Ruins of Chichen Itza Reviews (Chichen Itza, Mexico)

A Wonderful Example of Maya Archeology

by dkm1981

Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

February 16, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is probably the most popular tourist attraction amongst the millions of visitors to Cancun. It is undoubtedly the most impressive, largest and most ...Read more Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is probably the most popular tourist attraction amongst the millions of visitors to Cancun. It is undoubtedly the most impressive, largest and most extensively restored of the Maya ruins and, in 2007, it became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World after a worldwide vote.

The simplest way to get there is by an organised tour from your hotel although it is possible to go via public transport if you want a cheaper option and are feeling adventurous. The entrance fee is around £5 although it is worthwhile going on a guided tour if you want to learn something of the history of this impressive site.

The site is made up of a series of various structures and buildings, the most famous of which is the impressive El Castillo Pyramid. The pyramid is right in the centre of the site and is impressive in its stature. Once upon a time you could climb the stairs on the sides of the pyramid but in the interests of preserving the structure, you are no longer permitted to do so. Aside from the obvious benefits of this decision, I think it’s a good idea as it means you can take good pictures without hordes of tourists blocking your view! The pyramid was built with the calendar very much in mind – there is one step for every day of the year and, supposedly, you can see the shadow of a serpent on the side of it at the spring and autumn Equinox, thanks to the way the light filters through the top.

The most interesting structure in my opinion was the Great Ball Court. It was the largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica and stands at 166m by 68m, surrounding by imposing 12m high walls. The game was played in front of large crowds and had the sort of following that you found in the gladiator fights of Rome. The idea was that two opposing teams would try to score ‘goals’ by getting the ball through the small hoop at the top of the two side walls of the court without touching the ball with their hands. The tension was high in the game as there was a lot at stake – the captain of the losing team would be decapitated. Like the rest of the site, the Great Ball Court has been very well maintained and there are some excellent depictions of the game carved into the walls.

The Mayan people settled here at Chichen Itza because of the natural water holes (Cenotes) that can be found in the area. The name itself comes from the Maya words for ‘at the mouth of the well of Itza’. The Cenote Sagrado within the site was an ancient place of pilgrimage. Many items have been found in the Cenote, including pottery, jewellery and even human remains, which are believed to have been sacrifices to the rain god, Chaac.

Chichen Itza is a fascinating place that allows you to immerse yourself in the history of the Maya civilisation. It is impressive to behold and wondering around the massive site is a belittling and intriguing experience. However, it is a tourist trap and evidence of this is there every step of the way. I was very surprised to find that souvenir sellers are allowed into the actual grounds of the site and you’ll find every one of the ancient roads lined with stalls selling every kind of souvenir you can imagine. The sellers are fairly intrusive, plugging their wares as ‘almost free’ and ‘cheaper than Walmart’, and if you show any signs of interest at all they pounce straight on you. I personally didn’t buy anything and thought that the fact they were there at all was more than a little distasteful.

Overall, Chichen Itza is a fascinating place that must feature on every visitor’s ‘to-do’ list, after all, it isn’t every day that you get to visit one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, but do be prepared for the fact that it does come with all the trappings of a popular tourist destination.
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From journal A Holiday In Cancun

Wonder of the Water Magicians

by Niiko

Andújar, Spain

January 15, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo "At the mouth of the well of the Water Magicians" Better known as Chichen Itza it may be, but the translation has a certain ring to it. As the name suggests, the ancient Mayan site is built around a revered body of water; the Sacred Cenote. This ...Read more

Chichen Itza by Day and Night

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 4, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Chichen Itza is one of the most famous sites in the Yucatan - and rightly so, as it's unparalleled restoration and conservation make it one of the most historically rich places to visit in the area. The entire site is quite expansive and houses many ...Read more Chichen Itza is one of the most famous sites in the Yucatan - and rightly so, as it's unparalleled restoration and conservation make it one of the most historically rich places to visit in the area. The entire site is quite expansive and houses many interesting structure...all surrounding the star of the site - the El Castillo (or the Temple of Kukulkan) Pyramid. Named as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, this Mayan/Toltec pyramid takes your breath away as you step into the massive grassy area which contains it.

Walk around the various temples, ball courts, and other pyramids while reading an extensive guide book about the Mayan mysteries that surround this ancient city. There's so much to be learned from this site, that one can spend an entire day there...and after just learning about the very tip of the information about the culture, there's no way else to explain this ancient culture than to say something like, "uhgggh! really?!", as sacrificial images are everywhere. Jaguars eating hearts of human sacrifices. Eagles tearing out hearts of human sacrifices. Skulls of decapitated human sacrifices. Bones found at the bottom of a deep cenote from human sacrifices thrown in. Chac Mool statues which held the heart and other organs from human sacrifices. Ball courts (where a game between soccer and quidditch was played) in which the loosing team - you guessed it! get's sacrificed.

Besides this, though it's easy to just get lost and almost transformed into another time while you're here - imaging what a day in the life of a Mayan might have been like.

After we left that afternoon, we took a break at a cafe to eat a small dinner before we returned later in the evening to the site to watch a narrated light show about the Pyramids and the Mayan culture. It talked about the mathematics that went into building a structure like that and how perfectly calculated it is to the calendar, including a shadow that slithers down the side of the steps each solstice, showing the body of the snake, who's head is carved at the bottom of the structure.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SITE in general - and the light show offers an interesting addition to the experience.

Open 9-5 everyday.
Light and Sound Show is at 7pm every night during Fall and Winter and 8pm during Spring and Summer.
Entrance fee $111.00 pesos (includes the Light and Sound Show)
Parking fee $10 pesos
Head-phones for translations are available for $25 pesos.  Close

From journal Inland Yucatan :: Chichen Itza & Merida

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World!

by Carlos Fernandez

Cancun, Mexico

July 31, 2009

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A must visit place, magical and full of mistery. The pyramids are well conserved and they're breathtaking.Chichen Itza architecture is so well studied and measured that it experiences an unusual phenomenon every year, during the spring equinox. The ...Read more

A Brief Chichén Itzá History

by Koentje3000

Hamme, Belgium

January 29, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo The earliest history of the site is still largely unknown, but artefacts found here show evidence that there must have been a settlement already around the beginning of our epoch. Nomadic tribes already wandered around the Yucatán peninsula much ...Read more The earliest history of the site is still largely unknown, but artefacts found here show evidence that there must have been a settlement already around the beginning of our epoch. Nomadic tribes already wandered around the Yucatán peninsula much earlier. The porous soil of the land makes it devoid of freshwater lakes or rivers, but instead it is dotted with cenotes, a kind of sinkhole filled with water. Near Chichén Itzá are two of these cenotes, so the area became very attractive for the wandering Mayan tribes, and the first settlements soon followed. Around 1AD there must have been already a small society on this site. As a social and religious Maya centre, Chichén soon developed in size and importance. By the 7th century (the Mayan classic period), there were possibly around 50.000 inhabitants. Most people lived in huts of which little remains, but several of the great stone buildings still in existence today originate from this time. The Mayan tribe of the Itzá, originating from present day Guatemala, took over the leadership of the city around 700AD. From then onwards, the city became widely known as Chichén Itzá, meaning the well of the Itzá, referring to the cenotes and the tribe. They became a strong regional power, even more after the decline of southern Mayan centres like Uxmal and Tikal. Around 1000AD there was a heavy interaction with the Toltec culture from central Mexico and buildings from this period are largely influenced by the ones in the Toltec capital of Tula. Environmental issues due to over-population and deforestation lead to droughts and wars, and finally a decline of the once great city. Final blow for Chichén came with its defeat in the 13th century by nearby Mayapan, although it may have been a place of worship for the local Mayan population until the arrival of the Spanish.

The Spanish arrived in the region around 1500AD, but at first they were not so interested in these lands. The first real encounter happened when Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba sailed from Cuba to the Yucatán coasts in search of slaves. Instead he returned with gold gifts from some of the native tribes and tales of a greater empire to the west, probably referring to Chichén Itzá. After an expedition of Hernán Cortés, that other great conquistador Francisco de Montejo Was granted permission by King of Spain Charles I (the later Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) to conquer the peninsula in his name. His first attempt seemed successful first as he managed to settle a few towns near present-day Cancún on the peninsula, but he was soon repelled by Mayan resistance. His son however returned with a large army. He conquered the Mayan town of Ch'o in 1540 and renamed it Mérida. Form here his conquests were much more fruitful then his father's attempts and 6 years later the whole peninsula was subdued. However, the brutal approach of the Spaniards against the Mayan population reflected in periodic bloody revolts from the locals, leading to more bloodshed between them. Even after the Mexican independence there were occasionally revolts from the Mayans, most notably the Caste War of 1848, mainly because the Mayans had much less right then the mestizos and the Spanish descendants. Nowadays things have quieted down and weapons and gunners have been replaced by bricklayer trowels and tourists. Since its inscription in 1988 as Unesco World Heritage Site #483 a large restoration was undertaken and now the site shines as the great tourist magnet it should be.
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From journal The World Famous and the Little Known

General Information about Chichén Itzá

by Koentje3000

Hamme, Belgium

December 12, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo Chichén Itzá is definitely one of the largest tourist attractions on the Yucatán Peninsula, yes even from whole Mexico. Its proximity to the crowded Yucatán beach resorts like Cancún or Playa del Carmen, only around 200km away on good roads, means ...Read more Chichén Itzá is definitely one of the largest tourist attractions on the Yucatán Peninsula, yes even from whole Mexico. Its proximity to the crowded Yucatán beach resorts like Cancún or Playa del Carmen, only around 200km away on good roads, means hordes of tourists come to look at the magnificent ancient ruins. After all, over 1 million annual visitors can't be wrong, can they? As always there are upsides (like abundant transport, many nearby hotels and restaurants) and downsides (closure of some temple complexes, pushy sellers) to the omnipresence of tourists.

Getting there
It will come as no surprise that a big tourist attraction like Chichén is served well by public and private transport. From Yucatán's resorts and other towns like Cancún or Merida several tour operators offer coach trips or alternative tours to this great Mexican site. A normal day tour in an air-conditioned coach should cost around US$ 50 per person and will usually include entrance fee to the complex and a guide. Most hotels act as agents for the local tour operators, but usually will charge you more than when you go straight to the operator itself. People on a budget would be glad to know that the site is served well by public first-and second-class buses, much cheaper than a tour. First-class buses are faster but cost 50% more. For example a one-way ticket to Cancún would cost only around 7US$ in second class and 10US$ in first. There is even a new airport just north of the site, but currently no scheduled flights arrive here, but only a few private planes.

Entry to Chichén

Local and tour buses will drop you off at the large parking near the big entrance complex to the site. This building contains souvenir shops, a restaurant, an interesting free museum with items found on site, a bus ticket office and free luggage storage, making it possible to visit Chichén en route for another destination, like the popular Cancún-Mérida route. It also contains a nice scale model of the site, so you can see how big it actually is. Entrance fee to the site is a reasonable 100 pesos (around 8US$), but there is an extra fee for a video camera (not for a still camera though). Note that most tour groups arrive at noon, so if you want to avoid long queues do come earlier. Or, if you arrive late in the afternoon, you are entitled to a ticket for the next day as well.

Staying overnight

If you want to stay overnight near the site, for example to enable an early or late visit, there are plenty of possibilities to do so. The first possibility is to take a hotel in Valladolid, only 50km away, enabling you to explore this beautiful colonial town as discussed in the other threads. The closest town to Chichén Itzá is Piste, only 2km away from the site. The little town is quite uninspiring, but several travellers still stay here due to the proximity of the ruins. There are several upmarket resorts on the road from Piste to Chichén like the Mayaland Resort or the Hacienda Chichen, which charge over 100US$ per room for a night. A good alternative is the nicely priced Piramide Inn, where a double room costs around 50US$. It's also possible to pinch your tent or swing your hammock in the garden for only 5US$, one of the cheapest options in Piste. The Hostal Chichén in the centre of Piste is one of the best budget options, at only around 10US$ for a clean but small double room.
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From journal The World Famous and the Little Known

New Wonder of the World

by jwelhwel

Indianapolis, Indiana

September 2, 2008

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After several trips to Mexico, we finally decided to take the all day tour to Chichen Itza. It was well worth the time and money. the Mayan ruins are well preserved. A tour guide who makes the history come alive is a must. The vendors inside the ...Read more

Chichen Itza - Mayan Ruins

by kathyjohanna

Stratford, Wisconsin

July 26, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Chichen Itza is one of the most impressive sites I’ve ever seen. There is a lot of hype that surrounds this particular site, but without a doubt it lives up to it. The city was built by the Mayans as a political, religious, and military center. The ...Read more

From journal Adventures in the Riviera Maya

Chichen Itza

by wanderluster

Evansville, Indiana

July 4, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo This ceremonial site was important for three distinct groups of people. Mayans first settled here in 435AD, and built lavish buildings in the Puuc style with ornate geometric friezes, Chaac masks, and jaguar symbols from 600AD. Itza people from the ...Read more

This ceremonial site was important for three distinct groups of people. Mayans first settled here in 435AD, and built lavish buildings in the Puuc style with ornate geometric friezes, Chaac masks, and jaguar symbols from 600AD. Itza people from the highlands of central Mexico then conquered the city, adding unornamented structures with simple lines, then suddenly abandoned the site. The city laid lifeless for a hundred years. Then Toltecs arrived around 1000AD and built new temples with military overtones, adding warrior columns, carved serpent and eagle motifs alongside Mayan jaguar symbols. They built a larger pyramid over the existing El Castillo pyramid, but left a hidden staircase to reach the interior Mayan jaguar throne with its jade-encrusted altar of ChacMol figures. In 1250, the city was abandoned again, and was still vacant when the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 1500s. Archaeologists predict that the restored structures may represent only 5% of the original city. Incredible!

The Sacred Cenote, a natural well with life-sustaining water was thought to be a gift from the rain gods, who Mayans kept appeased with commercial and human sacrifice.

The Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo pyramid, is the structure most people visualize when they think of Chichen Itza. This massive square based pyramid has four stairways and 52 panels that represents their sophisticated Mayan calendar (a complex system combining astronomy and mathematics to regulate religious rituals). The giant snake head at the base of the northern staircase grows a bodily form during the equinox. On March 21 and Sept 21 each year, the shadow of a snake descends the steps This fertility symbol marked the time for Mayans to plant. Toltecs performed a fire ritual every 52 years to prevent the sun from abandoning the earth. A victim was sacrificed to the sun god, and a fire was kindled in the spot where the victim’s heart had been.
The Temple of Warriors has a total of 1000 columns. Stone colonnades are decorated with reliefs of Toltec warriors, whose black painted eyes once were inlaid with white shells. Behind the columns is a pyramid where a Chac-Mol figure sits up high on the plaza. Tourists are now restricted from climbing any of the structures since a death occurred two years ago, but if you look closely, you can see the ChacMol figure where sacrificial victims died on the altar.

The huge Sacred Ballcourt opposite the Warrior Temple is where two teams of seven men used their knees, hips, and elbows to manipulate a rubber ball through a lofty stone hoop 23 feet off the ground. Contradictions arise whether it was the winning or losing team captain that was decapitated at the end of the game, but whichever it was, the bleeding skull joined the rack of other skulls protruding from spears atop the adjoining Tzompantli, a limestone platform decorated in bas relief skulls.

Forested paths lead to additional ruins not visible from the plaza, such as the intricately carved Nunnery and other Puuc-styled architecture. Close

From journal Mayan's Glorious Yucatan

Chichen Itza (Mayan Ruins)

by Mrs. King

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

March 26, 2007

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This tour was very good and educational but you better be in store for an all-day excursion. We were picked up as early as 7:45am and returned back to the resort at 8pm. It's a 2-hour ride to Chichen Itza and along the way, other ...Read more

From journal Mexico '06

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Ruins of Chichen Itza

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A Wonderful Example of Maya Archeology

Wonder of the Water Magicians

Chichen Itza by Day and Night

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World!

A Brief Chichén Itzá History

General Information about Chichén Itzá

New Wonder of the World

Chichen Itza - Mayan Ruins

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza (Mayan Ruins)

Ruins of Chichen Itza

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A Wonderful Example of Maya Archeology

Wonder of the Water Magicians

Chichen Itza by Day and Night

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World!

A Brief Chichén Itzá History

General Information about Chichén Itzá

New Wonder of the World

Chichen Itza - Mayan Ruins

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza (Mayan Ruins)