Chichen Itza, the Unesco World Heritage Site, is the most visited archeological site in the eastern part of Yucatan State in Mexico. Every year, around 2.1 million visitors come here to see the ruins of Mayan city. It is also in the New 7 Wonders of the World.

In this blog post, we will guide you on how you can explore Chichen Itza, its history, facts, and much more you need to know before visiting this one of the best archeological sites in the world. So, let's start exploring!

Chichen Itza History: A Quick View

Chichen Itza, the pre-Columbian site, was developed from 750 to 900 AD. The Mayan people are the natives of the Yucatan Peninsula. Its rise started after 900AD when it gained power from central Yucatan to the north coast and east to west coasts of the Peninsula. At that time, the site became a regional capital, dominant in political, economic, sociocultural, and ideological life.

Chichen Itza's history's darkest chapter can be seen in its architecture when the city starts to decline. The sacrifice of humans and other objects is part of the Mayan religion. The remains have been found there of sacrifice victims.

Chichen Itza declined starts from 1100 AD. There are different theories about its decline. Some historians say that the overpopulation and overuse of resources are the big reasons for this city's decline. Another reason is the long dry season or war caused the city to vanish.

Chichen Itza Interesting Facts

This old Mayan city has some interesting facts you should know before visiting:

• Several sites at Chichen Itza are known for unusual sounds and history. When you clap at one end of the ball court, it produces nine echos in the middle. Furthermore, a clap in front of the Kukulkan Pyramid echoes a serpent's chirp.
• Chichen Itza is among the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was also declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1988.
• Chichen Itza is a term that means "the mouth at the well of Itza."
• EI Castillo(temple of Kukulkan) is the main pyramid built over another older temple.
• During spring and autumn, the sun's rays create a shadow of a serpent that slithers down the staircase.
• Mayan people were astronomers, and the Kukulkan pyramid was devoted to the planet Venus.

The Places to Visit at Chichen Itza

The Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza have a lot of different architectural structures. Here are some of the structures you must visit.

The Great Ball Court

Among thirteen ball courts, the Great Ball Court is the most impressive, about 150m northwest of Castillo. It is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. According to the archeologists, a game lasting for days or weeks was played with a ball weighing 20 lbs.

A myth exists about the game that the winning team captain decapitated to honor the god. However, most scholars believe that this treatment was for the losing team. A whisper or clap can be heard clearly from one end to another of the Great Ball Court, showing its great acoustic architecture.

Pyramid of Kukulkan

The Pyramid of Kukulkan is the most fascinating sight in Chichen Itza, also known as EI Castillo(the castle). This temple was built by the Mayan people and dedicated to the feathered serpent god Kukulkan. This 30ft high pyramid symbolizes great artistry and engineering adorned with carvings and sculptures.

In the late afternoon of spring and autumn equinoxes, a series of triangular shadows look like a serpent wriggling down the staircase. This temple was mainly used for religious ceremonies, human sacrifices, and rituals.

Sacred Cenote

There are no water streams or rivers in this region. The natural sinkholes, called cenotes, are the leading water resources. The Chichen Itza name is based on the cenote "mouth of the well of Itza." Mayan people used this cenote for religious purposes and threw jade, gold, copper, copal, and sacrifices into these wells. This cenote can give you the most fascinating sight on the Chichen Itza tour.

Temple of Warriors

The great Temple of Warriors consists of four platforms and a wide staircase leading to the top. The temple's inner walls are decorated with paintings showing the wars, thatched houses, and a lake, near the staircase status with bowls in hands used in religious rituals.

The Wall of Skulls

The wall of skulls is full of human skulls that are decapitated in sacrifice or wars. This wall gives the horrible religious beliefs of the Mayan people.

Group of Thousand Columns

Along the southern wall of the Temple of Warriors, a group of thousand columns were exposed. It was considered an excellent roof system when the city was inhabited. South of the group of thousand columns is a small Temple of the Carved Columns building with numerous other columns with elegant carvings.

How to Reach Chichen Itza

From Cancun, you can reach by private bus or hire a car. There are tour companies that can provide guided tour facilities. The journey takes two or three hours by the road but is full of scenic views. A few hours are enough to visit the whole site. In spring and autumn equinoxes, you can get the chance to view the incredible shadow of the serpent.

Entrance Fee of Chichen Itza

The entrance fee for international travelers is Mx 533 per adult. The ticket has two fees: a government fee and an admission fee. You can pay the admission fee by credit card, but the government fee is only produced in cash.

Timings & Parking

Chichen Itza remains open throughout the week from 8 am to 5 pm. But remember the last entrance time is 4 pm. The official secured parking lot costs Mx 30—no need to park the car by the side of the road.

Important Things to Take Along in Your Chichen Itza Day Trip

The weather in Chichen Itza is usually hot and humid. So before starting your tour to Chichen Itza, be sure to have these things along:

• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Sunglasses to protect eyes from the sun.
• Wear light, breathable linen or cotton clothes because the weather is hot.
• Sunblock or sunscreen.
• A backpack to carry essentials.
• Water bottle and snacks.
• Charged phone or camera.

Where to Stay to Visit Chichen Itza

You can stay at Valladolid, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Merida, the nearby areas of Chichen Itza. There are many hotels where you can stay and start your tour after resting or bathing in the pool.