The Road to Mexico's Chichen Itza

Take a Tour Bus from Cancun to the Popular Mayan Ruins

Jul 11, 2009

Tourists visiting the Yucatan can let someone else drive the three hours from Cancun to Chichen Itza. They can learn about the Maya and doze on the way back to the hotel.

Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, is a popular destination for Cancun visitors. The site consists of a giant stepped pyramid called the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, as the central figure, and dozens of stone structures including temples, a ball court, an observatory, a market place, and a sacred well.

Stops at a Cenote and a Mayan Village Along the Way to Chichen Itza

One tour company makes a stop at Cenotes Suyton, an underground “sinkhole” or well. The Yucatan Peninsula has no rivers, so all of its fresh water comes from these underground wells. Changing rooms are available for those who wish to wade or swim into the dim, chalky water beneath stalactites, bats, and swallows.

Since the round trip from Cancun takes an entire day, a stop for lunch is welcome. Kaua, a Mayan village whose name means “two tortillas,” consists of a handicraft co-op and a restaurant. The tour guides advise travelers that the crafts found here are genuine and the silver pure—unlike that found on the grounds of Chichen Itza, sold by squatters. After shopping, guests enjoy a Mexican buffet and entertainment by Mayans who dance in traditional garb with trays of bottles balanced on their heads.

Prepare for Sun and Lots of Walking at Chichen Itza

Upon arrival at Chichen Itza, guests should slather on lots of sunscreen. The sun is unforgiving between pockets of trees. Likewise, it’s wise to take plenty to drink, because a great deal of fluid will be lost through perspiration.

Just inside the entrance of Chichen Itza, there’s a refreshment stands and a gift shop containing a nice variety of books and videos, in several languages, about the site, the Mayans, and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Once inside the grounds, the tour companies usually split their guest into English and Spanish speaking groups for the guided tour. The grounds take up four square miles, so the formal tour might only cover the major aspects of the site, including El Castillo (the pyramid), the Ball Court, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Temple of Warriors, and the Platform of Venus. Afterward, there’s time to do a bit of independent investigation, perhaps to stroll past the many vendors to the sacred cenote, the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, or the steam baths.

Shopping Among the Outdoor Vendors at Chichen Itza

Regarding the vendors that the some tour companies advise against engaging, there are hundreds. It is difficult to tell the difference between their wares and the “genuine” items sold at the Mayan village. The reason tourists are discouraged from patronizing and encouraging them is because they’re on the grounds illegally and steps are being taken to throw them out. However, while the vendors are very earnest, they’re also polite.

After a long day in the sun, tourists can pat themselves on the back because they’ve learned a lot about the Mayan’s, but at the same time, they’ve probably exhausted themselves, so it’s time to take a refreshing sip of water and board the cool tour bus that’s waiting.

The copyright of the article The Road to Mexico's Chichen Itza in Mexican Travel is owned by Ann Silverthorn. Permission to republish The Road to Mexico's Chichen Itza in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.