THE BEST chichen itza cenotes

The stunning archaeological remains at Chichen Itza – a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site – are some of Mexico’s most well-known Mayan ruins. Chichen Itza was a large city constructed by the Maya during what is known as the Terminal Classic period, around the time of 800 – 900 AD. Dominated by the breath-taking Kukulkan pyramid or otherwise known as ‘El Castillo’.

Chichen Itza is one of the 7 new wonders of the world. This city is over 1500 years old and was very significant to the Maya. It also provides evidence that this ancient civilization was very advanced with architecture, astronomy, and mathematics. The name Chichen Itza in the Yucatec Maya language means ‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza people’.

By the 10th Century, when the city had taken its current form, Chichen Itza became a regional power. Economically important, its dominance stretched from the northern coast of the Yucatan and down to the peninsula’s east and west coasts. The latest recorded date found is equivalent to 998 AD, and the city had fallen into decline by 1250. Even so, it continued as a living city until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. 

The site was ‘rediscovered’ by the outside world in the mid-1800s. Thanks to a lot of restoration efforts, the Chichen Itza site has a collection of important structures still standing from the original city.  Until recently a hidden cenote has been discovered by scientists under the famous Kukulkan pyramid. This discovery provides further evidence that the Cenotes were extremely sacred and important in the Mayans beliefs.

The cenotes near Chichen Itza were integral to the development of the city as its only sources of freshwater. The Yucatan’s rivers run underground. The constant flow of water breaks up the limestone rock creating more underground passageways, caves, and cenotes. They are only ever revealed when the flow of the water eventually leads to the collapse of a cavern or cave roof.