The best day to visit Chichen Itza in my opinion is either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The Mayan Peninsula has two rainy seasons between May and October, and between November and April, of course, this season may come before and after these months. The opening hours are 8am to 4.30pm. If you plan on visiting from those destinations between October to . This area is known for its many columns, it doesnt really have 1000, but it sure seems like it. Im not the biggest fan of organized tours, but this is one case where I do recommend going with a guided tour if its your first time visiting Chichen Itza. If you prefer to rent a car online, here you can compare prices. Tips for Visiting Chichn Itz without the Crowds TheChichen Itza recommendations may change if youre driving there with new options like taking control of the time you get there and leave, staying there as long as you need, and some other ones. There are a few others that in my opinion are even better than Cenote Ik Kil minus the crowds. #1 in Mexico 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. Check out the rest of this article to choose the best time to visit Chichen Itza. Climbing to the top of the pyramid is forbidden after all. While the date when the ancient civilization was built remains a debate, one thing is undeniable the structures served as the center of political and economic power, and as the heart of the Mayan culture. My name is Stefania and Im a full time traveler originally from Italy. Chichen Itza is beautiful and magnificent just as you must have already heard and it has plenty of Mayan Ruins to visit and get to know about its history. Some of the archaeological pieces discovered by Thompson were also returned to Mexico. Chichn Itz is open every day of the year, including holidays. On my first visit, I was able to learn about the site from an experienced guide, while on the second visit I took my time to wander around and take approximately a thousand or a million Instagram pictures. The Classic Chichen Itza Tour will provide full transportation either by bus or van from the hotel where youre staying or from any other pick-up point. This is the largest rectangular arena (about 2.2 times the size of an American football field!) The Pyramid of Kukulkan is the tallest building in Chichen Itza, it reaches 30 meters in height or about the length of a football field. Even when they accept them, they may not work properly, try to carry cash with you. Chichen Itza Guide: Know Before You Go The name Chichen Itza is a Mayan language term for "at the mouth of the well . You can arrive in a comfortable and safe way, using any means of transportation like tour buses, car rentals, or public transportation. 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. I hope that with these little tips for your next trip toChichen Itza with children you can go more prepared to enjoy this wonderful place as a family. A bug spray or insect repellent is a must too. The vast majority of objects found are censers dedicated to Tlaloc, the Mesoamerican god of water, used for rituals and offerings in the Late Classic Maya period (600-900 AD). This is one of the most important cultural sites in Mexico, and each year receives millions of visitors. Avoid large crowds7. With over 1200 great reviews, theChichn Itz, Ik Kil Cenote & Valladolid All-Inclusive Touris the top-rated Chichen Itza tour on Get Your Guide. Here its a short video I took of Cenote Oxman. 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. Otherwise you can take the bus which departs at 12 PM and arrive in the early afternoon. For this reason, it is important to come prepared. From Cancun, its 200 km and you get there in approximately 3 hours. If it is great photo opportunities you are after, you are advised to arrive early to avoid the crowds. READ MORE: Cenote Zaci, Valladolid Prices & Info [2023]. It's a very long day but definately worth it. Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The tropical hurricane season starts in May and ends in December. 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. As such, it can get quite crowded, especially during peak seasons. 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. Also, keep in mind you cant use drones.If you really need to use a tripod, theres special permission to use one, but it might take some valuable time out of your visit to get it. Collection of the content you enjoyed the most. There are other cafes and restaurants within a short drive of the Chichen Itza site itself. What is Chichn Itz? As one of the most popular cenotes for tourists, there are plenty of tourist facilities on-site including a restaurant, changing rooms, lockers, and life vests for rent. 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. Here youll find a complete guide to the Chichen Itza ruins what to visit, how to get there + practical info and prices (2023). Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Its important to buy from them and not big chain stores because some of the articles you can find there are works of art that were built with their own hands, plus you help their economy, but in my opinion, I dont think there should be so many of them, this amazing Archeological Site ends up looking like a market.Also, a few of them lie to get your attention, they may say something like 5 T-shirts for $5 dollars, and when you ask, they say 5 T-shirts for $25 dollars, making it seem like you may have heard wrong. You cannot enter the park past 4 pm. Chichn Itz is open every day of the year, including holidays. Probably not. Get facts, photos, and travel tips for Chichen Itza, a World Heritage site in Mexico, from National Geographic. Close to Chichen Itza youll find these unknown ruins. READ MORE: Why You Shouldnt Miss Cenote Oxman. Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico | A Complete Guide [2023] - Every Steph The bus ride out once you leave the pit stop at Tulum is roughly 2.5 hours. Youd have to take the 307 to Tulum, head to Valladolid, and then take the 180 Highway to Chichen Itza. In fact, I personally rented a car in Merida twice when I was living there for a month or so. When I visited in the middle of the afternoon, we were maybe 15 people total. The archaeological artifacts belong to seven offerings documented so far and are in good condition since the cave remained sealed for centuries. With this option, you can take the wheel and make the journey with the stops you want and the way you want. BOOK IT HERE. I spent the previous night in Valladolid, was at the entrance by opening time and rushed directly to El Castillo before visiting any other structure. I recommend booking your rental car in advance online to avoid any scam. No drones or tripods allowed8. You have very few information available if your visit the ruins on your own. Begin at the Chichen Itza, the world-renowned archeological site known for being selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. If you are traveling from Valladolid, a city near Chichen Itza, head to the Valladolid ADO bus station. While traveling in Mxico, its always best to carry cash because you never know when you can pay with a credit or debit card. The city developed in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican archaeology, around the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Mexican citizens are charged 157 Pesos on top of the 80 Pesos general entry fee, but not on Sundays. Take the QROO 109 road towards Coba. Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most popular cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, partially because of its proximity to Chichen Itza. There are plenty of tours that operate within the Chichen Itza archaeological site. First locate Chichen Itza on the map, and zoom in to the site using the + button in the lower right corner. Colectivos (shared vans) leave from right next to it. Here are some fun facts about Chichen Itza that Im pretty sure you didnt know! Buildings: The Chichen Itza Pyramid or El Castillo is the most astonishing Mayan Ruin or building inside the Archaeological Site. If you visit during the summer, expect the weather in Chichen Itza to be hot and humid. Many of these sellers blow whistles and cause quite an annoying racket, much to the chagrin of visitors. After these months, the second-best time to visit Chichen Itza is between December and February because of the weather, but the downside is that there are a lot of tourists, so try to get there early. Destinations North America Mexico Travel Guide Yucatan & the South Chichen Itza. The next one on this list is Cenote Suytun, which you might have already seen as its become Instagram famous in the last couple of years. In fact, researchers believe that human sacrifice was performed at the cenote at Chichen Itza. 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. The best part? Although the water is notoriously cold, for a fee it is possible to dive and swim in the cenote so bring your swimming clothes! Bookmark content, that you want to keep as reference and for easy access. The tour will end with a short visit to the colonial city of Valladolid, which is definitely worth a visit. Keep yourself hydrated2. The site is just off the main highway that runs between the city of Mrida (115 km away) and the seaside resort of Cancun (200 km away). If you rent a car, make sure it has a working A/C, even while driving at high speed on the highway, you may need to cool off. If you are based in Cancun, you can also take the ADO bus to get to Chichen Itza. If youre based in Tulum, you can take the ADO bus directly from Tulum to Chichen Itza. Its totally possible to drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza (and recommended, as Chichen Itza is one of the best archaeological sites near Cancun). Favorites are shared publicaly. The tours usually arrive around midday so you can go there after they have left. As a very popular tourist destination there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. Quickly search through your locations / notes . Getting to Chichen Itza is pretty easy, no matter your budget or where youre coming from. 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. Alternatively, there are many professional guides available for hire at the entrance to the site itself. . Itll require a ferry to Playa del Carmen and then a road trip to Chichen Itza. Table of Contents Guide to Chichn ItzA trip to the beautiful Yucatn Peninsula would not be complete without a visit to the Mayan ruins of Chichn Itz, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Chichn Itz was the primary cultural and ceremonial center of the Mayan civilization and has become one of Mexico's most-visited archaeological site . There are several types for the tour. Chichn Itz Mayan Ruins - Everything you need to Know Before It depends on the season, but most of the year there are lots of mosquitos, one of the most important Chichen Itza recommendations is to take with you some mosquito repellent in the form of liquid, bracelet, sticker, or whatever works for you. Chichen Itza is a well-known Archaeological Site and One of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Whether or not you book a tour to Chichen Itza or Yucatan Peninsula, this cenote is a must to stop. Plan your route4. This new attraction was discovered at the end of the twentieth century by the tour guides of the site. 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. What is the best time to visit the ruins? The city developed in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican archaeology, around the 7th and 8th centuries AD. And if you manage to visit at the right time, the Chichen Itza snake comes down! Visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico? Try to get there between 8 and 10 am because most tour buses arrive between 11 am and 1 pm, plus its not that hot when you arrive that early.If youre not an early bird, try to get there between 2 and 3 pm, when the tour buses start to leave. The temple of Kukulkan has four staircases, of 91 steps each, which is a total sum of 364. The admission fee includes two tickets, one for the Federal tax, and one for the State tax. Like other pre-Hispanic archaeological sites, constructions of the cities were covered during a second, and sometimes more residential phases.