If you are planning a trip to Mexico this year, there is one place that likely sits at the very top of your bucket list: Chichén Itzá. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this ancient Maya city is more than just a photo op—it is a sprawling testament to astronomical genius, brutal rituals, and architectural perfection.
Having just explored the grounds in early 2025, here is everything you need to know to navigate the “Mouth of the Well of the Itzá.”
The Big Three: What You Can’t Miss
El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán): The undisputed star of the show. This 98-foot pyramid is a literal stone calendar. It has 365 steps (one for each day of the year), and during the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, the sun creates a shadow that looks like a serpent slithering down the stairs.
Note: You can no longer climb the pyramid to preserve the structure, but seeing it from the base is no less humbling.
The Great Ball Court: This is the largest and best-preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. Standing at one end and whispering allows someone at the other end, 500 feet away, to hear you perfectly—a feat of acoustic engineering that still baffles scientists.
The Sacred Cenote: A massive, lime-green natural sinkhole. While you can’t swim here (unlike the nearby Cenote Ik Kil), this was a site of deep religious significance where the Maya offered jade, gold, and occasionally human sacrifices to the rain god, Chaac.
Top Tips for the 2025 Traveler
Beat the Heat (and the Crowds): Arrive at 8:00 AM sharp. By 11:00 AM, the “tourist buses” from Cancún arrive, and the temperature skyrockets. If you prefer a quieter vibe, the late afternoon (after 3:00 PM) offers beautiful golden-hour lighting for photos.
The Maya Train (Tren Maya): New for 2024/2025, the Tren Maya now has a station near Chichén Itzá! It makes visiting from Mérida or Cancún significantly easier and more scenic than the old bus routes.
Sundays are for Locals: Entry is free for Mexican citizens on Sundays, which means it is the busiest day of the week. If you’re an international traveler, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday.
The “Shadow” Trick: Even if you aren’t there for the equinox, stand in front of the north staircase of El Castillo and clap your hands. The echo that bounces back sounds exactly like the chirp of the sacred Quetzal bird.
