Chichen Itza: A Sensational Trip Back in Time

Chichen Itza (or “Chicken Pizza” as it is sometimes lovingly called) really needs no introduction, it’s one of the most well-known Mayan ruin sites on the planet and was recently named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.  Chichen Itza is an extremely popular site for tourists, not only for its beauty and historical significance, but for its accessible location in the state of Yucatan. A few short hours on a bus and travellers are taken back in time to an ancient city full of mystery.

The facts and figures and historical details about the architecture and culture are fascinating,   The evidence of the astronomical and mathematical knowledge of this ancient civilization is astounding.  This enormous city was built with such precision and such attention to detail, all with only the most primitive of tools and a lot of back-breaking labour, without the use of the wheel.  The carvings and artifacts discovered at Chichen Itza and other Mayan ruins show an advanced civilization with powerful beliefs not only in science but in mythology as well.  The stories are rich and reveal much about the culture, but mysteries still abound.

I could write all day about the intricacies of this building or that carving or the significance of the angles of the structures, but I would rather appeal to your senses.  A visit to Chichen Itza is not just an educational experience (though it certainly is that).  Most tourists won’t remember the dates or mathematical calculations that went into building the pyramid, but the sensations and emotions of the visit will last a lifetime.

After a couple of hours on a bus, you descend the steps and are immediately struck by a feeling that the air is “different”.  A little sticky, it’s humid in the Yucatan, but with a freshness that can only be found in the jungle.  No pollution, no exhaust from thousands of cars, just pure air with the scent of the lush jungle foliage.  You see the HUGE towering palm trees with their rough trunks that seem to reach to the sky and you shade your eyes from the sun as you try to see their feather-like tops.  As you approach the entrance to the archaeological zone, you encounter the first evidence that you are in a place of antiquity, the low wall surrounding the site.  For me, this is when my heart skips a beat and my feet start to tingle, I am standing on ground where the ancients once walked and am about to embark on a great adventure.

Suddenly, you hear a loud ROAR!!!!, the cry of a jaguar echoes through the trees!  You panic for a moment until you realize it’s just an artisan with a small toy that can replicate the jaguar’s voice, “10 pesos, cheaper than Walmart”, he says.  You laugh at yourself, smile at the vendor and continue to make your way down the path surrounded by the deep greens of the plants and trees.  Tropical birds twitter and tweet from hidden branches and iguanas scurry through the fallen leaves as you follow the voice of your guide leading you closer to the heart of Chichen Itza.

And then you see it.  You’ve looked at pictures a hundred times, you’ve read the descriptions, watched the videos, but nothing can prepare you for the moment you first lay eyes on the Kukulkan pyramid.  It stops you in your tracks and you take a moment to try to soak it all in, marvelling at its immensity and wondering how on earth it was built with only human hands, no cranes, no bulldozers, just the sweat and dedication of the Mayan people.  As you approach you begin to note details, this is not just an organized pile of rocks, but an elaborate structure of platforms and steps, inlaid carvings of gods and symbols and sculptures of gigantic serpents.  You imagine the rulers and elite climbing the steps to make speeches to the masses below, their voices carrying with the magnificent acoustics of the site.  You slowly turn around, taking in the entire plaza, the endless rows of columns around the Temple of the Warriors, the Platform of Venus, the Platform of Jaguars and Eagles and the infamous Ball Court where the best players were sacrificed to the gods.  Sweat trickles down your neck as the sun beats down, you take a cool drink of water, close your eyes and embrace the moment.  The power of this sacred ground can be felt deep inside, over 1500 years of history vibrate through the earth and stone and becomes a part of you and you of it.  While cameras whir around you, you take a snapshot in your mind, not only of the sights, but of all the sensations  you are experiencing, the smells, the sounds and the emotions of this magical place.  This is a moment trapped in time, one you will likely never forget.

You continue through the site, learning about archaeology, culture and astronomy, trying to digest the wealth of information shared by the guides and the details you see in each building of Chichen Itza.  You imagine 100 000 people bringing the city of Chichen Itza to life, the children attending the immense school and the market bustling with the cries of vendors.  You envision the elaborate rituals and dances performed to please the gods and the sacrifices made to the sacred cenote. You marvel at the scientists’ abilities to track and map the stars long before the advent of the telescope.  You feel a sadness when you think of the Spanish arriving and destroying such a vibrant culture, robbing an entire people of their language, religion and way of life.  You take a million pictures, clowning for the camera or setting up that perfect artistic shot of light and shadow or video-taping the family waving from in front of the observatory.  All of your senses sated, the sights, sounds, aromas and emotions of this magical place fill you, you depart, taking with you a new perspective on the world.

For more images, please see our Chichen Itza photo set on Flickr.  Join our Chichen Itza Mexico page on Facebook and follow our Chichen Itza Twitter account, become a part of our community and share our love for this wonder of the world.

(Photos by Kelly McLaughlin)

Chichén Itzá and Tulum News

The famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum may be ancient, but they are still making news.  New discoveries, new activities and age-old experiences continue to attract thousands of visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula each year.

In exciting archaeological news, divers have recently discovered ancient human remains in a “cenote” (natural limestone sinkhole) near Tulum called “Las Calaveras”.  Nearly 120 skeletons have been found and explorers expect to find more, perhaps has many as 200.  The remains are apparently perfectly preserved and archaeologists speculate that they date from 125-236 AD, making them nearly 2000 years old!  The expedition has revealed that the cenote was most likely a burial ground, the skeletons were found with pottery and animal remains, offerings normally associated with burial or sacrifice.  The remains offer scientists an opportunity to study genetics and anthropology of the period.  This is one of the largest discoveries of human remains in the Maya world, a chance for the world to know more about this ancient civilization.

Bringing an ancient event to modern times, the spring equinox at Chichén Itzá is one of the most anticipated events of the year.  The Mayan stone masons built the pyramid with absolute precision, in perfect alignment with the stars, moon and sun.  On the days of the equinox, thousands flock to the site to witness the play of light on stone as the setting sun projects an image of a serpent descending the stairs of the pyramid.  March 20 and 21st are the zenith of this astronomical event, people claim their spot on the grounds in early morning in anticipation of the evening spectacle. The demand for tickets for these special days is high, book now to avoid disappointment, from Cancun to Chichén Itzá or from the Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, from $69 USD!  A small price to pay to experience the wonders of this mysterious event in a magical place.

Jumping to modern day news, Chichén Itzá once again will be the site of a phenomenal musical event.  Following the success of concerts by Sarah Brightman and Placido Domingo, Sir Elton John will be gracing the stage beside the Kukulkan pyramid on Saturday April 3, 2010.  The acoustics of the ancient city and the incredible voice of this super star promise to make this a night to remember.  Elton John tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from 1000 pesos to 10000 pesos.  Guests of the concert may choose to stay at the lovely Mayaland Hotel on the grounds of Chichén Itzá, a place of nature, peace and history or in the nearby town of Pisté at the Hotel Chichén Itzá.  The Yucatan Peninsula welcomes Sir Elton John, bienvenido!

We hope you are able to join us for one of these very special events, let Dtraveller be your guide to the ancient and the modern of the Yucatan Peninsula.  We’re passionate about our paradise and bring you local, expert knowledge on the region.  Happy trip planning!

Chichen Itza Field Trip

This week a group of us from the Dtraveller office were delighted to take a little trip to Chichen Itza in order to be able to offer our clients the best possible service.  Who better to provide information about a tour than someone who has actually been to the site and had the tourist experience?

Monday morning we were picked up by the friendly Grayline driver Felipe and whisked off to the highway in our comfortable, modern van.  We each received a little bag of breakfast treats and were ready for the drive to Chichen Itza.  We took one taco pit stop in Vallodolid along the way, a cute little Colonial town, kind of a “mini Merida”, then proceeded to the site of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

For a couple of us, this was our first trip to Chichen Itza and we were filled with anticipation.  We arrived at the Mayaland Hotel, had a good stretch and found our tour guide Delio.  We received our wrist bands and tickets and made our way inside the archaelogical zone of Chichen Itza. Entering the grounds you can actually feel the power of the site, something in the way that you breathe changes, the energy is incredible.  Delio was a top notch guide, he was very knowledgeable and provided us with an educational and entertaining dialogue. The mysteries of the Chichen Itza Maya are fascinating, how they were able to build their structures with such accuracy, placed so carefully to align with the stars and the sun with such precise calculations, all starting around 900 A.D., a long, long time ago. No matter how much one reads about the place, it’s nothing compared to being there and seeing for yourself exactly what the history and guide books talk about.  A magical place of history under your feet and in front of your eyes.

The tour lasted about two hours and we returned to the Mayaland Hotel famished and ready for lunch.  The buffet was perfect, food to satisfy everyone’s taste, cold drinks and traditional “Jarana” dancers in their beautiful Yucatecan dress entertaining us.  The handmade tortillas were by far the best I have ever tasted and the local specialty “cochinita pibil” was delicious. After stuffing ourselves with great food, we were ready to see more of the area.  Our driver Felipe offered to take us just about anywhere we wanted to go and the majority ruled, we wanted to see the cenote Il Kil!  It’s a quick five minute drive from the Mayaland hotel so we were there in no time.  We found ourselves in a hole in the ground, but a hole in the ground that looks like the garden of Eden!  We splashed around in the cool waters for a while then headed back to the hotel.

Our day was not over yet!  We gathered together at 7:30 at the entrance to the ruins and made our way to the grounds for the Light and Sound show.  It was a starry night, with cool breezes on the skin and fireflies dancing in the sky, the fresh air carrying the aroma of the jungle.  We settled in and were treated to a display of colored lights on ancient ruins accompanied by a tale of the history of Chichen Itza.  Everyone was entranced, it was a powerful experience.  We returned to the hotel for a late dinner and promptly fell asleep, after a full day, a full stomach and with our minds and hearts filled with the energy of Chichen Itza.

For anyone coming to Cancun, Quintana Roo or the Yucatan, I highly recommend taking a Chichen Itza tour.  Being here and not seeing Mayan ruins is like visiting Egypt and not seeing the pyramids!  You can see our full set of photos in our Chichen Itza flickr set and be sure to join our Chichen Itza Facebook page to share your own experiences and photos.

Chichén Itza Fall Equinox- The Mystery of the Serpent

One of the new Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Chichén Itza are a spectacular place to visit any time of year, but there is no more exciting time than during a spring or fall equinox. On September 20, 21 and 22, thousands will flock to this ancient Mayan ruin to witness a mysterious play of light on stone, when a shadowy serpent makes its way down the steps of the main Kukulcán pyramid.

While Mayan ruins are found in many locations in Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras in addition to several states in Mexico, Chichén Itza stands as one of the most famous and most significant ruin sites in the world. Located in the state of Yucatan, Chichén Itza is easily accessible from Cancun and the Riviera Maya and is a popular day trip or overnight excursion. Considered to be the center of the Mayan civilization, the ancient city covers roughly 15 square kilometers. There are about 30 excavated buildings, with perhaps hundreds more left to be discovered buried in the surrounding jungle. The most impressive structure is “El Castillo”, also known as the Kukulcán pyramid, 32 meters high with staircases reaching up on all four sides. The pyramid is adorned with intricate carvings and art, with various representations of the snake and the jaguar. During the spring and fall equinox periods, the sun plays on the stone structure in such a way that it appears that the body of a rattlesnake is descending the stairs to join the sculpture of a snake’s head at the bottom. It is a mystery just how the Mayans were able to accomplish this cosmic engineering feat, a mystery that continues to draw tourists, historians, astronomers and scientists from all over the world to the Chichén Itza equinox celebrations.

Join Dtraveller for the fall equinox at Chichén Itza, an experience you will never forget. Touch history and feel the magic of this astronomical event. Tours include transportation, bilingual guides, admission to the site, a buffet lunch and a visit to a nearby cenote. Comfortable footwear, sun protection and mosquito repellant are recommended. Contact us now to book your Chichén Itza Classic tour for only $77 USD per person, Chichen Itza Mayaland for $110 USD or Chichen Itza Overnight Deluxe for $210 USD per person including accommodations.