Chichen Itza’s Maya Ruins

CHICHEN ITZA, Mexico – Chichen Itza is one of the most famous, most impressive, and most visited of the Mayan ruins sites on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

El Castillo at Chichen Itza

The symbol of the feathered serpent–the body of the rattlesnake, covered with the plumage of the quetzal bird–was to this civilization what the Cross was to the Christian and the Crescrent to the Saracen. Under this symbol the culture her Kuk-ul-can (Feathered Serpent) of Yucatan, Quetzacoatl of the Aztecs and earlier people, was first reverenced, then deified and worshipped.

Edward H. Thompson, “The Home of a Forgotten Race: Mysterious Chichen Itza, in Yucatan, Mexico,” National Geographic, 25, 6 (June 1914) 587.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the imposing structures of Chichen Itza, one of the most famous and most visited of the sites of Mayan civilization ruins on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. As impressive as Europe’s ancient ruins are, they have a fundamentally different feel than those in Central America. There’s a quiet dignity to what physically remains of the Mayan civilization.

Undoubtedly, that has much to do with their location. Whereas many of the European ruins are often in the middle of modern populated areas, making it easy to see the modern incarnations of those ancient times, (Pompeii and Herculaneum notwithstanding) many of the Mayan sites have been truly deserted for centuries and are surrounded by miles of forest. Modern archaeological efforts have tried to reclaim these ancient cities from the encroachment of tropical forest, but the built structures are at such striking odds with the thick forest that surrounds them that one can’t help ask “How on earth did they build this here?” quickly followed by “Where’d everybody go?” It all adds to the sense of mystery that you can’t escape when visiting what’s left.

There’s a quiet dignity to what physically remains of the Mayan civilization.

Located in the center of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza is a large Maya civilization complex centered around the distinctive pyramid known as El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan) pyramid. The complex also features the Great Ball Court, the most impressive of several such sporting arenas found at other Mayan sites, basically a long court with hoops built up on the walls and surrounded by spectator galleries. Precisely how they played the ball game is now a mystery, and the various reenactments you’ll see at some of the tourist sites are basically just guesses.

Unlike some other, smaller Mayan sites not far away like Ek’Balam, Chichen Itza has been converted into a quintessentially tourist-friendly site and makes for a great stop during a vacation in Mexico. The first giveaway is the parking lot with a dedicated tour bus section. Being only a little over 2 hours from Cancun (or about 45 minutes from Valladolid, if you’re looking for a more pleasant base), hordes of tourists stream in daily.

It’s a huge area and can accommodate a lot of people and has ample modern amenities, but arriving at opening time before the tour buses arrive makes for a much more pleasant and rewarding visit. It also means that you’ll probably not be inclined to hang around until evening for the nightly laser and light show that’s included with the price of admission, but somehow that doesn’t seem to me to be much of a sacrifice.

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Photos of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza Maya Ruins El Castillo Pyramid (081216094326_4470)
El Castillo lies in the center of a large plaza area. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Temple of Warriors at Chichen Itza 081216094316_4468
The Temple of Warriors.Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Venus Platform and Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico
Jaguar Head of Venus Platform and Temple of Kukulkan. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza 081216100518_4479
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Skull carvings at Chichen Itza
Skull carvings on the side of one of the low platforms near El Castillo. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
El Castillo at Chichen Itza
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Carving of Mayan King at Chichen Itza
Carving of Maya King. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Mayan Ruins Steps at Chichen Itza
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Stone Wall 081216095044_1962
A jaguar and eagle carved in stone. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Stone Columns at Chichen Itza
The Temple of Warriors. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Souvenirs at Tourist Market at Chichen Itza
Souvenir stands set up as a kind of small market along the sides of the dirt road running between El Castillo (in the distance) and the complex’s cenote. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Maya Ball Court at Chichen Itza 081216114734_4589
One of the “hoops” or goals on the side of the ball court. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Tourists with a guide in front of Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Venus Platform and El Castillo at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins in Mexico
Jaguar Head of Venus Platform and Temple of Kukulkan. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Warrior Depiction in Stone, Chichen Itza
Warrior Depiction in stone. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Souvenir Market at Chichen Itza
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Jaguar Head of Venus Platform and Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Temple at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Some of the more ornately decorated temples in a section a little away from the main El Castillo plaza. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Wooden Masks at Tourist Market at Chichen Itza
Colorful wooden masks for sale on one of the souvenir stalls lining the road to the cenote.Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins with Venus Platform at left
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Stone Jaguar Symbol
A jaguar head carved into the stone. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Platform and stairs at Chichen Itza
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Columns 081216094518_4471
The Temple of Warriors. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Jaguar Carvings at Chichen Itza
More depictions of jaguars, a common theme at Chichen Itza. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Excavation at Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico
Some excavations around the base of El Castillo. This was taken on a visit a few years after the photo at the top of the page. In the interim, the excavation project had been started. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Columns in Plaza of the Thousand Columns at Chichen Itza Mayan ruins
The appropriately named (with a little exaggeration) Plaza of the Thousand Columns. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Ball Court at Chichen Itza
The ball court. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Ball Court at Chichen Itza
One of the “hoops” or goals on the side of the ball court. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Tourists in front of the Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Maya Ruins Stone Carvings 081216114124_4561
Carvings in the side of one of the lower platforms. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Stone Columns 081216102932_4532
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza 081216102334_4516
Plaza of the Thousand Columns. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Maya Ruins El Castillo Pyramid (081216094230_1949x)
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chichen Itza Maya Ruins El Castillo Pyramid (081216092710_1917x)
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What to Know Before You Go

It’s a large, sprawling area with many isolated areas. If going early or late in the day, it’s a good idea to go with a group or a guide.

Map

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »