Chichen Itza
Grandiose, harmonious, sumptuous adjectives often used to describe the archaeological site at Chichén-Itzá, located 78 miles east of Merida and 106 miles from Cancun. Travel time from Merida along Highway 180 is approximately 1.5 hours, while travel time from Cancun along the excellent toll Highway 180 D is approximately 2 hours.
The archaeological site of Chichén-Itzá stretches over three square miles. The main construction, the pyramid of Kukulcán is an imposing 90-foot structure that encodes precise information about the Mayan calendar. Each face of the four-sided structure has 91 steps, which together with the shared step of the top platform add up to 365, the number of days in a year. At sunset on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, interplay between the sun's light and the edges of the stepped terraces on the pyramid creates a fascinating shadow display on the sides of the northern stairway.
A serrated line of interlocking triangles gives the impression of a long tail leading downward to the stone head of the serpent Kukulcán, at the base of the stairway. Recent studies by archaeo-astronomers have revealed that other structures at the site have significant astronomical alignments. The Caracol (Snail), is an astonishing 79-foot tower that used to serve as an astronomic observatory. Chichén-Itzá, perhaps more than any other site, bears testament to the architectural and scientific sophistication of the Mayan civilization.
Other interesting sights in the region:
Grottos of Balankanche - Grottos of 2 km of length that served as refuge to Mayan priests.
Natural well "Cenote" of Yokdzonot - Incomparable place to swim in crystalline waters; center of Mayan adoration.
Natural well "Cenote" of Ik-il - Only 5 minutes from the Hotel Villas Arqueológicas, a perfect place to submerge and to live nature to the maximum.
Natural well "Cenote" of Dzinup - The most famous of Yucatan and to the world, crystalline waters perfect to relax and to be surprised with its magnitude.
Colonial city of Valladolid - Churches, temples and streets, with a gigantic past full of history.
Colonial city of Izamal - First Franciscan temple in America, constructed in century XVI, hosted the Pope Juan Pablo II, the city is world-wide well-known as "the city of three hills".
Natural well "Cenote" of Zaci - Majestic ideal natural well totally covered; for adventurers within the city of Valladolid.
Temple of Sisal in Valladolid - Temple of century XVII with an impressive history.
Temple of San Bernardino in Valladolid - A place full of histories and legends; main church of the city of Valladolid.
Archaeological ruins of Ek Balam - In the middle of the peninsula, ruins little explored, and majestic Mayan vestiges.
Archaeological ruins of Yaxunah - Archaeological Zone, place where the so called white way ZACBE begins, which in the golden times of the Mayas was connected with the Mayan coast at Tulúm.
