"The archeological city" Ruinas Chichén-Itzá by patricia28

Ruinas Chichén-Itzá Travel Guide: 473 reviews and 1,252 photos

pyramid of Kukulkán - Ruinas Chichén-Itzá

An unforgettable experience
We arrived here early morning, to have enough time to visit everything, this place is huge and there are many things to see, we were very impressed with the principal pyramid, it is so perfect!! you can also visit it inside but this is an adventure, there are a lot of steps and if in the arqueoligical city is hot imagine how is to be inside, just make sure to bring a big bottle of water with you :)
The pyramid has 365 steps, each one for each day of the year. Further evidences that this building was linked to the mayan interests of astronomy and the calendar is demostrated at the spring and autumn equinox. On these days the shadow of the sun playing on the stairs causes the illusion of a snake processing down the pyramid in the direction of the cenote.
If you stand facing the foot of the temple and shout the echo comes back as a piercing shriek, it is really amazing!
You can also visit the astronomical observatory and many places where the mayas practiced their rituals, sometimes those are scary.

The place is open monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The walls

The mayas used to paint their history in the walls, is very amazing how they worked the rock to give form to their history .

The ball game

El juego de la pelota

Everybody has a ball game and the mayas weren't the exception. The game itself involved two teams, each able to hit the ball only with elbows, wrists or hips, and the object was to knock the ball through one of the stone hoops on the walls of the court.
Some people think the capitan of the losing side was executed by the winner, others suggest that the winners earned an honorable sacrifice. No one knows for sure.

Last visit to Ruinas Chichén-Itzá: Jan 1999
Intro Updated May 25, 2005
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Reviews (4)

The Jaguar Things to Do (4)

If you go inside of the big Pyramid you will be able to see the King Kukulcan's Jaguar Throne. This is a small structure... more travel advice

Temple of the Warriors - Ruinas Chichén-Itzá

Temple of the Warriors Things to Do (4)

This temple is a massive structure, surrounded by hundreds of columns is carved with reliefs. it is really amazing and... more travel advice

Cenote Things to Do (4)

There is a strange place here called "Cenote", that is a dark underground world. The entry is through a vertical hole... more travel advice

The Observatory Things to Do (4)

The big interest of the Maya in the annual travels of the sun across the sky is evident in many structures at Chichén... more travel advice

Comments (2)

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xxgirasolexx Dec 19, 2005 at 9:39 AM

Hello from Colorado! I was looking at your pictures of Germany and somehow found my way over to the pyramids. Great pictures!
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wish-nu May 25, 2005 at 8:53 PM

amazing place, thank you for sharing your tips