Although every one has their own preferences, according to our best seller tours at Mvngata Boutique Hotel we can say that the prefered one is a guided tour to Chichen Itza.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and elected among the 7 new wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan site in the world.
One of the main reasons to prefer a tour to Chichen Itza is the fact that you can do a complete visit to the mayan ruins on a one day trip.
And also because a tour to Chichen Itza is usually paired with a visit to a Cenote, that will take your breath away.
What to see at Chichen Itza
The pyramid of Kukulkan, the ball game, the temple of the jaguars, there are a lot of great examples of the magnificence of that ancestral culture.
Here is our recommendation of the best places to see when taking a Chichen Itza tour.
Start the visit with the famous pyramid of Kukulcan. It´s the postcard picture by excellence. This is world-renowned pyramid because at the exact date of spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun produces the illusion of a snake rising or falling from the pyramid.
Afterwards, walk down to Sacbé, the ancient Mayan road that leads to the old sacred cenote of the site. This is not the only cenote of the site. Chichen Itza was built on several cenotes, which were used at the time for various mayan rituals.
The other places not to miss during your walk around the site are: the large ball court near the entrance (the largest in Mexico). Close to it, you will find the Thousand Columns group (the name speaks for itself).
For the end of your visit, don´t miss the area around the observatory (El Caracol).
During all of your visit, keep your eyes open for often well-preserved representations of the Mayan rain god: Chac Mol or Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent toltec god (Kukulcan in Maya).
5 Tips for visiting Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen
Chichen Itza is a world class cultural destination. So don´t miss anything during your visit. That is why we give you 5 tips for you to take advantage to the fullest.
- Try to go early: this advice is because of two reasons. The first one is because you will get a less crowded site (this means better selfies). This is also a reason why you might want to consider a prívate tour. But most importantly, you will get less burning sun. Wich takes us to our second tip
- Bring sun protection: You need to protect yourself from direct sun. There are not many shades where to get some rest. So you better bring not only a cap or a hat, but a good sunblock and water.
- Chichen Itza has so many details on the ruins, and such a history on the mayan culture that a guided tour is really worth it.
- Local tours will take you not only to the mayan ruins. A visit to a local cenote for a swim in cristal waters will take you back in time. It is also a good oportunity to visit small villages around, like Valladolid. And take the time to taste regional dishes that are considered by some as the foundation of today´s mexican cuisine.
- It is probably going to be a long day (long, but gratifying). You might want to book a massage for the night or the day after.
A little history of the site
Chichen Itza before being an archaeological site was a majestic city built in the classical period around 2 cenotes. Hence its name “at the edge of the well”. Its date of creation seems to go up around 415-455.
The city was developed in the area known as Chichen Viejo that already had important monuments of great interest: the building of the Nuns, the church, the Akab Dzib, the Chichan Chob, the Temple of the Panels and the Temple of the Deer.
But there is another area, also know as the second site of Chichen-Itza, which is the most important for historians. It refers to constructions built due to the migration of Toltec warriors who came down south from the Mexican plateau during the tenth century.
According to the most widespread version this happened when the king of Tula (Kukulkan according to the name that the Maya gave him) would have seized the city between 967 and 987.
How to get tickets for Chichen Itza tour
Our concierge team down at the reception will be happy to assist you with any related question or information regarding a tour to Chichen Itza. They can also help you with getting tickets.
So don´t forget to meet them when getting to Mvngata Boutique Hotel.
Send us your questions and can check availability at the hotel here.