Chichen Itza

Welcome to the second half of our exploration of the magnificent Chichen Itza. Having marveled at the staggering political and astronomical monuments of the Great Plaza, we now transition our focus to uncover the spiritual…

After a short walk down the shaded, ancient white road of the Sacbe, the dense jungle suddenly opens up to reveal a massive, gaping wound in the earth. You are now standing on the precipice of the Cenote Sagrado, the Sacred Well…

Returning toward the main ruins, we encounter one of the most chilling and visually disturbing structures in all of Chichen Itza. This long, low, T-shaped platform is known as the Tzompantli, pronounced tsohm-pahnt-lee, which…

As we walk near the base of the great pyramid of El Castillo once more, it is essential to discuss a revolutionary discovery made here as recently as two thousand and fifteen. For centuries, archaeologists and tourists alike…

Stepping away from the grand stone monuments, we find ourselves looking at a structure that feels much more humble, yet is arguably more important to understanding the daily life of the ancient city. Before you stands a replica…

Growing near the traditional Maya house, you will see a towering, magnificent tree with a thick, spiny trunk and a massive canopy of leaves spreading wide against the sky. This is the Ceiba tree, pronounced say-bah, and it is…

As we conclude our walk through the central areas of the city, gazing at the beautiful but heavily weathered limestone carvings, we must confront a heartbreaking historical reality. Why is there so much we still do not know about…

As we bring our journey through the central group of Chichen Itza to a close, take a moment to absorb the profound contrasts of this environment. You have stood at the edge of the terrifying Sacred Cenote, confronted the grim…