Chichén-Itzá was first settled around 300 BC as Mayan groups began to gather around cenotes (natural wells and the peninsula’s only source of fresh water). Only 100 years later, Chichén-Itzá had become a thriving metropolis with a population of about 50,000. The city grew rich from trading salt, ceramics, feathers and possibly honey. Monumental building came to an end around 1100 or 1200 AD when Chichén-Itzá was presumably abandoned. The city covers about 25 square km, with many buildings yet to be discovered.

El Castillo

El Castillo is the largest and tallest building (24 m high) in Chichén-Itzá, reaching 30 m in height. It has four sets of stairs, with one on each side; each set of stairs has 91 steps, for a total of 364. With the addition of the step at the top of the temple makes the total 365, and is equivalent to the number of days in the solar year. It is thought that El Castillo was built in honor of the Sun God. Serpents and tigers are displayed on the façade, showing that both were worshiped. Colossal serpent heads are seen at the base of the stairs, representing the God Kukulkan.

The construction of El Castillo was planned so that at each Vernal Equinox (March 21 and September 21) the dying sun would cast a shadow of a serpent writhing down the steps of the pyramid. Every year, over 40,000 people travel to Chichén-Itzá to see the great snake slowly appear down the steps of this massive pyramid.

El Castillo has two structures which correspond to two different periods. The oldest structure is covered by the later, larger structure. The serpent and tiger decorations found on the exterior indicate this Toltec influence.

Visitors can enter the base of the temple, climb the narrow, damp stairs to see to see a more ancient temple inside which once held two statues: a ‘chac mool’ and a throne in the form of a jaguar, painted red and encrusted with jade. The inner temple is open for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon. The line-ups can be long and the trip inside is hot and humid (and often too much for many people) but it offers an amazing view of the interior of the pyramid.

If you stand facing the foot of the El Castillo and shout, the echo comes back as a piercing shriek. Also interesting, while standing on the top step, one can speak in a normal voice and be heard on the ground level, a good distance away.

The monumental size and decoration of El Castillo make it the most impressive building at Chichén-Itzá.

Pelota Court

Pelota Court

West of El Castillo, the Mayan-Toltecs built the largest ball park in Meso-America. It has a rectangular platform with three square structures which may have been the booths reserved for the judges, priests, and those of high aristocracy. The central ball park is flanked by two platforms on the sides. The benches on either side of the grounds (now grown over with native grasses) are intricately decorated and show the close bonds that existed between the game, human sacrifice by decapitation, and fertility rites, which make up the basis of the Meso-American religion. You can see these as you walk along the grounds of the court which span 150 m long.

Pelota Court

The rings of the ball court are intact and show the amazing skill and endurance needed to be successful in the game. The game played here was something like soccer (no hands used), but it had religious as well as recreational significance. On site carvings depict a ball player being decapitated, the blood spurting from his severed neck fertilizing the earth. Acoustics are so good that someone standing at one end of the court can hear the whispers of another person clearly at the other end.

The Temple of the Warriors

Located East of El Castillo, The Temple of the Warriors can be seen in detail from the ground or from the top of El Castillo where you can see the wonders of the size of the Thousand Columns.

Temple of the Warriors

The Temple of the Warriors most resembles the Toltec influence on Chichén-Itzá. This temple closely resembles another Toltec temple at Tula, the Toltec homeland which is about 1,280 km away which leads scholars to believe that the plans were brought from Tula to this new building site. The square temple is decorated with warriors, eagles, and jaguars devouring human hearts, as well as the impressive figures of Kukulkan seen protruding from the side walls of the building.

The Temple of the Warriors is surrounded by hundreds of intricately carved columns forming the vestibule. Each column consists of five intricately carved drums topped in a simple square capital. In the front and to the right of the temple the columns form the Group of the Thousand Columns. The fact that the columns continue into the jungle where many lie unrestored shows the massive size of this complex.

Cenote Sagrado

The Chichén-Itzá tour will take you away from the ruins to the Cenote Sagrado or the Cenote of Sacrifices. While some believe that the Mayans chose the area of Chichén-Itzá for the water supply, mainly Xtoloc cenote, this cenote was used exclusively for ceremonies. Offerings of gold, copal and pottery were recovered from the bottom as well as the remains of victims.

The Caracol (Astronomical Observatory)

The Caracol is thought to be the only building solely built by the Mayans as the Mayan knew the positions of the stars and studied their movements. The Caracol was built on a large rectangular platform with rounded corners and walls that are finely sloping. This platform supports a second one, which in turn supports a round temple. Inside this large round temple is a winding staircase which is where the name comes from: caracol or snale. The staircase leads to an upper room probably used for their astronomical observations.

Chichén-Itzá is located approximately 126 miles inland from Cancun. The Chichén-Itzá tour includes round-trip transportation on an air-conditioned bus (it is not recommended to use the bathrooms on the bus). The bus ride takes you through the beautiful countryside of the Yucatan Peninsula where the Mayan people live almost untouched by outsiders. The bus will stop at about half way for a bathroom break, shopping, to stretch your legs, and purchase a snack or beverage.

Temple of the Warriors

The Caracol

Once you have arrived at Chichén-Itzá, be sure to pay close attention to the detailed explanation provided by your knowledgeable bilingual guide in order to fully enjoy the rich Mayan culture. This is a full-day tour and involves a lot of walking. After your tour of the ruins, you will be given time to walk around the ruins site to take photos, climb El Castillo or shop. Also included in this time is a buffet lunch held at the nearby Hotel Mayaland.

Chichén-Itzá Map

Included with the Chichén-Itzá Mexico Vacations Tour:

• Round-trip transportation on air-conditioned bus
• Entrance fee to the archaeological site
• A bilingual tour guide to explain the Mayan history and culture
• Lunch buffet

Not Included with the Chichén-Itzá Mexico Vacations Tour:

• Cost to bring video camera into archeological site, about $4.00
• Cost of beverages during lunch buffet
• Cost of souvenirs at the stop on-route to the site, at the on site market or at the gift shop in the hotel where the buffet is held
• Note: Where the tour bus stops, just outside the archeological site, you have a unique opportunity to have your very own Mayan Calendar made just for you. Centro Cultural Cecijema will create your 9x14” calendar transcribing your date of birth, wedding anniversary or any other special date into a beautiful hand-made hieroglyphic. You will have to order the calendar before you enter the archeological site and pick it up after you are finished your tour. Cost approximately $30.00 USD

What to Bring on the Chichén-Itzá Mexico Vacations Tour:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat
• Jacket
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito Repellant
• Camera
• Extra money for souvenirs and beverages

Departures:

• Departures to Chichen Itza from Monday to Saturday
• Available from Cancun Palace, Beach Palace & Sun Palace, Moon Palace, Aventura Spa Palace & Playacar Palace

Items of Note:

• Tours are subject to availability so book early.
• Details such as departure days and times are subject to change without notice.
• Detailed tour information is available at the Palace Resorts/Chaza Travel & Tours desk at your hotel. Reservations are made at the hotel with your Chaza Travel tour representatives.
• Guests are required to make tour reservations at the Chaza Travel desk in advance, but not prior to your arrival at the hotel. It is advised that you make tour bookings shortly after you arrive.

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