Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site composed of stone buildings in various states of preservation, all of which are connected by a network of roads called sacbeob. The three most well-known are El Castillo (Kukulcán Pyramid), the Temple of Warriors, and the Great Ball Court.

Chichen Itza tours and private day trips tend to depart from nearby cities on the Riviera Maya & the Yucatan and often combine a stop here with visits to Ek Balam, Cobá, or the town of Valladolid. Alternatively, choose a tour with access to the Mayaland Resort and a buffet lunch.

• Many tours are led by archaeologist tour guides, who are well-versed in Maya culture.

• The Ossario group and Central group are open to everyone; Chichén Viejo (Old Chichén) is only open to archaeologists.

• Come prepared for the heat with light clothing, sunscreen, bottled water, and a hat.

• This popular site can get extremely crowded—book an early-access tour to beat the crowds.

• Skip Sundays, when the site is free to enter for Mexican nationals and incredibly busy.

Chichen Itza is between 2–2.5 hours by car from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun respectively. Visitors to those coastal resorts will have plenty of options for day trips to the archaeological site, and departures are also available from Cozumel and Merida.

The best time to get to Chichen Itza is right around opening, before the crowds arrive and the sun is high in the sky. Some private tours and small-group tours offer early access to the ancient ruins. At sunrise and sunset on the spring and fall equinoxes, the corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of Kukulkán, a feathered serpent god, and creates the illusion of a snake slithering down the north side of the pyramid.

One of the best ways to experience the magic and mystery of the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula—without feeling like you’re at Grand Central Station during rush hour—is by visiting before most tour buses arrive. Early-access tours of Tulum, Chichen Itza, or Coba ensure you’ll be one of the first visitors there, so you can get that perfect photo without all the tourists in it. As an added bonus, you’ll also get expert insight into Mayan civilization from an archaeologist tour guide. It’s worth the early-morning wakeup.

No, but buying Chichen Itza tickets in advance can be a good idea to avoid disappointment and save time on the day. This is because tickets often sell out and there tend to be long lines at the ticket desk. Plus, you don't need to worry about bringing cash on the day to cover your admission fee.

Plan to spend half a day at Chichen Itza, or up to four hours. This will give you enough time to explore the main sights, cenotes, and more without feeling rushed.

Early morning on a weekday is the best time to visit Chichen Itza because you can avoid the tour bus crowds which tend to arrive mid-morning. Sunday is perhaps the worst day for a non-Mexican resident to visit Chichen Itza, as Mexican residents enjoy free entry on Sundays and the ruins fill up fast.

No. The only cenote which forms part of the Chichen Itza site is known as the Cenote Sagrado and while you can observe it from above, you can't swim in it. There are, however, dozens of nearby cenotes where swimming is permitted.

No, you cannot climb the pyramid at Chichen Itza. Climbing any structures at Chichen Itza is prohibited, including that of the main pyramid which has been off-limits to visitors since 2008.

As Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, the weather tends to be hot and humid year-round. Wear light layers and shoes that are comfortable for walking, as the site is huge and well worth exploring in its entirety. You may also want to pack sunscreen and plenty of water.