‘Itza’ place you’ve gotta see!
From unwinding on a beach chair with frosty, tropical cocktails served hand and foot, to a winding swimming pool that snakes around your 5-star resort, to winding down in a luxury spa – what’s not to love about a Mexico vacation? Sometimes though, you feel a need to get off the property for a dose of culture or history, and that’s where a Chichen Itza tour comes in.
Chichen Itza Tours
One of the most visited attractions in Mexico, the UNESCO-listed Chichen Itza is a must when on the Mayan Riviera. Chichen Itza tours are a superior way to explore and learn about the ancient, yet in many ways remarkably advanced, Maya society that still intrigues visitors from around the world today.
Built between 750 and 900 AD, in the 10th century, Chichen Itza was the capital of this Yucatan region. In 2007, was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and today attracts more than 2.6 million tourists annually.
Your Flight Centre Mexico expert to book a day trip, group or private Chichen Itza tour as part of your Better Beach Vacations experience.
What’s Mayan is Yours!
There’s more to this incredible archaeological site than its photogenic appeal for your Instagram feed. The history of the Maya will enchant and amaze you.
Its famous pyramid structure is often mistaken as being Chichen Itza, but that is the name of the city itself. The landmark is actually El Castillo, which was a temple and constructed according to astronomical significance, the details which a fascinating Chichen Itza tour can provide.
Each side of the pyramid has 91 steps, which added together with the platform at the summit, adds to 365, the number of days in a year.
Those Maya Were Ballers
Other highlights of a Chichen Itza tour include El Caracol, a circular temple which served as an astronomical observatory. When archaeologists excavated Chichen Itza in the 20th century, they discovered The Great Ball Court. Athletic Mayans were into sports and built sprawling courts to play. Again, the mysticism of the Maya comes into play when you learn that from one end of the court, 545 feet (160 metres), to the other end, a whisper can be heard. The acoustic principles behind this ancient construction remain a mystery even today.
Discover more unforgettable stories and facts when you uncover the history of the Maya with a Chichen Itza tour. Contact a Mexico travel expert today for a customized trip to the Mayan Riviera that includes significant sights like this one.