Top Things to do in Chichen Itza
The 10 Best Things to Do in Chichen Itza, Mexico
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. Chichen Itza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By SuiteAsOuzo - Port Macquarie, Australia
If you ever have the opportunity this is a must see. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World".
The main landmark is the temple pyramid (Pyramid of Kukulcan or El Castillo) but make sure you make time to check out the Great Ballcourt where Mesoamérican ballgame was played, the Trnpke of the Jaguars, El Caracol the circular temple, and the High Priests Grave which is a smaller version of El Castillo.
2. Chichen Itza archaeological site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Dated about 1553 years, these famous Mayan pyramids are located an hour and a half from Merida. Chichen Itza's name derives from the Mayan words "Chi" (mouth), "Chen" (well), "Itza" (the name of the people of this region). The site is divided into three areas, the Northern group (distinctly Toltec) the Core group (early period) and a third group known as the Old Chichen. guided tour
Reviewed By Andrea M
If you love history this is worth the 2.5 hour drive from Cancun. Go with a travel group first time to help navigate tickets, entrance, rules, and travel. The highway from Cancun to Chichen Itza is pretty desolate, pretty much jungle on both sides.
Once there, there is so much to see it was hard to get to everything.
3. Kukulcan Pyramid
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
This impressive pyramid dominates Chichén Itzá's landscape, standing an imposing 24 meters high.
Reviewed By UrbanDrifter - Melbourne
There is so much to know about Kukulcan and if you have a guide, they’ll tell you everything you need to know.
You can no longer climb the pyramid which for me is a blessing. The amount of people who are ‘box tickers’ and really just here to take a photo of themselves on top of, under, over, in iconic treasures is challenging to swallow.
Full moon here would be awesome - something magical would be had then.
My guide told me there was much more to discover in he jungle but for now it stays covered by trees, vines and the mystery of time.
This is a must visit at Chichen Itza.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly.
4. El Castillo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 781 reviews
A spectacular 75-foot high pyramid in the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
The Kukulcan Temple in the Chichen Itza archaeological complex is located in an open grassy area that once was a stone covered plaza. The structure has the expected pyramidal shape of a Mayan temple, but this one has 4 sets of stairs that lead up to the temple at the top. The temple has various openings in the walls which have some significance during certain times of the year when the sun seems to be right on top of the temple creating unique effects of light and shadow. Apparently the snake which adorns the railing on one set of stairs seems to slither down those stairs during the Spring and Autumn equinox when the sun is over the temple. While the siting of the temple shows the Mayans knowledge of the movement of the sun and the moon, the temple has other unique architectural features so far only showing up at this site. The exterior of this temple has been partially restored so visitors can get a better idea of these architectural features. Count the layers from the base to the top, count the panels carved on each layer on either side of the stairs, and observe the snakes’ placement on the stair cases. Stand close to a snake head at the base of the stairs and clap your hands. The echo is even better if several people clap hands at the same time. The bird chirping echo that results is amazing. The entire temple is roped off so the stairs cannot be climbed. It mainly is a photostop. Visiting this temple, and the nearby ball court and 1000 columns will take around 2 hours.
5. Gran Juego de Pelota
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
A visit to the Chichen Itza archaeological site is worth it just to see this ball court. It is the biggest Mayan ball court I have seen and it appeared to be intact. Its length reminded me of a football field. At both ends of the ball court were structures that looked like they could have been royal reviewing stands, but they were a good distance to walk to in order to inspect more closely. The ball court was hemmed in by 2 stone walls which were actually quite far apart. At the middle of each of these tall walls was an intact round stone hoop. Underneath the hoop were carved images showing the events that took place on the court. These images were blackened with algae, but with the guide’s help we could see the king standing between 2 sets of players. One set of players was wearing a uniform while the other team didn’t have a uniform. What intrigued me about these carvings was that the king was holding a severed head in his hand. The player who had just been beheaded stood beside the king with snakes wriggling out of the wounded neck area. Without the guide’s help we would not have seen this detail. The ball court, the Temple of Kukulcan, and Temple of Warriors with the plaza of 1000 columns will take at least 2 hours to visit even though each is only a photostop. The ball court was not roped off so visitors could get close to the walls to examine the images and walk all along its length. The grassy area between the walls of the court was level and there was no tree cover. For me, this ball court was the most memorable structure at Chichen Itza, although the Kukulcan Temple is also wonderful to see.
6. Temple of the Warriors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 670 reviews
Reviewed By UrbanDrifter - Melbourne
Believe me, Chichen Itza is more than the one pyramid. There is an amazing collection of temples, pyramids, other places of worship and sacrifice.
This temple shows us how they played a sport and often with dire consequences for the loser.
I can’t recommend a guide highly enough because their knowledge of the history passes any guidebook.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly.
7. El Caracol - Observatorio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 632 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
The Observatory is located in a secondary site, the major site being the one with the Temple of Kukulcan, the Ball Court, and the Temple of the Warriors with the 1000 columns. To get to the Observatory, remain on the dirt shaded path located past the entrance turn stile and walk a good distance along it until you reach an open grassy area. You will pass many unobtrusive vendors selling similar items along this path. If you are unsure of where you are going, consult the site layout maps which are posted at frequent intervals along this dirt path.
The Observatory sits in an open grassy area and is easily recognized by its round tower, a shape similar to our modern observatories. It sits atop a flat structure once accessed by exterior stone stairs like the pyramid temples. The entire structure is roped off now so visitors can only take photos. This was the first Observatory I had seen in a Mayan ruin so it was a significant sight for me. There were several openings in the round tower for Mayan scientists to observe the heavens, or for special light effects to occur during certain times of the year.
There were only a few other ruins to see in this open grassed area where the Observatory was. For example, you don’t want to miss seeing the ruins which the Europeans called a “Nunnery”. It was notable to me for its unMayan rectangular shape, but decorated with clearly restored Mayan images. The other ruins were much smaller and seemed insignificant so we viewed them from afar. They could have been residences. There were interpretative signs in several languages including English with brief information about each structure. Allow about 1 hour to walk from the entrance to visit this part of the Chichen Itza site. Allow at least 2 hours to visit the major 3 sites in the main section - the ball court, the Kulkucan Temple, the 1000 column area.
There is a WC/Bathos near the Observatory ruins on that dirt path. It also provides an opportunity to buy drinks and snack food.
8. The Red House Chichanchob
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By UrbanDrifter - Melbourne
Constructed between 600-900AD this place gets its name from the remnants of red paint that once decorated its inner walls.
It’s quite a magical, quiet part of Chichen Itza and I spent some time just soaking up the atmosphere here.
A good guide can explain so much more about this place than a regular guide book.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly.
9. Cenote Ik kil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
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 20Twenty - Honolulu, Hawaii
This is a must see and experience. A very unique and cultural swim experience. The place is very developed with changing places, eating & shopping options. We had lots of wonderful unique pictures and an experience to swim in a unique swimming place.
10. Sacred Cenote
Overall Ratings
4 based on 905 reviews
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 brmusicman - Chicago, Illinois
We LOVED our visit to Chichen Itza--fascinating and mysterious! Our guided tour did not include the sacred cenote, where human offerings frequently occurred, so we walked there on our own. Although the history of the cenote is interesting, this was the least impressive part of the overall site--you cannot get very close to the cenote itself, or even a very good aerial view, and there is very little information near the cenote itself about what took place there. Note that, unlike other cenotes throughout this region of Mexico, this is not one that's open to the public for swimming, etc.; you are visiting it solely for its role in the history of Chichen Itza. The pathway to the cenote is also lined with vendors who are easy enough to ignore, but definitely interested in selling you their wares. Perhaps worth the walk over, but not the most interesting part of the overall experience.
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