Visiting Chichen Itza: Mexico's Wonder of the World

Updated: Sep 3, 2021

Dreaming about visiting Chichen Itza: Mexico's Wonder of the World? You aren't the only one.

Years ago, like millions of others I saw pictures of Chichen Itza, one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. I want to thank Every Steph, Expert Vagabond, and Audley Travel for providing priceless information to make my visit to Chichen Itza not only memorable, but efficient and enjoyable!

On Friday, August 13, 2021, during my travel to 7 Continents, I woke up and visited Chichen Itza, a new 7 Wonder of the World, I kept saying to myself during the day, wow, I got to do this today!

I not only dreamed about visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico's Wonder of the World, I real-lifed it.

New 7 Wonder of the World

Understandably after being selected one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in July the 7th, 2007,

Chichen Itza has exploded in popularity with over 2,500,000 visitors each year. Chichen Itza joined the Great Wall in China, Petra in Jordan, Christ Redeemer statue in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Colosseum in Rome and Taj Mahal in India to be grouped as the new Seven Wonders of the World.

About Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is an Archaeological Site with Mayan Ruins and Sacred Cenote.

Chichen Itza means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza”
Chichen Itza was the capital of the Yucatan peninsula from 900 AD to 1050 AD.
The Ancient Mayans were impressive athletes in Chichen Itza’s 13 ball courts.
Chichen Itza was an economic power and trading route of the Mayan era.
The most famous monument in Chichen Itza is El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan.

Chichen Itza Highlights

Chichen Itza is beyond what you may imagine in real life. It is majestic and magnificent in every way. There are plenty of Mayan Ruins to visit and learn about its history.

Chichen Itza is divided into Old Chichen Itza and Chichen Itza where you find six Mayan Ruins in the Old section, and about 20 Mayan Ruins in the New Chichen or Chichen Itza, for a total of 26 Mayan Ruins to see.

The main Mayan Ruin you see in pictures and on Instagram is the Chichen Itza Pyramid, El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kulkulkan. There are other important ruins like El Caracol or Observatory, The Temple of The Warriors and the Mayan Ball Game.

During my visit, I saw the four main Mayan Ruins as well as the Sacred Cenote, Picture from left to right is Temple of the Warriors, El Castillo, and Thousand Columns group. I spent about 2 hours at Chichen Itza with more than enough time to explore and capture videos and photographs.

El Castillo, Temple of Kukulcan

The castle is one of the tallest and most amazing examples of Maya architecture, it was built during the high point of the Itza-Cocom culture, during the decadence of Mayapan. It is a four sided pyramid, with a rectangular temple on the top. It is not possible to climb it. Sorry, my adventure lovers.

Temple of the Warriors

The temple is 40 feet high and 133 feet wide. The central temple shows reliefs of warriors and eagles and jaguars devouring human hearts as well as representations of the god Tlalchitonatiuh. It is generally roped off and you may walk around it.

Thousand Columns Group

This is a vast quadrangle. On the west side one can see the remains of four chambers, two of which were filled in so as to support a second floor. The columns were built between 900 A.D. and 1200 A.D. and show the remains of stucco covering, which would have been painted in different colors.

In addition, I saw the Sacred Cenote, Platform of Eagles and Jaguars, Venus Platform, and Ball Court.

Getting to Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is easy to get to from Cancun or Tulum, Mexico via Ado Bus. When I visited, I came from Valladolid, Mexico, about 45 minutes away.

I took a Collectivo, or small public van, for 40 pesos / about $2 USD each way. I took the Collectivo both ways. Note: This is the price in August 2021, and subject to change.

You will find the Collectivos close to the Ado Bus Station in Valladolid, Mexico.

The easiest is put in Ado Bus Station in your Waze App, and ask the locals. It is about 2 blocks away.

You'll know you found it when you see the sign or something similar.

Best Time to Visit Chichen Itza

On every blog I read, everyone said to go during the week and/or early in the morning for two great reasons. If you want to get there before the crowds, you want to get there early to get the photos and Instagram shots with no one in them. In addition, it starts getting hot. I was there before 9 am.