If you are ever visiting Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula be sure to make time to visit Chichén Itzá. This complex of Mayan ruins is classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
El Castillo
The main attraction at Chichén Itzá is the largely impressive El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan. This is a large step pyramid with some really interesting features. For example, if you clap at the base of the pyramid you will hear an echo that sounds like a Quetzal which is a bird native to South America.
If you don’t mind large crowds, you could also plan your visit during the spring or fall equinoxes. We did not visit at these times, however, it is said that at sunset the shadows cast on the northern stairs create the illusion of a snake’s body. This shadow illusion supposedly connects to the large carved snake head at the bottom of the stairs! We definitely need to re-visit this site because that sounds really neat!
Other Attractions at Chichén Itzá
El Castillo is not the only attraction to see at Chichén Itzá. There is also a ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of Skulls. Neat and intricate carvings can be found on all of these stone structures.
You will also find remnants of buildings and structures throughout the property. You can walk through the forest and find these along the trails. The forest is also a great place to escape the sun. It can get very hot at Chichén Itzá so the shade provided by the forest trees is a welcome retreat. We didn’t see any refreshment stands while there but apparently there is a canteen close to the entrance should you need to purchase refreshments.
Chichén Itzá’s Sacred Cenote
There are two sinkholes, also called cenotes, at Chichén Itzá but don’t pack your swimsuit because you can’t swim in them! The largest of the two is called the Sacred Cenote or Cenote Sagrado. It is believed that the Mayan people used this cenote as a site of worship, performing rituals and sacrifices. The walls of the cenote are around 22 metres tall!
Souvenir Stands at Chichén Itzá
As with any tourist attraction, there are a lot of vendors at Chichén Itzá. They will all try to get your attention but will leave you alone if you politely refuse. They are also willing to barter so don’t be afraid to bargain within reason!
We found Chichén Itzá to be worth the visit. The history and cultural significance were so interesting! You can enter Chichén Itzá on your own and do a self-guided tour. There are some plaques explaining some of the sites. However, we were happy that we had a tour guide to explain some of the finer details. We received our tour as part of the resort credits offered by Moon Palace. To learn more about resort credits offered Palace Resorts, check out our post on Moon Palace Cancun!
