Chichén Itzá – Maya Ruins in Mexico (2025 Travel Guide)

I can’t remember exactly when I first visited Chichén Itzá – sometime in the early 2000s, I think. What I do remember is that you could still climb the big pyramid back then. That’s no longer allowed today.

Chichén Itzá on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico was one of the largest and most diverse Maya cities. Today, Chichén Itzá is the largest Mayan archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. It was built by the Mayans and is one of the most popular attractions.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new seven wonders of the world (the only Wonder of the World in North America).

Chichén Itzá is, of course, more than just the famous pyramid – it’s an entire ancient Mayan city. Most estimates date it back over 1,500 years. The city was built in two main phases: the Pre-Classic period and a later stage that followed.

The Pre-Classic period was heavily shaped by the Mayans. But things changed in the 10th century with the arrival of the Toltecs. Many of Chichén Itzá’s most iconic structures, like the El Castillo pyramid, were likely built under Toltec influence.

Best Time to Visit Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá opens at 8:00 am. In the first hour until 9:00 there is still very little going on, then it slowly fills up. Around 11:00 am the crowds start to appear in full force.

Between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm is always the busiest time to visit Chichén Itzá, this is when the big tourist buses arrive from the surrounding resorts.

Especially in Chichén Itzá, it's key to get there ideally just before it opens.

How Do You Get to Chichén Itzá from Mérida?

You can reach Chichén Itzá very well by car. Public transportation can be used as well. For example, an ADO bus leaves three times a day from Mérida Noreste Terminal, Calle 67x50 and Calle 52 (No. 531), to Chichén Itzá.

The trip takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. For the return, ADO has one afternoon bus, but Oriente buses run more often. Cabs are also an option, and if you prefer something easy, plenty of tour operators offer organized trips.

Parking at Chichén Itzá – Tips and Costs

Official parking costs $120 pesos. Along the road, many unofficial lots will try to flag you down – ignore them and drive straight to the main gate.

Use those unofficial lots only if the official lot is full, since prices are unpredictable and can increase when you leave. You could walk up to 20 minutes, depending on how far your unofficial parking is along the way.

Good to Know

There is no shade in large areas of the site (and the area is not really small). Especially in summer, you should therefore definitely think of suitable clothing and sun protection. It is not a bad idea to take something to drink with you, even if you can buy it on site.

Chichén Itzá is impressive – no doubt. But it’s also crowded, packed with vendors, and offers little shade across a vast area. If you're traveling with small kids, it might not be the most comfortable spot to explore.

We have more background information and travel tips on Mayan archaeological sites.

Chichén Itzá Night Show

Every evening, Chichén Itzá hosts a special experience: exploring the ruins under moonlight with a colorful light show. Visitor numbers are limited, and the event runs from about 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Times may change, so arrive about 30 minutes early. The “Noches de Kukulkán” show at the Temple of Kukulkán projects images onto the pyramid with music, telling Chichén Itzá’s story in Spanish. It lasts about 20–30 minutes.

The ticket for the visit to Chichén Itzá also includes admission to the light show in the evening. However, a second ticket for the light show is required, for which you can register online or the ticket is available from the afternoon at the ticket office.

If you are coming by car from Mérida or somewhere a bit further away, I would take a local hotel and drive back the next day. By the way, you must keep your parking ticket, as you will have to show it when you leave.

Chichén Itzá During Equinox

If you visit Chichén Itzá during the equinox, it can be a special experience. An equinox occurs twice a year, around March 20–21 and September 22–23, when Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, making day and night nearly equal in length.

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Each afternoon, thousands gather at Chichén Itzá’s Kukulkan pyramid to watch sunlight and shadow create the illusion of a snake slithering down the northern staircase, ending at a stone serpent’s head at the base.

This is by no means a coincidence, bus was planned by the builders. The light-and-shadow effect appears from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. If you miss it, the Chichén Itzá Light and Sound Show recreates it with floodlights.

Main Structures at Chichén Itzá

Below, I’ll describe the most important structures at Chichén Itzá. The photos are already over 20 years old. At that time it was possible to climb the temple pyramid El Castillo and you had a nice overview of the area. This is now no longer allowed.

El Castillo – The Pyramid of Kukulkán

El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, is Chichén Itzá’s most iconic structure and a masterpiece of Maya architecture. This step pyramid was built with incredible precision, aligning with astronomical events such as the equinoxes.

The pyramid has four sides, each with 91 steps, plus the top platform, totaling 365 steps – one for each day of the year. During the spring and fall equinox, sunlight creates the illusion of a serpent slithering down the staircase.

Standing over 30 meters tall, El Castillo dominates the main plaza and offers a reminder of the Maya’s knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering. It remains one of the most photographed and visited monuments in all of Mexico.

Temple of the Warriors

The Temple of the Warriors features a stepped pyramid surrounded by rows of carved columns, once supporting a large roof. These “Thousand Columns” depict warriors, reflecting Maya-Toltec military power.

At the top, you can see the well-known Chac Mool statue. This reclining figure holds a bowl on its stomach, which was likely used for offerings during ancient ceremonies.

The Chac Mool statues are found in various Mesoamerican sites, but the one here is particularly notable. When you visit, take a moment to appreciate this unique piece of history.

El Caracol

The building "El Caracol" is one of the few circular structures built by the Maya. It is believed to have been used for astronomical observations, therefore it is also called "Observatory".

The Great Ball Court at Chichén Itzá

The Great Ball Court is the largest and most impressive in Mesoamerica, measuring 168 meters long and 70 meters wide. It was the site of the ancient Maya ball game, a ritual sport with deep religious and political significance.

The court’s towering walls feature stone rings high above the ground, through which players aimed to pass a rubber ball using only their hips. The acoustics here are remarkable – a clap can echo multiple times from one end to the other.

Reliefs along the walls depict scenes of the game, including ritual sacrifices, highlighting its ceremonial importance. Visiting the Great Ball Court offers a fascinating glimpse into the social and spiritual life of the Maya civilization.

The Sacred Cenote (Cenote Sagrado)

No trip to Chichén Itzá is complete without a visit to the Sacred Cenote, which is connected to Chichén Itzá by a 300m raised pathway. The large cenote is 165 to 200 feet (50 to 61m) in diameter.

The use of the sacred cenote was exclusively ceremonial. The pre-Hispanic Maya made ceremonial offerings and threw valuable objects into the cenote. Later, human sacrifices were also made.

The sacrifices were warriors, children and virgins thrown to the bottom of the cenote. Various platforms were built at the edge of the cenote for this purpose. This is known because numerous artifacts have been found in the water over the years.

The artifacts included gold, copper, jade, shells and the bones of around 200 people who were thrown into the water as sacrifices. Due to its proximity to Chichén Itzá, the cenote is of course very popular with tourists today.

Cenote Ik Kil

While the Sacred Cenote is located right on the grounds of Chichén Itzá but isn’t open for swimming, Cenote Ik Kil is about 3 kilometers away. It’s set up for visitors, and you can take a swim here if you feel like it.

The World of Archaeology

The Yucatán Peninsula is home to numerous ancient Maya archaeological sites, ranging from massive cities to hidden jungle ruins.

Many of the sites feature impressive pyramids, intricate carvings, and advanced architectural designs that showcase the Maya's deep knowledge of astronomy and engineering.

Some are well-preserved and popular with tourists, while others remain more remote and overgrown, offering a glimpse into the past in a more untouched setting.