Chichen Itza Ruins

chichen itza

The Mayan name “Chichen Itza” means “At the mouth of the well Itza”. Itza is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that gained political and economic dominance of the Northern Peninsula of what is now known as Yucatan, Mexico. Chichen Itza is one of the most impressive Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula from the late classic AD 600 – 900 through the terminal classic AD 800 – 900 and into the early portion of the Postclassic period AD 900 – 1200. Chichen Itza was one of the largest Mayan cities, with the most diverse population in the Mayan world, a factor that may have contributed to the different architectural styles that you will find when touring the site.  

Kukulkan Pyramid or El Castillo, decorated with images of a serpent. This magnificent pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Mayan astronomy. The temple has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Each of the temples four sides has 91 steps, the top platform makes the 365th. Incredibly, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow in the shape of a serpent falls on the pyramid. As the sunsets, a shadow of a snake descends the steps, joining a stone serpent head at the base of the staircase on the pyramids side.

Park Fees

Reading several stories about entry costs at Chichen Itza we saw that many people had doubts about the price. The entrance price to Chichen Itza is the sum of two payments; we explain what they are.  Both payments add up to 242 pesos.

Cost or Price of Entrance to Chichen Itza

The entrance price to Chichen Itza carries an additional cost to the one marked by the INHA. This cost is marked by CULTUR and is a supplement “for the conservation of archaeological zones”.
Price stipulated by the INAH: 70 pesos (2019).
The price charged by the government of Yucatan in 2019 is 411 pesos for foreigners, which makes a total of about 481 pesos the total entrance.
The price charged by the government of Yucatan in 2019 for Mexicans is 132 pesos, which makes a total of 202 Mexican pesos.

The use of a home video camera has an additional cost of 45 pesos.

For tours tickets click here!

When paying the visitor receives two vouchers.
One ticket that is payment to the State Government (Yucatán)
Second ticket that is payment to INAH.

It is important to have both at all times because if they are missing one and some inspector asks for them, you can have a very unpleasant time.

Keep in mind that if you drive, you must pay the price of parking, parking is a few meters from the entrance.

Access to the night light show of Chichen Itza
It is also possible to purchase a ticket to see the nightly light show. This show has a price of around 220 Mexican pesos on Sundays and 450 pesos from Monday to Saturday.

What is the Chichen Itza Light Show – The Nights of Kukulkan

Free access to Chichen Itza

Access to the Archaeological Zones is free every day for:
Mexican citizen Children under 13, students, teachers.
Seniors with valid credentials.
On Sundays the entrance is free for Mexicans and residents.

The schedule for Chichen Itza.
The visit time to Chichen Itza is from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closing of lockers and accesses at 4:00 p.m., close access to the interior of the site at 4:30 p.m.). Extraordinary visit from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you are going to see the light show or if you are on your own you may need an accommodation to spend the night in the Chichen Itza area.

⇓⇓⇓ Accommodations around Chichen Itza ⇓⇓⇓

See accommodations in the area

Nearby is also Cenote de Ik Kil, recommended visit.