" At the brim of the well where the wise men of the water live"
-Mayan meaning of Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Once one of the most important city-states of pre-Hispanic America is now one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico.
Chichén Itzá means "At the brim of the well, where the wise men of the water live" in ancient Mayan.
All Information and prices are updated to 2023.
How to get to Chichen Itza?
We used the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen and took us about 4 hours without having to change buses. It cost us around 15usd per person, one way.
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Or just Rent a Car with Discovercars.com.
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If you just want to do a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza, you will only have about 4 hours to enjoy this magnificent archeological site.
Rent a car with Discovercars.com
Best time to visit Chichén Itzá?
The best time to visit is from November to April in the early morning.
It is open every day from Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m, and the last entrance is at 4 p.m. You can buy tickets there, but there are usually longer lines.
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If you stay a night at the Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin spa, you will be able to see the ruins before all masses of tourists arrive, early in the morning. This time is also the best, because most of the vendors selling souvenirs are just starting to prop up their shops, so they are too busy to start hassling you to buy their goods.
Best things to see at Chichén Itzá
The Chichen Itza Pyramid, the Observatory, the Temple of the Warriors and the Mayan Ball Game court, the largest in the Americas, with over 160 meters length and 70 meters wide. These are just a few of the magnificent ruins to behold.
Built during the high point of the Itza-Cocom culture, the four sided Pyramid of Kukulcan is one of the tallest of Maya architecture.
The Ball Game Court is believed to have been used as a ceremonial ritual rather than a sport. If you speak in the temple at the southern end, your voice can be heard at the opposite end.
Located in the oldest side of the Chichen Itza Ruins is the "Church". A Temple dedicated to the God of Rain, Chaac.
Another magnificent building is the Chichen Itza Observatory, one of the few structures built by the Maya that is circular and was used for astronomical observations.
On the grounds, you will find a 60meter in diameter sinkhole, the Cenote Sagrado where necklaces, gold, jade objects and even bones of young women were found. These were thrown in as offerings to the Mayan rain God, Chaac.
Where to eat?
Best places to stay near the Chichén Itzá Ruins?
A splendid boutique hotel on 200 hectares of private Maya Jungle Reserve with its own garden gate to the archeological site of Chichen Itza.
Paying on your Trip
via
Wise.com
Renting a car
via
Discovercars.com
Choose from the best car rental deals at your destination to get the best out of your trip.
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