Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is one of the most spectacular of the Maya sites.

The Castillo, a giant stepped pyramid dominates the site, watched over by Chacmool, a Maya fertility god. The city was built by the Maya in late Classic times (AD 600-900).

The major buildings in the north half display a Toltec influence. Dominating them is El Castillo.

There is a ball court with grandstand and towering walls. El Castillo stands at the centre of the northern half of the site and almost at a right angle to its northern face runs the sacbé (sacred road) to the Cenote Sagrado (Well of Sacrifice). Into the Cenote Sagrado were thrown valuable propitiatory objects of all kinds, animal and human sacrifices. In 1962 the well was explored by an expedition, which recovered 4000 artefacts. To the east of El Castillo is the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors), with its famous reclining Chacmool statue. This pyramidal platform is closed off to avoid erosion.

Chichén Viejo (Old Chichén), where the Maya buildings of the earlier city are found, lies about 500 m by path from the main clearing. The famous El Caracol, or Observatory, is included in this group, as is the Casa de las Monjas (The Nunnery). A footpath to the right of the Casa de las Monjas leads to the Templo de los Tres Dinteles (Temple of the Three Lintels) after 30 minutes’ walk. It requires at least one day to see the many pyramids, temples, ball courts and palaces, all of them adorned with astonishing sculptures. Excavation and renovation is still going on. Interesting birdlife and iguanas can also be seen around the ruins.

There’s a tourist centre at the entrance to the ruins with a restaurant and small museum, bookshop and souvenir shop with exchange facilities. Drinks, snacks and toilets are available at the entrance and at the cenote. The site is hot, take a hat, sun cream, sunglasses, shoes with good grip and drinking water.