10 Things to do in Chichen Itza That You Shouldn't Miss

September 19, 2021 Oliva Fomby

While the ruins of pyramids such as El Castillo and Kukulcan are the primary reason to visit Chichen Itza, they are hardly all that’s on offer here. Otherworldly bird-watching and stargazing experiences can be found within the Maya Jungle Reserve and in Hacienda Chichen's Bird Refuge. Daytrips run from both Merida and Cancun.
Restaurants in Chichen Itza

1. Templo de Kukulkan

Piste Yucatan, Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico +52 998 283 0423
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5.0 based on 4,178 reviews

Templo de Kukulkan

This impressive pyramid dominates Chichén Itzá's landscape, standing an imposing 24 meters high.

Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia

Well, this is the main attraction of Chichen Itza and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It's enlisted in the new seven wonders of the world. It's full name is Temple of Kukulkan - a feather divine beast adorned by Maya which had supernatural powers. On El Castillo, Kukulkan is carved twisted on both sides of the northern stairway. It's so immaculately built that only twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun illuminates its entire length from top to bottom (amazing, see it on Youtube). Besides that there're more interesting facts - the pyramid has 9 levels plus the Temple on top. Each side's staircase has 91 stairs, which multiplied by 4 sides and the Temple on top makes the grand total of 365 (days in year).

2. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza Mexico +52 985 851 0137 [email protected] http://www.chichenitza.inah.gob.mx/
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4.5 based on 25,325 reviews

Chichen Itza

Reviewed By LegiaW67 - Massapequa Park, United States

Amazing and historical place Our Tour guide Sergio was fantastic explain all the history of Mayan culture One of seven wonders of the world Must see

3. Gran Juego de Pelota

Carretera Costera del Golfo s/n, Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico http://www.chichenitza.com
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4.5 based on 1,483 reviews

Gran Juego de Pelota

Reviewed By DelfinoEdward - Lucena, Brazil

The Great Ball Court of Chichen Itza is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. The rings where players would score a goal are set 30 feet (9 meters) above the playing alley. There were actually 13 ballcourts at Chichen Itza, but this one is the biggest: it measures 551 x 230 feet (168 x 70 meters). It is also very well-preserved. The game they played was called “Pok-a-tok” or “pok-ta-pok” and was played with a solid rubber ball. There is a Temple (the Temple of the Bearded Man) that overlooks the court and royal spectators probably viewed the games from this vantage point. You can explore this area yourself or with a guide who will give you some interesting facts about the ancient structure. It is very impressive and worth seeing.

4. Temple of the Warriors

Chichen Itza 77500 Mexico
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4.5 based on 780 reviews

Temple of the Warriors

Reviewed By DelfinoEdward - Lucena, Brazil

The Temple of the Warriors is an impressive step pyramid fronted and flanked by stone columns that are carved with images of warriors. This Temple was excavated and restored in 1925-1928 by the Carnegie Institution. You can no longer climb the stairs, but at the top, there is a Chac Mool statue (a reclining figure supporting itself on its elbows with a bowl or a disk upon its stomach). Chac Mools were considered messengers of the Gods and used to hold religious offerings in the upraised flat plate area on the figure’s stomach. Some speculate this was where beating hearts of the sacrificial victims were placed, but probably was used for offerings of pulque (an alcoholic beverage).

5. The Red House Chichanchob

Chichen Itza Mexico +52 1 985 108 2687
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4.5 based on 243 reviews

The Red House Chichanchob

Reviewed By halbop33 - St. Catharines, Canada

Loved touring the Mayan Ruins, so much history and interesting facts to learn about this place. Stop and visit here!

6. Cenote Ik kil

Carretera Costera del Golfo 3 Kilometros de la zona arqueologica de Chichen Itza, Chichen Itza 97757 Mexico +52 999 437 0148 [email protected] http://cenoteikkil.mx
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4.5 based on 6,102 reviews

Cenote Ik kil

The cenote is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres (85 ft) below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. The cenote is about 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter and about 50 metres (164 ft) deep.There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls. There are black catfish which swim in the cenote. The cenote is part of a larger complex of a restaurant, store, changing rooms, and cottages for rent. There is also a Mayan ruin on the site. Red Bull Diving Competition Ik Kil was a stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011 and 2014

Reviewed By patriciarB5851BY - Targu Mures, Romania

We had a go at the cenote after visiting Chichen Itza și it was a welcoming relief from the heat. The water is cold and the scenery breathtaking, however there are large tourist crowds and people jumping from one of the ledges so that cuts down from the enjoyability. As for the venues built around the cenote, bathrooms, changing rooms and lockers, they are clean, well maintained and apart from the lockers free if charge. You do pay an entrance fee at the cenote, but it is worth it's price. As for the lockers, it's 30 pesos for the whole day.

7. El Caracol

Carretera Merida Puerto Juarez, Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico http://www.chichenitza.inah.gob.mx
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4.5 based on 722 reviews

El Caracol

Reviewed By DelfinoEdward - Lucena, Brazil

This round structure inside Chichen Itza was an observatory. It is named “El Caracol” (“the Snail”) because it has a spiral staircase inside. It is believed that the building dates to 906 AD. Part of the Observatory’s platform and a portion of the tower resting on El Caracol has been lost, but it is believed that Mayans used this to observe Venus and many other astronomical events important to them. This is a major structure and is definitely worth viewing while here.

8. Plataforma de Venus

Chichen Itza Mexico
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4.5 based on 35 reviews

Plataforma de Venus

Reviewed By AnitaS484 - Ocala, United States

On the areas within the park that is fascinating, our guide pointed out Jaguar, Snake and Eagle heads along with the symbolism. Take your time to walk the lesser traveled paths to see all the wonders that are in this one place.

9. Sacred Cenote

Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico +52 984 147 5210 http://www.gonaturalexplorers.com
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4.0 based on 1,053 reviews

Sacred Cenote

This natural well, spanning 60 meters in diameter and reaching a depth of 22 meters, was used by the Mayans as a sacrificial pit for virgins, warriors and even infants.

Reviewed By tomit138 - Novo Mesto, Slovenia

The Yucatán Peninsula is composed of carbonate and soluble rocks, mostly of limestone, although dolomite and evaporites are also present at different depths. The entire Yucatán Peninsula is an opaque, lying Karst region. Recessed sunken caves, locally known as cenotes, are a common occurrence in the northern lowlands of the peninsula. Cenote caves are karst caves that are completely or mostly flooded with water. Cenote can be an underground cave, an abyss or a cave. The name of the cenote is derived from the language of the ancient Mayans from the Yucatan Peninsula. Today, cenotes are important archeological sites, because in the civilization of the ancient Mayans, these sites were places where they threw gifts.

10. Balankanche Cave

Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico
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4.0 based on 144 reviews

Balankanche Cave

Deep within this cave, stalactites and stalagmites have formed a giant sacred tree of the Maya, which is surrounded by ritual offerings left by these ancient people over a thousand years ago.

Reviewed By ChichenitzawithJerry - Cancun, Mexico

It is a cave with stalactites and stalagmites, it is close to Chichen Itza, the place was a sacred place and you can see various altars

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