16 Things You Must Know Before You Go to the Mayan Ruins at Chichén Itzá in Mexico
- Jonna Royer
- Apr 18, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: May 6, 2024
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Have you heard of the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá? Located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Chichén Itzá is a marvelous place full of wonder, artistry, history, and science, which is why it was inducted as one of the Seven Wonders of the New World in 2007. It’s a trip that I cannot stop raving about, but, as with any trip, there are things you discover along the way that you wish you had known before you arrived. Allow my experience to be your guide. Here are 16 things you must know before you go to Chichén Itzá.
1. How long will it take me to visit Chichén Itzá?
Chichén Itzá is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, a couple of hours from any coastline, and it takes at least a couple of hours to truly explore the grounds and appreciate it. We stayed in Cancun, which was a 2 hour and 40 minute drive from the ruins. Once we arrived at Chichén Itzá, we spent four hours touring the site and then visited the nearby cenote. We left our hotel at 8 a.m. and returned at 7 p.m.
2. How big is Chichén Itzá?
This is another reason you want to allow for plenty of time. Chichén Itzá is huge! Encompassing 4 square miles, the ruins are quite spread out. You will want a great pair of walking shoes. I wore these because they are fun, fashionable, and still kept me comfortable all day.
In addition to the iconic pyramid, El Castillo, there are lots of things to see. You’ll want to visit the ball court, which is where competitions were held to see who would get the honor of being a sacrifice. Make sure you go to the sacred cenote, which was the site of human sacrifices and other offerings to the gods. And then there’s the “old” part of Chichén Itzá, which is hundreds of years older than El Castillo and is the home of the observatory and other incredible ruins.
3. How crowded is Chichén Itzá?
Surprisingly, it didn’t feel crowded at all. This is due to how big it is which allows the tourists to spread out. When planning your trip, you’ll want to avoid visiting on a Sunday because admission to the ruins is free on that day for Mexican residents, so it could be quite crowded.
4. Where can I sit and rest while I’m visiting?
I wanted to put this question near the top because this can be of vital importance to some people. There really isn’t any place to sit. There are very few benches and a lot of people sit on the ground when they need a rest, so this is something worth knowing especially if you are someone who needs special accommodations.
5. Is it accessible to those with disabilities?
Technically, there are wheelchair ramps at the entrance. But the majority of the grounds are very uneven and would be difficult to traverse for those that need special accommodations such a scooter, wheelchair, or walker. And, again, there really isn’t anywhere to sit and rest.
6. How hot is it there?
The temperatures at Chichén Itzá range from mid 80s in the winter to mid 90s in the summer, so it is hot and there is a distinct lack of shade. You will want an umbrella like this one to keep you cool! If you don’t feel like packing an umbrella, at least take along a foldable sun hat.
7. What should I wear to Chichén Itzá?
We went in March and it was already unbelievably hot, so you want to dress to deal with the heat. I found these amazing shorts on Amazon that were flexible, moisture wicking, and so light I barely knew I was wearing them.
Amazon also has these basic tank tops that I have in every color because I use them as a base for most of my outfits. Over my tank top, I layered a sun jacket. I'll admit that I had my doubts about this piece. It seemed counterintuitive to put on more clothing when visiting an area known for its blistering heat, but I loved it and wore it throughout the entire day. It is SPF 50+, moisture wicking, and, even though it comes in many colors, I chose white to reflect the sun which left me feeling comfortable all day long.
Because I wasn't sure if the shorts would stay up (they did) and because I love an accent piece, I bought this belt for my outfit which I've worn several times since then and I'm thinking about purchasing in some different colors. The last, and probably most important piece, is a good pair of walking shoes. I wanted something a little more fun than a plain old pair of sneakers and found these shoes, which were stylish, fun, and kept my feet comfortable all day.
8. Can I eat lunch at Chichén Itzá?
Even though there are dozens of souvenir vendors, there isn’t anyplace to enjoy a lunch on the grounds. At the time of our trip, there were two stands that sold beverages and snacks, but they were not well advertised or easy to reach, so you’ll want to bring your own. There is also a place to buy food at the entrance, but options may be limited or overpriced. Keep in mind that there are very few trash cans, so whatever you bring will need to stay with you until you finally find a trash receptacle. This travel cooler is perfect for carrying waters and a few snacks.
9. Are there restrooms at Chichén Itzá?
The facilities at Chichén Itzá are very limited. There are restrooms near the entrance, and a few here and there once inside the grounds, but they are not well advertised and can be difficult to find.
10. Do I need a tour guide to visit Chichén Itzá?
The obvious answer is no because there are options to do self-guided tours. However, I would highly recommend that you do get a tour guide. All of the reference signs are in Spanish and there is so much to know about this historical site that it is extremely helpful to have a knowledgeable guide to explain it all. We booked our trip through Sated Ventures and were able to have a personal guide, which was so nice, especially as I watched other guides yelling above the noise as they tried to herd dozens of tourists in one direction.
11. Is it safe to visit Chichén Itzá?
As with any tourist location, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings as inaccessible as possible. I recommend this anti-theft, unisex shoulder bag when traveling. But, for the most part, the grounds of Chichén Itzá are quite safe.
However, you do want to be aware of scams and this is where having a guide comes in handy. As we neared the turnoff from the main road, there was a man standing in the road wearing a fluorescent vest and waving an orange flag. Our driver went around him without even slowing. When I asked why we didn’t stop, my guide said the flagger wasn’t there in any official capacity and that he would get people to pull over so he could charge them to go any further. Not knowing any better, unsuspecting tourists would often pay the flagger.
Similarly, there are many “parking lots” as you drive in toward the main entrance of the ruins. These also are not sanctioned in any way and are similar to when there is a big game in the States and homeowners or business owners will allow vehicles to park in their yard for a fee. However, there is a paved parking lot for tourists near the entrance that is part of the location.
12. Will I be able to buy souvenirs at Chichén Itzá?
While the ancient site may not have many restrooms or food stands, it is brimming with souvenir vendors. However, be aware of what you’re buying. According to our guide many of the souvenir stands you’ll see contain items that are mass produced in China or a similar foreign country. But, if you pay attention, there are some vendors that are hand carving items as they sit there and our guide told us to buy from them, as they were authentic craftsmen.
Vendors are also quite pesky about plying their wares. Many blow cat-sounding jaguar whistles to get your attention and it is quite startling the first time you hear it. They will also entice you by telling you their items are only $1, but when you arrive at the table, you’ll find that’s not the case.
13. Can I use a credit card at Chichén Itzá?
It is best to have cash. Vendors will accept American dollars, but it’s best to have pesos. I also recommend having a currency exchange app on your phone. Some vendors will accept charge cards, but the item you want may not be at one of those tables or there may be a surcharge for using your card.
14. Can I climb the pyramid at Chichén Itzá?
Unfortunately, no. The steps of El Castillo, the iconic pyramid of Chichén Itzá, are extremely steep and dangerous, so climbing to the top was outlawed in 2008 and hefty fines were put in place for those who try to ignore the rule.
Although, some still try it to their own detriment. Not only will they get in trouble with authorities, they will have to deal with the outrage of other tourists. In 2022, a woman from Tijuana was reportedly mobbed by the crowd for climbing the steps. A similar situation occurred in 2023 when a Polish man attempted to climb to the top. It’s best to just observe the beauty of the ruins from the ground and take a picture to commemorate the event.
15. Can I bring professional photography equipment to Chichén Itzá?
Cell phone cameras are accepted without qualm, but professional photographers and videographers must apply for a separate permit. If you want to bring a tripod, that requires even more paperwork and permission is very hard to obtain.
16. Is it worth it to visit Chichén Itzá?
Absolutely! Chichén Itzá isn't just a destination; it's an experience that will stay with you long after you've returned home. As you wander through the ancient ruins, you'll be transported back in time, marveling at the ingenuity and artistry of the Mayan civilization.
So, there you have it—16 essential things you must know before embarking on your Chichén Itzá adventure. From planning your visit to navigating the expansive grounds, these tips will help you make the most of your journey to this awe-inspiring Mayan site.
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