The Civilisation of Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is one of the biggest Mayan cities, located in the Northern Yucatan peninsula of Mexico . It dates back to the pre-Columbian era, starting in around 400-550 CE (depending on the source). And the development of Chichén Itzá continued until the 10 th century.

According to the experts, some 35,000-50,000 people once lived here at any given time. And it was said to be a major religious, political, military and trading hub for the Yucatan area from 600 CE onwards. Chichén Itzá covered over two square miles and was made up of various spaces and constructions, for both everyday and ceremonial purposes. It also included suburbs, which were interconnected by sacbeob – the Mayan term for paved roads and walkways.

Chichén Itzá’s name is derived from the two nearby cenotes – these are large fresh water sink holes or wells. Translated, chi means mouth, chen means wells and Itzá is the name of a Mayan group from the Yucatan region. Therefore, in Mayan, Chichén Itzá refers to the mouth of the well of the Itza .

It was these cenotes, that the Mayans at Chichén Itzá heavily relied on for their fresh water supplies. Read more about the role these cenotes played and their importance to the Mayan culture, in our section further below describing the Sacred Cenote.

🌀 Do you want to swim in beautiful cenotes? Read this post – We explain more about the types of cenotes, and the best ones for swimming in Valladolid.

The Fall of Chichén Itzá

The decline of Chichén Itzá is somewhat up for debate among historians. However, most believe that people left the city around 1100 CE, due to changing weather patterns and several years of drought.

Then with the rise of the Mayan city – Mayapan in the 1200’s, Chichén Itzá never recovered to its former glory. When the Spanish arrived in 1526, they found a flourishing community, but far from that of the earlier years.

Chichén Itzá – Wonder of the World

Chichén Itzá was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988. Then named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World as part of a global census in 2007.

The grand space in which Chichén Itzá covers and the state in which it has been preserved is a tribute to Mayan architecture and archeology.

Entrance & Tickets for Chichén Itzá

We recommend purchasing tickets onsite at Chichén Itzá. But read our full post on how to get to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid and beyond. As we explain everything from ticket prices, to the best way to get there and loads of extra tips.

Free Printable Map for Self-Guided Tour of Chichén Itzá

🗺 Download our free map of Chichén Itzá that we created just for your self-guided tour. Keep it on your phone, or print it for your walk. 📍 And don’t forget the second page which gives you a step by step explanation of how to navigate between the key sights at Chichén Itzá. 👆 Tap this link to download… no need to sign-up, no strings attached. Just a pretty little map, created by us with love… especially for you!

Within the city of Chichén Itzá there are numerous sites to be seen. It’s SO much more than the world famous Temple of Kukulcan – also known as El Castillo. Included at the site, is the largest court for Pok Ta Pok (the traditional Mayan ball game), a star observatory and numerous temples.

And so, coming up we share our self-guided tour of Chichén Itzá. We highlight the main sites you can expect to see, in sequence that we suggest you visit them. The tour begins at the entrance gate and continues in a clockwise direction around the site.

Beginning the Self-Guided Tour of Chichén Itzá

Each section below, begins first with an explanation of the attraction or sight, followed by the walking tour directions in a highlighted box.

It’s important to note, we list below eight main sights or key attractions of Chichén Itzá in our self-guided tour. However, you will find many more as you wander this remarkable site. We suggest that if you want to know and understand these smaller known sights, then book a guided tour. It’s better to think of this as a self-guided tour of Chichén Itzá for the common people … if you’re an enthusiast, get the guide!

🚶Walking Tour Directions Starting the tour at the ticket office, follow the path which leads straight. This pathway is both the entry and exit point. It leads though a small forest for a couple hundred metres, before emerging into the large central grassed area to the western side of (#1) The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo .

#1 The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo

Undoubtedly, the Temple of Kukulcan is the most iconic building at Chichén Itzá. It’s also the first structure you see after walking the path from the entrance.

The stepped pyramid is also known as El Castillo in Spanish, which means the castle. And it’s dedicated to the Mayan deity Kukulcan the feathered serpent god. You can read more about Kukulcan here on Wikipedia .

It’s essentially the centrepiece of Chichén Itzá and stands at just under 100 ft tall (30 metres).

Fun Facts About El Castillo

The Mayan people were well advanced in knowledge related to Astronomy and Mathematics. In fact, each of the four sides of the Kukulkan Temple has 91 steps. If you’re quick at multiples, you’ll have realised that this adds up to 364 steps. Along with the central upper platform, this makes 365. That’s right… it corresponds to the days of the year. Mind blowing stuff right!

What’s more, each side of the pyramid aligns with the cardinal points. In other words, north, south, east and west.

Look out for the northern set of stairs which have the ornately carved snake heads at the bottom. It’s on this same set of stairs during the equinox, that the sun casts a shadow across them which appears to be the body of a snake. This represents Kukulcan descending to fertilise the fields, which marks the time for the fields to be sowed.

If you clap your hands while standing at the base of the steps of El Castillo, the reverberating sound mimic’s that of a Mexican Quetzal. Be sure to try it… our kids enjoyed trying to make their claps loud enough.

🤔 And did you know… Kukulcan Temple is actually built on top of two smaller temples.

🚶Walking Tour Directions We recommend that you make a quick 360 0 walk around (#1) The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo . It tends to be quieter on the opposite side of the Pyramid, and if you’re visiting early in the morning, the rising sun is behind you which makes for better photos.

#2 The Great Ball Court

The Great Ball Court is where the deadly ceremonial game of Pok Ta Pok was played. There are several courts uncovered within Chichén Itzá, but the Main Court is by far the most impressive. At 70 metres (229 feet) wide and 168 metres (551 feet) in length, this is the largest playing field in all of Mesoamerica.

It’s side walls stand at 12 metres (39 feet) with the singular hoops at 8 metres (26 feet) off the ground.

The game would consist of two teams and a rubber ball, sometimes weighing up to 4 kgs. The teams would need to keep the ball off the ground and get it through the hoops, but players were not able to use their hands or feet.

The two hoops are carved with intertwining serpents. And the lower sloped section of the walls are also carved with many depictions of the bloody game. These include headless corpses and images of players holding decapitated heads.

🚶Walking Tour Directions When you’ve taken your photos of El Castillo head towards the (#2) Great Ball Court passing the Temple of the Jaguars on your way. You’ll enter the ball court from its southern end, walking on through to the Temple of the Bearded Man at its northern end.

#3 Wall of Skulls

This is a low level platform where the outer façade has had skull motifs carved into it. Stacked side by side, one on top of the other. It’s thought that this was a ritual platform. Wherein human sacrifices were made and the heads of those sacrificed from the Pok Ta Pok games, would have been placed on display.

🚶Walking Tour Directions Exit the northern end of the ball court to your right and walk towards the (#3) Platform of Skulls. Next up, make your way to the Platform of Venus .

#4 The Sacred Cenote

The Sacred Cenote or Well of Sacrifice is found at the end of the ceremonial walkway, through a section of forest. The cenote is fenced off and the main vantage points are to either side.

This cenote is believed to have been used purely for various ceremonies of ritual. Interestingly, explorers have discovered gold, ceramics, jade, jewels and the remains of over 200 human bodies in the bottom of the Sacred Cenote. These were found during initial dredging expeditions made by Edward Herbert Thompson between 1904 – 1910.

Among the find was this gold artefact, now on display at a Museum in Mexico. Read more about the Mayan artefacts found in Ek Balam .

Can you Swim at the Cenotes in Chichén Itzá?

• In short… no you can’t swim at the cenotes at Chichén Itzá. There are two cenotes within the site however these are not for swimming. They have viewing areas at each side, providing views down into the cenote. The best views however are at this one – the Sacred Cenote.
• If you do want to visit a cenote for a swim, then look to add Cenote Ik Kil to your day. It’s not far from Chichén Itzá on the road to and from Valladolid. A lot of guided tours provide this as an option. The colectivo transport from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá also has an option to visit Ik Kil Cenote for an additional cost.

🚶Walking Tour Directions From the Platform of Venus head north along the road, between the many art and craft vendors. This path leads through the jungle towards the (#4) Sacred Cenote .

#5 The Temple of Warriors

This is another large stepped pyramid named after the various warrior carvings and statues found within its surroundings.

In addition to the main pyramid, you’ll find a multitude of columns at the entrance and along the southern wall. These would have once supported an immense roof structure. Many of the columns were also carved.

At the top of the temple sits the statue of Chacmool. This prominently seen structure or carving features regularly throughout Mayan culture and history, as a place for offerings. Given that visitors are not permitted to walk on the ruins at Chichén Itzá, Chacmool can’t be seen at the top of the Temple of the Warriors from the ground. However, a quick online search shows the repeated image of a reclining Chacmool , resting on his elbows, head turned and facing to the front.

🚶Walking Tour Directions After the cenote make a U-turn and head back down the same path. As you come back out to the central grassed area turn left. Then make your way to the Temple of the Tables and next to this is the (#5) Temple of Warriors .

#6 Group of a Thousand Columns, the Market Place & Xtoloc Cenote

The Group of a Thousand Columns and the Market Place are two of several features that form a large irregular quadrilateral plaza.

The Group of a Thousand Columns is actually only around 200 columns. However, when you see them spread out, in the various configurations, standing in straight rows one after the other you can see how they took this name.  The columns are both circular in some sections and square in others. With many having carved or stucco motifs and depictions of Toltec Warriors and Priests that would have once also been painted. The columns would have once supported a large roof structure. 

Also found within the space are three large grinding wheels. The Market Place was given its name by early Spanish colonisers who thought the design of the area was similar to their own marketplaces. However, the true use of the space is thought to be a combination of religious, political and civil in its use. 

🚶Walking Tour Directions Carrying on in the clockwise direction from the Temple of the Warriors head south following the impressive (#6) Group of a Thousand Columns . Part way down the rows you will find a path that cuts between the columns on your left. Take this path which will bring you out into a large shaded area with the columns continuing on your left. This area form the group of a thousand columns and the Market Place . Navigate the area, in the same way following a clockwise direction and looping back to the same point you entered. Once you have exited the Group of a Thousand Columns, turn left again following the path to Xtoloc Cenote .

#7 The Observatory / El Caracol

The Ossuary or the High Priestess Temple – is a smaller stepped pyramid, with stairs on each side leading to the top. The temple is built over a deep cavern, with the access to it at the top of the pyramid. During excavations several tombs were found within the entrance to the cavern.

The Observatory or El Caracol (the snail) – as it’s also known, is a unique building to the south of the site of Chichén Itzá. While the stepped and tiered base is relatively standard of Mayan architecture, the circular dome positioned at the top is somewhat unique. Even more so, is the spiralled (or snail shaped) staircase that leads to the Observatory.

It is believed that the Observatory, due to its uninhibited view of the night sky, was where the astronomers tracked the movement of the stars. Within the circular structure there are numerous openings that are thought to be aligned to view various constellations throughout the year. In particular to allow for the tracking of Venus.

🚶Walking Tour Directions From Xtoloc cenote turn back on yourself and find the path leading left or west towards the Ossuary or the High Priestess Temple . Continue south down the path through the jungle which will emerge out into another large grassed area with the (#7) Observatory / El Caracol on your left.

#8 The Church & Nunnery

The Church & Nunnery buildings are found at the southern end of the complex. They are some of the most detailed and best preserved due to their recent restoration. It’s said the Nunnery could have received its name from the Spanish conquistadors who found similarities to their Spanish convents from home.  

The Church, also known as the Iglesia is found next to the Nunnery complex and is actually a temple dedicated to Chaac the Mayan God of Rain . It’s is a single story building consisting of only one chamber with a single door. However as with the nunnery its detailed façade is quite spectacular. If you look closely at the friezes on the image above, you’ll notice the Chaac masks represented in the carvings.

🚶Walking Tour Directions Follow the path south which will bring you around to the (#8) The Church and the Nunnery. Next up, make your way back up to El Caracol but take the path on your left which leads to the Red House and the Deer Temple . These structures are found in a smaller grassed area and are the last sights on our list. To get back, you must return to El Caracol, then exit via the same main path you entered from towards the ticket office.

Audio Guides & Guided Tour Options at Chichén Itzá

It is likely that you’ll be asked on multiple occasions if you’d like a guided tour as you approach the ticket office. These of course are great options if you want more detail than we are able to offer you here. From our understanding, these guides range from 650 to 1000 MXN pesos for around 3 hours.

Also click through to our blog link below on Valladolid to Chichén Itzá, as we share the best guided tours and private tours if you are visiting nearby from Valladolid, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Included in these tours are other sights and cenotes that we recommend. Trust me I spent a great deal of time, going through many guided tours, reading the fine print and the reviews to find you the best options.

👀 Read our blog on the best guided and private tours – Valladolid (and beyond) to Chichén Itzá.

If however, this seems a little pricey but you’d still like a little more detail than we have offered here in our self-guided tour, then check out these audio guides on Get Your Guide.

Is Chichén Itzá Worth Visiting

Ooh the big question… Well this is how we see it. If you’re in the Yucatan Peninsula then YES, most definitely, it’s well worth setting a day aside to see Chichén Itzá. After all, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Just be aware that it’s super busy, so gets very touristy.

If you’re not one for crowds, then try to get there early. You might also want to consider visiting Ek’ Balam ruins instead. They are absolutely beautiful, set in peaceful jungle and without the overwhelming crowds.

You might like to check our other posts for your itinerary and visit to Valladolid.

• The best cenotes of Valladolid – we recommend and review our favourite cenotes.
• The best place to stay in Valladolid – our review of the Oryx Hostel.
• The best things to do in Valladolid – (post coming soon).

And of course don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post: how to visit Chichén Itzá without a tour!

We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)

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September 4, 2023 at 7:18 pm

Great information! Thank you. I am going to share with our guests at Tim’s Ocean Condos in Cancun. Thank you very much!

September 12, 2023 at 9:51 pm

Super! Thanks for your message Megan and glad to hear it is helpful 🙂

October 17, 2023 at 6:28 pm

Great information Sharon, I will visit Chichen Itza early November and will use your guide!! I might also try Ek’Balam and will use your info too. Thanks for sharing. Would you happen to have any info on Cobá? I heard is not allowed anymore to cling the main pyramid? Thank you again. Ed

November 20, 2023 at 10:47 pm

Thanks for your message Ed, and glad to know that our guide is helping others with their visits. With regards to Coba, unfortunately we didn’t get there… it will have to be next time for us 🙂

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Aledia Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Chichen Itza: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

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Uncover the mystery of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of The World, with this self-guided walking tour. Learn about the complex Mayan civilization, explore the iconic El Castillo step pyramid, and uncover these ruins’ deepest secrets! This self-guided audio tour allows you to explore this one-of-a-kind site with maximum flexibility & freedom. After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit. New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per traveler

What's Included

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

What's not Included

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
• How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Amazing savings: Walking Tours: While each person typically needs their tour, couples or small groups can share one using split headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.

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15 Facts About Chichen Itza, One Of The 7 Wonders Of The World

• Chichen Itza is a top cruise attraction, with many tourists visiting from nearby ports on organized tours.
• Local vendors sell goods near Chichen Itza, although tourists should be prepared for potential persistence.
• Chichen Itza was discovered twice and was used as an observatory by the Mayans. It is being restored and may have been used for sacrifices.

Chichen Itza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is a historic site situated in Yucatán, Mexico. While most people realize that Chichen Itza was built by the Mayans thousands of years ago, there are many things tourists don't realize about this marvelous attraction. There are many interesting facts about Chichen Itza that everyone should know before visiting.

Chichen Itza refers to an archeological site, not the pyramid within it, which is the site's most popular tourist attraction. The pyramid itself was built to serve as a temple and a castle and is known as El Castillo - there are a lot more facts about Chichen Itza that you may want to know about both the site and the pyramid before you visit.

UPDATE: 2023/10/26 16:37 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Is Much More To Understand When Coming To See Chichen Itza

This article has been updated with new information regarding Chichen Itza, as well as two lesser-known facts about this world-famous monument. Whether someone is coming from their cruise, shopping with locals, or wanting to learn more about this iconic structure, Mexico is filled to the brim with history and Mayan culture!

Chichen Itza Is One Of The Most Visited Cruise Attractions

• Cruise passengers account for much of the tourism at Chichen Itza.

Something to know about Chichen Itza in Mexico is that it brings most of its tourists from cruise ships porting in nearby areas. Cozumel is a landing point for many cruisers, with them hopping on a bus to witness the ancient Mayan structure in real-time. For this reason, people will almost always have the option of booking a tour of the site via their cruise company, as it's continuously one of the most in-demand choices among people coming to the country. From water to Chichen Itza!

Guachimontones is another prehistoric site in Mexico worth checking out for anyone with time to spare on the mainland.

Related: The Longest Bike Trail In The World Spans All The Way From Canada To Mexico

There Are Locals Selling Goods Near The Famous Monument

• Local vendors line the streets entering Chichen Itza.

Although this sometimes doesn't sit well with tourists, there are hoards of vendors selling goods just hundreds of feet from Chichen Itza. Most people are fairly calm about selling to tourists, although it has been reported vendors bombarding buses filled with guests in the area, as well as flagging them down at the monument. It's best to say no thanks and move on from the area if this persists. Or, if you want a handcrafted gift, then supporting vendors is a great idea: whatever makes everyone feel most comfortable.

It Was Discovered Twice

• Chichen Itza underwent two major discoveries, one in 514 AD and another in 1841.

One thing most people do not know about Chichen Itza is that it was discovered twice. In 514 AD, a priest by the name of Lakin Chan discovered the site that is known as Chichen Itza. It is believed that Chan was also referred to as Itzamna. Chichen Itza translates as “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” Over the years following its abandonment, Chichen Itza was lost, and Mexico fell into turmoil and was ravaged by a series of wars. In 1841, American Explorer John Lloyd Stephens stumbled upon this site once again and turned it over to Mexico.

Related: Mayapan: Visit One Of The Yucatan's Most Stunning But Rarely Visited Mayan Sites

It Was Used As An Observatory

• At one point, Chichen Itza was used as an observatory.

The Chichen Itza is a marvelous site due to its rich architecture and historical value, but it also houses evidence that the Mayans were definitely ahead of their time. For starters, the Chichen Itza housed craftspeople, artisans, and scholars and was by no means a civilization of simple people. The Mayans were people of science and math and especially excelled in the field of astronomy. For this reason, tourists can visit the Mayan observatory known as El Caracol, which once was used by the Mayans to gaze into the heavens and study the motions of Venus.

It's Built With Diverse Materials

• The pyramids of Chichen Itza have been made with local materials, such as mica.

The pyramids of Chichen Itza have been a popular attraction for ages, but now they are being questioned, or rather, the method in which they were built. Historians have analyzed the buildings and structures located within this site and have found a variety of diverse materials that do not originate locally in Yucatan, Mexico . One of these materials is mica, which was used by the Mayans during construction to insulate their buildings, but there is one problem. Mica is found 2,000 miles away from the pyramids in Brazil, and scientists are baffled as to how it was transported without vehicles.

It Was Built Near Sinkholes

• This structure was built near sinkholes, often believed to be used for human sacrifice.

Another thing most people do not know about Chichen Itza is that it was built near sinkholes. While your first reaction to reading that might be confusion or worry, there was a very good reason for the Mayans establishing their community near two sinkholes. The area is generally spotted with numerous sinkholes in the limestone earth and is stable. They actually provided the only source of freshwater to the people of the area as there are no rivers or lakes nearby. Therefore, Chichen Itza was built near two massive sinkholes to ensure water availability year-round. These sinkholes are called cenotes and have clean water in them ( cenotes are also one of the top tourist attractions of the Yucatán Peninsula ).

It Is Being Restored

• Many restoration projects have kept Chichen Itza looking beautiful after all these years.

One thing most people find surprising about the buildings in Chichen Itza, particularly El Castillo, is the incredible condition it is in after all these centuries. This is due to the restoration projects headed by the Mexican government and some universities to ensure these structures stand the test of time.

Restoration efforts began in 1923 when Sylvanus Morley, an archaeologist, headed an expedition to the pyramid and realized it had suffered a great deal of decay. After gaining entrance to the pyramid, restoration efforts were started and continue to this day; due to this, El Castillo is stronger than ever.

It May Have Been Used For Sacrifices

• Many believe that sinkholes surrounding Chichen Itza were used for sacrifices during times of heartache.

Next up on this list is a morbid fact about Chichen Itza, which is not entirely butterflies and rainbows. The Mayans were peaceful and smart people but also believed in curses and sacrifice to the gods they worshiped. The sinkholes mentioned above were frequently used for sacrifices during times of adversity, such as a drought or famine. The Mayans would choose a person to be sacrificed to the gods in hopes that this would bring them luck. In addition to sacrifices, the Mayans were also big fans of death penalties, which were gruesome and publicized to maintain order and spread fear.

It Isn't Entirely Mayan

• The Chichen Itza was built in two stages: the pre-Classic and the latter period.

Next up is a fact that startles most people when they hear it, and it truly is shocking. Historians suggest that this famous Mayan community may not have been entirely Mayan, and that is true. The Chechen Itza was built in two stages, the pre-Classic and the latter period. The pre-Classic period was greatly influenced by the Mayans, but following an invasion of Toltecs in the 10th century, this all changed. As a matter of fact, the most iconic buildings of Chichen Itza, such as the Temple Pyramid El Castillo, may have been built by the Toltecs and not the Mayans.

There Are Smaller Pyramids Within

• There is a smaller pyramid cluster hiding below the El Castillo.

Another fact to know about Chichen Itza is that while the huge pyramid of El Castillo looms at a whopping 98 feet , it is, in fact, hiding something beneath it. Within the pyramid are two smaller pyramids that stand at 65.5 feet and 33 feet. The smallest of the three pyramids is believed to have been built by the Mayans, as it features a unique Colombian-style architecture style. In contrast, the other pyramids have Mexican influences in them. Scientists are studying the smaller pyramid to learn more about the ways of the Mayans, as the ways of the Toltecs are shown on El Castillo with its carvings and sculptures.

Related: This Forgotten City Has The Tallest Mayan Pyramid (& Its Not Chichen Itza)

There Was A Death At The Itza

• Tourists in modern times are not permitted to climb or even touch Chichen Itza.

Tourists at the Chichen Itza are frequently disappointed to know that they cannot climb to the top of the pyramid, and here is why. Until 2006 , tourists were allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo to gaze upon the sculptures at the top. That was until an American tourist stumbled on her way down and fell to her death. These accidents are increasingly common, and for this reason, the steps of El Castillo are restricted. In addition to providing an added layer of safety to tourists, this ensures the structure will not be damaged by the feet of hundreds of thousands of tourists climbing the steps.

That said, this Mayan pyramid in Mexico DOES allow climbing , so that's something to think about.

Chichen Itza's Glory Declined Mysteriously

• The Mayans are said to have vanished sometime around the 14th century.

This once great empire met its sudden doom when the Mayans who once inhabited this land mysteriously left in the 14th century and never returned to it once again. The Chichen Itza was a symbol of perseverance and power to the Mayans, who had moved around, ravaged by warfare until settling in the Itza. Their civilization was one of the most advanced of its time. Still, it met its sudden end due to a series of issues, such as drought and famine. After the fall of Chichen Itza, the Mayans persevered in the North till the 16th century.

Chichen Itza Has The Largest Mayan Ballcourt

• Chichen Itza is home to the largest Ballcourt known in Mesoamerica.

Much is not known about the Mayan Ballgame, but it would seem that for the Mayans, the game was more ritual in nature. The game was associated with human sacrifice, and the exact rules remain unknown (except it would seem players could only use their hips and thighs. Chichen Itza is home to the largest Ballcourt known in Mesoamerica .

Chichen Itza Has A Sacrificial Cenote

• There is a sacred cenote at Chichen Itza, where sacrifices occur.

At Chichen Itza, visitors can find the Sacred Cenote . It is an ancient sinkhole that the Mayans believed was sacred. Numerous artifacts have been discovered at the bottom of this cenote, including things associated with sacrifice, like gold, jade, incense, and human bones. The human skeletons include warriors, children, and maidens. Also, at Chichen Itza, visitors can see the Mayan baths where sacrificial victims were ritually cleaned before their sacrifice.

Chichen Itza Is One Of The Most Touristic Mayan Sites

• Chichen Itza remains one of the most popular Mayan sites in the world.

Chichen Itza is not only one of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico, but it is also likely the most popular Mayan archeological site in all of the ancient Mayan world. It is far from the only ancient Mayan city to have impressive ruins. Still, it is one of the most accessible and best known, and it benefits from being in Mexico (Tikal is remote in the jungle in Guatemala). Chichen Itza attracts around 2 million tourists every year.

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Akumal Bay Tours

Chichén Itzá

TOUR TO THE TEMPLES OF CHICHÉN ITZÁ

Chichén Itzá is one of the main Mayan archaeological sites in Yucatan.

Old Chichén (Classic Maya Period 800-100 A.D.) and New Chichén itzá (Maya-Toltec Period 1000-1200 A.D.).

One of the most importantly archaeological centers of the Mayan civilization, it is internationally recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world.

Its name means on the shore of the well of the Itzaes and it is the second most visited archaeological site in Mexico.

Around the year 800 it was the most powerful city in the Yucatan Peninsula.

In this period it reached its maximum splendor and it was in this way that they built the temples that we know.

Chichen Itza is recognized worldwide for the play of light and shadow that occurs at each equinox; on the castle of Kukulkan you can see the snake descending to the bottom of the pyramid.

It is located approximately 180 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, its opening hours are from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

The tour includes a visit to a fresh water cenote to refresh yourself in its crystalline waters.

The cenotes in the Mayan civilization were considered the entrance to the world of the dead.

Subsequently we will visit the wonderful colonial city of Valladolid to enjoy its architecture and observe typical Mexican customs.

We leave very early in the morning to be able to enjoy this marvel without the crowds in the archaeological center.

During the excursion we have certified bilingual guide with the group all the time for comfort and learning, lunch included in the tour.

Air-conditioned transportation for your comfort

This is a full day tour, so we also recommend you to bring comfortable and fresh clothes as well as a bathing suit, money and a towel.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.