This makes it a good time to see the site without having to compete with the sheer number of visitors one usually finds here. +52 (55) 5512 5207 Published: April 26, 2020 Mexico, North America Visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico? If youre based in Merida, taking the ADO bus is a good option if youre willing to wake up early. The long hours allow for thousands of visitors to see the site every day without it being too crowded. Chichen Itza is located a short drive away from Ik Kil, a cenote or natural sinkhole filled with water. April 1, 2023 by Javis Spider. They are both enchanting, with tree vines dangling from the sky, a dim sunlight from the top, and blue water they are definitely worth your time. At the time of writing, the ticket costs 156 MXN, although it may vary depending on the promotions available. The best time during the day is between 8 and 11 am, and if youre not an early bird, you can get there between 2 and 3 pm. We definitely request to visitors to restrain from buying any handcrafts from the vendors they illegally enter the park, grounds this is done in order to contribute for the preservation of the splendor and authenticity of heritage of humanity. This super comprehensive guide will give you instructions for visiting Chichen Itza from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Valladolid. COMPARE PRICES HERE. Although the roads are quite irregular, your trip toChichen Itza with children is possible by walking on the most traveled roads with a stroller, preferably with a stroller with large wheels so that it does not get stuck with stones or branches. The tour includes the price of the tickets with a guide included, which will give you a tour through the site with breaks for free time. Get to Chichen Itza from Cancun or the Riviera Maya in a Suburban vehicle with refreshing amenities on the ride. You can also check the prices right in the widget below. The road from Merida to Chichen Itza is very straightforward. COMPARE PRICES HERE. You can follow the tips below to get to Chichen Itza via public transport, with a rental car, or by booking a tour in advance. RUINS How to Visit Chichen Itza Mexico | The Ultimate Guide [2023] By Sandra and Isabella October 23, 2022 Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan ruins visited in Mexico, a must-see on your trip. Scratch the probably. The temperatures in the Mayan Peninsula are very high and constant throughout the year between 28C in December-January and 35C in May-August. This one is built on a large scale its composed of 200 columns on both the south and west sides. Tons of human remains were in fact unearthed by the archaeologists during their explorations of the cenote and other structures within the site. Destinations North America Mexico Travel Guide Yucatan & the South Chichen Itza. Public transportation usually stops in a beautiful town called Pist located 15 kilometers from the ruins of Chichen Itza where you can buy ornaments and crafts to remember your trip and stretch your legs before continuing. For this reason, they placed the pyramid so that its shadow could be projected on the sides of the staircase, giving shape to the body of one of its deities, Kukulkan, the feathered serpent whose head is sculpted at the foot of the Pyramid. Benefits include not being disappointed on the day when all the tickets have sold out, avoiding the hassle of needing cash and/or hoping the card facilities will be working at the ticket booth. One of the best ways to get to Chichen Itza is by hiring a Tour. Fortunately, visiting Chichn Itz on your own without a guide or tour group is still possible in 2021. Here are some fun facts about Chichen Itza that Im pretty sure you didnt know! Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatn Peninsula south of the Tropic of Cancer and is surrounded by warm tropic waters from the Gulf of Mxico and the Pacific Ocean which means it has warm and humid tropical weather. As locals get free entry on Sundays, this is often a day when crowds grow larger and should be avoided if possible. By clicking 'Accept All', you consent to the use of cookies to enhance your user experience, security, analytics and customization. We suggest you to bring comfortable shoes for walking, hat or cap, sun block, a bottle of water and some extra money for buying souvenirs at the tourist market. Chichen Itza is an outdoor experience and you can expect to be exposed to the elements whether that be baking sun or pelting rain. Most people who visit Chichen Itza visits it from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Bring mosquito repellent. Click here to Learn more about united states, Click here to Learn more about united kingdom, Click here to Learn more about dominican republic, Click here to Learn more about travel agencies, Click here to Learn more about other services, Click here to learn more about chichen itza, Click here to learn more about chichn itz opening hours, Click here to learn more about chichen itza tips, We use cookies to enable the proper functioning of our websites. Although climbing the steps of el Castillo pyramid, or the temple of Kukulcn one of the sites most monumental stone structures, a walk around Chichn Itz remains a treat for anyone with the slightest interest in Mesoamericas past. Chichen Itza is []. Cenote Zaci is an interesting one because its located right in the middle of a city Valladolid -, which is not the usual location for cenotes. Address 97751 Chichn-Itz, Yucatan, Mexico Chichn Itz is a Maya archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula that served as the political and economic center of the Maya civilization between 750 and 1200 A.D. I dont really understand why, because Cenote Oxman is so beautiful! Ive written many posts on this blog about my favorite cenotes in Mexico, so you can click on the individual posts for each cenote on this list to plan your trip. The name Chichen Itza literally means "the mouth of the well" or the "city by the sacred cenote". This is one of the most important cultural sites in Mexico, and each year receives millions of visitors. The archaeological artifacts belong to seven offerings documented so far and are in good condition since the cave remained sealed for centuries. Check out the Chichen Itza Entrance Ticket with Hospitality Suite. . Another day trip to Chichen Itza that includes Ik Kil also stops at the colonial city of Valladolid. Most tours will also visit cenotes and a delicious buffet-style meal in a restaurant of excellent regional quality. Its very easy to find a rental car in Tulum. I explain in detail how you can use the GO Cancun Pass to save a considerable amount of money in this post it includes calculations so you can really see for yourself that by using it smartly you can save hundreds of dollars. The drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. But why am I telling you this? When traveling to Chichen Itza with children, you should keep in mind that not all children are fascinated by the idea of going to explore archaeological ruins, but that does not mean that you have to miss the opportunity to visit them. But it was in 1200 AD when it was built as we know it today. In the top left hand corner of the map switch to Satellite view. Youll start your day with a swim at a cenote, followed by a buffet lunch and a skip-the-line guided tour through Chichen Itza. Bologna Food: The Ultimate Guide by a Local, Epic One Day in Bologna Itinerary by a Local. Your bucketlist, go ahead and add some POIs! Unfortunately, climbing this pyramid is no longer allowed. The design of this pyramid was made by the Mayan architects who so well mastered the knowledge of the stars and in particular that of the sun. (Closing time may vary between 4 pm and 5 pm depending on the season) . Whats better than one cenote? In fact, researchers believe that human sacrifice was performed at the cenote at Chichen Itza. READ MORE: Cenote Zaci, Valladolid Prices & Info [2023]. Places you have already visited and like to share. Bring cash12. What inevitably surprises and impresses those who stop to visit the vestiges of this prestigious archaeological zone are aspects of material culture linked to human sacrifices; they were always practiced in Yucatan and other Mayan regions and the Toltecs further accentuated these rituals as seen in the altar of skulls where the heads of the decapitated victims, the Tzompantli, were nailed. On-site explanations are comparatively limited, so keen archaeological explorers might want to bring along a specialist book purchased beforehand. Although tourists and locals missed the spring equinox on March 21st, 2020, of Kukulcan descending his pyramid steps and fertilizing the ground, there's still plenty to see in Chichen Itza. There are several types for the tour. Plan your route4. So, it might be a good idea to get a bus tour to Chichen Itza because most of them include the access ticket, a tour guide, food, and drinks, so you dont have to worry about anything else other than enjoying your trip. When visiting Chichen Itza, if you have not bought tickets online in advance, you will be required to queue twice to pay these two parts at two different ticket booths. Both experiences were great in their own way, so it really depends on what youre looking for! Youll enjoy a guided tour through the ruins. It was probably the Toltecs who superimposed the anthropozoomorphic figure of this ancient and mysterious divinity, the legacy of the Teotihuacan civilization, its cultural hero Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, the mythical king of the legendary city of Tula, identified by so many archaeologists with the city of modest dimensions brought to light in the state of Hidalgo. The following overview lists the visiting hours for Chichen Itza in Chichen Itza. (+34) 91 129 34 83 Cenote Samula and Xkeken are right next to each other, and its worth visiting both. There is a really amazing phenomenon that happens only during the spring and autumn equinoxes where the sun strikes at the balustrade in the late afternoon, particularly the northwest corner of the pyramid. And if you manage to visit at the right time, the Chichen Itza snake comes down! When to Visit. The hours of the current day (today) are highlighted. The first of our Chichen Itza recommendations is to take a few liters of water in your backpack because youre going to sweat, plus the weather is very hot and humid. Chichen Itza is open every day from 8am to 5pm, with last entrance at 4pm. You have very few information available if your visit the ruins on your own. On your way to Cenote Sagrado youll find tens of souvenir stands. As a very popular tourist destination there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. In the case of the Tablet and electrical devices, you must be careful, since they overheat in the archaeological zone and could malfunction. The Kukulkan Group is the first set of buildings you see when you enter from the main access and its made up by: The 1000 Columns Group is located south-east of the Kukulkn Group and its main building is the Temple of the Warriors. What is the best time to visit the ruins? The tour will end with a short visit to the colonial city of Valladolid, which is definitely worth a visit. As one of the most important city-states in pre-Hispanic America, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico today. And you really should make time for it! Join our community to use our interactive maps to plan your own itinerary and get tips and suggestions from those who have already visited. From 550 AD to 800 AD, Chichen Itza existed mainly as a ceremonial center for the Maya civilization. We therefore recommend you to always check the opening hours with Chichen Itza before your visit. You can arrive in a comfortable and safe way, using any means of transportation like tour buses, car rentals, or public transportation. If you want to get to Chichen Itza using public transportation, you can take buses, which are an economical and convenient option to get to your destination regardless of the number of people in the group. If you prefer to rent a car online, here you can compare prices. As such, it can get quite crowded, especially during peak seasons. Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that was built in the middle of the jungle in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ruins are open daily . Like Chichen Itza itself, Ik Kil can prove very popular with tourists and is best visited early in the day before the crowds arrive. The Go Cancun Pass includes your entrance ticket to Chichen Itza plus transportation from/to Cancun and access to the Mayaland pool and facilities where you can relax after visiting the ruins. Chichen Itza is located in the State of Yucatan in Mexico, 120 km southeast of its capital Merida, and 200 km southwest of the city of Cancn. If youre driving yourself, you can easily use apps like Google Maps or Waze to get there. There are few archaeological sites in the Americas as well known as Chichen Itza. Chichn Itz is open every day of the year, including holidays. Here its a short video I took of Cenote Oxman. A bug spray or insect repellent is a must too. Since there are no mountains in the Mayan Peninsula, hurricanes have no obstacles to slow them down, which makes the land vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes coming from the East. Things get busier from around 10am onward, at which point the site can usually get quite crowded, although current restrictions mean that it will not be as congested as in previous years. COMPARE PRICES HERE. Buses are taken from the bus terminals in any city like Cancn or Mrida and should be taken in the morning as early as possible. There are theories that the Mayas practiced human sacrifices; others believe that in reality, these remains reached the bottom of the cenote as part of funerary rituals that would have arrived thereafter they had died. After various actions from the Mexican government, today it is owned by the State of Yucatan. Make sure not to miss it as its the only one! Select the one that most suit your conditions and expectations. Avoid the crowds and heat on this Chichn Itz sunrise tour! It departs a few minutes after 8 AM and the ticket costs 428 MXN (approximately 21 USD) at the time of writing. This is a discovery of at least 200 ceramic pieces that remained intact for more than a thousand years in an underground ritual cave in the Mayan city of Chichn Itz, in the current state of Yucatn. Entry only, skip-the-line tickets for Chichen Itza can be purchased online on GetYourGuide or Tiqets, they are currently the same price, with the same benefits. I visited Chichen Itza in Mexico twice, the first time with a tour and the second one on my own, and I felt it was the right choice. Colectivos (shared vans) leave from right next to it. Chichen Itza is currently operating with certain restrictions. [], 12 Fun Facts About Chichen Itza You Didn't Know, [] being so popular, there are many things about Chichen Itza that most people dont know. If you plan on visiting from those destinations between October to . The El Castillo is the most important structure in Chichen Itza archaeological site, and what people refer to when they talk about the Chichen Itza pyramid. Selfies are allowed! For example, if you want to get there at 8 am from Cancn, you should leave at around 5:30 am. Whether or not you book a tour to Chichen Itza or Yucatan Peninsula, this cenote is a must to stop. You just need to stop one on the highway and tell the driver where youre going (Playa del Carmen) the ride wont cost you more than a couple of dollars. As you will be on your feet most of the time, wear appropriate footwear. If you want to see it, I recommend visiting the site one or two days before and after. Make sure you wear something that is lightweight, breezy, and comfortable. This finding confused the researchers, but for an archaeologist expert in submarine archeology, the answer was simple: The Mayans knew about the existence of the cenote and built the pyramid over it because the Mayans wanted to represent the universe with their constructions. For more information and to understand how we use your data for required purposes, and how to change your consent, please visit our, Chichen Itza Early Access Tour with Lunch Buffet & Tequila Tasting, Private Early Access Guided Tour of Chichen Itza with Lunch Buffet, 51 Combo: Chichn Itz Early Access & Tulum, Cob, Cenote & Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza Tour with Cenote Swim, Valladolid, Tequila Tasting & Buffet lunch. The city developed in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican archaeology, around the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Allow at least 2 hours to explore the ruins, probably closer to three, so we wouldn't recommend arriving after 2-3pm. There is one bus a day direct from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza. Sunday General admission: $450 MXN Chichen Itza Opening Hours Chichen Itza is open from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm *Last entry is at 4:00 pm Due to the pandemic, Chichen Itza receives only 3,000 visitors per day, and the last entry is at 4:00 pm. Chichen Itza opening hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The bus departs daily every hour starting at 5 AM (you can take it at around 7 AM) and it takes about 3 hours to arrive at the place. There are plenty of tours that operate within the Chichen Itza archaeological site. Those visiting as part of a pre-arranged guided tour can sometimes rely on their guide to provide them with an overview of the site and its history. As for the conditions of the road, you should not worry because it is in perfect condition. You can jump from one of the ledges if youre feeling adventurous! I came here early! First locate Chichen Itza on the map, and zoom in to the site using the + button in the lower right corner. If rain is forecast, an umbrella or poncho will be very handy. Cancun International Airport is the main airport in Mexico for international travelers. READ MORE: A Guide to 11 Incredible Cenotes in Valladolid & Near Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza opening hours . Heres the list of buildings you can find in this group: The Nunnery Group is located south of the Ossuary Group and its main building is The Nunnery. Chichen Itza entrance fee. Its also a no-no to visit on Saturdays and Sundays as the weekends are typically when there is a higher amount of visitors on the site, but during the weekend you can find tons of Mexican tourists as well. If you plan to rent a car and drive to Chichen Itza, you can find plenty of parking spots on the site and you should bear in mind that youll have to pay around 80 Pesos parking fee so you can be assigned a parking slot. An alternative option is to join an organised tour from Cancun. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Choose your active itinerary or create a new one. This is what Chichen Itza means in Maya. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the ancient Mayan city and UNESCO World Heritage Site is the perfect side or day trip from Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum. #1 in Mexico This is the most recent of our top 10 Facts about Chichen Itza. Keen archaeological explorers could conceivably spend far longer, especially if you stay for a meal at the on-site restaurant. Drinking water: when its so hot, its very important to stay hydrated at all times. Climbing to the top of the pyramid is forbidden after all. Chichen Itza is the second most visited archeological site in Mxico with more than 2.5 million visitors a year, with the busiest months being November to April.The months with fewer crowds are May June, and September October.The perfect month to visit this archeological site because of the good weather and fewer tourists in May.The best time during the day is between 8 and 11 am, and if youre not an early bird, you can get there between 2 and 3 pm. Some of the archaeological pieces discovered by Thompson were also returned to Mexico. Along the route, you can make stops in many tourist places, such as famous cenotes or tourist spots that offer beautiful crafts, perfect as souvenirs of your visit. There are souvenir stands everywhere, selling figurines, t-shirts, wood carvings, and the list goes on. The archaeologist even thinks that this cave is probably more sacred than the Sacred Cenote itself. Those wanting a souvenir of their visit will find sellers competing to provide you with a range of standard tourist memorabilia. The roads are pretty good and people respect the rules, so its an option I recommend since it gives you so much freedom. The statue of the Chac Mool, which is considered a messenger of the Gods for the ancient Mayans, is located at the top of this pyramid. Over here, explore the Observatory, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ball Court, and of course, the most famous Mayan pyramid, Kukulkan. The number of people allowed into the site each day is limited, with these tickets your entry is guaranteed. Chichen Itza is the most visited Archeological Site in the Mayan Culture and represents the most complete and spectacular example of the combination of Mayan and Toltec cultures that flourished and reached a remarkable extension under the influence of colonizers from Tula. From Merida, its 120 km and you get there in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Here you'll find a complete guide to the Chichen Itza ruins - what to visit, how to get there + practical info and prices (2023). With a Tiqets purchase an extra fee of 12% gives enables you to get refund for that last 24 hours. The archaeological sources and the historical tradition, offer interesting indications for the study of the architectural and stylistic aspects of this Yucatn City, characterized by the evident mixture of two different cultures. The worst hours to visit Chichen Itza are between 11 am and 3 pm when most of the tour buses arrive. I heard you can buy the simple Chichen Itza tickets online, but I honestly wasnt able to find this option when I looked for it. This is one of the Chichen Itza recommendations thats more of a warning, than a recommendation because you may freely take pictures and video with your handheld camera or smartphone, but you have to pay a small fee for shooting video with a pro camera. The bus departs from the ADO station on 5th Avenue and the bus ride takes about 3 hours 40 minutes. What is Chichn Itz? This is partially a toll road. Those with camera tripods or video recorders may be charged for an extra permit so it is best to check ahead of time if you are planning on bringing professional-level photographic equipment. BUY YOUR GO CANCUN PASS HERE. Seven days a week, Chichn Itz is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Youll then have time at Mayaland hotel to relax by the pool, before heading back to the ruins for the Light and Sound show. From Tulum, its 150 km and you get there in approximately 2 hours. Avoid the crowds on this private sunrise tour of Chichen Itza! Ive done the research for you, and these are the tours that offer the best value for your bucks. [1] Opening hours of Chichen Itza in 2021. Also, be aware that these hours may be subject to change without notice, especially during special events or due to unforeseen circumstances. Chichen Itza is a well-known Archaeological Site and more after being selected one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in July the 7th, 2007. Quickly change some main profile and account settings. Theres a daily bus from Merida to Chichen Itza departing at 7.15 AM, which arrives at Chichen Itza at 8.20 AM, so right at opening time. If you really want to climb a Mayan pyramid, you should definitely head to the Coba ruins though, where its still possible to do so (and honestly, the Coba ruins are pretty underrated in my opinion). From Cancun, its 200 km and you get there in approximately 3 hours. The opening hours are 8am to 4.30pm. Opening hours: Sunday to Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Citchen Itza ancient site is open to visit 365 days a year. The buildings you can find in the Nunnery Group are: The Balamk Cave in Chichn Itz, which was discovered 50 years ago but remained unexplored until now, is a labyrinthine path with a depth of 24 meters below the surface. Its indeed 2 hours 20 minutes from Cancun, 2 hours 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen, and 2 hours from Tulum.