Chichen Itza - Review 2025

The pinnacle of Mayan ruins is, without a doubt, Chichen Itza. Not only is Chichen Itza the best place to go to see impressive Mayan ruins, but it is one of the most incredible and famous archeological sites in the entire world. What makes Chichen Itza superior to the other temple complexes in Mexico involves both the impressive nature of the structures themselves as well as what they say about how advanced this civilization was.

The Chichen Itza, one of the largest cities ever built by the Mayans, is located about a 2 hour and 30-minute drive from Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. There are a total of 20 buildings within this vast temple complex. Among these structures are the famous ball court, the Venus platform, and the iconic Temple of Kukulcan.

The Temple of Kulkuclan is a perfect example of why Chichen Itza is so impressive. The towering temple has 365 stairs, which represent all the days of the year. The temple has four sides with four staircases, which also act as a compass. Most impressively, these decorative staircases light up impressively on both the spring and fall equinoxes, showing just how knowledgeable the Mayans were when it came to their understanding of the Earth and the sun.

A trip to Chichen Itza can be done independently or through a tour company. Many tour companies include a visit to a cenote and the picturesque town of Valladolid, which makes for a complete and memorable day trip.