Rising out of the thick rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Chichen Itza is a city of Mayan origin that traces its origin back over a thousand years. Mysterious and enigmatic, this site is home to the pyramid of Kukulkan, beautifully preserved and standing majestically above the surrounding landscape. Chichen Itza is also a tourist destination, and visitors flock to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to marvel at the stones, and imagine the lives of their previous inhabitants. Choosing the best time to visit Chichen Itza is an important decision.
What Was Chichen Itza?
Built by the Mayans in the forests of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city. The city thrived from around 600 CE to 1200 CE and was dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan (Temple of Kukulcan/El Castillo) which is a massive step pyramid.
The city was inhabited by a diverse array of people, and the ruins show a variety of architectural styles. Unlike the bare stone that can be seen today, when it was inhabited, the buildings were painted in a variety of colors. Nevertheless, the site is in a remarkably good condition, with some of the buildings having been restored.
Weather and Climate
Chichen Itza is situated in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula which juts into the Gulf of Mexico from the south. It has a tropical climate with wet summers and dry winters, and is located 122 miles (197 kilometers) west of Cancun on the coast and 74 miles (119 kilometers) east of Mérida.
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It is important to note that strong storms called nortes can strike at any time of the year and are quite common. With a liberal dumping of rain, these storms only last for up to an hour, and clear very quickly.
Throughout the entire year, the Yucatan Peninsula is hot with mean daily maximum ranging from the mid 80’s °Fahrenheit to the high 90’s (30° to 35° Celsius). Avoiding the rainy season (June to October) and coinciding with the slightly cooler months, the period of November to April is the best time to visit Chichen Itza.
Tourists and Crowds
Chichen Itza is open every day of the year, including holidays. Entry is free for locals on Sundays so this is generally quite a busy day. The best way to avoid the crowds and the midday heat is to get there as early as possible.
March 19-21 and September 22-24 are the times of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, and on these days the Temple of Kukulkan aligns with the sun so that the triangular shadows created by the steps on the pyramid mimic the movement of a snake as they crawl towards the head of the serpents carved in stone at the base. This phenomenon draws the biggest crowds.
Opening Times and Prices
Given the popularity of Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this is where most tours are organized from. Getting to Chichen Itza is not difficult, and the commute time is around two and a half hours from Cancun.
Visitors can expect to pay $614 MXN (around $34 USD at the time of writing), while those with Mexican citizenship can expect to pay significantly less, and those with a Yucatan ID even less. The site is open from 8am to 5pm and the last admission is at 4pm.
In total, the site has more than 20 buildings, including the Temple of Kukulkan, a large ball court, and a tzompantli (skull rack) where the heads of sacrificial victims were displayed.
Important to Note!
Seeing the Chichen Itza site from the vantage point of the Temple of Kukulkan is not possible. Visitors used to be able to ascend the steep steps to the top, but injuries and accidents required the authorities to prohibit public access to the temple. Visitors can still see the building up close, but climbing is forbidden!
Day trips will take around 12 hours including the commute to and from the site from Cancun. It is essential to pack sunscreen and water!
Chichen Itza is an incredible place. The monumental stone edifices and their facades stimulate the imagination and speak of a mysterious and fascinating culture that intrigues modern society. It goes without saying that a visit here is an unforgettable experience and it’s no surprise it was named as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
