"A Deserving Member of the New 7 World... " a Ruinas Chichén-Itzá Travel Page by dek516

When first entering the grounds at Chichen Itza and seeing El Castillo looming before you, it's easy to understand why this structure was named one of the new seven wonders of the world. As amazing as this great pyramid is, Chichen Itza is much more than the pyramid alone. You can spend hours here looking at all the ruins, many of which include elaborate and sometimes gruesome carvings that give us insight into ancient Maya culture.

The name Chichen Itza translates into "Mouth of the Well of the Itzaes." It was built sometime between the 7th and 9th centuries and was abandoned for unknown reasons by the mid 13th century. The importance of astronomy is evidenced by Chichen's observatory, as well as the light effect on the northern staircase at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

As great as Chichen Itza is, it does have a few downsides. My biggest complaint was that most of the structures, including the great pyramid, are now closed to visitors, meaning you can only admire from below. I understand that this was done to preserve the ruins and to keep visitors safe, but it takes away from the experience. The other big downside is the crowds; by midday the parking lot is crammed with tour buses, mostly from Cancun, and the grounds are swarming with people. To avoid the crowds, get there early.