Chichén Itzá is the most famous Maya archaeological site in the world — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Located in the town of Pisté, about 180 km from Playa del Carmen, the city brings together several buildings linked by Maya roads, the sacbés.
✓ Visited in October 202201La Gran Plaza
The natural starting point of the visit — the city's main square, around which all the other buildings are arranged.
02The Kukulcán Pyramid
The building everyone knows, the most photographed spot of any Mexican trip. Also called El Castillo, this temple was dedicated to the god Kukulcán. It stands 24m tall, across 9 levels, with a total of 365 steps — one for each day of the year.
03The Platform of Venus
Designed as a public stage, dedicated to ceremonies, rituals, dances and important speeches.
04The Tzompantli
The "wall of skulls" — an altar where the Maya impaled the heads of enemy warriors as offerings to the gods. No human remains survive, but the many skulls carved in relief are still visible.
05The Temple of the Eagles and Jaguars
A building named for its bas-reliefs depicting eagles and jaguars devouring human hearts.
06The Maya Ball Game
Pok Ta Pok in Maya — a ceremonial game where players had to get a 2-3 kg ball (hit only with calves, elbows and hips) through a 30 cm diameter ring set 8 m high. The game ended in human sacrifice, through mutilation or beheading.
07The Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns
Human sacrifices took place at the heart of this building.
08The Observatory (El Caracol)
Once nicknamed "the snail" for its shape, this astronomical observatory allowed the Maya to study the stars.
09Akab Dzib
"The house of the mysterious writing" in Maya — residence of Kokom Yahawal Cho'K'ak, administrator of Chichén Itzá.
10The Sacred Cenote
A site for ceremonies dedicated to Chaac, the rain god. Archaeological digs uncovered numerous offerings in gold, jade and copper, as well as human remains — some even originating from Colombia.
11The Ossuary (High Priest's Grave)
Connected to a natural cavity where bones, shell objects and carvings were found.
12La Casa del Venado
Literally the "House of the Deer" — a building unfortunately in an advanced state of deterioration.
13The Nunnery Quadrangle
With no religious function, this building is thought to have served as the residence of an important figure. Its name comes from the Spanish conquistadors, to whom its shape resembled a convent.
14Casa Colorada and Chichan Chob
The "Red House," named after traces of red paint found inside, and Chichan Chob — "small holes" in Maya, referring to the many slits in its upper section. One of the best-preserved buildings on the site.
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