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Once again, Chichen Itza stands atop the archaeological tourist attractions in Mexico.
According to the Director of Cultural Heritage, Mauricio Diaz Montalvo, this July set another record for tourism at the iconic landmark.
According to Diaz Montalvo, 12,000 people entered the park just on the on weekends last month, numbers not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This July is going to be a month that breaks records. Since the pandemic, we still have not had months like those before the pandemic, in which more than 300,000 people or 350,000 people arrived in a month, but now it will be a really interesting post-pandemic month,” said Director Diaz Montalvo.
Chichén Itzá remains one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of Mexico and enjoys fame well beyond the country’s borders.
Internationally, Chichen Itza is known for being one of the 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The monuments of Chichén Itzá “are among the undisputed masterpieces of Mesoamerican architecture because of the beauty of their proportions, the refinement of their construction and the splendor of their sculpted decorations,” according to UNESCO.
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In addition, Diaz Montalvo reported that July saw high levels of tourism in other archaeological sites, such as Uxmal, Ek Balam, and Dzibilchaltun.
Let’s look at some of the reasons Chichen Itza continues to grow in popularity amongst tourists in the Riviera Maya.
History
Chichén Itzá’s history dates back to 400 A.D. The Itza people founded the town between two cenotes.
Over the years, this town flourished and became a cultural hotspot on the Yucatan Peninsula. Mayan civilization continued to flourish in Chichen Itza until the 10th century when it was conquered by the Toltec King Kukulkan.
The time after this conquest is known for cultural fusion, resulting in incredible advances in architecture and construction.
Some of the most recognizable structures in Chichen Itza were built during this period.
The Pyramid of Kukulkan
The Pyramid of Kukulkan, or the Castle, is perhaps the most recognizable structure of Chichen Itza.
One of many ruins built after the Toltecs conquered the Yucatan Peninsula, the Pyramid of Kukulkan remains one of the most prominent examples of pre-Hispanic civilization in the Americas.
During the spring equinox, tourists can experience one of the most remarkable occurrences of the ancient world. Each spring equinox a “snake of light” descends the pyramid.
During the “snake of light,” seven triangles of sunlight are projected against the Pyramid of Kukulkan. As the sun sets in the sky, the triangles move, creating the mirage of a snake slithering down the pyramid steps.
The Ball Game Court
Travelers can experience the famous ball game characteristic of Meso-American society at Chichen Itza.
Historians do not completely understand the game’s rules, but they suspect players moved the ball through the court using their hips.
Even now, visitors can listen to the remarkable acoustic effect inside the ball court. A whisper at one end of the 225 by 545-foot court can be heard clearly from the other side.
Chichen Viejo Museum
Visitors to Chichen Itza have even more to look forward to when they visit the magnificent historical monument.
The Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone is preparing a new museum to showcase ancient artifacts for tourists who want to better understand Mayan history and culture.
The new museum, which will be called “Chichén Viejo,” will have over 800 artifacts never seen by the public.
While the opening date has not been announced, tourists can expect to visit soon. Museum construction is already 75% complete.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Mexican Secretariat of Culture continue to conduct anthropological excavations at Chichén Itzá and throughout the Riviera Maya.
Many new artifacts have been discovered during the construction of the Maya Train, some of which INAH hopes to display at the museum once it opens.
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