The 14 best backpacking trails near Chichen Itza

We booked a tour to Chichen Itza from downtown Cancun and really enjoyed it. The site is beautiful and full of history, with lots of guides if you want to learn more. Just be prepared—it’s very hot and humid, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. The only downside was the number of vendors inside, which makes it harder to just walk around and enjoy the place without constant interruptions.

It is a great location, one of the seven wonders of the world, but our tour guide was awful. At the actual pyramid, we spent 20 minutes looking at him while he talked, with our backs to the thing we had travelled thousands of miles to see. On the bus on the way there we had a 30 minute commercial about the Mayan calendar, and a totally unnecessary stop at a shop who thought we were all born yesterday. Nobody bought a damned thing, because they charged about 10 times what anything was worth. It was great to see a wonder of the world, the trip could have been organised and scheduled so much better.

Another unique place in the world. 🤷 Chichen Itza is an ancient city of the Mayans and Toltecs on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. 👉🇲🇽 💚🤍❤️🇲🇽👈 In translation, the name means "at the well of the Itza tribe". ✍️ During my walk, I realized something very important. 🚨 Most people think, like me, that the entire Chichen Itza complex is one of the 7 wonders of the world. 😉 But alas, it is not so...👊 Only the Kukulkan pyramid itself is one of the 7 wonders of the world! 🌍 This place is one of the most interesting and mystical in the whole world. 👌

El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán) is the famous pyramid: each of its four sides has 91 steps; plus the top platform makes 365 steps in total — one for each day of the solar year. During spring and autumn equinoxes, the setting sun casts a series of triangles of shadow on one side of the pyramid’s stairs which look like a serpent (Kukulkan) “descending”. Kukulcán / Feathered Serpent The serpent figure plays a central mythological role. Kukulcán is a feathered serpent deity. The equinox “descent of the serpent” shadow effect ties architecture to myth, making the pyramid an astronomical calendar and mythic stage at once. This is one of the most powerful images: the idea of geometry, light, myth converging in one building. Light & shadow are dramatic. During the equinox, the angle of the sun causes the shadows on the pyramid stairs to look like a snake descending. A visual metaphor you can evoke. Chichén Itzá isn’t just architecture; it’s poetry in stone, guided by stars, ritual, and water. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Also voted among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Our guide was amazing! He was so kind and knowledgeable. He gave us tons of information and had visual aids to help. He gladly answered all our questions. Was very hot though! Bring water!! And plenty of pesos for shopping.

Take caps or umbrellas because it’s very hot in the open sun. Also, be prepared that the sellers will follow you so that you buy from them. We were also remarked that you can’t take pictures with a tripod, but they couldn’t explain it normally, so we continued to be photographed. The place is beautiful with great strong energy. The guides told interesting facts and it’s fascinating.

Words can't describe how impressive it is. Highly recommend getting a tour guide. They can explain everything and when you listen you will be shocked how advanced they were for their time. In credible knowledge and history. Their is also a Cenote but it got ruined by explorers looking for riches. That's why it's green.

One of the most unusual buildings at Chichen Itza is El Caracol, an apparent Mayan observatory with a circular shape in its fine stonework. This area of the park is much less crowded than most of the major monuments and has many subsidiary buildings in the area.

Through its windows, the sunsets are registered in the equinoxes and in the winter soistice, inus relating to dstronomnicei observation. It is also called Caracol because of the spiral staircase that leads to the top part, The circular tower IS not common in the.Maya area.

The Caracol astronomical observatory is located away from the main plaza of Chichén Itza so make sure that you don't miss it. There is no access to the upper levels of the structure so it must be viewed from some distance and the interior of the observatory is sadly, off limits. Still, it is a unique building and one of the most famous structures built by the Maya.

We arrived at 8 AM at Chichen Itza and already a long waiting line. We hadn't booked tickets online :( If we booked a tour with an official guide, we could bypass the waiting line; so we did. We visited with Alex an official guide the complete area of Chichen Itza. El Caracol was part of the tour. Alex told about the history, knew how to make the best shots.

We arrived early morning before the heat kicked in. What an amazing place, the history, the science and the stunning scenery a must see for any visit to the Yuchatan peninsula

This is really cool. The Maya were fascinated with the stars and watched them closely with the belief that they could predict events and shed light on the past. Seeing what they built in order to do that is impressive to say the least. If you're in the area, you can't miss a visit to Chichen Itza, it's an amazing site!

El Caracol, 'the Observatory', was for the Mayan people to observe changes in the sky through the openings at the top of the tower. El Caracol means 'snail' in Spanish, is due to the spiral staircase inside the tower. Beautiful archaeological site, definitely deserve a visit to appreciate the historical remains

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely amazing place - a must-see wonder! Chichen Itza is truly incredible and absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This place is simply amazing! The scale and preservation of the ruins are breathtaking. El Castillo (the main pyramid) is magnificent and the architectural precision is mind-blowing when you consider it was built over a thousand years ago. The acoustics at the ball court are fascinating - you can hear a whisper from one end to the other! Every structure tells a story of the advanced Mayan civilization - from the Temple of Warriors to the Observatory. The level of detail and craftsmanship in the carvings and stonework is extraordinary. This is a bucket-list destination that doesn't disappoint. The history, the architecture, the sheer presence of this ancient city is awe-inspiring. Tips: Arrive early to avoid the largest crowds and the midday heat. Hire a guide if you can - they bring the history to life with fascinating details you'd otherwise miss. An absolutely unmissable experience if you're in the Yucatan!

Chichén Itzá is a landmark historical site and truly a must-see when visiting Mexico. The ancient Mayan architecture, especially the El Castillo pyramid, is impressive and well preserved. Walking around the ruins gives you a real sense of the civilization’s history and achievements. It can get very crowded and hot during the day, so going early is best. We were quite surprised to see so many vendors inside such an important historical landmark—many of them frequently approached visitors to sell souvenirs.

Blessed to visit for a second time. This place is a truly remarkable heritage site with architecture and history of the Mayan culture. It’s believed 5k people once resided here. How they designed and built these structures are just amazing.

Nice archeological site with good descriptions. The downside is the large number of vendors accosting visitors as they walk through the site. Visitors can't climb on the structures, which helps protect them. There are plenty of guides available for people who want a better description of the structures.

Chichén Ítza felt like visiting another place in time. The sites of the pyramid, temples, platforms, ball court, observatory, and sacred centoe were stunning. Having insight into the history of each and purpose brought each to life. Definitely more than worth a visit for anyone into history.

Beautiful site. Pictures don't do it justice! Seeing it in person is SO different than the pictures! We went on an excursion with a cruise line and they really did a great job, but there was not NEARLY enough time to explore thing on your own. This will take a full day of your time at least to see it properly. But if a couple hours with a cruise line is all you have, I still highly recommend taking the trip!

Chichen Itza is a must to get immerse in the culture. There are so many people offering tours, but if you do your research, you can do it on your own. Inside the area there a hundreds of souvenirs stands….remember to use sunblock, hat and breathable clothes-it gets hot, you can bring bottle water or buy there…….

No you cannot swim in the sacred cenote and you also couldn't before. They used this cenote for sacrificial rituals and found bones of multiple bodies previously inside. The cenote is about 400 meters away (15 minute walk) from the "main parts" of chichen itza. So you can easily go there for a visit.

I don’t understand why people keep posting wrong and misleading information! This is a sacred cenote in Mayan culture (hence the name) and it’s (and always was) forbidden to swim here. It is a part of historical site located inside Chichén Itzá. It is not the most beautiful cenote, but worth the visit if you have extra time to walk in this direction (takes approximately 15 min one way from El Castillo pyramid). If you short on time I would suggest spending it at more significant sights and just read the legend about the cenote.

Amazing place to visit has a lot of adventures, lovely nature and amazing people. This place has a lot of history that will surprise you. It is a great place to relax yourself with the family. I will come here and visit again at anytime.

Like all of the cenotes I visited in Mexico each has something special about them. This one inside Chichen Itza was hard to view but nonetheless interesting. Was told that they’ve found gold trinkets, pottery and bones in the bottom. Sacrificing? Most probably but yet to be confirmed. Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Included in the entrance fee. A lot of vendors on the path on the way to the cenote. Refreshments available st entrance. Good toilets nearby.

It is a piece of heaven on the way to Chichen Itza. I like this Cenote mora than the other one on the way to Tulum. It is more naand gorgeous place to swim.

One of the best excursions I have been on.

I got there because of the tourist guide tours. It is very wonderful. You need to rent a vest to be able to swim. I would recommend to rent a car and go there yourself for tourist tours don't give you enough time.

Incredibly magical! There are no words to describe how incredibly beautiful this place is. Please use lots of sunscreen because the sun can be harsh on your skin. Apart from that, you'll have a great educational time and learn a lot about the importance of this game to the Mayan culture.

The Gran Juego de Pelota at Chichen Itza is the largest ancient Maya ball court, measuring over 500 feet long. It’s a stunning example of Mesoamerican architecture with high walls and stone rings. Visitors can imagine intense ritual games played with a rubber ball, often tied to cosmology and sacrifice. The acoustics are impressive, amplifying sounds dramatically. A must-see for anyone interested in history and archaeology—truly captivating!

The ball court at Chichen Itza was one of the most memorable parts of our visit. Our guide told us about the ancient game, its unusual rules, and the role it played in Mayan culture. The acoustics are truly impressive—you can hear how sound carries across the whole space. It’s a unique experience that you really need to see and hear for yourself.

The Great Ball Court is the largest and best-preserved ball court in Mesoamerica. Dimensions: 168 m long (551 ft) and 70 m wide (230 ft) — enormous compared to others found across the Maya world. The walls are 8 m (26 ft) high, with vertical sides and decorative reliefs showing players, captains, and what appear to be decapitation scenes. At the center of each long wall sits a stone ring, about 6 m (20 ft) above the court, carved with entwined feathered serpents — the goal. The Game Itself: Pok-Ta-Pok or Pitz It was a sacred ball game — part sport, part ritual, and part cosmic drama. Rules (as best historians can reconstruct) Because no full written rulebook survived, archaeologists pieced it together from murals, figurines, and Spanish descriptions. Players used a rubber ball, heavy (about 4 kg / 9 lb), solid and bouncy. The goal was to keep the ball in play and, ideally, get it through the stone ring (which was extremely difficult). You could not use your hands or feet — only hips, shoulders, elbows, knees. Teams could have 2 to 7 players, often with protective gear (belts, pads). A single successful shot through the ring might end the game outright — a nearly miraculous event. Acoustics & Architecture Clap your hands anywhere in the court — you’ll hear a sharp echo that bounces multiple times, like a rattlesnake’s hiss. This isn’t accidental. The feathered serpent god Kukulcán is tied to both the serpent sound and the equinox light show at the nearby pyramid. The court’s design may have allowed crowds or priests at either end to communicate or amplify chants, creating a ritual soundscape. The acoustics are remarkable. Whispers or sounds at one end of the court can be heard clearly at the other. There are many “sacbeob” (raised stone roads) that connected buildings and likely nearby sites. In the Great Ball Court you don’t just see history, you hear it: whispers carry across the stone like echoes from a distant past.

Both ends of the court (headers) are closed with platforms on which lemoles were out the arcest or them is artne south, its pillars supported a roof, possibly for protecting from the sun people with high social hierarchy, who watched the show. on the ooooSite Sice, tne North emole or emole or thei Bearded Man owes its name to a relief of a bearded character. Due to its size, it's likely that its purpose was to hold a very important character o that inside rituals could have taken place before or after the matches. 'There are two high walls with sidewalks decorated with rehers, uniting the court

We had a tour guide so it was an amazing education about ancient Mayans, and a beautiful historical site. We were there on the spring equinox so it was a mob scene, but very cool to be there on that day.

My visit to Chichen Itzá was truly an unforgettable experience that left me in awe of the ancient wonders of the Mayan civilization. The tour provided a wealth of information that enriched my understanding of this historical site, which is rightfully recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The sights at Chichen Itzá were nothing short of breathtaking, with each structure revealing the architectural ingenuity and cultural significance of the Mayan people. The intricate carvings, towering pyramids, and expansive plazas painted a vivid picture of a civilization that thrived centuries ago. One of the most impressive features of Chichen Itzá is the Temple of Kukulcán, also known as El Castillo. This iconic pyramid showcases the Mayans' advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, as demonstrated by its alignment with the sun's movements during the equinoxes. The sight of the serpent-like shadow descending the steps is a testament to the Mayans' mastery of architectural precision and celestial observation. While exploring the site, I was struck by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the Mayan temples, each offering a glimpse into a world steeped in myth, ritual, and spiritual devotion. The Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Observatory stood as remarkable testaments to the Mayans' architectural prowess and cultural sophistication. It's worth noting that the Mayan civilization is distinct from the Aztec civilization, with each leaving behind a unique legacy of art, architecture, and knowledge. The Mayans, who inhabited the Yucatán Peninsula and surrounding regions, crafted intricate temples and monuments that continue to captivate visitors with their grandeur and symbolism. In conclusion, my visit to Chichen Itzá was a mesmerizing journey through time, where the wonders of the Mayan civilization unfolded before my eyes. The combination of stunning architecture, rich history, and expertly guided tours made this experience truly unforgettable. Chichen Itzá stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mayan people and their extraordinary achievements in art, science, and culture.

El Templo de los Guerreros in Chichen Itza, built around 1200 AD, features a stepped pyramid with elaborate carvings of warriors, eagles, and jaguars devouring hearts. At the top, a Chac Mool statue guards the entrance, flanked by serpent columns. Influenced by Toltec architecture, it’s surrounded by the Group of a Thousand Columns. This impressive structure evokes the site’s military and ritual history—perfect for imagining ancient ceremonies in the Great Plaza.

It is really a shame that we cannot see the temple of the warriors as it appeared in its heyday. The reconstruction we get to see is only partial, it is missing its vaulted rooms and a roof that crowned the colonnade. Nevertheless it is an awesome sight, and one that everyone should see at least once. As with most monuments at Chichén there is no access to the ruins.

The Temple of the Warriors is one of the highlights of Chichen Itza. Like the other ruins in the area, it’s fascinating and full of detail, especially if you listen to a guide who can explain its history. Definitely worth a stop.

Warrior’s Temple is one of the impressive and important structures in Chichen Itza. The temple has four platforms with 200 round and square columns. This is were Mayans made human sacrifice. You really need a guide to explain the history and stories behind these structures.

This is another section within Chichen-Itzá archeological area. The influence of the Toltec culture in the Maya culture is shown on this temple. Perfect spot for good pictures 📸

Beautiful architecture site based on same grounds as chicken-itza! You can't miss it, unfortunately you can no longer climb/access the top of this structure however still beautiful.

Very interesting history, but we went on the hottest day in years so please be aware that shade is limited. The Temple is beautiful and the tour explaining how (and why) parts are destroyed was devastating.

Google directed us here for Chichen Itza (the location on Google is literally “Chichen Itza”) - the staff directed us to the end of the road and said here is where you buy tickets. They charge double the price and then send you to the entrance via a shuttle bus. Very dishonest, I would avoid this hotel for facilitating such a SCAM

Be careful. Google maps takes you to this place if you enter Chichen Itza. It is a hotel that is right at the back of Chichen Itza. They make it look like it is an official entrance and the next thing you have paid double the price of tickets you would have at the official entrance. They then drive you over to the entrance in a small bus and say that lunch is included when you get back. I had to complain a lot when we were picked up and managed to get a partial refund.

The restaurant in the hotel is terrible. Undercook fish, terrible desert and the entry salad with a sauce mayo/ketchup 🤣 avoid the food. They didn't even bring spicy salsa/sauce with our meal. The place look nice tho !

This property is in a prime location (next to the ruin) and beautifully furnished. However, a few things have caused it to be less than a 5-star experience. In the website, there’s a hotel shuttle that can take you to the ruin from the front entrance (as the side entrance adjacent to the hotel is closed), but once we arrived, they told us they can sell us a package for 350 pesos each to take us to the front entrance with a lunch, and they refused to call us a taxi because “there isn’t any outside.” Note a taxi ride to the front entrance cost 100 pesos and that’s how we got to the hotel in the first place. Their service is not necessarily a bad deal but the fact they decided not to help after learning we didn’t have a car doesn’t feel very hospitable. Note you can walk a bit outside of the check point (about 50 feet away from the hotel) to hail a taxi as there’re a couple of hotels nearby and taxi comes by often to drop people off. The room we got was very nice and has a nice view to the ruin (especially from the bathroom). Bear in mind there are a few flies hanging in there but this is normal for a tropical place, especially since there’s not a screen door to the balcony. We took a walk in the hotel which is quite expansive and have a lot of activities. Though a lot of them are not open. This is possibly due to holidays—we were there on Christmas, or maybe they have not fully recovered from pandemic. It does seem like they have ambitious plans but currently maybe more cost conscious and are focusing on things that would generate more revenue. The breakfast was tasty and reasonably priced (240/person) for a platter of omelet, fruits, bread and coffee/juice. All in all, we enjoyed our stay and would return in the future.

Google Maps shows that it is closed, but reservations can still be made on the website. I was a little worried that I would find that the hotel was not open when I arrived. Fortunately, the hotel was open and everything was normal. The hotel's environment is very ecological, with many birds and peacocks. The swimming pool is also very nice. It's a relaxing place.

Google maps brought us here for Chichen Itza then the hotel staff, more than one of them, tricked us into thinking this was the way to the ruins and we wound up paying double (about $100 US vs $50 US) to enter Chichen Itza. I would not stay here, who knows what else they are dishonest about. The food sucked also.

TOTAL THIEVES. This is a review of the Mayaland shuttle to Chitzen Itcha. They are preying on the ignorance of travelers. They charge $60 usd per person to wait 40 minutes to an hour for a shuttle to drive you the minutes around the block to the front entrance. If you have a car, you can drive yourself to the very front entrance and park at the entrance stairs for $110 pesos and then you can buy your own tickets for less than $600 pesos per person. I know this because after paying $180 usd for 3 people and waiting while 3 small shuttles were filled with too many people, we decided to drive ourselves and despite being a VERY crowded day we were able to park in the front entrance parking lot. DON'T FALL FOR THIS TOTAL SCAM!

Great place to overnight near Chichin Itza (10 mins). Nice pool and gardens, frre coffee and cake for breakfast, but gone fast. Rooms were nice and modern, everything works. Entertaining parrots in the garden.

Just WOW. The price? About 40 The room? SPOTLESS!!! The bed? No bed bugs!!! The service? SO KIND I WANNA TAKE THE LADY HOME WITH ME!! The location? Freaking sensational if you’re visiting Chichen. Andddddd they serve breakfast!!!! 2000000/10 I would come back here again and again

Beautiful spot and a great value. It’s right off a main road but it’s a quiet oasis. Staff were super helpful (though if you don’t speak Spanish, you might have trouble communicating).

The rooms are equipped, but not so big. On the main street, close to everything, 1.5 km to the archeological site. Some cakes and a coffee in the morning available, to start your day and a small pool to cool down.

Small hotel at the edge of town with rooms surrounding a swimming pool. 5’ drive from the archeological site of Chichèn Itza. Free water dispenser, airco, close to shops and restaurants. Poor Wifi, compensated by the lovely parrots 🦜 keeping you company.

This place is amazing, the service nice location. The room super clean,the pool the nature. I recommend this place 💯

I accidentally booked this hotel, and when I reached out via email, they assured me it was no problem and promised a refund. I thought I was in for a smooth ride—boy, was I wrong! After countless emails and zero follow-ups, I felt like I was stuck in a refund black hole. If you value your sanity and your money, steer clear of this place. Terrible service all around—definitely not recommended!

This has to be the worst hotel in the area. Stay away from it. The room smells like wet dirty socks. When I spoke to the receptionist about it she simply advised me to open the window because all rooms smells this way due to humidity. The severs at the restaurant do a poor job taking care of the guests. I waited for a while for someone to take my order but I had to walk back to my room without any food since they seem to be overwhelmed. Keep in mind there were only 6 people in the entire restaurant.

The room was fine. The personnel was plain unfriendly and the location is prime, were it not for the little detail that a local political squabble has gotten the path to the archaeological site closed and you need to take a car to go around the site via the road for 5 kilometers, while the site is frustratingly literally at your feet. Most people rake a day trip from far away, which is a shame. As unprepared for tourism at it may be, probably Pisté is a better option to stay in the area, where you'll eat much better at a fraction of the price here and are likely to have a friendlier, better experience overall... On the upside, the swimming pool was nice and much needed after a day in the site (and we were lucky and it rained a bit...).

Friendly staff, most of them are speaking really good english. Food was good, and the rooms are Clean. Nice pool with lots of plants, birds and tiny lizards.

Super location, only 6minute car ride to chichen itza. Hotel looks good, nice pool pretty flowers. Beds are very hard, would not like to sleep on it for several nights. But overall nice hotel, good service, clean.

Very quiet hotel, good value for $ Restaurant food Good, rooms clean and well serviced. Pool great.

This was the perfect place to stay during our visit to the area. While we didn't get to enjoy the pool, we did enjoy food and drinks and a quick game of pool. Our room was really nice, the beds were comfortable and room was beautiful. Excellent location and we were helped with getting a tour guide for our visit of Chichen Itza. We only stayed for one night of our road trip through the area but will definitely return to this hotel on our next trip!

Loved this hotel. There is a restaurant on-site, open from 7-10. You can eat right next to the pool and steps away from your room. The location is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. My room came with a twin bed and a full sized bed, a closet, a desk, a bathroom with a separate toilet. The hotel has an arcade machine, foosball, and a library with a pool table and tv with YouTube and Netflix. Ask the front desk for a taxi and a taxi arrives within ten minutes. There is also a bike rental.

Amazing, was an honour to see this wonder of the world on the equinox day. The guide gave an interesting explanation of the Maya civilisation which was fascinating.

The Templo de las Grandes Mesas at Chichen Itza is a small four-level pyramid resembling stacked tables, with friezes showing jaguars processing among trees and spears, plus a feathered serpent. Built during Toltec influence between 900-1200 AD, it once topped with a temple featuring serpent columns. Located next to the Temple of Warriors, recent restorations reveal vibrant inner murals. An intriguing gem highlighting Maya artistry—ideal for a closer look at detailed stonework.

Recently restored and rarely visited temple located next to the Temple of Warriors. The Temple of te Big Tables looks a bit like its much larger neighbor El Castillo with a sanctuary on top that resembles the Temple of the Warriors. It may not be very spectacular in Chichen Itza, but in many sites it could be the main pyramid. Worth to stop by if only to appreciate the archaeologists work

Fantastic experience glad to of seen all this history

I experienced this awesome historical place, it’s very interesting and the history behind it. I was on a tour and learned a lot… the place is pretty big and has many ancient things around there. So if your in Mexico and near Yucatán take a few hours and Experience this place…

A must visit for tourists!

Cool

You have to be here

(Translated by Google) Precious (Original) Precioso

(Translated by Google) In some parts they are well preserved, you can see the stone carvings in detail. (Original) En unas partes están bien conservadas, se puede ver a detalle lo tallado en piedra

(Translated by Google) Extraordinary place. (Original) Extraordinario lugar.