What to do in Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza means “at the edge of the well of the Itza”, in Maya. The name refers to the Itza people who founded the city in the 6th century. It was invaded towards the end of the 10th century by the Toltecs and then abandoned around 1250, for reasons that remain unknown to this day. Here are some tips on what to do in Chichen Itza.
The observatory
“El Caracol” (the snail in Spanish, because of its shape) was the astronomical observatory of Chichen Itza.
Built around the year 900, it was used to observe the sky and make important decisions for the city. Thanks to it, it is estimated that the Maya managed to study 29 astronomical events (equinoxes, eclipses, etc.).
What to do in Chichen Itza: The sacred cenote
It was a sacred place where important ceremonies dedicated to Chaac, the god of rain, took place. Numerous offerings made of gold, jade and copper as well as human remains have been found at the bottom of the water.
Before going there, many visitors confuse it with Cenote Ik Kil, but they have nothing in common.
The colored house or Chichan Chob
It is called Casa Colorada because of the traces of red paint that have been found inside and Chichan Chob, “small holes”, because of the numerous cracks on the upper part.
Small Puuc temple, located in the nuns’ square, is one of the best preserved buildings in Chichen Itza.
Attend the Noches de Kukulcan show
Noches de Kukulcan is a nightly sound and light event at the site of Chichen Itza. It begins with a 45 minute audio guide tour of the main illuminated structures. Then, sit in front of the pyramid of Kukulcan to attend the magnificent projection show (25 min) which presents the Mayan culture. It is an absolutely magical show.
Buying souvenirs in Chichen Itza
There are plenty of souvenirs to buy there, but I noticed that they were more expensive than elsewhere. You will find the same, and cheaper, elsewhere. With so many tourists, they know they’ll get a good deal anyway. If you really want to bring back a souvenir, the sellers tend to want to negotiate down more easily when the closing time approaches, around 4 pm.
What to do in Chichen Itza: Explore the caves of Balankanche
A few kilometers from Chichen Itza are the caves of Balancanche, “throne of the jaguar” in Maya.These caves were an important place of ritual in the Mayan-Toltec era because they were considered the entrance to the underworld where many deities lived. Today, you can go down to a depth of 10 meters and visit the interior on a path of more than 1 km.
