Chichen Itza - Mexico

Destination: Chichen Itza (At the mouth of the Itza)


Its our last full day in Cancun and we want to save the best for last. The Mayan ruins is one of the primary reason that we decided to head to Mexico. Aside from cheap food and great beach weather, we want to do something cultural. The Mayan Riviera seem to have it all.



We started our day in the crack of dawn at 5 am. Currently, we are staying in Zona Hotelera in Cancun that it would take us at least 3 hours to drive down to Piste. We want to be the first ones on Chichen Itza and get ahead before the tour buses pours in.


The drive was uneventful. No traffic. We took the new highway that has a toll at a bulking $20. Yes, it was only for one way. We head to a nearby town of Valladolid for a quick breakfast.


It was a good idea that we were ones of the first people in Chichen Itza. We park close to the entrance and we have the lawn to ourselves. Most of the local artisans were just unloading their wares. Also, the weather is a bit more tolerable since the sun is still hiding behind the clouds. By mid-day it would be impossible to walk around with the intense heat. Ironically, its comfortable once you go under the shade where most of the locals spread out their wares.


Here are some of the random photos taken at the site:

• El Castillo - Kukulcan

From the entrance, its the first imposing structure you would see from the entrance. It has 4 stairs on all 4 sides that each has 91 steps to denote the days for the calendar year.
Note that the steps were roped off to preserve the temple. I might be tempted if I was given access but I know I won't make it halfway since I am afraid of heights.


Kukulcan means "feathered serpent".

• Group of Thousand columns

The colonnades remind me of the Luxor temple in Egypt, only that is smaller in scale and have rounded columns.

• El Mercado - the Marketplace

Compared to the Roman agora, this area is small enough for a marketplace. It is also inconvenient that you have to climb the steep stairs to reach the top. It might have been used for another purpose.

• The Ballcourt

From most descriptions, the Mayans have been playing the soccer game even before the Europeans. A rubber ball has to go through the round ring on the side of the stadium without using their hands. Only the hips and the head are allowing to touch the ball.
Sometimes games can end without anyone on the both team scoring. Once they did, the spectators present them a gift, usually jewelry or clothing.

• Platform of Skulls

It was known that heads of ritual sacrifice is displayed for viewing. It is located in front of the El Castillo, Kukulcan.

• Sacred Cenote

It was known to have virgins were sacrificed to the Cenotes to ask the Gods for rain during dry seasons. After a recent excavation, they have found 50 skulls which are primarily children. It is unknown how many were sacrificed since the excavation was done only on the 10 feet of water, another 10 feet of dirt haven't been dug up.



This place gives me the creepies!