El Castillo
El Castillo things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I took the bus tour with Mayan Tours. The trip had multiple stops. In the morning I was picked up in a van. We stopped on the edge of the hotel zone where a large new coach picked us up. That bus took us to a location downtown where we we got off the bus and our group was moved to the bus going to Chichen Itza. The original bus was destined for Tulum. The bus we got on was fine. Except the seats were incredibly close together. I am right around 5'8" tall and had to fold my legs to fit. The driver was excellent! His ability to seamlessly shift was impressive, we traveled at 100kmh without any discomforts. Small roads and city traffic was not a problem. The lunch stop food was obviously paid for by a strong sales pitch to buy obsidian objects from the store. It included a very nice ceremony and demonstration of the Mayan culture. The food was excellent the staff was friendly and helpful their products were common and unremarkable for the most part. After lunch we had a quick 20 minute stop in Valladolid. A beautiful Spanish town in the Yucatan. After which we had a 30 minute ride to Chichen Itza. Including transfers we had gotten off the bus/van 4 times before reaching our main objective. Chichen Itza is beautiful. I think with more time a good tour guide could bury you in historic theories. The only things really known of this civilization for certain are what has been deciphered from their writings. The Mayan are a proud people with a fantastic history. It's unfortunate there are so many vendors encircling the ruins. The bus tour from Cancun took a good 16hours hotel room to hotel room. It is money well spent. Albeit a quick overview of areas you will want to return to explore next time you are in the Yucatan.
Robert In LoomisRobert In Loomis
10
A Mesmerizing Experience: Unveiling the Hidden Marvels This remarkable attraction left me in awe! I wholeheartedly endorse seeking out a knowledgeable guide or delving into your own reading and research to fully appreciate the intricate details woven into this place. Beyond its sheer beauty, there’s a fascinating blend of mathematics, meticulous planning, and rich cultural context. During my visit, our guide was exceptional, enhancing the experience with their insights. I managed to secure a tour package from Cancun for a reasonable $58, considering that the regular entry fee is $39. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend investing in skip-the-line tickets; trust me, there’s an abundance of captivating sights waiting to be explored! 🌟🌎 Now, let’s delve into some practical tips to make the most of your visit: Arrive Early: To truly savor the magic of this place, set your alarm clock and arrive early. The tranquility of the morning hours allows you to absorb the grandeur without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Plus, you’ll beat the scorching heat that descends later in the day. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: The sun can be relentless, and shade is a rare commodity. Be prepared by carrying a sturdy water bottle. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself as you sip cool water while marveling at the intricate architecture. Sun Protection: Don your favorite wide-brimmed hat, slather on sunscreen, and wear lightweight, breathable clothing. The heat can be stifling, and there’s not much shade to seek refuge under. Remember, this place isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a living testament to human ingenuity and cultural heritage. So, go forth, explore, and let the wonders of this site leave an indelible mark on your soul! 🌄🌿🌞
Clayton C.Clayton C.
20
It's a modern wonder of the world and impressive in its set up. It may also rely a little too much on its marketing to draw up a crowd. Did this as a day trip from Playa del Carmen and it's possible, just be prepared to get up very early to skip the crowds and it's going to be a long day. It helps to do this with a guide or tour group just to get on site, there's lots of directing the tourist cars to other car parks... The entrance itself is very well constructed but told in the afternoon, once crowds arrive it can get overwhelming. The site itself is large but all walkable, well maintained (and told even heavily renovated). The guide can provide information on the site (with a warning that all of it is informed conjecture as nothing was written down). The pyramid itself is iconic and impressive (but not unique or the largest I'm led to understand). It's all sealed off now, so no going inside anymore. The building with pillars is also of note and worth spending time to admire. The ball game area was closed off. You'll get some awesome photos here and see something that is likely to be a lifetime experience so it's worth your time, though would struggle to say you'll spend a day seeing all the ruins alone (likely something else will need to be tagged on). Noticed lots of stalls setting up for the afternoon so the morning is the ideal time to avoid crowds (might need a guide for this). I have no doubt that marketing plays a part with the fame of this site though because of it it's made it an easy place to introduce yourself to the Mayans. Just beware if it's a solstice or an equinox expect insane crowds.
Julian JohnsonJulian Johnson
00
So we got a tour through Best day , Costco affiliate service. They charged $135 per person. That was the classic not the deluxe service. They don’t give you drinks but you can take your own drinks and chips. They picked us up at 7:00am and drove to Cancun from our resort that was an hour away. Then drove to a little town for a 30 minute bathroom break. You have to pay to use the restroom so bring money 20 pesos or 1 dollar also make sure to bring TP. Then drove to a Cenote Tsukan and spent 1.45 minutes at the Cenote and ate at the buffet. Lockers are extra charge and towels are extra charge. Then we went from there to chit Itzá which was another 30-45 minutes away. The tour guide gave us a tour of 1 hour with his broken English and his Spanish I couldn’t understand even do I am bilingual . Then you have 1 hour to see the ruins. So basically the tour guide just wastes your tour time. The place is Lima a flea market. Vendors everywhere along the trails . They are also very rude if you have a good looking woman with you or daughters . They yell slurs at the woman. They don’t allow camera recorders but allow cell phones . No drones Also every one wants a tip . I mean every one . The bus driver the tour guide the waiter etc. I would suggest $1 to $2 dollars per person which is 20 pesos. It ads up quickly. Just bring 1 dollar bills and give $1 per service.
Julio RosalesJulio Rosales
00
We were here 10 years ago (without kids) and now with them to show this absolutely stunning wonder. Nowadays it has changed a lot. Crowded (even early) and more market stands, increased salesmen and (for the better) they don’t allow you to climb anything. Ten years ago it was allowed to walk on ‘El Caracol’ and other buildings in that area. I would give this 5 stars as it’s still a wonderful place to visit, but based on the different sites (Uxmal for example) Chichen Itza has become more and more famous due to its state of one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. The increased salesmen makes me less appreciate my visit (my visit, not the Wonders 😊) as they are everywhere. Hence my 4 stars. Good to know: it is still pays off to be there around opening hours (08.00). Don’t be surprised you won’t be the only one but the site is big enough to have enough space around you. Waiting time for us (08.10) was around 25min. Listen to the staff there as tourists gather together like a lump. There is not much shadow around ‘El Castillo’. Bring enough water with you and if you can’t stand the heat (I personally do not have any problem with it) be sure to cool down or bring your own shadow. Our kids did enjoy this visit. They also liked the shade 😀.
jerko v.d. Vegtjerko v.d. Vegt
00
Went there as part of a guided excursion that we signed up for at our hotel (NEW Hyatt). It was great seeing this landmark, and much bigger than I'd thought it would be. Our guide, Oscar, was very thorough in the history of this area, regarding thought put into the architecture, the language, their calendar, images used and meaning of the carvings and animals depicted on the walls. Unfortunately due to past injuries, no one is allowed to climb the buildings and they are roped off, so you may not feel the stone or carvings, which I understand that part and preservation. However, I would have loved climbing the steps to see the surrounding views. Many local merchants sell mass produced art, carvings, jewelry, blankets and clothing. Some items are priced very reasonably, I mean downright inexpensive, almost cheap and other items are way over priced, so be careful. However, you can barter with them and really it comes down to what you like and are willing to pay. The locals were very kind. Be aware of the local "bamboo chickens", also known as iguana 🦎. No worries they don't attack, just know, you may come across some random ones crawling around. 😁👍
Brad TorrezBrad Torrez
00
Nearby Attractions Of El Castillo
Chichén Itzá
El Castillo
El Caracol
El Caracol
Gran Juego de Pelota
Warriors' Temple
Cenote Xtoloc
Sacred Cenote
Plataforma de Venus
Eagles & Jaguars Platform

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El Caracol
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Nearby Restaurants Of El Castillo
Oxtun
Café 28 - We Proudly Serve Starbucks Chichén Itzá
La Palapa Tinum
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Café 28 - We Proudly Serve Starbucks Chichén Itzá
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La Palapa Tinum
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Tacos estilo Yucateca
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Basic Info
Address
97751 Tinum, Yucatan, Mexico
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Phone
+52 985 851 0137
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Website
chichenitza.inah.gob.mx
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Reviews
Overview
4.8
(8.5K reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Chichén Itzá, El Castillo, El Caracol, El Caracol, Gran Juego de Pelota, Warriors' Temple, Cenote Xtoloc, Sacred Cenote, Plataforma de Venus, Eagles & Jaguars Platform, restaurants: Oxtun, Café 28 - We Proudly Serve Starbucks Chichén Itzá, La Palapa Tinum, Tacos estilo Yucateca
