How does it feel to check things off your bucket list? I’ll tell you how I felt when we recently visited one of the seven wonders of the world – Chichen Itza. The feeling was so rewarding and I was completely awestruck. You know how they say that it’s one thing to see something in pictures but it’s a totally different experience seeing it in person. That’s how I felt when I stood in front of this famous Mayan pyramid and tried to absorb its overwhelming beauty. Chichen Itza had been on my bucket list for a while now and earlier this year when my husband and I decided to make a trip to Mexico, we made sure to include this as part of our itinerary.
We dedicated an entire day to make a trip to this wonder. But since this was the most awaited part of our trip, we made sure to research and plan this day as impeccably as possible. I read a couple of blogs online to ensure that we knew what it takes to visit and all the things we should keep in mind before going here. Believe me, this was a worthwhile effort on our part because had we not known all these small details, we might not have made the most of this experience.
So here I am again, sharing all the helpful tips with you so that it can help you make the most out of your trip. Even if you’re not planning to visit Chichen Itza, some of these tips are still general enough for you to know before planning any trip.
Go there early
The gates open at 8AM and they’re open until 5PM local time. Since most of the crowd starts flocking in during the day, its a good idea to get there before noon to make the most of your time here with less crowd. That’ll also help you avoid the deadly heat in the peak summer months. If not early, then try going in the late afternoon, mostly after 2PM which is when we went.
Take a guided tour
We booked a guided group tour that picked us up from our hotel in the morning. This tour also covered two more stops i.e. Cenote and Valladolid. And the guide we got was a local Mayan resident so we got a wealth of information and learned so much about the history of this beautiful place. Also, since we went in a group tour, it was fun to explore things as part of the group.
Explore all the spots
Apart from the Chichen Itza pyramid itself, there’s many other spots here that have a lot of historical significance and stories of their own. Some such spots worth covering are The Great Ball Court, The Skull Platform, The Temple of the Warriors and The Observatory. Our guide took us around all these spots and also narrated to us all the history and significance of these. It was so enlightening and fascinating to learn about the Mayan culture and their way of life.
Carry sunglasses, hat and water
Chichen Itza has very warm weather for most of the year and there’s very little shade. There’s literally just a few trees here and there that will save you from the merciless heat. So be sure to carry sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a water bottle. In addition to this, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and sandals as you’ll have to walk around quite a bit. I chose to wear a flowy white maxi as it was very comfortable for me.
Pack a swimsuit
There’s many Cenotes around the Chichen Itza area that you’ll want to check out. The heat will also make you want to take that dip so be sure to pack a swimsuit.
Don’t bring your camera tripods
Camera tripods are not allowed so don’t carry them with you here. Professional photography and drones are also not allowed here.
Carry your passport for a stamp
Did you know that you can get a Chichen Itza stamp on your passport? Pretty cool, right? Sadly, we didn’t take our passports with us because none of the blogs I read mentioned this important tip so I am giving you a heads up that do not forget to take your passport with you. You wouldn’t want to miss this chance to collect a stamp for life.
Carry pesos
It’s easier to use pesos here and that’s what’s easily accepted here. Try to avoid using credit cards and have pesos handy with you. You’ll also need them to tip your guide if you hired one.
Carry snacks and drinks
There’s a few shops at the entrance that sell light refreshments, ice creams and snacks. But once you’re inside and touring around, there’s no place to buy all this stuff from. So make sure to carry whatever you think you’ll need for food and drinks. Its going to take you at least 2 hours to finish the tour so plan accordingly.
That’s it! As long as you follow all this, you’re on to a great tour. I promise that a visit to Chichen Itza will be worth all your time and worth all that heat in your face that’ll make you want to leave. So be sure to have lots of fun and take lots of pictures!
For other places to explore in Mexico, refer to the below links,
- 5-day Itinerary for Mexico – Here
- Travel Guide for Cozumel Island – Here
- Mexico travel guide for first time travelers – Here
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