Chichen Itza Travel Guide

An impressive ancient Maya city located an hour and a half drive from Cancun airport.  The most visited archaeological zone in Yucatan , here you will find one of the most known pyramids and temples of the Mayan world, "El Castillo or Kukulcan Temple ", "El Caracol or the Observatory", and the majestic "Juego de Pelota or Ball-Court".   To fully enjoy this important site, plan to stay at least two nights in the area; there are small budget hotels in the nearby town of Piste , and truly quality hotels at the "zona hotelera de Chichen Itza " with their own private entrance gate.  Hacienda Chichen Resort stands out for its commitment to Sustainable Tourism, Maya Jungle Reserve, Bird Refuge, Maya Holistic Center: Yaxkin Spa, and its unique history as a 16th Century Colonial Hacienda; this small boutique hotel has the best bird-watching nature trails and gardens in the area.

Uxmal : Compact archaeological zone filled with impressive temples and courtyards beautifully built with what is known as the Maya "Puc" Style.  Rich in its massive decor, this site is a must for those planning to stay in Merida for at least two nights.  Recommended to book a day-trip tour and stay for the Light and Sound Show offer at sunset each day. Three hotels are near the entrance of Uxmal 's archaeological site for those travelers choosing to overnight.

Ek Balam: The most recently reconstructed archaeological site, a small group of pyramids and temples worth visiting for a few hours, the site is near the Colonial city of Valladolid, about 50 minutes away from Chichen Itza.  Mexican authorities recreated the top sculpted decor of EK Balam's largest temple in the manner of Tatiana P.'s drawings.  No hotels near it, but the town of Valladolid is close and has several hotel options.