Cancun may well be the leading tourist destination in Mexico, welcoming guests to luxurious resorts and pristine Caribbean beaches lapped by turquoise waters, but impressive service aside, it’s lacking in one thing, and one thing only:
Culture.
Built as a resort hub in the late 70s, it doesn’t have the centuries of accumulated heritage to back it up as nearby Izamal, Merida, and other colonial-era cities do, but that’s not to say visitors can’t experience Mexico’s ancient culture if flying to Cancun.
In fact, one of Mexico’s best-known historical sites, recently voted one of the world’s top experiences by TripAdvisor, is a short two-hour drive from Cancun, and it can easily be seen as a day trip:
Why Is Chichén Itzá So Fascinating?
One of Mexico’s prized 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Chichén Itzá is an archeological complex in northeastern Yucatán, a peninsula commonly associated with the legendary Mayans, and other native cultures that predominated in Mexico prior to the arrival of Spanish settlers.
Seeing as most of it lies in ruins today, it’s easy for visitors to forget Chichén Itzá was once a thriving settlement from its construction around 600 AD, to the its demise in the 13th-century, but the sheer size of the site gives us an indication of its importance back then.
There are more than 20 building groups within the complex, with a whopping 26 Mayan buildings to see, with varying levels of preservation, and as they’re connected by 75 tourist-friendly roadways, you can explore the area in full on foot.
It’s far from being the oldest Mayan site in existence, nor the most historically-significant, but it’s distinguished for being one of the best-preserved, centered around a monumental Temple of Kukulcan, locally known as El Castillo (or ‘The Castle’).
This temple is also a step pyramid richly decorated with stone carvings, and if you’re there this fall, when the autumn equinox is set to take place on September 22, you may be lucky enough to witness Chichén Itzá’s greatest manmade wonder:
When the sun casts its light against the northwestern edge of the pyramid, it produces a serpent-shaped shadow that seems to be descending the temple––yet another testament to the architectural prowess of the Mayans.
Other structures include the Great Ball Court, the Skull Platform, where the severed heads of enemies used to be displayed, the Platform of the Eagles and the Jaguars, and the Temple of the Warriors, guarded by a series of columns depicting Mayan heroes.
Recently, a brand new section of ruins has opened to the public for the first time: Chichén Viejo, a secluded compound of villas and palatial temples that once belonged to the Mayan elites, including the 1,372-year-old Temple of Stuccoes, among the oldest in the city.
This Is The Best Tourist Experience For Tourists In Cancun
Chichén Itzá is located 122 miles west of Cancun, and if you’re driving, it should take you 2h30 to get there, but between the well-documented car rental scams at Cancun Airport, and the unpredictable traffic, we wouldn’t recommend you go on your own.
Instead, you should book Sat Mexico Tour’s ‘Chichén Itzá, Cenote, and Valladolid: All-Inclusive Tour‘, that includes not only entry into the mystical ancient city, but also stops at a turquoise sinkhole nestled in the Mexican jungle, and the charming, Spanish-built town of Valladolid for lunch.
Pickup is possible from the Hotel Zone, where most Americans will be based during their trip.
The activity includes a live tour guide who will answer all your burning questions about the site and the Mayan civilization–a perk you wouldn’t get traveling solo.
At a duration of 12 hours, it is one of the most comprehensive excursions offered from Cancun, as well as one of the cheapest, starting from $29.50 to $59.00 per person on Get Your Guide, depending on season and seat availability.
According to TripAdvisor, this tour is ranked among the world’s top experiences, and in Cancun specifically, it ranks as the best in the city, based on thousands upon thousands of (mostly-positive) traveler reviews.
It is recommended by over 96% of travelers, indicating universal acclaim.
Are There Alternative Tours?
While it’s been ranked best on TripAdvisor, Sat Mexico Tour’s Chichén Itzá excursion is not the only one currently being offered from Cancun:
Their competitor TRIP ALLIANCE promotes an alternative Chichén Itzá experience coupled with lunch in the much-smaller, traditional Mayan town of Kaua instead of Valladolid, and one-hour of swimming at Ik Kil Cenote, from $32.20––64.40.
If it’s the Ancient Mayan World that piques your interest, and you’re not particularly keen on visiting smaller ethnic towns along the way, then Amigo Tours LATAM‘s Cobá & Chichén Itzá Trip with Cenote & Lunch might appeal to you, starting from $61.64.
Additionally, a new passenger train has launched from Cancun to Chichén Itzá, making it easier for independent travelers to commute without resorting to car rentals or guided activities if they’re not fans of big tour groups.
The archeological site is only 2h21 away from Cancun, nearly halfway between the resort zone and the Yucatanese capital of Merida, yet daily departures are limited.
If you plan on visiting Chichén Itzá as a day trip, we’d advise you to double-check the current timelines on the official website.
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