Few archaeological sites capture the imagination quite like the remains of a once-powerful ancient city. Monumental temples, centuries of Maya history, and extraordinary architecture have made these ruins one of the most celebrated attractions in the Americas, and seeing them in person had long been a dream of mine.
Chichen Itza, located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, certainly lived up to those expectations. The UNESCO-listed archaeological site is within reach of popular destinations such as Cancun, Tulum, Merida, and Valladolid. Hoping to spend less time on the road, I chose to visit from Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city just around a 40-minute drive away.
If you’re planning to see Chichen Itza for yourself, this practical guide covers everything you need to know. From transport options and entrance fees to the highlights of this sprawling complex, I’ll share what I learned from my visit to help make yours as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.
What Is Chichen Itza?
In the Mayan language, Chichen Itza translates to at the edge of Itza’s well, with Itza referring to the ‘water sorcerers’ that inhabited northern Yucatan. A once-prosperous and thriving city, Chichen Itza is believed to have been built between 400 and 600 AD, where it established itself as a powerful centre for the Maya people.
Over the years, the Toltecs of central Mexico influenced the city, which is evident in the two distinct architectural styles that make up Chichen Itza: Terminal Classic and Early Postclassic.
Chichen Itza began to decline around 1200 AD and was eventually abandoned during the 15th century. Although it’s unclear why the once-great city fell, some believe it may be due to changes in climate and political tension.
Temple of Kukulkan
El Castillo is the four-sided pyramid that’s become a symbol of southwestern Mexico, so much so that many visitors confuse this temple with the city as a whole, with some believing that Chichen Itza refers to this construction alone.
Standing tall at 24 meters in height, the Temple of Kukulkan is made up of four sets of stairs, with one on every side and each with 91 steps. When combined with the final step that leads to the upper temple, the pyramid has a total of 365 steps, representing the number of days in a calendar year. The nine pyramid levels symbolize the various stages of the afterlife.
At the main entrance to the temple, there are two columns lining the steps, which lead to an open-mouthed serpent on either side. This is said to represent the former leader Kukulkan, who the Maya people believed to be linked to their feathered serpent god.
The Temple of the Warriors and the Temple of the Thousand Columns
The Temple of the Warriors is an impressive structure just behind the show-stopping Temple of Kukulkan.
Striking not only for its stepped pyramid but also the vast rows of pillars from the Temple of the Thousand Columns surrounding it, the Temple of the Warriors is perhaps the next best-known spot on the complex grounds.
The Temple of the Warriors itself is adorned with carvings of warriors, alongside eagles and jaguars, feasting on human hearts, though these are not so easy to spot as walking on the structures at Chichen Itza is not permitted. However, many of the ground-level round and square columns are also covered with bas-reliefs depicting warriors, which I found were a little more visible.
If you stand back, you might spot a Chaac Mool at the top of the pyramid. A frequently used sculpture amongst Mesoamerican civilizations, the Chaac Mool was used to represent the god of rain. Sitting with its head at a 90-degree angle, resting on its elbows with bent knees, it’s believed this statue once held sacrificial offerings.
Tomb of the High Priest
Also known as the Ossuary, the Tomb of the High Priest is probably not considered among the most iconic structures in Chichen Itza. However, I found it to be a wonderful spot to soak up the culture and tradition of the site with a fraction of the crowds.
Although Chichen Itza can be incredibly busy, particularly during the drier months of the year, the grounds’ sheer scope means plenty of quiet corners to escape to, my favourite being the Tomb of the High Priest.
Comparable to the Temple of Kukulkan, this pyramid-shaped construction consists of four stepped sides and serpent-ornamented columns at the base of the main entrance. Among the most fascinating tidbits I picked up during my visit was that the Tomb of the High Priest was built above a deep cave, which the Maya may have regarded as an entrance to the underworld.
Despite its name and the array of skeletons, jewels, and metal offerings, I learned that some archaeologists today question whether this site ever served as a tomb, with many considering it a temple instead.
El Caracol
El Caracol or Observatory is a round building on a large square platform dating to around 906 AD. It was probably an ancient Maya observatory with doors and windows aligned to astronomical events, specifically around the path of Venus. From the tower the Mayans could view the sky above the vegetation without any obstruction. The Spanish name, which means “snail,” refers to the stone spiral staircase inside.
Main Ball Court
Chichen Itza contain no less than 8 ball courts, but the Main Ball Court is by far the most impressive. At 166 by 68 meters (545 x 223 feet) it is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. It was dedicated in 864 AD and is radically different than any other Mayan ball court, which are smaller and have sloping sided courts.
The two vertical walls of the Main Ball Court are 12 meters (39 feet) high with rings carved with intertwining serpents in the center of each wall. Both walls are carved with scenes showing teams of ball players. One panel shows a headless player kneeling with blood shooting from his neck, while another player holds the head.
Temple of the Skulls
Alongside the Great Ball Court is the Tzompantli (Temple of the Skulls), one of the most gruesome temples in Chichen. It is a low platform covered on all sides by rows of carved skulls. Similar platforms are found in central Mexico, most famously in Tenochtitlan. The heads of sacrificial victims were displayed here, together with those of the players who lost the ball game (see below).
Sacred Cenote
The Sacred Cenote is a sinkhole that is connected to Chichen Itza by a raised pathway. This large natural well may have given Chichén Itzá (“Well of the Itzáes”) its name. There is a second karst cave in the center of Chichén Itzá that was used as a source of water for Chichén Itzá’s residents. The use of the Sacred Cenote was exclusively ceremonial. Over the years, the murky water has yielded many artifacts including gold, jade, copper, turquoise, obsidian, copal or incense, pottery, rubber, shells and the bones of around 200 people who were thrown in as a sacrifice.
La Iglesia
Named la Iglesia (the Church) by the Spanish, probably because it was located right next to the Nunnery, this temple is one of the oldest buildings at Chichén Itzá. Masks of Chac decorate two upper stories. Among the crowd of Chacs there are also an armadillo, a crab, a snail, and a tortoise. These represent the Maya gods, called bacah, whose job it was to hold up the sky.
Temple of the Bearded Man
The Temple of the Bearded Man or the North Temple is a small masonry building with detailed bas-relief carvings on the inner walls, including a center figure that has carving under his chin that resembles facial hair. At the south end is another, much bigger temple, but in ruins.
Casa Colorada
The Casa Colorada (Spanish for “Red House”), is one of the best preserved buildings at Chichen Itza. In one chamber there are extensive carved hieroglyphs that mention rulers of Chichen Itza and possibly of the nearby city of Ek Balam, and contain a Maya date inscribed which correlates to 869 AD, one of the oldest such dates found in all of Chichen Itza. The Casa Colorada may have been an elite residence.