Travel Guide

CHICHEN ITZA
Contents

DISCOVER CHICHEN ITZA 01

HICHEN ITZA PROFILE 03

CHICHEN ITZA ATTRACTIONS 04

CHICHEN ITZA DINING 08

CHICHEN ITZA SHOPPING 09

CHICHEN ITZA NIGHTLIFE 11

THINGS TO DO IN CHICHEN ITZA 12

 DISCOVER CHICHEN ITZA
At its height, Chichen Itza was the most important political, economic, and religious Mayan city in
the region that is now known as the Yucatan Peninsula. Today, all that remains are remnants of this once
magnificent city with roads, temples, markets, huts, and around 30,000 inhabitants. This has hindered the
interpretation of its many stone carvings, rituals, and construction. Even so, Chichen Itza still retains much
of the grandeur and beauty that characterized the city in ancient times.

The beautiful buildings of Chichen Itza guard dozens of secrets about the knowledge of the ancient
Maya. Every building has a purpose, as does their position and size. This is the case with the Temple
of Kukulkan, which perfectly marks the equinoxes and the summer solstice. Another example is
the Platform of Venus, a planet that, along with the sun and the moon, is also important in defining the
ceremonies that govern Mayan life. The Caracol or Observatory made it possible for the Maya to
understand perfectly the cycles of the moon, thus marking the dates that were favorable for planting and
harvesting crops.

A BRIEF HISTORY
The city of Chichen Itza flourished around the year 325 and its inhabitants built monumental stone buildings
near the Xtoloc cenote (now known as the Sacred Cenote).

It is estimated that around the year 1000 AD, civil war broke out that led to the violent fall of Chichen
Itza as the main political and religious center in the region. Evidence shows that the wood ceilings of
buildings, such as the Temple of Warriors and the market, as well as some of the other buildings, were
most likely burned. By the thirteenth century, the population of Chichen Itza was already declining, however
major religious ceremonies continued to be carried out at the Temple of Kukulkan and the Sacred
Cenote well into the sixteenth century.

1
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
La zona arqueológica que se encuentra actualmente abierta al público cuenta con aproximadamente
17 edificios (algunos parcialmente reconstruidos) y dos cenotes. Se calcula que en su época
de máximo esplendor, la ciudad llegó a tener una extensión total de unos 30 km². En el futuro
cercano se planea abrir un área -hasta ahora oculta para los visitantes- de casi 20 mil metros.
Este espacio conocido también como “Chichén viejo” cuenta con 13 estructuras de diversos
tamaños, así como dos grandes plazas.

Los colosales edificios que conforman Chichén Itzá se encuentran presididos por el Templo de Kukulkán,
uno de los más altos y notables de la arquitectura maya. También conocida como El Castillo,
esta edificación cuenta con cuatro lados, cada uno con una escalera que conduce al templo
localizado en la parte superior. Flanqueando las cuatro escaleras se encuentran balaustres
de piedra, y justo en la base de la escalinata norte, descansan dos grandes cabezas de serpiente que
representan al dios Kukulkán (la serpiente emplumada).

2
 CHICHEN ITZA PROFILE

Pre-Hispanic city named one of the New 7 Wonders of

the World.

Surrounded by lush vegetation.

Hot climate with lots of sun.

Located near colonial cities.

A variety of ecotourism opportunities nearby.

A world renowned night show.

Has its own airport.

Exhibit and sale of authentic Maya crafts.

3
 CHICHEN ITZA ATTRACTIONS
The impressive buildings of Chichen Itza have architectural and iconographic features that blend classic
Mayan design with elements from the cultures of the Central Highlands, an area that extends all the way
from Mexico City to Chihuahua. For this reason, many of its structures are unique to the Mayan region.

The mysteries surrounding the remains of this great city have been studied by archeologists for decades.
Many of these puzzles remain unsolved, however the findings to date reveal a great deal about this
interesting culture, their astronomical precision, and their controversial religious practices.

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is an archeological site that should be thoroughly
explored. Getting to know this fascinating Mayan city is a unique way to learn about the universe.

TEMPLE OF KUKULKAN
The Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, is the most iconic structure at the Chichen Itza
archeological site. This pyramid was built between 300 and 450 A.D. It has seven tiers and four
staircases, each with 91 steps, which add up to 364. In the center there is one additional step, for a total
of 365, the same as the number of days in a year.

The Temple of Kukulkan was built with astronomical precision that to this day continues to amaze
scientists. In the center of the second chamber of the temple is a throne in the shape of a jaguar
carved in stone. It is painted red and encrusted with jade to represent the spots of the animal, which is
believed to be sacred to the Maya. It is designed to be facing forward so as to keep the king’s audience
at a distance while he was presiding over public meetings and ceremonies.

4
THE BALL COURT
The ball court measures 551 by 230 feet in a flattened H-shape. It is bordered by 26-foot-high walls, the
tops of which serve as an area for spectators. The eastern part houses the Temples of the Jaguar, and
at the opposite end you’ll find the Temples of the Tiger, which serves as the limit of the course. At the
end of this temple there are vaulted areas that may have served as seating for high ranking political and
religious officials who attended the games.

Sticking out perpendicularly from the middle of each wall is a stone ring positioned 20 feet above the
ground. This served as the “goal” for the players to hit the rubber ball through. The rings are decorated
with reliefs depicting two entwined snakes fighting one another.

Another interesting feature of its construction is that if you stand on the Temples of the Jaguar and speak
in a slightly higher pitch than normal (no need to shout), people at the Temples of the Tiger –525 feet
away– can hear exactly what you’re saying.

SUMMER SOLSTICE
The solstices are another natural phenomenon that the Maya noted in their astronomical studies. The
summer solstice on June 22nd is the longest day of the year and at noon the sun reaches the highest
point in the sky, whereas the winter solstice on December 21st is the shortest day of the year and at
noon the sun reaches the lowest point in the sky.

The Temple of Kukulkan signals the precise moment when the summer solstice occurs, as the north
and east sides are fully illuminated and the south and west sides are covered in shade. From the sky, it
would appear as if the pyramid were diagonally split in two.

5
SACRED CENOTE OR SINKHOLE
The word “cenote” is derived from the Mayan word “dzonot,” which means sinkhole or well. Cenotes
are fresh water sinkholes made of limestone bedrock with vertical walls. They may also be located in
fully or partially collapsed caves. One of the most famous cenotes in the world is the Sacred Cenote at
Chichen Itza, which measures 213 feet in diameter and 115 feet deep.

The Sacred Cenote was the heart of religious activity of the Maya. Here they worshipped the water
god Chaac. As part of the rituals they threw valuable offerings into the cenote, including jade, textiles,
straw, and copper. For decades archeologists have conducted research to determine if human sacrifices
took place in the cenote. They determined it was likely that some people (mostly children) may have
accidentally drowned there. However, human remains found between 1904 and 1907 show clear evidence
of violence, which has led them to believe that bodies were thrown into the cenote after religious rituals.

Chichen Itza has many other interesting structures to explore, such as the Temple of Venus, the Nun-
nery, and the Group of a Thousand Columns. Come and immerse yourself in the magic that lurks in
every corner of this incredible archeological site, which was once the most important ceremonial center
in the Mayan World.

6
OBSERVATORY OR EL CARACOL
This fascinating building is named El Caracol (the Snail) because of the concentric circles and spirals
that form its internal structure. Although most of the astronomic observation chamber has collapsed,
the building was so well constructed that its role was easily identifiable by archeologists.

The Observatory is one of the most important buildings of Mayan civilization. From the inside you
can determine with great precision the position of the moon on March 21st, the sunset on each of the
equinoxes and the sunset on the summer solstice. This information was used as the basis for other stellar
observations of Mayan civilization. It is surprisingly accurate and serves as a guide for planting crops
and conducting religious ceremonies.

KUKULKAN’S DESCENT (THE EQUINOX)

Twice a year, on March 21st and September 23rd, you can witness Kukulkan’s descent at the pyramid
that bears his name. This spectacular show takes place during the spring and fall equinoxes, when
the days and nights last exactly 12 hours each.

In the evening on both days you can observe a shadow effect on the north stairs of the Castillo. Seven
triangles of light and shadow resembling a serpent descend slowly from the top of the stairs to the head
of Kukulkan (the Feathered Serpent) located at the base.

7
 CHICHEN ITZA DINING
The grandeur of the Maya goes beyond the structures, the prophecies, and the precise calculation of
cosmic events. It is also reflected in the quality and exquisite taste of the food. Yucatecan cuisine in
general incorporates ingredients from around the world.

Some ingredients that were essential to ancient Mayan cuisine, like pheasant and venison, have been
replaced with more modern ingredients, such as pork and turkey. Others, like corn, have remained part
of the original recipes for centuries and continue to be basic elements of Yucatecan cuisine.

When you visit Chichen Itza, don’t pass up the opportunity to try some of the famous dishes of the region,
such as papadzules (hardboiled egg rolled up in a tortilla and covered with pumpkin seed sauce),
panuchos (pre-cooked tortilla with shredded chicken and refried beans) lime soup, and chilmole or
relleno negro (turkey mole flavored with a charred chili paste). You can also try poc-chuc (pork marinated
in sour orange juice), stuffed cheese, pescado a la tikinxic (fish marinated in achiote and sour orange
juice), delicious tamales, or pork and beans, as well as numerous other specialties that you’ll find at
local hotels and restaurants.

The regional desserts are a perfect way to wrap up your meal. Some of the desserts worth trying include
tortas de cielo (almond cake with a hint of cognac), caballeros pobres (bread with honey and raisins),
margaritas de almendra (almond lilies), atropellado de coco (coconut and sweet potato balls), and
dulce de papaya (papaya candy).

8
 CHICHEN ITZA SHOPPING
Handicrafts are an important part of Mayan culture
because they are made using techniques that
have been passed down from generation to
generation. The most important sources of inspiration
for the artists are often mystical references and
their personal perceptions about the cosmos.

It’s common to find representations of Mayan

deities painted on leather, carved out of wood, and
engraved in stone. You’ll also find figures made out
of jade, obsidian, and amber, all of which were used
by the ancient Maya as personal embellishments,
currency, and offerings to the gods.

The embroidery of clothing is another way of honoring Mayan beliefs and traditions. Often, the designs
are reproductions of the engravings that decorate the main buildings of the archeological sites, but you
can also find designs featuring corncobs, snakes, frogs, diamonds and flowers. Each design element has
significance and a reason for appearing on the cloth, depending on its use once it has been completed.

Woven hats and baskets, pottery, and hammock making are some of the other characteristic handicrafts
inherited from the ancient Mayas.

At the entrance to the archeological site as well as in other areas of the site, you’ll find a modern version
of the ancient “tianguis,” or open-air market. Dozens of small stands and shops display beautiful handicrafts
made by these mystical artists, who are sometimes inspired by visions that come to them in their dreams.

9
PISTE
Piste is the closest town to the archeological site. Located just over a mile from Chichen Itza,
this small indigenous town specializes in the business of traditional handicrafts. In addition,
the town offers recreational activities and restaurants for visitors to Chichen Itza. It takes less
than five minutes to get to Piste from the archeological site, and it’s a great place to find gifts
and souvenirs at affordable prices.

10
 CHICHEN ITZA NIGHTLIFE
After touring this iconic archeological site and learning about the beliefs of the Maya and the mysteries
that surround this ancient civilization, you might be wondering if that’s the end of your visit. Fortunately,
the magic of Chichen Itza continues after the sun goes down and you won’t want to leave until you’ve
seen the famous light and sound show.

In the evening, people gather at the entrance of the archeological site and wait to enter. If you don’t
speak Spanish, you can take advantage of the opportunity to rent special headphones that will let you
listen to the narration in your native language. Once inside, you’ll be guided to your seat.

Unleash your imagination while experiencing

the sounds, colors, and ideas that will help to
provide you with a better understanding of this
ancient culture. The most important structures
at the site will be illuminated one by one, while
the narrator recites passages from the Popul
Vuh, which tells the story of the creation of man
according to Mayan theology.

Immerse yourself in the culture and take a closer look at the Mayas beliefs and worldview while admiring
the magnificence of the architecture.

After wrapping up your visit to Chichen Itza, you can return home with the satisfaction of knowing that you
now possess a better understanding of Mayan cosmology and the mysteries surrounding their civilization.

11
 THINGS TO DO IN CHICHEN ITZA
Enjoy panoramic views of the archeological site from the tops of the structures that are
open for climbing.

Admire the display of light and shadows that occurs at El Castillo during the equinox and
the solstice.

Take a bike tour of the gardens and trails.

Take photos at all of the important structures at the archeological site.

Swim in the nearby cenotes, which are fresh water pools where you can cool off after touring
the site.

Try delicious Yucatecan specialties, such as papadzules, cochinita pibil and poc chuc at
your hotel or in the nearby restaurants.

Stay at one of the hotels near the archeological site and immerse yourself in the world of
the Maya.

Visit the town of Piste, located just over a mile from Chichen Itza, to shop for handicrafts
at affordable prices.

Attend the sound and light show that takes place after dark at Chichen Itza.

12
www.BestDay.com

Viajes Beda S.A de C.V 2017. All rights reserved. Contact Us: contenidoweb@bestday.com