Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

I was super excited to get to see this in person. The site is so much more than this singular temple. Behind where I was standing is a ball court, off to the life is the sacrificial cenote or sinkhole, and behind this temple there is another structure.
I was super excited to get to see this in person. The site is so much more than this singular temple. Behind where I was standing is a ball court, off to the life is the sacrificial cenote or sinkhole, and behind this temple there is another structure.
Chichen Itza in Mexico... Mayan ruins are pretty amazing to see, especially with an ominous storm cloud overhead!
Morning view of El Castillo, the Mayan pyramid at the heart of Chichén Itzá. While it's not particularly tall (about as tall as the pyramid at the Louvre), I found it quite beautiful and particularly well-proportioned. I like to think that, given it's rather late construction date (~1200AD), it was the culmination of centuries of refinement. In that sense it reminded me of the Taj Mahal, which itself was inspired by centuries of improvements in Mughal tomb architecture.
If you go to only one ruin in the Cancun area, I would highly recommend Chichen Itza. It will be an all day excursion but well worth it. Go as early as possible with a reputable and knowledgeable tour company (we used Thomas Moore) and in a small group. We were there in the month of June and arrived mid morning. As we were leaving, the place was starting to get packed with all the larger tour buses and was getting very warm. I have also visited Tulum in June but was disappointed after have already visited Chichen Itza. I believe that you can no longer climb the well known Kukulkan Pyramid.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

Tours & day trips

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Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid All Inclusive

Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid All Inclusive

Activity duration is 12 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 584 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was ￥15,362 and current price is ￥13,496 per adult
Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid All InclusiveOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

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Private Chichén-Itzá Experience with Cenote and Valladolid

Private Chichén-Itzá Experience with Cenote and Valladolid

Activity duration is 10 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 10 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was ￥36,226 and current price is ￥34,052 per traveler*
Private Chichén-Itzá Experience with Cenote and ValladolidOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

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Chichen Itza Premier Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

Chichen Itza Premier Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

Activity duration is 13 hours
6.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥28,316 per adult
Chichen Itza Premier Tour from Cancun and Riviera MayaOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

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2-Day Extreme Combo: ATV, Ziplining, Cenote and Chichén-Itzá

2-Day Extreme Combo: ATV, Ziplining, Cenote and Chichén-Itzá

Activity duration is 12 hours
6.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
The previous price was ￥33,922 and current price is ￥30,714 per adult
2-Day Extreme Combo: ATV, Ziplining, Cenote and Chichén-ItzáOpens in new tab

Reviews of Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
26
5 - Excellent 81%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 16%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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5/5 - Excellent

Molly/Doug

Go early and hire a guide.

Popular places to visit

Pyramid of Kukulkan which includes heritage architecture

Pyramid of Kukulkan

An iconic image of Mexico, this phenomenal pyramid presents fascinating insights into the Mayan-Toltec civilization and the way they saw the world.

Pyramid of Kukulkan
Court of the Thousand Columns featuring heritage elements

Court of the Thousand Columns

Walk amid the many pillars of one of Chichén Itzá’s largest and most distinctive structures, a vast court that played a central part in ancient Mayan society.

Court of the Thousand Columns
El Caracol showing heritage architecture and a ruin

El Caracol

Understand why the ancient Mayans have gained a reputation as outstanding mathematicians and astronomers at this observatory that has stood for over 1,000 years.

El Caracol
Cenote Ik kil showing swimming and a lake or waterhole as well as a small group of people

Cenote Ik kil

Swim in the refreshing waters of this enormous and beautiful swimming hole, close to the important Mayan site of Chichén Itzá.

Cenote Ik kil
The states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo in Mexico host the greatest collection of cenotes in the country. This water pools are believed were formed due the impact of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs. Xkekén, the name of this one, means pig in mayan. A farmer was looking for his pig when he stumbled upon this wonder!

Cenote Xkeken

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Cenote Xkeken during your travels in Valladolid. While in this walkable area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Cenote Xkeken
Cathedral of San Gervasio showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and a sunset

Cathedral of San Gervasio

This elegant, centuries-old church is one of Valladolid’s most recognizable landmarks. It embodies the regal colonial charm that gives this town its character.

Cathedral of San Gervasio

Best Lodging Options Near Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

Hotel Mundo Maya Chichén Itzá

Hotel Mundo Maya Chichén Itzá

3.5 out of 5
Carretera Federal 180 costera del golfo Km 131 Chichen Itza YUC
Hotel Mundo Maya Chichén Itzá
Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows

Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows

4.5 out of 5
Km 120 Ctra Merida, Zona Arqueologica Chichen Itza YUC
Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows
The Lodge at Chichen Itza

The Lodge at Chichen Itza

4.5 out of 5
Carretera Merida-Cancun, Km 120 Chichen Itza YUC
The Lodge at Chichen Itza
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa

Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa

3.5 out of 5
Carretera Libre 180 KM 120 Chichen Itza YUC
Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa
Hotel Chichen Itza

Hotel Chichen Itza

3.5 out of 5
Av. Principal Piste Num. 45, Piste Tinum YUC
Hotel Chichen Itza
Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Aak

Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Aak

3 out of 5
Calle 2C por Calle 13C Pisté, 65 Tinum YUC
Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Aak
Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Sak

Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Sak

3 out of 5
Calle 2C por Calle 13C, Pisté, 65 Tinum YUC
Suites Casa de Piedra y Colores-Sak
Casa zued

Casa zued

1 out of 5
4 x 13-b y 15, Pisté Tinum YUC
Casa zued
Mayan Bungalow Near Chichén Itza

Mayan Bungalow Near Chichén Itza

4 out of 5
Calle 16 x 17 Xcalacoop Tinum YUC
Mayan Bungalow Near Chichén Itza
See all 252 properties in Pre-Hispanic City of 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.