What to see and do at Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

It is one of the most famous and well-preserved archaeological sites in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The name "Chichen Itza" means "at the mouth of the well of the Itza," referring to the natural sinkhole or "cenote" that is located on the site. Graphic stone carvings survive at the ball court, Temple of the Warriors, and the Wall of the Skulls.

We traveled from Playa del Carmen to visit Chichen Itza on 2/14/2021.While there, we visited the many temples, the ball court and the Wall of the Skulls.

The city was originally built by the Maya people around 600 AD and was later taken over by the Toltecs, a different Mesoamerican civilization, in the 10th century.Chichen Itza is home to many impressive structures, including the Temple of Kukulcan, also known as El Castillo, which is a 79-foot tall step pyramid with 365 steps, one for each day of the year. There is also the Temple of the Warriors, the Great Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote, a natural sinkhole that was used for sacrificial offerings by the Mayans.

One of the most interesting features of Chichen Itza is the phenomenon that occurs during the spring and fall equinoxes, when the light and shadows create the appearance of a serpent slithering down the side of El Castillo. This has led many to believe that the temple was dedicated to the feathered serpent god, Kukulcan.

Chichen Itza was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Today, it is an important site for both archaeological research and tourism, with visitors from around the world coming to marvel at the ancient structures and learn about the rich history and culture of the Mayan people.

Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Playa del Carmen area. Click here for details.

Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo) is at the center of the archeological site.

The platform in front of the Osario.

The Osario is a step-pyramid temple like the Temple of Kukulkan but on a smaller scale. At the center of the temple is an opening that leads to a natural cave 39 ft below it.

Carving on one of the temples.

Jugeo de Pelota (Great Ball Court) is 551 ft long and  230 ft wide.

The walls of the ball court are 26 ft high. Set high up in the center of each of these walls are rings carved with intertwined feathered serpents.

At the foot of the ball court walls are slanted benches with sculpted panels of teams of ball players. In one panel, one of the players has been decapitated. Streams of blood from the wound are in in the form of wriggling snakes.

The Wall of the Skulls.

Temple of the Warriors ("Templo de los Guerreros") consists of a large stepped pyramid fronted and flanked by rows of carved columns depicting warriors.

The top of the Temple of the Warriors