More inspiring places

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichén Itzá – Mexico
Take a step back in time and discover the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá. A plethora of temples, pillars and statues surround the towering icon and focal point of the city, the remarkable Kukulkon Temple. The ancient El Castillo, as the temple is commonly known, is steeped in the incredible cosmological knowledge of the Mayans, with 365 steps to represent one solar year. Indeed all of the buildings reveal the captivating Mayan culture, of which Astrology was just one facet. Chichén Itzá's ball court is the largest known in the Americas, and the home of their dangerous sport which saw the losing team’s captain beheaded, if the carvings are to be believed. The Temple of the Warriors also points to the Mayans famous religious sacrifices, as the stone on top served steaming human hearts to the gods as offerings. This UNESCO Heritage site truly earns its place as one of the most immensely interesting and culturally significant places on earth.

Where is it?
The city is located on the eastern tip of Mexico, overhanging South America and extending into the Gulf of Mexico. Cancun lies 120 miles to the east.

What is it?
Chichén Itzá is a rugged ancient city full of sky-high pyramids, immense temples, astonishing carved columns and historically fatal sports courts. The City is traced historically as far back as 600AD, and was a major city for the Mayan people given its religious and ceremonial significance.

Best time to visit?
Chichén Itzá's climate is consistently tropical given its equatorial location, with consistently average temperatures of 34 degrees centigrade. Visiting the ruins is best in the mornings to avoid the hottest part of the day, as well as the most crowded times as many visitor tours arrive later in the day.

Must See?
Timing is essential for the most stunning attraction of Chichén Itzá. A true testament to the incredible Mayan cosmological and architectural genius, during the fall and spring equinoxes the suns shadow at sunset forms a vast snake's body on the Castillo pyramid. The shadow ingeniously lines up with a carved stone snake head at its lowermost point, revealing one of the most remarkable and singular sights on earth.

Speak to an expert

Need more advice before deciding which tour might suit you best and with whom to travel?
Our Phonethrough feature allows you to talk directly to an expert holiday advisor from each of the leading specialist operators who organise tours to the destinations featured.

Benefit from their in-depth knowledge and free advice, with no strings attached to give you the re-assurance that you are booking the right holiday for you.
Call the Freephone numbers or the 03 Phonethrough number. Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as to other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and calls made will come out of any inclusive minutes you have with your Service Provider. Ofcom rules dictate that 03 calls do not generate any money for the call recipient
Prefer to send an email in the first instance? Click on the email icon and submit your general enquiry or for a specific tour with a request to respond by email or to phone you back.
This will help you decide if they have the tour that best matches your requirements.

Our aim is to introduce and match holiday planning consumers with specialist escorted tour holiday operators & organisers. Please note that any booking you make is made directly with the tour operator, travel organiser or provider as Somewhere Special.travel does not act in any agent or booking capacity.

Call 0343 886 1264
or Email