Chichen Itza Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Chichen Itza featuring heritage architecture as well as a small group of people
Chichen Itza which includes heritage elements
Chichen Itza - Valladolid showing a temple or place of worship, building ruins and heritage architecture
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza showing heritage architecture
Travel back in time by exploring a sprawling Mayan city that dates back over 1,000 years. This spectacular UNESCO site is one of Mexico’s most famous treasures.

Visit one of Mexico’s biggest and best-known Mayan ruins, Chichén Itzá. Wander among ancient temples and pyramids, many of them incredibly well preserved, and imagine the Mayan people who called this area home over 1,000 years ago. Discover the rich religious and astronomical significance of the site’s towering structures. Get insight into the fascinating, and often brutal, nature of everyday life in Mayan society.

See the astonishing El Castillo pyramid, the most famous landmark in Chichén Itzá. This imposing pyramid is built from 365 steps which represent the 365 days of the solar year. Try to spot the wealth of other astral symbols embedded in the structure, too. For example, the pyramid includes 52 panels, representing the 52 years in a single cycle of the Mayan calendar. Enter the pyramid to discover the temple contained within.

El Castillo is just one of the overwhelming number of sacred sites here. Marvel at the many pillars of the nearby Court of a Thousand Columns, attached to the Temple of the Warriors. Visit El Caracol, with its impressive winding staircase, which once served as an observatory. And see numerous temples featuring captivating stone reliefs that have given them poetic names. These include the Temple of the Bearded Man and the Temple of the Jaguars.

A famous Mayan tradition is the ball game. Visit the Grand Ball Court to see one of the largest pitches where the Mayan’s elaborate ball games were played for the entertainment of massive crowds. It is believed losing the game may have had bloody consequences. Look for the relief that depicts the beheading of one of the players.

Chichén Itzá is located a little under 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Cancún. Stay in the scenic town of Valladolid to be closer by. Pay the entrance fee and explore at your own pace, or book a guided tour to be led by an expert guide.

Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa
3.5 out of 5
Carretera Libre 180 KM 120, Chichen Itza, YUC
Fully refundable
The price is ฿5,587 per night from 12 Dec to 13 Dec
฿5,587
฿6,984 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Chichen Itza. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (319 reviews)
Itza
"Exceptional"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa
Hotel DORALBA INN Chichén
Hotel DORALBA INN Chichén
3 out of 5
Km 122 Carretera Merida- Cancun, Chichen Itza, YUC
The price is ฿1,554 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
฿1,554
฿1,880 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Chichen Itza. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (641 reviews)
"This place was convenient. We stayed 2 nights and that was just enough. Nothing bad. We felt safe, but the place needs some care and upgrades. It is def a fixer upper. The reception was lacking, and the person working there was not helpful. This is just a motel, that is clean enough to stay close ..."

Reviewed on 7 Sep 2024

Hotel DORALBA INN Chichén
Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza
Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza
3 out of 5
Km 120 Carretera Merida-valladolid, Chichen Itza, YUC
The price is ฿2,483 per night from 6 Dec to 7 Dec
฿2,483
฿3,005 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Dec - 7 Dec
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Chichen Itza. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions El Caracol and Red ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (599 reviews)
"Very nice hotel, the front desk lady was kinda rude but the room sure made me forget how she acted!"

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2024

Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Unahana
Villa Unahana
3.5 out of 5
YUC 79, Pixoy, Valladolid, YUC
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Valladolid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Cenote Zahamal and Cenote Samula are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"Awsome place, but a bit out of the city centre and taxi communication was hard"

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2023

Villa Unahana
Hacienda Kankabal
Hacienda Kankabal
2 out of 5
kilómetro 21 carretera Izamal- Tunkas, Tunkas, Yuc.
Stay at this villa in Tunkas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace.
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Un luggar sin duda extraordinario y más si te gusta la introspección, como yo. Oara fotografía fantástico."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2023

Hacienda Kankabal
La casa de piedra y colores
La casa de piedra y colores
3 out of 5
Calle 2C por Calle 13C, Pisté, 65, Tinum, YUC
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Tinum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Ball Courts and Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza ...
La casa de piedra y colores
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Chichen Itza

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wished we could have been there longer!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Special

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice to arrive night before, to see eve show and go again in morning. Can buy drinks on site and toilets. Little shade so hat good idea Site brilliant, expansive. Hawkers fine, much cheaper than in shops with haggling. Overall- brilliant.