The ruins of Chichen Itza are centuries old and happens to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
People come here to explore the archaeological remains of one of the great Mayan cities. Chichen Itza is not only catalogued as the New Seven Wonders of the World, but it also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To explore this incredible place, you should arrange for a Chichen Itza tours from Merida.
Going on guided tours is always better than visiting independently. You will be led by a tour guide specialised in Mayan civilisation. This will give you the opportunity to learn about their culture and life in details.
There are plenty of exciting places to explore in Chichen Itza. Here is a brief rundown of all the things you can do:
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Temple of Kukulkan
Temple of Kukulkan, which is also known as El Castillo is arguably the most popular attraction in Chichez Itza.
Located in the center of the court stands, this beautiful temple is dedicated to the serpent God, Quetzalcoatl. During the rising and setting of the sun, the pyramid casts a snake-shaped shadow, representing the serpent God Quetzalcoatl.
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The Temple of the Warriors
As the name suggests, the Temple of the Warriors is dedicated to worship the great Mayan warriors. It is a huge temple adorned with reliefs and statues of warriors and soldiers.
The most impressive thing about this temple are the stone pillars. There are hundreds of these tall pillars lining the sides and the main entrance of the temple.
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The Sacred Cenote
You will find many cenotes or natural sinkholes throughout the Yucatan landscape. Tourists visit cenotes to witness their natural beauty. These natural sinkholes are filled with freshwater and was considered scared by the Mayans.
Many of the Mayan cities are built near cenotes. It is possible that they used cenotes for water resources. But the Sacred Cenote is a place where they held ceremonies. Based on archaeological findings, it suggests that the Scared Cenote was used for sacrificial purposes.
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The Great Ball Court
The Mayans were very much into ball games, which were both scary and bloody. At Chichen Itza, you will come across 13 different ball courts.
The Great Ball Court is the largest one in the Mayan world. The ruins of the Great Ball Court features sacrificial inscriptions and hoops.
Besides Chichen Itza, there are many other places like Coba, Tulum, and Cenotes that are worth visiting in the Yucatan region. You can cover all of these places with this 4-in-1 tour called the Tulum tour from Playa del Carmen.
Visiting and exploring the ruins of Chichen Itza is a life-time experience. If you are in Mexico, you shouldn’t miss this chance.
