Chichen Itza: My Shocking Encounter with a Wonder of the World

Chichen Itza stands out as one of the most celebrated sites globally. Its architecture is unparalleled, its magic beyond question. As a core focus for Shocknaue’s travel insights, delving into the essence of this ancient marvel is key. Keep reading to discover why experiencing Chichen Itza Wonder Of World status is truly remarkable.

To properly narrate this journey, I must first admit something:

I am Mexican and had never visited this incredible pyramid before. I had even less idea about everything surrounding it.

I moved to the state of Quintana Roo, Cancún, four years ago and had never had the opportunity, nor the interest, in visiting a site like this—a strange departure from my usual self, given that I’ve always been a lover of the archaeological sites I’ve come across during my travels in this wonderful country that I am so proud of.

Every kilometer traversed in this astonishing country is an adventure, a new flavor, an aura of colors, and a variety of sensations that never disappoint. Such is the case with Chichen Itza, a place simply breathtaking. After this visit, I am convinced why it is categorized as one of the wonders of the world. To tell you why, I’ll narrate my adventure step by step.

Are you ready? Here we go!

El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza, a wonder of the world

Embarking on the Journey to Chichen Itza

Despite living in this region for four years, I must confess that the reason I, as a local resident of Cancún, hadn’t been to Chichen Itza is because I don’t use a car. The reason for not using one is that I find great irresponsibility in the act of buying and driving a car, using gasoline and other resources that are very harmful to the environment.

Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and the southeastern region of Mexico are, in fact, one of the great lungs of the world. While tourism requires cars to operate, I believe there are mostly sustainable ways to function. One of them is not contributing to these issues and using public transportation or even walking as many kilometers as possible each day.

So, when I finally made it to Chichen Itza, it wasn’t by my usual means but thanks to Odigoo Travel, who invited me to experience and write about it. Upon reading about the opportunity and hearing their proposal, I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept.

The folks at Odigoo sent private transportation from my hotel to Chichen Itza. This turned out to be a significant advantage, offering a level of convenience and insight I wouldn’t have had otherwise. With their characteristic expertise, they suggested it for several important reasons, which, with the aim of sharing this valuable knowledge, I will enumerate below:

Skip the line in Chichen Itza

Curious about bypassing the queues at this magnificent site? You can easily skip the line and maximize your time exploring the Chichen Itza Wonder Of World. Get your tickets here!

The Benefits of Private Transport in Cancun

• Safety and Security: While the Mexican Caribbean is generally safe, having private transport provided by a reputable company adds an extra layer of security when exploring unfamiliar areas like the route to Chichen Itza from Cancun. The uniformed driver provided a professional and secure experience.
• Comfort and Cleanliness: The vans used were remarkably clean, with a pleasant atmosphere despite the heat outside and carrying multiple passengers. Air conditioning made the journey significantly more comfortable.
• Meeting Fellow Travelers: A surprising and enjoyable aspect was meeting people from around the world on the shuttle. This turned the commute into a social experience, leading to new friendships.
• Knowledgeable Drivers: Our driver, Javier, demonstrated excellent knowledge of the routes between Cancun and Chichen Itza, navigating traffic efficiently and ensuring a smooth journey.
• Affordability: While I was a guest, other travelers mentioned the private transport costs were quite reasonable, especially considering the quality of service, comfort, and professionalism compared to potential foreign tourist markups.

Transportation Services

Learn more about reliable private transportation services. Discover convenient ways to travel everywhere in the Riviera Maya!

First Glimpse of the Pyramid: The Great Surprise

After the pleasant journey from Cancún, crossing the Coastal Gulf Highway to Yucatán and connecting with fellow travelers, we arrived near the site and began the walk towards the heart of Chichen Itza.

When we started the path, we reached the Great Plaza, a perfect expanse leading to the Temple of Kukulkán. Even though I could already see it in the distance, the impression it gave me was enormous. It became even more significant when I stood underneath it and could admire it in detail for the first time.

I could describe it in many ways, but the feeling it gave me had more to do with absolute silence. Everything around me faded away, like when we mute the TV volume: suddenly, all the noises, the murmur of people, and the constant hum of my thoughts ceased to exist, replaced by an almost complete silence.

In the distance, I could only hear drops of water, as if there were a body of water nearby where drops were falling constantly. This gave way to the rhythm of the wind, which sometimes whispered and sometimes roared, capturing my attention.

I walked a bit closer to see it up close; I couldn’t believe how impressive it is, with its white stone, almost like an ancient palace, and that staircase that clearly resembles a stairway to the heavens. Ironically, it’s the same staircase that the great Kukulkán, in its snake form, descends every spring and fall equinox (in this case, we visited during the fall), reinforcing why chichen itza wonder of world status is so fitting.

Detail of the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid at Chichen Itza

Unraveling Mayan Secrets: The Equinox and Beyond

The guide explained a bit more about the significance of the pyramid as we waited for the descent of Kukulkan, the great feathered serpent. Although I don’t recall his exact words, a text from the National Geographic website describes the phenomenon well:

“The design detail of the temple allows the nine levels to project seven isosceles triangles of light: a luminous and magical serpent topped by the stone head at the beginning of the lintel. This is known as the hierophanies of the equinoxes, a fascinating play of light and shadows that lasts about ten minutes and repeats each year during the fall equinox (between September 22 and 23) and the spring equinox (between March 20 and 21), about three hours before sunset. It is worth noting that, although Chichen Itza’s case is the most famous, it is not a unique phenomenon, as similar occurrences are recorded in Uxmal or Tulum. This demonstrates the special calendrical symbolism in Mayan culture.”

He also explained the relationship between the pyramid’s steps and the Mayan calendar. The pyramid consists of 91 steps on each of its four sides, plus a final step at the top level. (91 steps * 4 sides) + 1 top level = 365. This total of 365 steps mirrors the number of days in their sophisticated calendar, highlighting the incredible astronomical knowledge of the Maya and further solidifying chichen itza wonder of world recognition.

While explaining all this and sharing fascinating anecdotes of Mayan mythology, the moment of the equinox phenomenon approached. We positioned ourselves strategically to witness the play of light and shadow.

After a few minutes, the first traces began to appear:

The shadow of the triangles on the staircase began to form gradually until the great Kukulkan became visible in all its splendor, allowing us to witness its symbolic passage through this ancient land and its journey to the underworld. It was a truly mesmerizing sight.

Not without marveling first, I took my camera to preserve the memory of this impressive moment.

Exploring Other Significant Structures

After witnessing the Kukulkan descent, we explored other notable structures within the vast Chichen Itza complex:

• The Platform of Venus: We observed this small temple dedicated to the planet Venus, significant in Mayan astronomy, and the mysterious death chambers associated with the Chac Mool figure found here.
• The Tzompantli: An imposing structure featuring representations of stacked skulls, symbolizing the enemy dead and the practice of impaling heads as offerings to the gods.
• The Temple of the Eagles and Jaguars: Figures of eagles and jaguars holding what appear to be hearts caught my attention. The guide clarified these represented offerings exchanged between the integrated Mayan and Toltec cultures, showcasing syncretism rather than sacrifice in this context.
• The Mayan Ball Game: As the largest ballcourt in Mesoamerica, this site held immense ritual and political importance. Decisions, much like today, were influenced by these sacred games.
• The Temple of the Warriors: Surrounded by a thousand columns (creating the effect of many more than the actual 200), this temple evokes images of ancient warriors, contributing to the mystical atmosphere of this chichen itza wonder of world.
• The Observatory (El Caracol): One of the most important structures for the Maya, used for astronomical observations that informed many of their decisions and calendrical calculations.

Observatory El Caracol at Chichen Itza archaeological site

• La Casa Colorada (The Red House): This building stood out due to the detailed designs on its facades and its distinct reddish tone, differing from other structures.
• The Osario (Tomb of the Great Priest): A smaller version of the Kukulkan pyramid, featuring mythological figures and a mysterious opening speculated to connect to an underground cenote, adding to the site’s enigmatic allure.
• La Casa del Venado (House of the Deer): Named for internal paintings, this site, though somewhat deteriorated, offers a glimpse into the ancient city’s residential areas.
• The House of the Nuns: Named by the Spanish for its resemblance to a convent, this structure’s architectural style is similar to other major Mayan sites like Uxmal and Kabah.

Unknowingly, I was living an experience that I had never anticipated, that I had never thought of. A journey in my mind was never present for some unknown reason, but I can say, without fear of being wrong, that it changed my life forever, solidifying my understanding of why this is truly a chichen itza wonder of world.

After this thrilling spectacle, the guide led us to another part of the complex, where we found yet another surprise while…

Reaching Cenote Sagrado Chichen Itza

After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at the location.

If you were to ask me, “How to get to the sacred cenote in Chichen Itza?” I could guide you with my eyes closed because everything along the way is so wonderful that it’s hard to forget how to get there. Beyond finding private transportation, the path to the Sacred Cenote is on foot, making it much more interesting. Despite the high temperatures, the truth is that it doesn’t feel like much due to the fascination generated by this great Mayan city. Also, the premise of the cenote is to refresh, of course.

Perhaps you’d be interested in exploring other natural wonders. See our guide on the 5 wonder of the world for more breathtaking destinations.

After a short walk at the end of the lateral path from the great pyramid, we arrived at Cenote Sagrado. This cenote is representative of Chichen Itza, as our guide explained, as sacrifices were offered to the gods here. Cenotes were considered by the Maya as portals to the underworld.

The Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza archaeological site

Paraphrasing the guide and his wise words, he shared this valuable information with us:

“The ancient Maya called these water formations ts’onot. With time and the mix of languages after the arrival and settlement of the Spaniards, the term Cenote was born. The ts’onot was the place where the Maya established communication with water deities, offering various types of gifts, including human sacrifice anchored to a specific prophecy related to virgins and their return to the earthly plane after the sacrifice.”

He added:

“This cenote has a diameter of approximately 60 meters and a depth of 14 meters. Archaeological objects of great cultural value, as well as human remains, have been found at its bottom, indicating periods of use during the peak of the Mayan empire in Chichen Itza. Later in history, it became a place of worship and pilgrimage, as some objects, dating their origin, come from Guatemala and Costa Rica, to the southwest of the USA.”

At the end of the tour, we left this cenote since, although the view is beautiful, it’s not suitable for swimming due to its vegetation, and it is now a UNESCO-protected site.

Getting to Cenote Ik Kil: A Swimmable Paradise

Just three kilometers from Chichen Itza, near the magical town of Valladolid, our driver Javier transported us to Cenote Ik Kil. This stop is a popular complement to visiting the chichen itza wonder of world.

Translated into Spanish, this Mayan word means “Place of Winds”, and the site has some peculiarities that are captivating. For example, the fact that the staircase descending to this ts’onot was built by the hands of 80 men without using any explosives or modern technology, showcasing remarkable artisanal magic.

Additionally, an important symbolic detail is that there are 91 steps that make up the entrance path or “stepped tunnel” to the underworld, referencing the four staircases of the Temple of Kukulkán, or in other words, the great pyramid of Chichen Itza. This connection underscores the deep cultural ties between sites in the Yucatan.

According to the official site of Cenote Ik Kil:

• The cenote Ik Kil has a depth of 48 meters.
• This is equivalent to more than two vertically stacked school buses.
• It’s 3 minutes from Chichen Itza.
• It has a restaurant where you can enjoy à la carte or buffet dining.
• It hosts Red Bull cliff diving championships.
• It has two platforms for diving.

Cenote Ik Kil, a beautiful swimming cenote near Chichen Itza

One thing I didn’t like was that I couldn’t fly my drone. Generally, when I visit places, I fly it to preserve panoramic memories.

However, upon seeing the signs indicating the prohibition of turning on or flying the drone, the staff kindly explained that there is an unexplainable electromagnetic phenomenon studied between Chichen Itza and this site. This mysterious situation hinders the proper functioning of these devices.

So, I packed up the equipment and began my descent through that tunnel of 91 steps. I’m not a person who suffers from vertigo, but I must add that this staircase is so perfectly constructed that it could be said to be foolproof. After a few minutes of cautious descent, I reached the cenote pool.

What impressed me the most about this place was the vegetation, the way those long vines descend, in search of water, a considerable distance (30-40 meters), and seem like living snakes. After this reflection, we decided to jump from the 4-meter platform.

I must admit that the water in a cenote is much cooler than I would have expected. The refreshing water can be even a bit cold at first, so be prepared!

The sensation of cold quickly changes to one that is much more imposing and incredible—the feeling of looking down and swimming in water so crystal clear that it seems to come from a movie scene.

Swimming in a cenote is one of the most highly recommended experiences. Even if you don’t visit the chichen itza wonder of world, I recommend looking for private transportation to Cenote Ik Kil and taking a swim, and perhaps trying its amazing buffet.

Thinking about other impressive natural landmarks? Check out information on the grand canyon wonder of world.

From Chichen Itza to Valladolid: A Magical Stop

While all these places share the characteristics of towns, the difference among these three lies in simple yet noticeable distinctions:

• Cancun is primarily a tourist city.
• Valladolid is a “Magical Town” (Pueblo Mágico).
• Chichen Itza is, in ancient terms, a whole city. And it’s also magical!

Understanding this context, we can appreciate the transition from the ancient city of Chichen Itza to the charm of Valladolid.

What is a Magical Town?

A Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) is a designation in Mexico given to places recognized for their commercial and touristic qualities at the state and regional levels. Such a place must engage in activities that reflect culture, historical value, accessibility, and safety.

It also requires a population of at least 20,000 inhabitants and a committed tourism committee with a long-term development plan, capable of conducting statistics and evaluations, and driving innovations in tourism products and services. The town must also undergo evaluation to ensure its historical events are relevant enough for tourism development.

With its rich history, Valladolid became one of the chosen towns to become a Magical Town. It witnessed the arrival of the Spanish and the subsequent blend of cultures, particularly in the southeast where large estates flourished and locals interacted with settlers, influencing the local economies.

Colonial architecture in the Magical Town of Valladolid, Yucatan

Valladolid: Experiencing a Pueblo Mágico

Upon arriving in Valladolid, we were greatly surprised to see the tropical colonial architecture, a style very characteristic of regions like the Caribbean and parts of South America.

It is also surprising that Valladolid’s downtown is completely uninhabited by locals, who travel from the outskirts every day to work in the commercial places and use the services offered there.

Although this was a quick stop, we were able to access the cathedral located next to the main square (zocalo), a Catholic place of worship featuring peculiar wooden rivets and sacred sculptures.

Leaving the church, we explored the small square, finding different local delights:

• Esquites (boiled corn kernels seasoned with herbs, butter, mayonnaise, cheese, lime, chili, and salt).
• Prepared corn on the cob.
• Cream ice cream in different flavors.
• Cafés and Mexican food restaurants around the square.

After enjoying a very Mexican craving called “Tostiesquites,” we regrouped and took the private transportation from Valladolid back towards Cancun.

Wondering how many modern wonders there are? Explore articles like what is the 5th wonder of the world or what is the newest world wonder.

The Return Journey: Reflecting on a Wonder

Javi indicated it was time to leave the cenote area. We helped each other exit, like the happy international community we had formed, and began the ascent of the 91 steps to reach the surface. The heat assisted in drying us off, providing a delightful thermal touch. We returned to the shuttle and started the journey back.

During the trip, Javi’s attentive and culturally enriched conversation made the stretch very light and enjoyable. He kindly allowed us to make a stop to buy some refreshing drinks, maintaining an air-conditioned environment agreed upon by the passengers. Finally, we reached our destinations. If I could add something about this experience, it would be that the service we received was completely safe.

Safe Transportation in the Riviera Maya

At no point did they make us feel uneasy or unsafe. On the contrary, they always kept us entertained, provided us with the best advice and secrets of experienced travelers. This reliable transport made experiencing the chichen itza wonder of world and surrounding areas stress-free.

Conclusion: Chichen Itza, A True Wonder

In the end, I can conclude that this experience did not disappoint. Visiting the chichen itza wonder of world was a profound and unexpected journey. The ancient Mayan city, with its breathtaking architecture, rich history, and mystical atmosphere, truly lives up to its designation. The journey through the sacred cenotes and the charming town of Valladolid added further layers to this unforgettable adventure.

I appreciate the opportunity to have visited such a powerful site as Chichen Itza and to share this encounter. It’s a place that offers not just historical insights but a deep connection to a vibrant past that continues to resonate today.