Known as the 'American Egypt', Chichen Itza is a monumental complex featuring both natural and man-made phenomenon.
Tied with two other wonders of the world sites in Latin America — Machu Picchu and Cristo Redentor, in terms of popularity, Chichen Itza, in Mexico, built-in 600 AD by the Mayans are a panoply of ruins situated in the dense jungle of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Edge Of Magic’s Well
Known as the 'American Egypt', the site itself is monumental featuring both natural and man-made phenomenon. Loosely translated from the Mayan language, Chichen Itza, can stand for, "at the edge of magic’s well.'
The water can very well be evident through two proximal large 'cenotes', or sinkholes that would carry water from the underground to the surface all throughout the year.
The magic can be evidenced through the architectural marvel and internal astronomic tricks that had gone into the making of the structures like the pyramid and the Temple of a Thousand Warriors aka the Temple Of A Thousand Pillars. Then there is the iconic El Castillo pyramid comprising 365 steps — one for each day of the year. Twice in a year — on the spring and the fall equinoxes — one can be privy to witnessing Kukulkan, the Sun god slither in the sun along with the steps of this 1,400 years old construction.
Stop For Photo-Op
Especially if you can catch it right, the last mention spectacle is easily the most photogenic backdrop, The spacious & grassy Great Ball-court — the largest Mayan playground, where the inhabitants of this Mesoamerican civilisation played a basketball-like game using a seven-pound rubber ball, surrounding the three sides of the temple adds its own magic. The Temple of a Thousand Warriors and its sprawling 1,000 pillars can and the Sacred Cenote, is not too shabby for creating those memorable clicks either.
Though one can't enter the pyramid or climb up the steps anymore, it's still worth a trek. All of these — about 2 square miles — can be negotiated on foot and should take 2 to 4 hours to complete. One can always hire a guide to contextualise and appreciate all there is to it or seek the help of complementary or purchasable online audio guidance.
Getting There
Despite being situated in a jungle, it is surprisingly well-connected. It is accessible via the Cancún International Airport, followed by a 2-hour drive on the highway and another 15 minutes off it towards the west by a bus or a cab. It can also be approached from popular spots on the Riviera Maya, including Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel island, or even the city Mérida to the east.
