Quebec to Panama 2017-2019
(North and Central America)
16 months - solo travel - Suzuki DR650

Chichén Itzá

February 9, 2018  —  Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico

Chichén Itzá is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by at least five cenotes that are an important source of water in this arid region. For archeologists, the city is still a mystery. Its chronological history is fuzzy, and the extent of its influence is not well known.

On the architectural side, the city is a mix of different styles, among which several are Mayan, and others are not. This huge site is pleasure to discover despite the excessive quantity of tourists. Indeed, it's the most visited site in Mexico with 2,6 million tourists in 2017. Wow... it's a few thousands every day.

Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
El Castillo.
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Sacred Cenote.
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico

To enjoy the site without the crowd, one must arrive early when the site opens. Even then, it's quiet for only about 15 minutes before the massive arrival of tour buses.

Most of the sites don't allow hawkers to enter the premises. Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán are two exceptions. Their presence greatly diminishes the magic of the place.

Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico
Chichén Itzá - Yucatán - Mexico