Chichen Itza: Make the most out of your Tour to This Wonder of the World

Standing for centuries as a testament to the genius of the ancient Mayan, Chichén Itzá draws visitors from around the globe to witness its magnificent pyramids and structures. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this ancient city offers an unparalleled glimpse into a civilization that mastered astronomy, mathematics, and architecture thousands of years ago.

Chichén Itzá is a big site and there is a lot for you to learn and see here but you can cover it all in one visit with some planning. That’s where we come in, here are some tips for visiting Chichen Itza we have learned over the years that will help you make the most out of your visit to this incredible place.

Must-See Attractions:

• El Castillo (The Main Pyramid)
  • The iconic stepped pyramid and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World
  • Famous serpent shadow shows up during equinoxes - must plan visit months ahead!
     
• The Great Ball Court
  • Largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica
  • Incredible acoustics
     
• Temple of the Warriors
  • Impressive array of hundreds of columns
  • Carved images of warriors are still visible in some of the columns
     
• The Observatory
  • One of the few circular structures ever built by the Maya
  • Unusual architecture
  • Believed to be used to track planets and stars in the night sky
     
• Sacred Cenote
  • Ancient ceremonial site
  • Important Maya ritual center
  • Almost 200ft in diameter

These are only the largest or more unusual of the buildings and features that you will find here, but they are not the only ones. There’s more than a dozen other large structures still standing and they all have a story to tell.
 

Essential Tips for Your Visit:

• Beat the Heat - it’s seriously hot here!
  • Visit between October and March
  • Arrive at opening time
  • Bring plenty of water
  • Wear light, breathable clothing
  • Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or umbrella
  • Comfortable walking shoes are essential
     
• Book a tour
  • Book organized tours for hassle-free experience
  • Transportation will be taken care of
  • Expert guides provide cultural and historical context to enrich your visit
  • There are tour packages that combine the experience with visits to cenotes or the colonial city of Valladolid
     
• Tips if coming on your own
• If not on a tour, hire a certified guide
• Carry cash for local vendors and additional services
• Plan for a 2-3 hour exploration to fully appreciate the site
• ADO, a local bus company, has bus affordable services from every major hub in the peninsula

Conservation Awareness: The site's preservation relies on responsible tourism. Follow marked paths, don't touch the structures, and remember: climbing the pyramids is no longer permitted that the use of tripods and professional photography equipment requires special permits.

Now that you are ready to embark on your adventure to Chichén Itzá book a tour now, after all it is the easiest way of visiting this historical site. And consider upgrading to private your for a more intimate experience where you get to explore the site at your own pace. Don’t delay any longer, history awaits!