Chichen Itza Overview
Things to Do at Chichen Itza
A cenote is a natural sinkhole or well and a renowned tourist destination, often constructed of limestone. Tour Chichen Itza Sacred Cenote archaeological monument has a 60-m-diameter and is 27-m-deep; therefore, Swimming is prohibited here. However, Some surrounding cenotes are open for swimming for tourists. It is believed that the Pre-Hispanic Maya threw precious artefacts into a well as part of their water deity ritual. Later, they sacrificed humans.
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El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcán, is the most visited site in the Chichén Itzá tour. The architecture is shaped like a step pyramid with nine square terraces, the highest of which is about 30 meters high. Exquisite serpent heads decorate the base on all four sides, creating the illusion of a slithering serpent at sunset.
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Chichen Itza is an engrossing historical site. Around the massive step, a pyramid is surrounded by 200 pillars depicting warriors, serving as flanking elements on the west and south sides of the building. The temple top is reached by a massive stairway where Chak Mool, a Mayan God's messenger, sits.
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El Caracol, which translates to "the snail" in Spanish, was a Mayan observatory. The tower's distinctive spiral stairway inspired the name. Mayan astronomers used the flat Yucatán environment to study the sky and space above. It's one of the few spherical structures at Chichén Itzá; other than the structures that Mayans usually built.
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The Wall of Skulls displays the severed heads of those who were defeated in battle or sacrificed to the gods. The wall is a massive 60-by-12-meter platform in Chichen Itza. The panels on this "T" shaped structure are adorned with skulls. More than five hundred skeletal figures carved into the wall have been discovered so far.
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The group is immediately next to the Temple of the Warrior, a monument in tour chichen itza that is not very well known among visitors. About 200 columns with bas-reliefs of warriors stand where once a roof did, but the roof is long gone. The columns are now on display for admiration.
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Know Before You Go For Chichen Itza
- Timing and Best Time: Hours of operation for Chichén Itzá are year-round from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. People flock to Chichen Itza on a regular basis. To avoid crowds, go early in the morning after the site opens, or late in the evening before closing. It will take you around 9-10 hours to complete the tour, including travel time.
- Location and How to Reach: Chichen Itza is in Yucatan's east. You can opt for Return Transfers from Cancún to Chichén Itzá. It is the ideal travel option because it saves time. Cancún, Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen are the pickup locations. After the tour, you'll be dropped off before 6:00 PM. Taking a two hours drive to Chichén Itzá is another easy alternative.
- Things to Keep in Mind: Chichen Itza is typically visited in a single day, so pack light. You need a Mirrorless Camera if you want to take professional-quality pictures. This area of Mexico is hot and sunny almost all year, so pack sunscreen. Hydration is crucial, so always have water bottles with you. The cenotes of Yucatan are well-known, so bring a swimsuit and an extra set of clothing.
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- Tips: Travelers should book their Chichén Itzá tour online, as the site now only allows 3,000 visitors daily. You'll be doing your entire tour on foot, so choose a pair of sneakers that fits comfortably. Avoid the crowds by scheduling your trip during the week, preferably in the morning or evening. Bring some extra money to cover the cost of any entrance fees, souvenirs, or meals.
- Facilities: Chichen Itza has restaurants for all budgets and tastes. The Pueblo Maya, Luna Cafe, Hotel Okaan, and Hacienda Chichen are fantastic places to eat. Before entering, guests can pay to store large luggage and carry-ons. Lockers are available for rent if visitors need a place to store personal belongings. Photography is authorized, but professional cameras, tripods, or selfie sticks require an entrance fee.
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Some of the exciting facts of Chichin Itza are:
- Chichen Itza can be roughly translated as "the mouth at the well of Itza".
- Archaeologists believe that the Mayans made human sacrifices at Chichen Itza to alleviate the effects of drought on their society.
- Although Chichén Itzá was a prosperous metropolis in its days, nobody knows for sure what brought about its decline sometime around 1000 A.D.
- There are claims that Mayan astronomers conducted in-depth research on Venus and its phases at the Observatory.
- If you clap your hands at one end of the Great Ball Court, you'll hear nine sounds reverberate directly at the center of the court.
- El Castillo is made up of two smaller pyramids within it, much like a Russian nesting doll.
- Hundreds of carved skulls on the Platform of Skulls were placed to terrify potential attackers.
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FAQ's of Chichen Itza
Why is Chichen Itza so famous?
Chichen Itza is one of the largest cities during the zenith of Mayan civilization and now one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World" due to its massive concentration of cultural significance. Attracting nearly a million tourists annually, the monument is renowned for preserving some of the finest architectural works of Mayan civilization.
What safety measures are in place at Chichen Itza?
Learn about these Updated COVID-19 safety requirements before booking your chichen itza trip. Chichén Itzá currently allows online reservations and 3,000 daily visitors. In addition to this, it is required for everyone to maintain a 1.80-meter social distance and wear masks. Tour groups are limited to 10 people.
How many people are allowed into Chichen Itza at a time?
The archaeological site of Chichén Itzá has a daily visitor cap of 3,000 people. More than two million tourists flock to this Mexican landmark every year to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the best time to visit Chichen Itza?
Chichén Itzá is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM every year. If you want to avoid crowds, the best times to visit are right when the site opens or right before it closes, closer to November. Book Chichen Itza tickets in advance for a seamless experience.
What is the maximum size of a guided tour to Chichen Itza?
The Chichén Itzá guided tour groups may only accommodate a maximum of ten guests at this time.
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