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| Chichen Itza |
One of the most popular day trips for visitors to Cancun is a trip
to the ruins of Chichen Itza. Busses and guided tour groups file
in and out of the site all day long. That's what has made Chichen
Itza so famous . . . location. In this case, proximity to Cancun
(about 2 hours away).
Chichen Itza is the largest, most complete set of ruins with easy
striking distance of Cancun. . . and that has been true throughout
the history of Chichen Itza. As the saying, "all roads lead to Rome"
is still heard . . . the same was once said for mighty Chichen Itza.
Straight limestone roads which were a great feat of engineering can
still be detected which linked Chichen Itza like spokes to every
major city in the Yucatan. Most experts agree that Chichen Itza was
not only a great city, but the head of an empire that once covered
the region.
Today, the pyramid known as the Castillo may actually be the most
popular icon of all the ruins in Mexico. The facades and construction
of el Castillo are ripe with cosmological symbolism. This includes
365 steps to represent the solar year, 18 terraces to represent the
months in the Mayan calendar, and 52 panels to represent the Mayan
century. Then there is the famous shadow of the serpent which makes
its way down the steps during the Fall and Spring Equinox.
Chichen Itza has a few more things to take note of like the largest
ball court found yet, an observatory, the nunnery, the temple of
warriors and a cenote.
Plan on around $65 for a day trip and bring extra cash to buy some
souvenirs. You will find artesians on site selling their wares,
and a mayan mask (or other item) will cost a fraction of what you
would pay for the same thing in Cancun. So if you are going to buy
a cool gift in Mexico, plan on doing it here and give the money directly
to the people who make the items. |
