We visited Chichen Itza, having already seen three other Mayan sites on the Yucatan Peninsula — Palenque, Izamal and Uxmal — and we thought we knew what to expect. We were wrong. Nothing quite prepares you for the moment El Castillo appears at the end of the entrance path, rising from the jungle floor in the early morning light, its limestone blocks glowing in the sun as though the building itself is generating heat. It is jaw-dropping. It is magnificent. And we say that as travellers who have stood at the base of the Pyramids of Giza, walked through the Colosseum and trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Chichen Itza deserves to be on the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This guide will help you make the absolute most of your visit — whether you are coming for the day, combining day and night, or planning your entire Yucatan trip around it.
We will be honest about what we got wrong on our own visit — and how we would do it differently if we went back tomorrow.
A Note on Our Visit
We based ourselves in Merida and visited Chichen Itza over two separate days — the first for the daytime ruins with a local guide, the second for the Kukulkan Nights light show. Looking back, this was not the most efficient approach given the 1.5-hour drive from Merida each way. We will share our recommended itineraries below — built on what we learned from experience rather than what sounded good in advance.
What is Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza is an archaeological site of Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The name itself tells the story: chi translates to mouth, chen to waterway, and Itza is the name of the dynasty and can also mean knowledge — put together, “Mouth of the Well of the Itza.” The site covers 740 acres, sits on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, and was built from approximately 750 CE, reaching its peak between 900 and 1200 CE.
The site attracts approximately 2.6 million annual visitors — making it the most visited archaeological site in Mexico and one of the most visited in the world. With those numbers comes the need for good planning. This guide gives you everything you need.
Before You Arrive — The Most Important Tips
1. Buy your tickets in advance. There is no official standalone online ticket purchase system for Chichen Itza — all standalone entry tickets must be purchased at the on-site ticket office. What “skip the line” products actually sell is a guided tour package that includes entry — the skip happens because tour operators pre-purchase group tickets or use separate entry processes.
Book a guided tour with entry included, or a self-guided package with entry and audio guide, well before you arrive. Standing in the ticket queue in the February heat for over an hour — as we did — is not how you want to start your morning.
2. Arrive at opening — 8:00 am. Early-morning arrivals lead to 40% shorter entrance line wait times and cooler temperatures. By 9:30 am the excursion buses from Cancun have arrived, and the site fills dramatically.
3. Do not visit on Sunday. Sunday is free entry for Mexican nationals and residents — it is the single busiest day of the week. Avoid it.
4. Hire a local guide. This is the single most important piece of advice we can give. The registered guides at Chichen Itza are knowledgeable, many are descended from the Mayan people themselves, and the information they share is completely unavailable from any guidebook or audio tour.
Our guide spoke French, German, Italian, English and Mayan, was estimated to be close to 70 years old, and gave us a perspective on the site that transformed our understanding of everything we saw. Local guides available at the entrance typically charge approximately MXN 800–1,500 (USD $45–85) for a 1.5-hour tour.
5. Drink water, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat. Chichen Itza is entirely exposed. There is almost no shade on the main plaza. In high season, the heat is intense. Bring more water than you think you need.
Getting Your Bearings — What’s in the Site
The site is large — 740 acres — but the major monuments are clustered in two main areas: the Great North Platform around El Castillo, and the Old Chichen area to the south. A guided tour covers the key monuments in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Allow more time if you want to explore independently afterwards.
The main monuments you will see:
El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan) — the iconic pyramid that is the headline attraction of the entire site.

The Temple of the Warriors and the Group of the Thousand Columns.
The Great Ball Court — the largest and best preserved in Mesoamerica.

El Caracol (The Observatory). The Temple of the Jaguars. The Platform of Venus.
The Sacred Cenote to the north of the main plaza. The Platform of Skulls (Tzompantli).

The Monuments — What We Learned From Our Guide
El Castillo — the Temple of Kukulkan
El Castillo is the most incredible pyramid we have seen anywhere in the Maya world, and we have seen several. Up close, it is even more magnificent than in photographs. It dominates the great plaza with an authority that is genuinely difficult to put into words.
Here is what our guide told us that you will not find in most articles:
Before you enter the site proper, take a moment to look at the trees around you. The skinny-trunked tree with green leaves is a rubber tree — the white sticky resin inside the bark was boiled and shaped by hand into the balls used for the Mayan Ball Game. There are also grapefruit trees, bougainvillaea, and a white-trunked tree — the chewing gum tree, also known as “chicle.” This was the most important construction tree for the Mayans: the wood cannot be attacked by termites or insects because of its bitter taste. The Mayans used their beams to lift the stones in the construction of their buildings.
El Castillo has 91 steps on each of its four sides — totalling 364. The platform on top adds one more step = 365, the same number of days in a year. 91 days also measure the time between the two equinoxes and the two solstices. The staircases rise at 45 degrees.
During restoration, archaeologists found a dark tunnel in the north staircase entrance, revealing another pyramid built inside the first. They estimated it would have taken 8 years to build the interior temple. The Mayans then calculated the weight and strength required to build an entire second pyramid over the first — a feat of engineering that still astonishes modern architects.
Inside the inner chamber, they found a throne in the shape of a jaguar — red in colour with 73 green jade spots simulating the jaguar’s markings. The jade was confirmed to be Chinese jade, providing evidence of sea trading between continents that has since been verified by other archaeological findings. The jaguar weighs approximately 300lbs and remains inside the chamber. The blue turquoise stone disk that was embedded in its back is now at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
If you visit during the Spring or Autumn Equinox at around 4 pm, you will witness what appears to be a serpent wriggling down the north staircase — created by the interplay of light and shadow on the stepped pyramid edges. Crowds gather for this phenomenon from across the world.
The clapping trick: If you arrive without a guide and wonder why people are clapping at the base of El Castillo, try it yourself. You will hear the chirp of the Quetzalcoatl bird resonating inside the chamber as the sound travels from the base to the top. It is one of the most extraordinary acoustic phenomena at any archaeological site in the world.
Important: Since 2006, it has been prohibited to climb El Castillo — an 81-year-old woman fell to her death, and climbing has been banned since. This is entirely right for the preservation of the site.

The Temple of the Warriors and the Group of the Thousand Columns
The Temple of the Warriors is fronted by 64 square pillars, each beautifully carved showing Toltec warriors with their weapons — slingshots, blow darts, bow and arrows. The round columns to the right of the temple each weigh an estimated 150lbs. Over the centuries, they have survived 200km hurricane winds and remained standing — they would originally have supported a roof.
At the base of the staircase, the carving of the warrior shows: the warrior’s profile, a feathered headdress, a nose piece, tattoos around the eyes (warriors were normally tattooed here), an ear decoration, a long-sleeved hood covering his chest and body, and sandals. There are still traces of green and orange pigment visible on the carvings.
At the top of the staircase is a Chac Mool — a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican sculpture depicting a reclining figure with its head facing 90 degrees from the front, supporting a bowl or dish on its stomach. It is one of the finest examples at any Mayan site.
The Great Ball Court
The Great Ball Court is the largest and best preserved ball court in Mesoamerica — 175 metres long, larger than a US football field, with walls 8 metres high, slanted to keep the ball in play. The acoustics are extraordinary: a sound made at one end can be heard clearly at the other.
Two teams of six played the ball game, with a seventh player the only one allowed near the hoop. Players could not use their hands. The objective was to be the first team to put the rubber ball through the hoop, which stood 16 feet above the playing surface. Remember that the average height of the Mayan people was 4.5 feet. The game always finished 1–0. The ball could not touch the sides of the hoop — it had to pass through cleanly.
The carved wall panels on each side of the court show the game in play, a severed head after the game, and snakes emerging from the players’ mouths. At the northern end is the Temple of the Bearded Man — named for a carving on its inner wall of a man who appears to have facial hair.
El Caracol — The Observatory

El Caracol is one of the most extraordinary structures at Chichen Itza, precisely because it looks entirely out of place among the rectangular pyramids surrounding it. A large square platform with a round building on top — inside is a spiral stone staircase that resembles the shape of a snail (caracol means snail in Spanish). The round building has three openings at the top, with windows aligned to observe the changing positions of Venus.
The Mayans were highly skilled astronomers. They used the different positions of Venus to plan their battles and raids, and for the timing of agricultural sowing. The precision of the alignments — confirmed by modern astronomy — continues to astonish researchers.
The Platform of Venus

The Platform of Venus — also known as the Tomb of the Chac Mool — is 25 square metres with steps on all four sides leading to the top, where plumed serpents guard the structure. The sides depict eagle serpents, jaguars and human forms. The Mayans observed Venus daily — it is the closest planet to Earth — and its movements governed major decisions of state.
The Sacred Cenote
To the north of the main plaza, a short walk along a raised causeway, is the Sacred Cenote — a natural sinkhole approximately 60 metres across and 13 metres deep. This was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Mayan world. Offerings — precious jade, gold, ceramics and, in times of extreme need, human sacrifices — were thrown into the cenote as offerings to the rain god Chaac. Archaeological dredging in the early 20th century recovered hundreds of artefacts from the bottom, now in the Peabody Museum at Harvard and the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
Chichen Itza Tickets — 2026 Prices
The ticket system at Chichen Itza is split between two government agencies — you pay two separate fees at two separate windows. In 2026, foreign visitors pay a total of 697 Mexican pesos (MXN) — roughly USD $40. The total combines two mandatory fees collected separately at the entrance: one federal (INAH), one state (CULTUR). You must pay both fees even if you purchased your ticket through a reseller — check that your booking explicitly includes both CULTUR and INAH fees.
Children aged 3–12 pay MXN 100. Payment is accepted in Mexican pesos, cash or by Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card — they only accept these two cards. If you only have dollars or euros, there is a currency exchange at the entrance but the rate is poor.
Foreign tourists are not eligible for national discounts or Sunday free entry — Sunday free admission applies to Mexican citizens and residents only.
The Kukulkan Nights Light Show

Chichen Itza at night is an entirely different experience from the daytime visit — and genuinely worth planning around. The Kukulkan Nights (Noches de Kukulkan) light and sound show uses 3D projection technology to illuminate El Castillo with colourful Mayan imagery and representations of the equinox serpent descending the staircase. Under a moonlit sky with a gentle evening breeze and far fewer people than in the daytime, the experience is memorable in completely different ways.
The show is conducted in Spanish. Audio guides in multiple languages are handed out at entry — expect to queue at least 20 minutes for the audio guide collection and again for return. A photo ID is required to receive your audio guide and must be surrendered until the show ends. Factor this into your departure time.
Light show practical information:
Gates open at 6:30 pm. Entry from 7:00 pm. Show begins at 7:45 pm.
Tickets must be purchased separately from the daytime entry. General admission for the night show is MXN 755. The nighttime path through the site is lit but limited — you follow one direction along a lit route. Guards ensure you stay on the path. Fifteen minutes before the show, you are directed to the seating area.
There is not enough time or light at night to explore the full site. We strongly recommend combining a daytime visit with the evening show — either on the same day or, ideally, by staying nearby overnight.
How to Visit Chichen Itza — Three Itinerary Options
We visited over two separate days, and the driving time from Merida each way added up significantly. Here is what we recommend based on our experience:
Itinerary Option 1 — Day and Night on the Same Visit (Recommended from Merida)
Leave Merida at 12:00 pm. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours — arrive by 1:30 pm. Spend the afternoon at the site with a local guide (2 hours) and then explore independently until closing at 5:00 pm. Have dinner at one of the nearby restaurants while waiting for the gates to reopen at 6:30 pm for the light show. Return to Merida after the show — expect to be back around 10:30 pm. This is the most efficient single-day option from Merida.
Itinerary Option 2 — Overnight Stay Near Chichen Itza (Our Recommendation if We Were to Return)
Stay one night at one of the hotels near the site — The Lodge, Hotel Mayaland or Hacienda Chichen are all within walking distance. Arrive in the afternoon, visit the ruins at leisure, swim at the hotel pool, eat dinner, then return for the evening show fully rested. The next morning, you can revisit the site at opening before the tour buses arrive. This is by far the best way to experience Chichen Itza and eliminates all the driving stress.
Itinerary Option 3 — Day Trip from Cancun or Tulum
Most visitors to Chichen Itza come on organised day trips from Cancun (197km) or the Riviera Maya (approximately 181km from Playa del Carmen). The drive takes 2–2.5 hours each way.
Budget day trips via ADO bus from Cancun cost USD $45–65, saving $25–60 compared to organised tours at USD $89–125. If you take an organised tour, many include Valladolid and a cenote swim — a well-rounded day. The downside of a day trip is that you are locked into the tour group’s timing and may not arrive at the opening.
Our honest advice: Valladolid (45km from Chichen Itza) is the best base for those wanting a flexible, unhurried experience. It is one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial towns, a Pueblo Mágico recognised by UNESCO, and staying there means you can reach the site in under an hour — visiting at opening before the day trippers arrive, returning for lunch and a siesta, and going back for the evening show.
Where to Stay
Near Chichen Itza:
The Lodge at Chichen Itza (Highway Merida-Cancun Km 120) — we enjoyed a superb lunch of traditional Mexican fare here. The 5-star property offers an outdoor pool, jacuzzi and packed lunches for your site visit. Guests describe it as feeling like you are in the middle of the jungle next to the pyramid.
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa (Km 120 Carretera Merida Puerto Juarez) — a 5-star hacienda resort with outdoor pool, spa, on-site library, restaurant and bar. Guests describe feeling transported back in time. Perfect for a post-site afternoon recovery.
In Valladolid (45km away — our recommendation): Valladolid has excellent mid-range hotel options throughout the colonial centre — comfortable, well-located and considerably more affordable than the on-site hotels.

In Merida (120km away): We stayed at the Wyndham Hotel in Merida for four days and used it as a base for visiting Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Izamal and Celestun. The pool was a genuine welcome after each long day. It is perfect for families and well-located for all Yucatan attractions — with the caveat that the driving distances to Chichen Itza and back add up.
Where to Eat
At the site, Oxtun (Local 7, Parador Turistico) is the most recommended independent restaurant near the entrance for traditional Yucatecan food.
Nearby: The Lodge at Chichen Itza serves excellent traditional Mexican fare and is worth a long lunch between the day visit and the evening show. If you are heading to or from Merida, a lunch stop in the nearby village of Pisté offers inexpensive local options.
Getting to Chichen Itza
Distances for planning purposes:
Merida — 120km (approximately 1.5 hours).
Cancun — 197km (approximately 2.5 hours).
Tulum — 153km (approximately 2 hours).
Playa del Carmen — 181km (approximately 2.5 hours).
Valladolid — 45km (approximately 40 minutes). Cozumel — 230km (approximately 3 hours including ferry).
By bus: ADO buses operate from Merida, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Valladolid. This is a comfortable, reliable and affordable option — the ADO buses are air-conditioned and punctual. Book here
By tour: Organised tours from Cancun and the Riviera Maya typically include hotel pickup, transport, a bilingual guide, a cenote swim and lunch. They are convenient and can be an excellent value if booked through a reputable operator.
By car: If self-driving, note that parking at the main lot costs approximately MXN 80–100 (USD $5) and is within walking distance of the entrance. On busy days, overflow parking may be further away.
Nearest airports: Merida (136km) for domestic connections. Cancun (202km) for international flights.
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Other Mayan Sites to Visit Nearby
Chichen Itza sits at the centre of the Yucatan Peninsula’s extraordinary concentration of Mayan heritage sites. If you have time, the following are all within a reasonable day trip distance:
Uxmal — in our view the most architecturally refined of all the Yucatan Mayan sites, less crowded than Chichen Itza and genuinely beautiful. 80km south of Merida. Read our full guide here.
Izamal — the golden yellow colonial city built on and around a Mayan pyramid complex. A UNESCO Pueblo Mágico. 65km from Chichen Itza and an excellent afternoon addition to a Chichen Itza day. Read our full guide here.
Ek Balam — a less-visited but extraordinary site 30km north of Valladolid, with the finest example of a preserved Mayan stucco facade in the Yucatan.
Cobá — one of the few remaining sites where you can still climb the main pyramid (at time of writing), located 108km from Chichen Itza near Tulum.
Tulum — the iconic Mayan ruins on the cliff above the Caribbean Sea, unique in their coastal location. 153km from Chichen Itza. Read our full guide here.
Palenque — our personal favourite Mayan site of the entire trip, further afield in Chiapas state, but extraordinary. Read our full guide here.
A Final Word
Chichen Itza was the moment our Mexico trip shifted from enjoyment to genuine wonder. We had seen remarkable things before we arrived. But standing at the base of El Castillo, listening to our guide explain how a civilisation without metal tools or wheeled vehicles built two pyramids, one inside the other, to such mathematical precision that the shadow of a serpent descends the staircase on the exact day of the equinox — something shifted. The Mayan civilisation was not primitive. It was extraordinary. And Chichen Itza is the most powerful evidence of that fact.
Go early. Hire a guide. Bring water. Come back for the night show.
And if you only have time for one Mayan site on your entire Mexico trip, make it this one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Chichen Itza
Is Chichen Itza worth visiting?
Without question, it is one of the most extraordinary places we have visited across 70 countries and six continents. Chichen Itza is not just a pretty ruin. It is evidence of a civilisation that, without metal tools, without wheels and without modern engineering, built two pyramids, one inside the other, to such mathematical precision that the shadow of a feathered serpent descends the staircase on the exact day of the spring equinox. Give it the time and attention it deserves — hire a guide, arrive early, and let the scale of what you are looking at properly sink in.
How long does it take to visit Chichen Itza?
At a brisk walk, you can see all the temples within the archaeological site in less than three hours. We recommend allowing at least two hours with a guide for the main monuments, plus additional time to explore independently afterwards. If you plan to combine the daytime visit with the evening light show, allow the whole day.
What time does Chichen Itza open and close?
The site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but access is closed after 4:00 pm. Arrive at opening for the best experience — by 9:30 am, the excursion buses from Cancun begin arriving, and the site becomes significantly busier.
Can you climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza?
No — climbing has been prohibited since 2006. An elderly visitor fell to her death from El Castillo, and the ban has been in place ever since. This is entirely right for both visitor safety and the long-term preservation of the site. You can walk to the base of all the main structures and get extremely close — close enough to touch the stones, see the carvings in detail and appreciate the scale fully.
Do I need a guide for Chichen Itza?
Technically, no — you can visit independently. But we would strongly recommend hiring a registered local guide. The information our guide shared — the rubber trees, the chicle beams, the Chinese jade in the jaguar throne, the acoustic tricks of El Castillo, the mathematical precision of the 365 steps — is simply not available on information plaques or from an audio guide. The registered guides are knowledgeable, many are descended from the Mayan people themselves, and the tour typically runs 1.5 hours. Local guides at the entrance charge approximately MXN 800–1,500 (USD $45–85) for a guided tour.
What is the ticket price for Chichen Itza in 2026?
In 2026, foreign visitors pay a total of 697 Mexican pesos (MXN) — roughly USD $40 (approximately AUD $62). The total combines two mandatory fees collected separately at two different ticket windows: one federal (INAH) and one state (CULTUR). You must pay both fees even if you purchased through a reseller — check that your booking explicitly includes both fees. Children under 13 and visitors with disabilities enter free.
Can I visit Chichen Itza for free on Sundays?
Free Sunday admission applies to Mexican citizens and residents only — foreign tourists are not eligible for Sunday free entry. In fact, Sunday is the busiest day of the week, and we recommend avoiding it entirely.
What should I bring to Chichen Itza?
Water — at least 1.5 litres per person, more in summer. There is almost no shade throughout the complex, and the heat at midday is intense. Sunscreen applied before you arrive. A hat. Comfortable closed shoes — the terrain is uneven.
Your camera (smartphones and consumer cameras are fine at no extra charge). Tripods are considered professional equipment and require an expensive pre-arranged permit — leave your tripod at the hotel. Drones are strictly prohibited.
Bring your swimsuit if you plan to visit a cenote afterwards.
Are there cenotes near Chichen Itza?
Yes — several excellent cenotes are within easy reach of the site and make a perfect complement to a morning at the ruins. The most popular are Cenote Ik Kil (approximately 3km from the entrance, open to swimming, with a café) and Cenote Sagrado Azul. Many organised tours from Cancun and the Riviera Maya include a cenote swim as part of the day’s itinerary.
Is there food and water available at Chichen Itza?
There are plenty of stalls inside the site where you can buy water, snacks and ice cream. Bathrooms are available both in the Visitor’s Centre and behind El Castillo and are clean and well-maintained.
There are also restaurants at the main entrance complex and on the road approaching the site. That said, buy your water before you enter rather than relying on stall prices inside.
What is the Kukulkan Nights light show?
The Kukulkan Nights (Noches de Kukulkan) is an evening light and sound show that uses 3D projection technology to illuminate El Castillo with Mayan imagery and representations of the equinox serpent.
Gates open at 6:30 pm, entry from 7:00 pm, show begins at 7:45 pm. The show is conducted in Spanish with audio guides available in multiple languages. A photo ID must be surrendered to receive your audio guide and returned at the end. Tickets cost MXN 755 and must be purchased separately from daytime entry. Arrive early to avoid the audio guide queue.
When is the best time to visit Chichen Itza?
November to April is the cooler and more comfortable time to visit — but also the busiest, with hundreds of excursion buses daily during peak season. May to October is hot and humid with regular afternoon rain showers but significantly fewer crowds. The equinoxes — around 20 March and 23 September — are extraordinary if you want to see the serpent shadow phenomenon, but the site is at its absolute busiest on these dates. Arrive very early if visiting during the equinox season.
Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Most nationalities — including Australian, UK, US, Canadian and EU passport holders — do not require a visa for tourist visits to Mexico of up to 180 days. Always check the current requirements for your specific nationality before travelling.
What Does It Cost to Visit Chichen Itza? A 2026 Budget Guide
Site Entrance
The total entrance fee for foreign adult visitors in 2026 is MXN 697 (approximately USD $40 / AUD $62), combining the federal INAH fee and the Yucatán state CULTUR fee. Children under 13 enter free. The two fees are collected at two separate ticket windows — allow time for both queues. Pay by Mexican pesos cash or Visa/Mastercard only.
Skip-the-Line Guided Tours: Organised tour packages including entry typically cost USD $40–80 per person and include a bilingual guide, transport from your base, and often a cenote swim and lunch. For most visitors arriving from Cancun or the Riviera Maya, an organised tour is the most practical and cost-effective option.
Local Guide at the Entrance: MXN 800–1,500 (USD $45–85) for a 1.5-hour guided tour — an investment we strongly recommend and would make again without hesitation.
Kukulkan Nights Light Show: MXN 755 (approximately USD $43 / AUD $66) per person, purchased separately from daytime entry.
Parking: Approximately MXN 80–100 (USD $5 / AUD $8) for the main car park.
Getting There from Key Bases:
Budget day trips from Cancun via ADO bus cost USD $45–65 for independent travellers versus USD $89–125 for organised tours, saving USD $25–60 while requiring additional planning. From Merida, bus fares to Chichen Itza run approximately MXN 200–250 (USD $12–14) each way. From Valladolid (the closest practical base at 45km) local transport costs approximately MXN 50–80 (USD $3–5) each way.
Accommodation Near the Site:
Pisté village (800 metres from the archaeological zone) offers accommodation from USD $35–45 per night for basic double rooms, significantly cheaper than the on-site premium hotels. The on-site hotels — The Lodge and Hacienda Chichen — run USD $150–300+ per night for the convenience and atmosphere of being steps from the ruins.
Budget vs Splurge — What Will Your Visit Cost?
For a budget-conscious day trip from Cancun — ADO bus, standard entry, no guide, snacks from site stalls — budget approximately USD $55–75 per person all-in.
For a mid-range day visit — organised tour with guide, entry, cenote swim and lunch included — budget approximately USD $90–130 per person all-in from Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
For the full experience — staying overnight near the site, daytime visit with a local guide, cenote swim, dinner at The Lodge, and the Kukulkan Nights light show — budget approximately USD $250–350 per person for the full overnight experience all-in. This is, in our view, the right way to do it — and worth every peso.
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This is a very complete information on how to do day trip to Chichen Itza. And I believe this is the first time I read about Group of the Thousand Columns.
I can’t wait to visit Mexico one day and I will definitely keep your article in mind! Thank you!?
Thank you Mia for your comments!
When I was small, in our General Knowledge subject, I had first come across Chichen Itza, and I always used to spell it as Chicken Itza. Yes it was one of the seven wonders of the world. I have never been to Mexico yet but it seems there is so much to see there, you have depicted nicely things to do in both day and night in there. I am surely going to consider traveling there soon.
Hi Shreya
I first thought the same as you Chicken Itza but soon realised it was spelled differently. LOL. Hope you can make it one day.
I am so impressed with al the detail you provided in this post! I feel completely prepared to travel there now- day or night or during any season! I haven’t been to this part of Mexico, and I would love to visit these ruins. The sound and light show at night looks incredible!
Hi Leah
The night show is magical. Very moving. Hope you get a chance to visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Interesting read. I love revisiting all these things about Chichen Itza and the Mayan civilization. There was no Light Show or the possibility of overnight stay when we went to the Yucatan Peninsula, some 25 years ago. I would have liked to see that. It truly looks magical in your pictures.
Thank you Anda for your comments. I enjoyed the Light Show so much I am definitely going to return when next in the area.
Cheers
This post is so informative. I love how you take cake of all the details in it. I always wanted to visit Maya civilisations, after going to Iran, or seeing ancient Roman cities in Algeria, I am fascinated about the ancient cultures. I would surely go back to this post on the way to Mexico!
Hi Anita
Thank you for your comments.
Cheers
I admire your dedication to visit this place. I haven’t been there and your blog helps me to understand this old city, their culture, etc. No wonder this city is being protected by UNESCO!
Thanks Blair for your comments. I love visiting UNESCO sites and this was one of my favourites.
I have read a lot on Mayan civilization and would love to visit Chichen Itza as it one of the ancient 7 wonders of the world. The Temple of Kukulkan looks interesting as it is built up of two pyramids over each other. Thanks for sharing all tips and information about this place and also about the Laser show at night.
Hi Yukti
Thank you for your comments.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Holy wow, this is totally comprehensive. I had no idea there was a right way and a wrong way to travel to Chichen Itza day and night. It’s a good point to consider the distance to travel because that would definitely make a difference to the experience. Whilst it is busier to visit during Oct to April, I think I would prefer it because of the cooler months. The light show looks amazing though and totally worth the trip out!
Hi Soraya
Thank you for your comments. Chichen Itza is really worth a visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan