Chichén Itzá is a fascinating archaeological site located in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, making it a year-round destination. Plus, it's easily accessible from Cancún, Tulum, and Mérida for an easy day trip
See El Castillo (The Castle) – it's one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and served as a temple dedicated to the god Kukulcan. The pyramid's design aligns with astronomical events, creating a stunning visual effect during the equinoxes
The Great Ballcourt at Chichén Itzá features the largest and best-preserved ancient Mesoamerican ballcourt
Archaeologists have discovered a vast array of offerings in the Sacred Cenote nearest to Chichén Itzá, including precious objects, jewelry, and even human remains
Over two million visitors gather at the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá each year. Make sure you are one of them on your next Mexican holiday by booking tickets in advance, especially if you want to upgrade your experience with a guided tour or included transport.
Choose the right Chichén Itzá tickets for you:
Skip the line and get basic admission to the ancient site of Chichén Itzá. You'll see the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Interior Temple, Great Ballcourts, Sacred Cenote, and the Platform of the Skulls
Coordinate a day trip from nearby Coba or Meridia with roundtrip transport included, plus a tasty meal
Beat the heat (and the crowds) with an early morning visit to Chichén Itzá with an expert guide, as well as transport from Cancún and a delicious lunch
Arrive early to explore the site before the crowds arrive (and before the sun reaches its peak heat)
Avoid visiting in September and October – flights may be cheap, but this is considered hurricane season
The ancient site occupies 10 km2, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for your visit
Stay hydrated and bring plenty of bottled water with you on your adventure; tap water available at the site is likely not suitable for drinking
Accessibility
Parts of Chichén Itzá are wheelchair accessible, including ramps at El Castillo and paved pathways between sites
Due to the ancient construction of the pyramids, some structures are not wheelchair accessible
Uneven terrain and overcrowded areas may affect maneuverability
Ratings & reviews
About: Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá was one of the largest cities in the ancient Maya world. A sacred site of worship and a metropolis for daily activities, the archaeological site is full of preserved ruins, awe-inspiring pyramids, and divine temples.
Surrounding the site are cenotes, freshwater pools filled with brilliant blue water and the perfect spot to take a dip in the jungle.
One of the last cities inhabited by the Maya people, Tulum was once an important trading hub, generating enormous wealth exporting jade and obsidian. Now, it's a fascinating city-museum, with well-preserved temples and stunning coastal views.
Teatro Cirque du Soleil is a theater venue that currently hosts Joyà – an 80-minute long resident show by the renowned global performance group, Cirque du Soleil. It is located the Vidanta resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, and is the entertainment company's first resident show in Latin America.
The recently discovered Rio Secreto is an underground river cave full of stalactites and stalagmites that are literally millions of years old. The mineral formations here - and the experience of swim-hiking through them - is truly remarkable.
Xplor Park offers a day of adventure in Riviera Maya, just outside of Mexico's popular resort area of Playa del Carmen.
Visitors can ride 14 ziplines above the trees, go on underground river trips, drive on amphibious vehicle trails and more.
Ziplines at Xplor Park
There are 2.4 miles (3.8 km) of ziplines waiting for you! The highest zipline starts at 45 meters high (that's 13 stories), and there are even ziplines that end with a water landing.