Top Travel Tips For Chichen Itza – Wonder Of The World

One of my bucket list goals is to see all 7 of the wonders of the world. And the first to check off my list is Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is actually a complex of Mayan ruins. The main temple is known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan. Exploring the grounds, you can also visit the Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. Of course, the goal of seeing one of the wonders of the world is to get the place all to yourself. But most times that is not possible. This blog is to give you all the helpful travel tips and tricks so that you can get the most out of your trip to Chichen Itza!

Where Can You Find It?

Chichen Itza is found about 3 hours away from Cancun in the Northern part of Yucatan, Mexico. The ancient city is known to have been there from around 600 A.D. to the 1200s. Once you enter there are many walking paths to take before you get to El Castillo. On these walking paths are many vendors approved by the government to sell at Chichen Itza. They are part of the Mayan community and are known descendants of the Mayan civilization. El Castillo is the largest and most popular temple at Chichen Itza. But don’t miss the other amazing sites such as the Group of the One Thousand Columns, the Temple of Jaguars, and the Great Ball Court.

How To Get There

If you are staying in Cancun, there are many options for tours to Chichen Itza. Bus, Car, or Private tours. You can drive yourself or hire a guide. If you drive yourself, it is a straight shot on highways from Cancun to the site. There is a toll so be sure to bring some extra pesos. Also, some tours do include a swim in the cenote! It is a perfect way to cool down after walking in the hot sun. I searched through hundreds of tours when researching Mexico. I decided to splurge and hire a private guide. This would give us more freedom to get there as early as possible, walk around the site and return when we needed to.

Best Time To Go

Our tour guide informed us that the weather at Chichen Itza is hot or hotter. That being said the seasons do vary. The best time to visit Mexico is between December and April when there is a high chance there will be no rain. Although the highs can still get into the 80s, the coolest months in Mexico are December through February. The rainiest season is from May until October. It can also be very humid. The most important thing to keep in mind is hurricane season does occur from June to November.

Now that you have decided when to visit Mexico; what is the best time to visit Chichen Itza? I highly highly recommend getting to the world wonder at the earliest time possible. The tour buses typically start to arrive around 11 am. So if you are at the site when it opens, there is a lower chance of crowds. Plus it is cooler visiting in the morning.

Currency

Entry Fee (bring cash). There is a credit card at the site of Chichen Itza, but it is not always working. I recommend bringing cash so there is no stress as you visit the world wonder.

I highly recommend exchanging your cash at the airport before getting on your flight to Mexico. It’s a good idea to have cash for tips. And just in case you need it for the Chichen Itza entrance fee or a gift from the Mayan vendors.

Language

The official language of Mexico is Spanish. English is spoken near the hotels and resorts, but I highly recommend learning a few phrases in Spanish. (Please and thank you, I’m sorry, I don’t speak Spanish, where is the bathroom, and I need help.)

What To Bring

Here are a few items to bring on your trip!

Your camera, of course, you can’t forget this! Make sure it is fully charged and the memory is cleared. You will be snapping photos all day!

Water, you will want to have at least one water bottle per person. It can be hot as you are exploring the grounds, and it is good to be prepared.

Umbrella (for the hot sun and limited amount of shade)

Sunglasses and/or a sunhat again, to protect you from the sun.

Extra Tips:

How much time to budget? Typically the tours last all day. But if you are driving yourself I would budget at least 6 hours.

Food/drinks. There are shops, concessions, and even a restaurant located right before you enter the site.

What to wear? I recommend wearing good walking shoes, shorts, t-shirts, or a sundress.

If you are looking to get a photo without anyone is it. We tried to go behind the wall for a few pics. What do you think? Do you like the different perspectives?

Other Places To See In Mexico

Cancun is a perfect place to sit back and relax. It is also the perfect home base when visiting Chichen Itza. There are many resorts and hotels that line the beaches of Cancun. My favorite is the Iberostar Coral Level. This all-inclusive seafront resort is the ultimate getaway. A secluded area and a private beach in Cancun, Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Cancún will leave you speechless. The rooms are perfectly designed with top-rated relaxation and luxury; this is just the start of what awaits you. Soak in the breathtaking views as you roam through the entire complex. Satisfy your appetite at one of the many restaurants where you can savor flavors from all over the world while you take in the cobalt-blue Caribbean. My favorite is the Hibachi Grill. (There is also a buffet that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As well as the many bars to grab a refreshing drink!)

If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!