What to See at Chichén Itzá: El Castillo, the Sacred Cenote and the Ball Court

A Maya city that still amazes

Chichén Itzá is not a single monument but an entire city, with buildings that reveal the astronomical, architectural and artistic genius of the Maya. These are the sites you cannot miss and what they mean.

El Castillo, or Temple of Kukulcán

This is the iconic image of Chichén Itzá. Its four staircases add up to 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and its entire geometry works as a stone calendar. During the equinoxes, sunlight casts the shadow of a serpent that descends the staircase. What is more, if you clap in front of it, the echo mimics the call of the quetzal, a bird sacred to the Maya. For conservation reasons, climbing the pyramid is no longer allowed.

The Great Ball Court

It is the largest in all of Mesoamerica, nearly 170 meters long. Here the ritual ball game was played, loaded with religious symbolism. Its acoustics are astonishing: a whisper at one end can be heard clearly at the other. Reliefs on its walls depict the players and scenes from the ritual.

The Sacred Cenote

This enormous natural sinkhole was a place of worship dedicated to Chaac, the rain god. The Maya threw offerings of jade, gold and pottery into it and, according to archaeological findings, human remains as well. Dredging of the cenote has recovered priceless pieces that help us understand their religion today.

The Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns

An imposing platform surrounded by hundreds of carved columns that once supported roofs. It represents the blend of Maya and central Mexican styles and gives a sense of the monumental scale of the city.

El Caracol: the observatory

This circular structure served as an astronomical observatory. Its windows are aligned with celestial events, especially the movements of the planet Venus, which was central to the Maya calendar. It is proof of the advanced astronomical knowledge of this civilization.

Other points of interest

• The Platform of the Skulls (Tzompantli), with carved skull reliefs.
• The Platform of Venus, linked to the ritual calendar.
• The Nunnery and the Church, in the Puuc style.

Experience the history with Cancun Bay Tours

Exploring Chichén Itzá with an expert guide transforms the visit: every wall tells a story. At Cancun Bay Tours we take you from Cancun with certified guides who bring the Maya city to life. Book your tour and discover it in depth.