Visit Mystical Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico

If the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that experiences matter way more than things. Now both boys have flown the nest, our time to travel as a family is limited, and we  savor every opportunity we get. We were eager to visit Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico, since it’s the last wonder of the world on our list to complete our family goal of visiting all SEVEN Wonders of the world. During a trip to Cancun, Mexico we carved out a day to visit the Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico to experience this complex of famous Mayan ruins.

It’s relatively easy to take a day-trip from Cancun to visit Chichen Itza Pyramid by booking a local tour, driving yourself in a rental car, or taking the public bus. I’d recommend taking a local tour since it’s approximately a 2 hour drive each way, and our tour included a magical swim in a Sacred Cenote, located near Chichén Itzá.

However it’s important to note that it’s a FULL day tour (about 12 hours door to door), so be prepared with lots of water and snacks.

Swimming in a cenote in Mexico is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone and the water is crystal clear with a stunning blue-green color.

The water is cool and refreshing since it’s underground and the silence of the underground cavern is incredibly tranquil and calming and you can immediately feel the connection to nature.

Here are 5 interesting facts you’ll learn when you visit Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico:

1. The pyramid is also known as El Castillo, which means “the castle” in Spanish. You can see why when you arrive.

2. The pyramid has four staircases with 91 steps each, and when you add the platform at the top, it equals 365 steps, representing the number of days in a year.

3. The pyramid is designed to create an acoustic effect that mimics the sound of the quetzal bird, which was considered sacred to the Mayans.

4. The pyramid is aligned with the sun, and during the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun creates a shadow that resembles a serpent crawling down the side of the pyramid.

5. The Chichen Itza Pyramid was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

It’s not very complicated to visit Chichen Itza Pyramid on a day trip from any of the towns around Cancun, and it’s also fairly budget friendly, so you should definitely consider adding it to your bucket list!

Have you been to visit Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico?

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