Chichén Itzá

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    Chichén Itzá: Tours & Tickets

    See all tours & things to do in Chichén Itzá

    Chichen Itza: Top 5 facts

    Supposedly the great mythical city in Mesoamerican literature, this Mayan city stands today as one of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico. Read on for more on Chichen Itza history and Chichen Itza facts.

    • Origins: El Castillo & Kukulcan

      1. Origins: El Castillo & Kukulcan

      Archeologists believe the main monument, El Castillo, was dedicated to Kukulcan, the Mayan snake god, and was built between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D.

    • The Meaning Behind the Name

      2. The Meaning Behind the Name

      Chichen Itza translates to “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were a sea-warding subset of Mayan people.

    • Why was it built there?

      3. Why was it built there?

      It is likely that the city was built in this location on the Yucatan Peninsula because of two large natural “cenote” nearby that would have provided water to the population.

    • The Mayan Calendar

      4. The Mayan Calendar

      The total number of steps on the pyramid El Castillo, including the temple platform at the top, is 364—the total number of days in the Mayan calendar.

    • Take Me Out to the Ballgame

      5. Take Me Out to the Ballgame

      The Mayans were great athletes. Archeologists have found 13 ball courts for their Mesoamerican game; the best preserved and largest lies on this site just northwest of El Castillo.

    Planning Your Visit

    • Chichen Itza Weather: How to pack & What to Wear

      Nothing is worse than setting out for a big day of exploration and getting hit with a spell of dehydration. Prepare ahead and bring lots of water, it cannot be overstated how hot this place can get. Bring a sturdy set of shoes and a hat or umbrella for sun. Bug spray is a must, especially in the rainy season when mosquitoes are running amok.

    • Rent A Car or Hire a Defensive Driver

      If you decide to rent a car, make sure to purchase a map and have a friend in the passenger’s seat navigating on the way to Chichen Itza. Be careful—some of the road is rocky or in disrepair. Be sure to keep your gas tank full, because there aren’t many gas stations along the toll highway. For a day trip from Cancun, the drive will take a little more than two hours.

    • Take a Dip in the Cenote for a Quick Cool off

      Stop at Ik Kil to go swimming in this ancient water source, a popular spot open to the public.

    Good to know

    • When should I visit?
      Open daily, 8:00AM to 5:00PM, year-round.
    • Is it expensive?
      Adult tickets start at 64 MXV (about $4) and continue upwards with tours, packages and other perks available.
    • Will I need a guide?
      With so much history to learn about, a guide is a great idea.
    • How to get there
      You can rent a car (parking is 10 pesos), take public transportation, or take a tour from Cancun or Cozumel.
    • Additional information

      • Try to arrive in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the sun is hottest at midday.

      • A light and sound show is put on each evening, and times vary by season, so plan to stay late if you can!

    What people are saying about Chichén Itzá

    Overall rating

    4.3 / 5

    based on 2,175 reviews

    El guía y chofer súper bien. Chichen Itzá muy bien también, así como el almuerzo y la parada en Valladolid. El cenote no me gustó mucho —he visto otros mucho más lindos— y había mucha gente sin mascarilla a la que se le olvidó que estamos en pandemia, porque se ponían muy cerca tuyo a hablar, gritar, etc. Debería haber aforo. En la mañana nos llegó un correo de que nosotros teníamos que ir a un punto de encuentro, lo cual no se mencionaba en el tour, pero no tuvieron problemas en ir a buscarnos a nuestro hotel. Se me quedó mi batería externa y la compañía ni siquiera contestó mi correo. Mal detalle.

    Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour Reviewed by La, 05/01/2021

    Incredible tour! Alan did an excellent job explaining the history and sharing fun facts! Made for a long drive from Cancun but totally worth it! The food was delicious and very authentic Mayan tastes.. couldn’t recommend this experience enough!

    Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour Reviewed by Kasandra, 04/01/2021

    It’s was great we got to see a little more than what we expected, at dos I thought we might not need a tour guide but we ended up taking one and trust me it was amazing, the history behind everything it was beautiful.

    Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour Reviewed by Jessica, 04/01/2021

    Everything was perfect! The tour guides were very knowledgeable, and Ismael was a delight! The buffet at lunch was delicious, the cenote was exquisitely beautiful and I learned so much about Chichen Itza.

    Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour Reviewed by Kearsten, 06/01/2021

    Alan was a very good and funny tour guide. We had a wonderful time. The driver (can’t remember his name) was a good and safe driver. The tour was good. Locations were good, food was good. Bus was clean.

    Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour Reviewed by Alegria, 12/01/2021

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