Deservedly the most famous of the ancient civilization ruins in Central America. Try to go early. We had breakfast just outside the gate and went in the moment it opened. By ten the tour buses start coming in. By two they start leaving. So, if you are there at eight when it opens and stay after four, you will have the place virtually to yourself and you will have the perfect light for photography.

Chichen Itza is a World Heritage Site located in the Yucatan Peninsula, about 117 miles west of Cancun. It was named last year as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This is of little surprise as its size, symmetry and astrological importance are a testament to the Mayan civilization. There are many tours available, many stopping at the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid where you will also get to see some of the cenotes for which this area is famous. A visit to this grandiose Mayan city is a must for anyone traveling to Cancun.

The Temple of Kukulcan
Dominating Chichen Itza is the instantly recognizable Temple of Kukulcan, which is the Mayan name for Quetzacoatl, and also known as El Castillo. The stepped pyramid has a staircase on each side and at sunrise and sunset during both the Spring and Autumn equinoxes visitors gather from all over the world to observe an unprecedented archaeo-astronomical phenomenon not to be missed. The corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of a plumed serpent – Kukulcan- and as the sun moves, the shadow of the serpent slithers down the side of the pyramid to fertilize the earth. Be sure to arrive early as Chichen Itza becomes packed for this remarkable event.

The Great Ball Court
The Great Ball Court is the largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica and can be found in Chichen Itza. It measures 166 x 68 meters and is 12 meters high with stone rings for the game and intricate carvings of intertwined serpents on the walls. The Temple of the Warriors The Temple of the Warriors is a large stepped pyramid with a row of carved columns at the front depicting the ancient warriors. At the top of the pyramid, protecting the entrance to the temple, is a Chac Mool.

El Cenote Sagrado
The Cenote Sagrado is the most impressive of the cenotes found in this area and measures an amazing 60 meters in diameter with sheer cliffs dropping down 27 meters to the water below. The Cenote Sagrado was used by the Mayans to conduct sacrifices to Chaac, the god of rain, during times of drought. Many objects such as gold, jade, obsidian as well as skeletons have been found at the bottom of the cenote by archaeologists.

Tours to Chichen Itza
These are just some of the Mayan architectural wonders you will encounter here. Ensure to take the time to explore Chichen Itza during your Cancun vacation – truly one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!

Chichen-Itza is other-worldly, but staring at the Pyramid gives you chills. Seeing the 'Snakes' cascade down the sides and knowing that was done on purpose it just amazing. Make sure you visit the observatory (the only ‘round’ building the Mayans ever built). The sink hole here is neat, but you can’t swim in it. On the way back to Cancun however, make sure you visit The Cenote Ik-Kil. This is one of the sink holes you can swim in and it is a blast!

I can't describe how it felt when I first saw the Kulkulkan Temple. It was my first archeological site. I was there on vacation. Climbing on the steps scared me a little because it was steep and I had to step down backwards to go back down again. I have to show you my photos on top of the temple. It's very beautiful, for me. One of the best memories I have traveling during spring break.

The archeologic site is big and well hold. It was a Mayan city where you still can find great monuments : El Castillo (Temple of sun), el Caracol (stars observatory), temple of 1000 colums with the Chak mul (sacrifice table) and even a cenote (natural well). For the small story, Luciano Pavarotti came a few years ago to sing there but he could climb on the top of the temple and had to be elevated by helicopter.