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 The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichén-Itzá are over 1500 years old and are located only 75 miles
 the witch water). Some say this is because people were often thrown into the nearby cenote as
 sacrifices, and those who survived were believed to be seers.

 The ruins of Chichén-Itzá lie about midway between Cancún and Mérida, so that the journey from
 each city takes around tow or three hours via the new expressway. It is possible to see the main
 structures on a day trip from Cancún, and many tour buses do just this resulting in a large influx of
 visitors around 10 – 11 am. Chichén-Itzá is the most visited site in the Yucatán and it can get very
 crowded here, so if at all possible try to arrive soon after the 8 am opening. This will give you time
 to climb the Pyramid of Kukulkán before it gets too hot, and will allow you to view the whole site
 from the top before the crowds swarm in. Alternatively, leave your visit until later in the day and
 good understanding of the site, which covers four square miles.

 Chichén." All three can be seen comfortably in one day.

 Try to visit Chichén-Itzá early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as the sun can be punishing at
 midday. The main attraction is the central pyramid, The Pyramid of Kukulkán “El Castillo de la
 Serpiente Emplumada,” which means "Castle of the feathered Serpent." The feathered serpent is a
 popular deity in various Mesoamerican cultures. Among other names, the Mayans called this God
 Kukulkán. It is sometimes possible to visit the inside passageway of the pyramid, but we would
 encourage visitors who are claustrophobic to skip that part of the adventure.

 If you are up to the challenge, inside you will find a narrowly enclosed staircase that leads to a
 Chaac Mool, an altar where sacrificial hearts were placed to be offered to the gods. Climbing to the
 top of the pyramid is a popular thing to do, and a guide rope is provided. Take it slowly and you
 will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Yucatán from the top.

 Just beyond El Castillo you will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called
 “Pok ta Pok.” Anthropologists believe that the object of the game was to hurl a ball through a ring
 would attempt to pass the ball - using any body part except their hands - to their captain who would
 attempt the shot using a racket of sorts. The captain of the team that made the first successful shot
 was then decapitated as a sacrifice to the gods. This was seen as an honor and guaranteed entrance
 into heaven.

 There is a certain mystical energy about the ball court that begs to be experienced first-hand. One
 fact worth noting is the repetition of the number seven, which was sacred to the Mayans. There
 depict the ball players (some of which are remarkably intact) and after the captain is beheaded,
 seven serpents grow out of his neck.
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 22, 2012, the great warrior serpent Kukulkán will rise from the ground beneath the playing field and
 end the world for good. Even if you're not one to believe in predictions, it's still exhilarating and
 eerie to stand in the middle of the court, close your eyes and imagine.

 Chichén-Itzá has been widely studied, and excavated and restored more than any of the other
 and legends.

 It is clear that a large Mayan community thrived here between around 700 AD and 900 AD, and
 including the Pyramid of Kukulkán, the Temple of the Warriors and the Ball Court, are Toltec in
 design and influence.

 The Toltecs originated from Central México, and one respected theory suggests that the Toltecs
 invaded Chichén-Itzá and imposed their architectural style on new constructions. Alternatively, we
 single theory.

 Toltecs. According to Toltec history, in 987 AD the legendary ruler Quetzalcóatl was defeated and
 the same year, Mayan stories recorded the arrival of a king named Kukulkán, the Serpent God,
 whose return had been expected. Kukulkán defeated the Mayan city tribes, and made Chichén-Itzá
 his capital.

 Towering above the other buildings at 79 feet (24 m) high, the Pyramid of Kukulkán has a

 It’s quite a climb to the top, but once you are there you will have a terrific view of the rest of the
 ruins. The temple at the top of the pyramid has carvings of Chaac, the rain god, and Quetzalcóatl,
 as it was discovered.
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 From the Pyramid of Kukulkán, head north-east to the Great Ball Court, the largest of its kind in the
 Maya world. There are eight other much smaller ball courts at Chichén-Itzá and more in other Maya


 there are clear depictions of one team member with blood spurting from his headless neck, while
 was a great honor

 court is longer than a football pitch. The acoustics here are superb - a low voice at one end of the
 having to listen from outside.

 the platform used for the sacrifices resulting from the ball game.

 by the Platform of Venus. This is actually the route of an ancient sacbé, and leads to the Sacred


 Harvard, where some still remain (the remainder have since been returned to the Mexicans.) The
 cenote during play rather than as a deliberate act of sacrifice.

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 There is a small café/shop nearby and restrooms are available.

 been used to provide shade for a market place.

 The temple itself displays another aspect of Toltec architecture the use of “Atlantean figures,” or
 really aware of the diversity of the human race.

 Look also for the large Chaac Mool sculpture, again a feature of Central Mexican rather than

 oldest constructions, and is predominantly Mayan in design.

 creatures (the crab, the armadillo, the snail and the turtle) were believed to be responsible for
 holding up the heavens.

 snail. Also known as the Observatory, this tower was used for astronomy. Its windows were aligned

 At the entrance to Chichén-Itzá, there is an informative museum, a dining room, clean restrooms, a
 few gift shops and vendor stands. If you didn't bring a hat, it's a good idea to buy one from one of
 the vendors outside before you go in.

 For prices, reservations, availability and bookings please contact us at:

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                     11, RUE DU CONSEILLER COLLIGNON ° 75016 PARIS ° FRANCE
                      E-mail: ° Internet:
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