Chichen Itza Ruin Yucatan Mexico,

Chichen Itza Ruin Site, Yucatan, Mexico, Mayan Site

Chichen Itza is a pre-Colombian
archaeological site built by the Maya civilization in
the northern central part of the Yucatan Peninsula
of Mexico. Buses from the city of Merida and from
the coastal resort city of Cancun make daily round
trip to Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza's Temple of Kukulkan called El
Castillo, pictured left was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl

On the side of the North facing stairway, an
Equinox event is visible in the afternoon of the
Spring and Fall Equinox, March 20-21 and
September 20-21

Chichen Itza's building called El Caracol, the
Snail due to the snail-like shape inside, is thought
to be an astronomical observatory because of
placement of openings with a view of the vernal
Equinox and the phases of the moon.

Chichen Itza was active as a regional center of the culture in the late classic to early post-classic
period from 600 AD to 1250 AD and contains buildings with the architectural styles of both central
Mexico of the Toltecs and the northern Yucatan Puuc style of the Mayas. This mix is a result of cultural
diffusion rather than a Toltec dominance some archaeologists believe.

The columned building, the Temple of the Warriors resembles buildings at the City of Tula, north of
Mexico City. Other sections of the city are built in the Maya Puuc style of Northern Yucatan.

The Toltec king Quetzalcoatl is thought to have ruled
in Chichen Itza during the tenth century. This would
account for the Toltec style architecture used at the
temple of the Warriors and the central Mexico Chac
Mool figures found at the Mayan site.

Toltec style Chac Mool: Museum in Merida

Chichen Itza's later style of building, the
Iglesia, done in the Puuc style has many
references to the rain God Chaac

Buildings constructed during the end of
Chichen Itza's classic period at about
1000 AD are done in the Puuc style of the
northern Maya and show many
references to the Mayan Rain God Chaac.

In prior building stages a Toltec style
prevailed.

Other Chichen Itza buildings resemble
Maya style found at Palenque

Chichen Itza Ruin Site in Yucatan Mexico is a
pre-Colombian archaeological site built by the Maya
civilization. Buses from the city of Merida and from
the coastal resort city of Cancun make daily round
trip to Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza Ruin
Site, Yucatan, Mexico
is a Mayan Site with
Toltec influence in its
architecture

Chichen Itza Ruin Site shows Toltec
influence in its architecture with
similarities to the Ruin site of Tula

Chichen Itza Ruin site Yucatan has a later style of building
done in the Puuc style with many sculptures of the rain God
Chaac

Chichen Itza lies mid way between Merida and Cancun and is served by daily buses from Valladolid,
Merida, and Cancun.

Reach Chichen Itza by Air, Bus, and High-Speed Highways:

Air

Flights from Mexico City reach Merida and Cancun

Bus

Chichen Itza is best reached by bus out of Cancun or the City of Merida.
ADO Buses make three trips Daily from Merida, 6:30 AM, 9:15 AM, 12:40 PM. as of Jan, 2012.
Valladolid is a good base for Chichen Itza trips Chichen Itza Lodging, Valladolid

ADO first class buses serve Merida and Cancun from Mexico City , Oaxaca, Vera Cruz, and other cities.
Chichen Itza ADO