1.
Easily the most famous landmark in Chichen Itza. El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkan, was built to honor the snake deity Kukulkan. Its impressive and imposing architecture also reveals a lot about Mayan civilization, which you'll learn as you admire the striking structure.
Note: This 2.5+ mile long tour covers all the essentials of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam in 2-3 hours.
10 minutes
2.
Tzompantli literally means skull rack, and it was once exactly what it sounds like. This represents a place where the heads of sacrificial victims were placed following their sacrifice. The platform depicts warriors carrying human heads, skulls, snakes and eagles on all of the walls.
10 minutes
3. Cenote Ik kil
Otherwise known as the Well of Sacrifice, this is one of the most sacred sites in Chichen Itza. This exposed pool of water was believed to house the rain god Chaac, and was thus chosen as a sacrificial site in times of drought and flood.
10 minutes
4. Temple of the Warriors
Much like an expensive wedding cake, the Temple of Warriors has three thick tiers at the bottom with a small temple on top. It also features about 200 columns, each of which sports carvings of Toltec warriors in varying scenes.
10 minutes
5. El Caracol
El Caracol is one of the more interesting buildings of Chichen Itza. On top of this structure sit the remains of what was once an observatory. From here, the Mayans would watch the stars and try to infer things about the future based on the movement of the planets.
10 minutes
6. Las Monjas
The Nunnery, or Las Monjas, is one of the largest buildings in Chichen Itza. It's also one of the most archaeologically significant, owing to the huge number of texts inscribed into the walls, many of which mention a ruler named Kakupakal.
10 minutes
7. Valladolid
Your tour of Ek' Balam begins directly adjacent to the parking area for the ruin. Best known for the well-preserved tomb of king Ukit Kan Le'k Tok’, this archaeological site is packed with history and mystery. It's also one of the few places where you can still climb to the top of a pyramid!
10 minutes
8. Ek Balam Village
Several more attractions to see...
- Welcome
- Civilization
- Visitors Centre
- History
- Spanish Conquest
- Sacbe
- Defensive Wall
- Entrance Arch
- Mayan Ballgame
- Ballcourt
- Architecture
- Ceremonial Circular Steam Bath
- Religion
- The Acropolis
- Hieroglyphic Serpents
- The Tomb
- Top of the Pyramid
- South Plaza
- Today
- Farewell
1 hour