Chichen Itza
A trip to Cancun isn't complete until you've visited Chichen Itza.
It's difficult to pull yourself away from the pale blue ocean and the
active nightlife in Cancun but a 2 hour trip to Chichen Itza is
mandatory. I'm serious, you have to go. Chichen Itza is one
of the greatest tributes to the Mayan civilization, beyond their people. It was recently named as one of the 7 wonders of the modern world!
In case you're wondering, it deserves to be in that elite list of places.
When most people think about Chichen Itza they think about the massive
Mayan pyramid, Kukulcan. Chichen Itza is actually more like a city
with Kukulcan being the focal point. The entire area is huge,
walking around and exploring all of Chichen Itza will take hours. Kukulcan
Pyramid, isn't always
available to climb. During most of 2007 the pyramid couldn't be
scaled so when you book your trip, ask.
The Palace:
Pictured on the left is a photo of the
Palace of the Warriors or the Palace of 1000 columns. As you meander through the columns take
note of all the details. You'll see carving of snakes, winged
creatures, faces and more. You have to take the obligatory picture
of your family peeking out from a row of columns.
The Observatory:
After seeing the observatory at Chichen
Itza you really start to wonder about the ancient Mayans.
Did they
have some sort of telescope?
How advanced were they?
If you
do much study about Kukulcan you know that the
pyramid was aligned with the sun and shows the 365 day Mayan calendar.
On 2 special days, the spring and fall equinoxes and amazing thing
happens. On the northern staircase of the pyramid the shadows
reveal a snake seemingly crawling up the pyramid. That is an
amazing feat by itself. Modern day Mayan descendants can be very
proud of their rich heritage.
Helpful Tips:
Don't drive a rental car, take a tour bus.
Let someone who knows the area drive, trust me, you don't want to get
lost in the middle of Mexico.
Typically tour buses stop at a souvenir shop on route, those same trinkets can be found in Chichen Itza. You will be asked numerous times to buy stuff so hold out for a good deal. Barter, negotiate, ask for a better deal with the vendors, it's fun and you'll save some money.
If you go during the summer, one word, "WATER". There is little shade in and around the ruins so dress in lightly colored clothes, take water, wear a hat and sunscreen.
The cost of a tour to Chichen Itza should be between $50 - 70 U.S. dollars. Anything more is a scam to trick tourists.