What I should know about Chichen Itza
- Tickets are sold on Chichen Itza archaeological site.
- You must show your original passport at the archaeological site entrance, digital copies aren't accepted.
- Chichen Itza is accessible by public bus, tour bus or by car.
- Chichen Itza archaeological site is completely flat and it has wide unpaved trails.
- The camera tripods aren’t allowed inside the archaeological site.
Where is Chichen Itza located
Chichen Itza ancient Mayan archaeological site is located almost in the middle of the North of Yucatan peninsula, near the touristy town of Valladolid, and it is approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) away from Cancun. Chichen Itza site is easily accessible by road from Merida, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and other popular resort areas in Quintana Roo.
How to get to Chichen Itza
- The most convenient way to reach Chichen Itza is to book a guided day trip from the countless travel agencies and hotels in the resort areas of Quintana Roo, including Cancun. Advertisements to this trip proliferate in every major tourist area.
From Merida there are also tour buses going to Chichen Itza. - By public bus departing from Valladolid ADO bus station (website and location) or from Merida.
- By Tren Maya, a tourist train traveling throughout some of the most tourist areas in the Yucatan peninsula.
How much it costs Chichen Itza ticket in 2024
When visiting Chichen Itza, you must buy two separate tickets in different ticket booths at Chichen Itza archaeological site entrance.
- The first ticket costs 95 MXN (Mexican Pesos).
- The second ticket, 548 MXN for foreigners tourists, and 190MX for national tourists.
In total, a foreigner tourist will pay more than 35 USD to enter the archaeological site.
The price is listed on the official website (Spanish language only).
The ticket is only valid for one visit, and it will void once you leave the site.
What are the opening hours of Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is open daily from 8am to 5pm, and the last entry is at 4pm.
Near the opening and closing times is when there are less visitors.
When is the best time of the year to visit Chichen Itza
Although, Chichen Itza is open all year round, it’s best to avoid:
- August-October: It’s the peak of the hurricane season with a high chance of heavy rains and fierce winds.
- Northern hemisphere Summer and Christmas: It’s the tourism peak, although summer is also when there is more rain.
- Equinox periods, typically around March 20 and September 22: During these days, there is a serpent effect on El Castillo pyramid.
How to avoid the crowds when visiting Chichen Itza
As easy as it might sound, taking a relaxed and comfortable tour bus to visit the site with a guide explaining the history behind the construction, rise and fall of the Mayas, once you arrive at the site, you will be confronted with flocks of other tourists and pesky sellers inside the site, giving you much space to appreciate the site and making it hard to take pictures.
To avoid the crowds, the best is to overnight in Valladolid, a small town yet quaint, and take the morning bus from Valladolid ADO bus station, arrive no later than 7am at the bus station to catch the first bus in order to arrive before 8am.
The visits to the site start at 8am, but even at this earlier hour, you still have to queue to buy the ticket.
At this time, in the morning, the on-site sellers are still assembling their stalls and in general won’t approach you.
Chichen Itza outstanding grand pyramid named “El Castillo”, meaning The Castle, lies a short distance from the main entrance, and it has a direct wide trail.
The sun rises from the back of pyramid, if you are coming from the Chichen Itza site entrance, so it’s best to rush to back of pyramid where the sun hits directly, instead of spending time at the front of the pyramid which it is backlighted in the morning, however, bear in mind that the staircase in front part is better preserved than the one from the back.
Next to the pyramid, it is “Gran Juego de Pelota”, meaning Great Ballcourt, where the ball games took place, quite often followed by human sacrifices. This area of the site fills pretty fast with tourists, so if you want to take that unforgettable photo it is better to reach it as soon as possible. Don’t forget to scream to hear the echo.
The third and last not-to-be missed stop is the “El Caracol”, meaning snail, the Mayan observatory. Not only this observatory but it’s also mind blowing how it resembles in shape a modern observatory. “El Caracol” is further back in the opposite direction of the Great Ballcourt, if you are standing in front of the “El Castillo” pyramid. To reach the observatory you have to follow a longer trail. Watch out for the small signs that point it in the right direction.
Once you have covered these main spots, you can freely roam along the entire archaeological site. You will notice very soon the site being jammed with tourists and sellers, but you already have taken the critical photos.
Is Chichen Itza accessible for people with disabilities
Chichen Itza terrain is all flat and all parts of the site are accessible by unpaved and clean wide trails without any obstacles for people with disabilities.
Can I climb Chichen Itza temples
In most of the Chichen Itza temples it isn't allowed to climb up the temple since covid, and most likely, it won’t be allowed in the future.
However, the temple “Las Monjas” in the vicinity of “El Caracol” is allowed to climb.
What are the top attractions in Chichen Itza
Although Chichen Itza is a large runMayan complex with well preserved ruins and deserves a thorough inspection, below are the must-see places inside Chichen Itza.
El Castillo
Temple of Kukulcán, also known as El Castillo, meaning the castle, is Chichen Itza top attraction. This iconic pyramid lies in Great North Platform near the archaeological site entrance.
Gran Juego de Pelota
Gran Juego de Pelota, meaning Great Ball Court, is 150 meters in length.
It was used for the ball games. Often, after the games, the players were offered to the gods as human sacrifice. If you scream, it will be able to hear your echo.
In the upper side, it has stone rings where the ball had to pass through.
Tzompantli
This remarkable temple has its side decorated with rows of skulls representing the war victims and human sacrifice. Tzompantli lies between the El Castillo and the Gran Juego de Pelota.
Plataforma de Águilas y Jaguares
Plataforma de Águilas y Jaguares, meaning the Platform of Eagles and Jaguars, this temple is another fine example of the role death played in the ancient Mesoamerican cultures. On its sides it has depictions of eagles and jaguars eating hearts. This temple lies next to Tzompantli.
El Cenote Sagrado
El Cenote Sagrado, meaning the Sacred Cenote, is the most famous sinkhole used as a water reservatory. It lies in the northernmost part of the complex accessible from the El Castillo in a trail shaded with trees.
El Caracol
Mayan observatory with a dome resembling the modern observatory.
It lies in the south part of the complex, opposite to the El Cenote Sagrado, also accessible from the El Castillo in a trail shaded with trees with several temples along the way.
