Chichen Itza: A Blast From The Past

The next couple of blog entries I publish are going to be my favorite places in Mexico. I have personally traveled to these places and would highly recommend them.

The first I am going to talk about is Chichen Itza.

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Chichen Itza is the ancient capital of the Mayan Empire. The name Chich’en Itza actually means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” Many of the different translations of the name revolves around the topics of water and magic.

Located just 100 miles from Canucn, Chichen Itza is one of the most important archaeological zones in Mexico. Within Chichen Itza is an observatory, sacred cenote, ball court and castle.

The Mayan communities surrounding Chichen Itza have developed specific sited for travelers to experience the true Mayan culture. Everything you ought to see during your visit will definitely take at least a weekend to see so you might as well enjoy and see as much as possible.

Here are some of the landmarks I visited to I thought were quite interesting and spectacular to see:

The number one thing to see is the Pyramid of Kukulan that is pictured above. It is the most famous landmark in Chichen Itza. The pyramid/temple was made in honor of the Feathered Serpent God. As of 2006, no one is able to climb up the pyramid.

Since I went in 2004, I was one of the lucky ones that got to do so. However, I am afraid of heights so I really couldn’t enjoy it that much – there is absolutely NO hand-railing.

Along the pyramid, Feathered Serpents run down the sides of the staircase. In the 1980’s, this feature became extremely popular during the Spring and Fall equinox. At this time, there is a light and shadow effect that causes the temple to look like the serpents along the staircases are slithering down the pyramid.

The second thing I suggest everyone see is the Great Ballcourt. This is the largest out of seven at Chichen Itza. The Great Ballcourt is extremely breathtaking. It is a gigantic area of grass with two tall stone walls on each side.

At the very top of these walls are two small hoops, which a ball is supposed to go through. This entire structure was built to play a game, nothing more. Even though the purpose is simple, the view is amazing. You won’t regret walking through this area.

The third thing to see is El Caracol. It is a circular temple that was built as an astronomical observatory. Sadly, people are not allowed within the building so you have to look at a distance.

If you plan on staying in Cancun and then making a small trip down to Chichen Itza, then the following information is just for you.

There are many tours available at each of the hotels in Canucn. They offer about four hours of time to spend at Chichen Itza. At the site is when there are tour guides available for everyone.

During my visit to Chichen Itza, my family and I spent half of the time on the guided tour and the other half on our own, exploring at our own pace.

The tours that take you the 100 miles from Cancun to Chichen Itza will pick you up directly from your hotel in the early morning and drop you back off at your hotel that night.

Don’t worry, the buses you travel on are fully air conditioned and the guides speak English!

Mexican Border Towns

Recently, security along the border has become stricter. Since last June, all United States citizens have to prove citizenship before crossing into Mexico. In past years, Americans only needed to provide proof when entering back into the U.S. And even then it was a glance at your face or your hair color and you were let back in.

Nowadays, even if you’re traveling in a car, Border Patrol requires proof that the driver actually owns the vehicle and that you have Mexican auto insurance.

Don’t be discouraged by the heightened security along the border. Mexican border towns still have tons to offer their guests and should not be missed.

Here is a list of the most popular border towns to visit:

Douglas, Ariz. and Agua Prieta, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Naco, Ariz. and Naco, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Nogales, Ariz. and Nogales, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs at the Deconcini Gate for non-commercial vehicles. Shopping is just within walking distance from the parking lots located on the U.S. side of the border.

Sasabe Ariz. and Sasabe, Sonora Mexico – Open 8am-8pm for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Lukeville, Ariz. and Sonoyta, Sonora Mexico – Open 6am-midnight for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

San Luis, Ariz. and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Andrade, Calif. and Algodones, Baja California Mexico – Open 6am – 10pm for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

The most popular thing to do after crossing the border is shopping!

Open markets in Mexico sell products such as pottery, sombreros, leather, and even hand embroidered clothing. The most popular time to visit the various border towns is usually during the winter and spring months.

Remember when doing your shopping, the Mexican laws about prescription drugs differs greatly from the U.S. Most of the drugs you need a prescription for in the U.S. is over-the-counter medication in Mexico. Just remember that even if you purchase medication legally in Mexico, it probably isn’t legal for you to possess the drugs in the U.S. without a prescription. Buyer beware!

When shopping along the border in Mexico, I have found that the funnest part of the whole experience is the bartering.

Here is some advice on how to properly barter in Mexico.