Chichen Itza is an ancient Maya city in the Yucatan, Mexico, reached by road at Carretera Federal 180 in the village of Chichen Itza. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is best known for its central landmark, the El Castillo pyramid, also called the Kukulcan Pyramid.
What to expect
The site is a large archaeological zone rather than a single building, so a visit is largely a walk among stone structures spread across open ground. El Castillo rises above the central area and is the image most visitors come to see. The city as a whole reflects the remarkable astronomical and architectural knowledge of the Maya, and the layout of its buildings is one of the things that makes the place worth time.
Planning your visit
- Allow enough time to walk the grounds at an unhurried pace, especially in the heat of the day.
- Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes, as much of the site is open to the sun.
- For current opening times, tickets and rules, check with the site directly; the contact number is +52 985 851 0137.
Around the site
Chichen Itza sits in the Yucatan, a region that combines Maya heritage with a long coastline and a range of other archaeological sites. Many visitors combine the trip with time in the wider area, making the ancient city one part of a longer stay in the peninsula.
