This is to help you decide which Chichen itza tour or trip to take to ensure you get the best from your visit. I went with my girlfriend to Chichen Itza in September and thought it was absolutely brilliant. We booked our trip through our first choice rep and can’t fault it one bit, we got picked up on time in a big air-conditioned bus and taken to a local meeting point where we got onto another big air-conditioned bus for the journey. Throughout the trip, we were constantly offered refreshments including corona beer, soft drinks, tea, coffee as well as a morning snack. As well as the excellent hospitality our guide who was called Mac was fantastic, such a wealth of knowledge you went away feeling you had learnt a lot not just about Chichen Itza but the Mayan people but without really any effort or getting bored.
Stop to swim in a cenote during the Chichen Itza tour
First, they took us to a cenote which is a kind of deep sink hole. Here you could swim in the cenote and also purchase any souvenirs, I would recommend not buying here unless you saw something you really liked as things can be a lot cheaper at Chichen Itza itself.
Lunch included with trip
We were then taken for some lunch in a very nice restaurant before arriving at Chichen Itza. The restaurant was a buffet style and included a bit of entertainment performed by the locals.
Arriving at Chichen Itza
We didn’t really know what to expect and to be honest thought the pyramid was the only real attraction there. Once we got there, although the Chichen itza pyramid is probably worth the trip on its own there is so much more to look at and learn about than this. You have got the ball court, the sacrificial cenote, temple of warriors , the bird noise made by the pyramid and much more. In fact to get the best out of your visit I would recommend reading a bit about Chichen Itza before you go.
Stalls at Chichen Itza
The other attraction at Chichen Itza is the hundreds of stalls trying to sell you souvenirs, many of these are hand crafted out of limestone or wood. Make sure you haggle, some start high and come down a lot, others simply start low, even starting at a dollar. But to be honest considering much of the stuff is handcrafted the prices you can get them for they’re really giving it away! But remember don’t go too low, you tip a barperson just for bringing a drink, these guys have spent hours making this stuff!
A few general tips to ensure you have a good time at Chichen Itza
• Book your tour through somewhere trustworthy, such as your rep
• Make sure a food stop is included, plus refreshments on the journey as well as a tour guide if you don’t want to explore by yourself.
• Be sure to take a lot of water to Chichen Itza as it gets very hot and humid. However, there are vendors there selling drinks and snacks etc
• Take some money to buy things. There are vendors galore at Chichen Itza selling t-shirts, Mayan souvenirs, and much more.
• Learn a bit about Chichen Itza and the Mayan civilization before you go. Could help get the best out of the journey.
• Take insect repellent.
• Have to pay a fee to use a video camera (it’s not too much though), otherwise its Pictures only!
• Have a wonderful time!
