Chichen Itza

chichen-itza1.jpg

The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichén-Itzá are over 1500 years old and are located only 75 miles from Mérida. The name Chichén-Itzá is a Mayan word: CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and ITZA (of the Itza tribe). Some believe people were occasionally thrown into the nearby cenote as sacrifices, and those who survived were believed to be seers.

The site is divided into three sections. The North grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as "The Old Chichén." All three can be seen comfortably in one day.

As the most famous of the Mayan pyramids on the Yucatán peninsula, Chichén Itzá has been studied extensively and is the most popular Mayan ruin in México. Much has been written about it. Try to visit Chichén Itzá early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as the sun can be punishing at midday.

The main attraction is the central pyramid, also known as El Castillo, this spectacular, massive Mesoamerican step-pyramid that dominates the Chichen Itza archaeological site in the Mexican state of Yucatan. Today El Castillo is one of the most popular and recognized tourist sites of Mexico and as of 07/07/07, it is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Built by the Maya sometime between the 1000 and 1200 AD, El Castillo served as a temple to the god Kukulkan and is believed to have served as a calendar. Each of the structures four stairways contains 91 steps. When counting the top platform as another step, in total El Castillo has 365 steps, one step for each day of the year. The structure is 24 meters tall (78 feet), plus an additional 6 m (20 feet) for the temple top for a total height of 30 meters (98 feet). The square base measures 55.3 meters (181 feet) across. Huge sculptures of plumed serpent’s heads sit at the base of the pyramid on the northern staircase. At sunset during the spring and autumn equinoxes triangle shadows are formed by the platforms making it appear as if a plumed serpent is descending the pyramid.

If you are up to the challenge, inside you will find a narrowly enclosed staircase that leads to a chac mool, an altar where offerings to the gods were placed. It is sometimes possible to visit the inside passageway of the pyramid, but we would encourage visitors who are claustrophobic to skip that part of the adventure. Climbing to the top of the pyramid is no longer allowed.

Just beyond El Castillo you will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok. Anthropologists believe that the object of the game was to hurl a ball through a ring that was mounted on a wall, seven meters above the ground.

Each team had six field players who would attempt to pass the ball - using any body part except their hands - to their captain who would attempt the shot using a racket of sorts. The captain of the team that made the first successful shot was then decapitated as a sacrifice to the gods. This was seen as an honor and guaranteed entrance into heaven.

There is a certain mystical energy about the ball court that begs to be experienced first-hand. One fact worth noting is the repetition of the number seven, which was sacred to the Mayans. There were seven players on a team, the rings were seven meters high and if you clap your hands or shout in the court, the sound will echo exactly seven times. There are carvings on the stone walls that depict the ball players (some of which are remarkably intact) and after the captain was beheaded, it is said that seven serpents grew out of his neck.

But the true mystery behind the ball court at Chichén-Itzá is the Mayan prophecy that on Dec. 22, 2012, the great warrior serpent Kukulkán will rise from the ground beneath the playing field and end the world for good. Even if you're not one to believe in predictions, it's still exhilarating and eerie to stand in the middle of the court, close your eyes, and imagine.

At the entrance to Chichén Itzá, there is an informative museum, a dining room, clean restrooms, a few gift shops, and vendor stands. If you didn't bring a hat, it's a good idea to buy one from one of the vendors outside before you go in.

NOT JUST A DAY TRIP
Most visitors to Mérida take a day tour to see the archaeological site, returning to Mérida the same day, an excellent option if your time is limited. But there is much more to Chichén Itzá than the incredible archeological site. Hacienda Chichén offers birding, eco-cultural experiences with the local Mayan community, and Mayan spa treatments (see contact info below). Yucatan Mayan Retreat offers Ecohotel & Camping services, in Yokdzonot village, 10 min. from Chichén Itzá (see contact info below).

How to get to Chichén Itzá:
You can travel to Chichén Itzá by daily travel agency tours (about $450 pesos), rental car, or public bus. If you drive yourself, parking is $10 pesos. You can easily do the trip and return to Mérida by the evening, or you can stay overnight. If you do stay, be sure to enjoy the wonderful Light & Sound Show that is held every evening. We recommend you read our article on Transportation in the Yucatan.

If you wish to take public transportation:

Autobuses ADO
CAME bus station
Calle 70 x 69, Centro.
Departures for Chichen Itza early morning, mid morning, and midday. Cost 100 pesos. Takes 1 hour 45 min.

Check www.ticketbus.com.mx for current schedules.

Important Information:
- Climbing to the top of the pyramid is no longer allowed.

- The site is open 365 days a year.

- Light and Sound Show is at 7:00 pm every night during Fall and Winter and 8:00 pm during Spring and Summer.
- Open from 8 am to 5 pm.

- Entrance fee $116.00 pesos and it includes the Light and Sound Show.
 Children 5 pesos
- Head-phones for translations are available for 39 pesos.

- Lockers for bags and suitcases are available at the entrance.
 
Recommended reading:
- New Seven Wonders of the World
Recommended Guide:
Hotels in Chichén Itzá:
- Hacienda Chichen is a unique boutique green hotel found among the haciendas in Yucatán. This colonial hacienda is a serene elegant hotel and Mayan Spa retreat, located just steps from the site of Chichén Itzá.
- Yucatan Mayan Retreat offers Ecohotel & Camping services, in Yokdzonot village, 10 min. from Chichén Itzá. Cel. (045) 985 808-0805. Email: yucatanmayanretreat@gmail.com
 
 
01.

ownership

our guide told us that the ruins are owned by a private party. true? Why are all the annoying vendors allowed to encroach so close to the ruins?
02.

At one time the land was

At one time the land was owned by a private party but the site was managed by the government; that is no longer the case, the government of Mexico owns and manages the site. As for the vendors, this is an ongoing issue at archaeological sites everywhere, and in this case discussions have been underway for some time.
03.

equinox "appearance" of Kukulkán at equinox

I read that on the quinox the sunlight casts a shadow on the pyramid that appears like Kukulkán, does anyone know if that is true, and if so, what day? I would love to catch it! thank you, Mary

04.

equinox

Yes it is true! Read our article here: http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/equinox

05.

Chichen Itza Pyramid

Can anyone provide the overall width and heighth of the pyramid? Also, even though general public cannot climb it anymore, is it known if there is openings or tunnels inside the pyramid? Thank you for any information, Tina

06.

Chichen Itza Pyramid

Hola Tina, thanks for the question, we have added this info in the article above. Please read.

07.

David

I need to contact a private contract guide at Chichen Itza. He gave us a tour and it is very important that I contact him. He said he was the only guide named "David". Please try to contact him and get some information (e-mail, cell number, address, anything). I know this is a task, but to me this is very important! Thank you!

08.

David

I read your comment about David. I also work in Chichén-Itzá and know David. If you want me to give him a message, send me an email. David doesn't have an emailaddress. Thanks.

09.

David

My family visited Chichen Itza7 last summer and David was our tour guide. He said he grew up in the local area. I have an important question for him. I have tried to call his company by cell phone and no luck. Please contact him and have him e-mail me. If he doesn't have an e-mail address, maybe he can find a local internet cafe and e-mail me at
douglas_19756@msn.com.
He would need to check this site or another for my reply/ question.
Thank you for replying at this site!
Douglas Bass

10.

David

Hello Douglas,

I've sent an email to the emailaddress you gave me, but I didn't receive a reaccion. I asked David today if you phoned him but he says you didn't. Did you receive the mail I sent you? Did you try to contact him? Thanks for your answer.

11.

climbing the chichen itza

I have heard that tourist are allowed to climb the pyramid now. Is this true?

12.

climbing

No, it is not allowed.

13.

Hoping Chitzen Itza is open

Hoping Chitzen Itza is open on Christmas Day??!

14.

christmas

Yes it is open 365 days a year.

15.

David

Merry Christmas to your family!

16.

Chichen Itza Tour

Can someone please recommend a tour company that offers day trips from Merida to Chichen Itza. It would be great if the tour also includes a visit to a mayan village. Thanks!

17.

tours

Hi, just about all the tour companies in Merida have this service...read this article for a list with contact info: http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/tours-yucatan
Happy travels!

18.

Chichen Itza

Thanks Juanita! Also, is it open on January 1st, New Years Day?

19.

January 1

Yes it is! 365 days a year. Have fun.

20.

Personal Tour Guide at Chichen Itza

Initially, I thought we would go through a tour company for Chichen Itza, but now, we prefer to hire a personal guide when we arrive there. Any suggestions on how we should go about making arrangements, and how much should the guide charge? Thanks!

21.

tour guide

Here is just who you are looking for!!!

Renée Tijsma Chichen Tour Guide

rubenrenee@hotmail.com

22.

light and sound for new years

The Luz y Sonido functions normally on Dec. 31, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2010.

23.

Climbing the ruins

I visited Chichen Itza back in 2002 and was able to climb the ruins. What caused the change in rules?

24.

re. climbing

It was a combination of things...all the people going up and down was causing more disintegration and erosion of the structure...thereby making it ever riskier to climb, creating a real safety hazard.

25.

Climbing the ruins

We visited the grounds a few weeks ago and our guide told us an elderly lady fell down the steps and died, hence they closed the temple to all climbers.

26.

climbing

Hello, I have heard this too, I am not sure whether it is true, but it could be...either way, very wise to no longer permit climbing there.

27.

Cost of a tour

Will we be saving money if we hitch on a tour from our hotel or take the bus to the ruins and pay our entrance?
What is the best way to visit the ruins?

28.

Exchanging money

Should we exchange dollars for pesos? I know in Cancun many vendors prefer dollars. Thank you.

29.

re. cost of a tour

You would save money by taking the bus and paying the entrance yourselves. But I recommend a tour...so much better to have an experienced guide who will also give you info about the sights you pass along the route.
Juanita Stein, Yucatan Today Editor

30.

re. exchanging money

Plan to exchange your dollars into pesos. The vendors may prefer dollars, but they all accept pesos, which is what everyone uses here.

31.

I was at the ruins this

I was at the ruins this month and I saw that they were digging around the large temple. I didn't catch why they were doing this and have they discovered something new there? Thanks!

32.

Digging next to pyramid

Archeologists found a huge platform underneath the present one. The platform on which the pyramid, the big ballcourt, the group of the 1000 columns etc stand, has been raised by the Mayas at least 10 feet in hundreds of years. Several skulls and an entire skeleton have been found, also jade, ceramic and obsidian objects.

33.

Tour Guide

We are planning a trip in March. Can you pay a tour guide at the door? if so, how much? Tours from the Hotel seem to be too expensive... $60 for adults and $40 for kids. I have two kids one adult. It would be cheaper to ride a bus there then get a guide...Can you do that?

34.

re. tour guide

Yes you can save $$ by doing it yourself. See updated bus info in article above. Contact Renee Tijsma at http://www.tourguidechichenitza.com/ for a reliable tour guide. There are also guides at the gate but there is no set price, you have to negotiate.

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Yucatan Today is the leading tourist guide of Merida, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula and was recently voted the best tourism website in all of Mexico! In our companion monthly magazine, we bring you the information you need to enjoy your experience while you are here. Read more