Nomadic dani

A must visit for any visitor to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Whilst on my Mexico road trip alongside my lovely girlfriend we decided to visit the famous Chichen Itza, one of the most iconic archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization and one to tick off of my bucket list!

Located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, this UNESCO World Heritage site was once a thriving city and is dominated by the impressive and most famously photographer El Castillo pyramid, also known as the Temple of Kukulkán, where during the equinox, a shadow creates the illusion of a serpent slithering down its steps, an event that showcases the Maya’s deep understanding of astronomy.

For those planning a visit, the best time to explore Chichen Itza is early in the morning or a few hours before closing time. Arriving before or after the crowds of the day and the midday heat allows you to experience the grandeur of the site in a more tranquil atmosphere, while the cooler temperatures make the walk through the expansive grounds more comfortable.

What a lot of people don’t understand is that Chichen Itza is more than just the famous pyramid! Its a whole experience, which can take you around 2/2.5 hours to explore. I myself found the “ball court” really interesting, where the Mayan ballgame pok-a-tok was played. (More on this in another post!)

From a photography perspective there are many photo opportunities, with and without people. Again going towards the end of the day made this possible. With the help of rain the previous day I was able to capture this photo below on my mobile.

There are a lot of vendors inside of the complex with many goods for sale if you are looking for the perfect sourvenir.

Costs (as correct in 2025)

• Adults (13+): $648 MXN
• Children (3-12 years of age): $100 MXN
• Mexican Citizens: $290 MXN
• Locals (Yucatan ID): $100 MXN

Some top things to know before you go!

• If you are bringing in any kind of camera, you will also have to pay a small charge for this. Even my small Osmo pocket 3 I had to pay a charge.
• Start of the day or end of the day are the best times to go for less crowds and in my opinion better photo opportunities.
• Last entry is 4pm. From my experience they start to move people towards the exit around 4.30-4.40pm.
• You will also have to pay for parking of you are driving.
• It gets hot to make sure to hydrate and stay covered!

This magical moment, paired with the ancient history surrounding you, makes for an unforgettable journey into the past. Deffo not one to miss!