Visiting Chichen Itza & Ik Kil Cenote: An Unforgettable Adventure!
- Apr 14, 2024
- 9 min read
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Visiting Chichen Itza wasn’t at the top of my list. In fact, it wasn’t even on my list. If I’m being entirely truthful, I had never heard of it until my daughter announced that she wanted to go there. One of her goals is to visit all Seven Wonders of the New World and, having accomplished two already, she wanted Chichen Itza to be her third. Since we do a mother/daughter trip each year, she asked if I wanted to go. Knowing absolutely nothing about the location, how to get there, or what to expect, I agreed, but quickly followed that with an email to Karolina Guilcapi, Owner & Destination Specialist at Sated Ventures Travels.
Getting a Travel Agent Involved
Can you get to Chichen Itza on your own? Of course. I can also build a stone retaining wall myself if I do enough research, but why go through all of that when there are landscaping experts ready and willing to assist you? Same with planning a trip like this, especially since the difficulty in lining up my schedule and my daughter’s schedule meant we only had three days for this excursion. But, Karolina made the process so easy. Within a few days, she sent a potential itinerary and it was perfect. Following that, we received a multi-page packet full of details to make our trip easier even down to what kind of outlets we’d find at the hotel.
What to Pack
Since most of your time will be spent in Cancun, you should download my visual guide "Your Essential Packing List: Beach Vacation" because it will have you covered for all the of the fun and sun portions of your trip. But, your excursion to Chichen Itza requires a completely different type of wardrobe! 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.
From Florida to Cancun to Chichen Itza
My daughter lives in Orlando, so it only made sense to fly from there. We purchased tickets on JetBlue and, since we were only going for a few days, we only took a carry on bag. (That is a story in itself!) However, with minimal baggage and TSA precheck, we were through security with hours to spare, so we took the opportunity to explore the newly opened Terminal C at MCO and found a wonderful restaurant overlooking the main hall where we killed time in comfort.
Once on the plane, our flight time was less than 2 hours and we arrived in Cancun mid-afternoon. Sated Ventures had arranged private transportation to take us to our hotel and the transport company had reached out a few days prior to our arrival with instructions to make our way to the Welcome Bar outside the terminal and look for their sign. This was easier said than done. The area at the terminal exit was a zoo. There were group tour drivers trying to corral large parties and get them to move them in one direction, multiple private transportation operators chatting with each other while waiting for their clients, taxi drivers at every turn asking if you needed a ride, security officers moving through the bedlam to make sure order was being kept, and dozens upon dozens of tourists who were there for the first time with no clue what to do or how to get where they were going so they were milling about in a confused daze.
Luckily, it didn’t take long for our driver to spot us and lead us out of the chaos to the quiet comfort of the SUV that was to be our transportation to the hotel, approximately 35 minutes away. The ride there was swift and uneventful until the last 15 minutes when we traversed through the section that was home to several restaurants, shops, resorts, and night clubs where signs proclaimed they were “better than Las Vegas nightlife.” But the slow pace gave us a chance to see everything and our driver was good at pointing out and explaining landmarks.
Where to stay in Cancun
Sated Ventures had arranged for us to stay at the Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa. The first thing I noticed about our hotel was the presence of security. Let’s face it. Mexico has a reputation. At the time of our travel, the Cancun area was under a Level 2 travel advisory which means “Exercise Increased Caution.” However, our hotel was gated with a security guard that signed all visitors in and out. Upon our arrival at the gate, I had to present ID before we were admitted.
As soon as we entered the reception area, I was pleased with the beautiful aesthetic of the beachside hotel. A porter took our bags and we were escorted to the Preferred Lounge on the first floor where the concierge checked us in and proceeded to make dinner and spa reservations for our stay that would ensure the best experience possible.
Dining at Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa
The all-inclusive resort has many dining options, but the highlights of our trip were El Patio, authentic Mexican cuisine, and Himitsu, Pan-American cuisine. The dress code for both of these restaurants is casual elegance and we had packed dresses just for the occasion. I wore a dress similar to this for El Patio, while my daughter opted for something like this. At Himitsu, we dressed with a little more flair because we were celebrating her birthday, so I wore a fun midi dress like this, while she opted for a one-sleeved party dress like this.
I cannot say enough about the service at either of these restaurants. Every need was attended to before we could even ask. Our glasses were never empty and our servers treated us as if we were the only diners in the room.
At El Patio, we started with chips and a variety of dips, which we followed with chicken enchiladas, each with a different sauce. For dessert, we ordered tres leches cake, and our server also surprised us with the souflee, which was beyond delightful.
At Himitsu, we sat at the hibachi table and the meal began with servings of sushi, followed by fried rice. By the time we were ready to eat the proteins and vegetables from the grill, I was so full, I could barely half of the incredible food on my plate. The meal ended with tempura fried ice cream and, because it was my daughter’s birthday, the manager gathered the servers together to sing to her and present a special cake. Such a lovely evening!
Visiting Chichen Itza
From our hotel, the ruins were about two hours and forty minutes west of Cancun, with toll stops along the way. However, Sated Ventures had provided private transportation for us, along with an English speaking guide for our trip inland. This was so convenient and allowed us to enjoy the surroundings as our guide pointed out things of cultural significance along the way, even taking the time to drive us through Mayan villages.
Upon arriving at Chichen Itza, our driver dropped us off at the entrance. We still had a significant walk in to see the ruins, but our guide kept up a running commentary as we went. Still, I was unprepared for the exquisite architecture that suddenly loomed before us. It was easy to see why Chichen Itza was inducted as one the Seven Wonders of the New World in 2007. The complexity of the main pyramid, the palace, the court where they played ball, and all the other buildings was truly a marvel to behold and offer a captivating glimpse into ancient Mayan civilization.
The main pyramid, El Castillo, is the icon of Chichen Itza and is likely the image that comes to mind when someone mentions the ancient grounds. The pyramid serves as an example of the Mayan's advanced understanding of astronomy and engineering. It is intricately linked to the Mayan calendar and even influenced how we keep time today. It is said that, during the spring and fall equinoxes, the positioning of the sun casts shadows on the pyramid's staircase, creating the illusion of a serpent descending—a representation of the feathered serpent deity Kukulcan.
Our guide was a masterful storyteller, explaining the significance in the numbers used during the building process of the various edifices, demonstrating the acoustics of the ball court, and explaining the etymology behind the names of the city and the gods. I was thankful for his expertise because all of the reference signs were in Spanish, a language I barely read and speak even less of. I also felt lucky to have our guide because there were many large groups there containing dozens of people and their tour guides were shouting to be heard. Our group was composed of myself, my daughter, and our guide who was extremely attentive and answered all our questions with ease.
Visiting Ik Kil Cenote
What is a cenote? That was the first question that escaped my lips when I saw our itinerary. Essentially, a cenote is a sinkhole formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing a pool of groundwater beneath. These sinkholes can vary greatly in size and shape, ranging from small, shallow pools to large, deep bodies of water.
Cenotes hold significant cultural and ecological importance in the Yucatan Peninsula, especially to the ancient Maya civilization. They served as vital water sources in an area where surface water is scarce. Additionally, cenotes were often considered sacred by the Maya and believed to be entrances to the underworld or portals to the realm of the gods. As such, they were frequently used for religious ceremonies, offerings, and rituals. The grounds of Chichen Itza contain a sacred cenote that was used for religious purposes and for human sacrifice.
Located only five minutes away from Chichen Itza is the Ik Kil Cenote. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and lush greenery cascading down its walls, it offers visitors a respite from the heat of the tropical landscape.
Ik Kil is 200 ft in diameter and 157 feet deep. Visitors take a winding rock staircase down to the pool of freshwater, which was approximately 72 degrees on the day we were there, but reportedly never gets warmer than 80 degrees, so it is certainly a refreshing dip. Surrounding the cenote, hanging vines and exotic plant life create a picturesque setting, adding to its allure and making you feel as if you truly might be on the brink of another world.
Returning from our Visit to Chichen Itza
Between the drive there and back, exploring the ruins, and taking a dip in the cenote, this excursion will take a full day. We left at 8:00 a.m. and returned to the hotel around 7:00 p.m. utterly exhausted and sore. It is not for the faint of heart, but you return with a feeling of immense satisfaction.
Visiting Chichen Itza may not have been on my radar before this trip, but it is now something I rave about. As a history buff and an art enthusiast, these ruins and the surrounding landscape have left their mark on me. From the intricate architecture of El Castillo to the tranquil beauty of Ik Kil Cenote, each aspect of this journey sparked an appreciation for the rich history and natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula. While I initially embarked on this adventure with little knowledge or expectations (and, believe me, there are things I wish I had known before I went), I have a newfound sense of wonder and curiosity about the ancient Maya civilization and their enduring legacy. Visiting Chichen Itza and Ik Kil Cenote has not only been a checkmark on my daughter's quest to explore the New Seven Wonders of the World but has also enriched our mother-daughter bond and created memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.
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