🗺 Wondering how to visit Chichén Itzá without a tour? Easy! Print our free map, follow our self-guided tour, OR download our recommended audio guide to Chichén Itzá.
With our quick self-guided tour and map, you’ll be able to visit Chichén Itzá trouble free… and better still you’ll do it without paying for a guide. Below we explain a little bit of the history & how to navigate your visit around Chichén Itzá. We provide a brief description of each attraction followed by walking directions that you can use alongside our free printable map.
Step 1️⃣ – print map or download it to your phone (no strings attached)
Step 2️⃣ – visit Chichén Itzá like a pro!
In addition to our AWESOME self-guided walking tour of Chichén Itzá, you need to read our guide on how to get from Valladolid (& beyond) to Chichén Itzá. In it we cover everything else you’ll need to know about visiting Chichén Itzá. Details like how to visit without ALL the crowds, what the tickets cost, nearby cenotes for swimming and the best modes of transport for your visit.
SO… to sum up, if you’re looking to visit and experience Chichén Itzá without a tour, then read on. Because we got you completely covered!!
* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!
Table of Contents
Chichén Itzá Self-Guided Tour – The History!
Chichén Itzá – Wonder of the World! It kind of rolls off the tongue, but what does this actually mean. How has Chichén Itzá earned this place of such high ranking? Here’s a little history to help you understand more…
The Civilisation of Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is one of the biggest Mayan cities, located in the Northern Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. It dates back to the pre-Columbian era, starting in around 400-550 CE (depending on the source). And the development of Chichén Itzá continued until the 10th century.
According to the experts, some 35,000-50,000 people once lived here at any given time. And it was said to be a major religious, political, military and trading hub for the Yucatan area from 600 CE onwards. Chichén Itzá covered over two square miles and was made up of various spaces and constructions, for both everyday and ceremonial purposes. It also included suburbs, which were interconnected by sacbeob – the Mayan term for paved roads and walkways.
Chichén Itzá’s name is derived from the two nearby cenotes – these are large fresh water sink holes or wells. Translated, chi means mouth, chen means wells and Itzá is the name of a Mayan group from the Yucatan region. Therefore, in Mayan, Chichén Itzá refers to the mouth of the well of the Itza.
It was these cenotes, that the Mayans at Chichén Itzá heavily relied on for their fresh water supplies. Read more about the role these cenotes played and their importance to the Mayan culture, in our section further below describing the Sacred Cenote.
🌀 Do you want to swim in beautiful cenotes? Read this post – We explain more about the types of cenotes, and the best ones for swimming in Valladolid.
The Fall of Chichén Itzá
The decline of Chichén Itzá is somewhat up for debate among historians. However, most believe that people left the city around 1100 CE, due to changing weather patterns and several years of drought.
Then with the rise of the Mayan city – Mayapan in the 1200’s, Chichén Itzá never recovered to its former glory. When the Spanish arrived in 1526, they found a flourishing community, but far from that of the earlier years.
Chichén Itzá – Wonder of the World
Chichén Itzá was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988. Then named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World as part of a global census in 2007.
The grand space in which Chichén Itzá covers and the state in which it has been preserved is a tribute to Mayan architecture and archeology.
Entrance & Tickets for Chichén Itzá
We recommend purchasing tickets onsite at Chichén Itzá. But read our full post on how to get to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid and beyond. As we explain everything from ticket prices, to the best way to get there and loads of extra tips.
Free Printable Map for Self-Guided Tour of Chichén Itzá
🗺 Download our free map of Chichén Itzá that we created just for your self-guided tour. Keep it on your phone, or print it for your walk.
📍 And don’t forget the second page which gives you a step by step explanation of how to navigate between the key sights at Chichén Itzá.
👆 Tap this link to download… no need to sign-up, no strings attached. Just a pretty little map, created by us with love… especially for you!
Within the city of Chichén Itzá there are numerous sites to be seen. It’s SO much more than the world famous Temple of Kukulcan – also known as El Castillo. Included at the site, is the largest court for Pok Ta Pok (the traditional Mayan ball game), a star observatory and numerous temples.
And so, coming up we share our self-guided tour of Chichén Itzá. We highlight the main sites you can expect to see, in sequence that we suggest you visit them. The tour begins at the entrance gate and continues in a clockwise direction around the site.
Beginning the Self-Guided Tour of Chichén Itzá
Each section below, begins first with an explanation of the attraction or sight, followed by the walking tour directions in a highlighted box.
It’s important to note, we list below eight main sights or key attractions of Chichén Itzá in our self-guided tour. However, you will find many more as you wander this remarkable site. We suggest that if you want to know and understand these smaller known sights, then book a guided tour. It’s better to think of this as a self-guided tour of Chichén Itzá for the common people… if you’re an enthusiast, get the guide!
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Starting the tour at the ticket office, follow the path which leads straight. This pathway is both the entry and exit point. It leads though a small forest for a couple hundred metres, before emerging into the large central grassed area to the western side of (#1) The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo.
#1 The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo
Undoubtedly, the Temple of Kukulcan is the most iconic building at Chichén Itzá. It’s also the first structure you see after walking the path from the entrance.
The stepped pyramid is also known as El Castillo in Spanish, which means the castle. And it’s dedicated to the Mayan deity Kukulcan the feathered serpent god. You can read more about Kukulcan here on Wikipedia.
It’s essentially the centrepiece of Chichén Itzá and stands at just under 100 ft tall (30 metres).
Fun Facts About El Castillo
The Mayan people were well advanced in knowledge related to Astronomy and Mathematics. In fact, each of the four sides of the Kukulkan Temple has 91 steps. If you’re quick at multiples, you’ll have realised that this adds up to 364 steps. Along with the central upper platform, this makes 365. That’s right… it corresponds to the days of the year. Mind blowing stuff right!
What’s more, each side of the pyramid aligns with the cardinal points. In other words, north, south, east and west.
Look out for the northern set of stairs which have the ornately carved snake heads at the bottom. It’s on this same set of stairs during the equinox, that the sun casts a shadow across them which appears to be the body of a snake. This represents Kukulcan descending to fertilise the fields, which marks the time for the fields to be sowed.
If you clap your hands while standing at the base of the steps of El Castillo, the reverberating sound mimic’s that of a Mexican Quetzal. Be sure to try it… our kids enjoyed trying to make their claps loud enough.
🤔 And did you know… Kukulcan Temple is actually built on top of two smaller temples.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
We recommend that you make a quick 3600 walk around (#1) The Temple of Kukulcan / El Castillo. It tends to be quieter on the opposite side of the Pyramid, and if you’re visiting early in the morning, the rising sun is behind you which makes for better photos.
#2 The Great Ball Court
The Great Ball Court is where the deadly ceremonial game of Pok Ta Pok was played. There are several courts uncovered within Chichén Itzá, but the Main Court is by far the most impressive. At 70 metres (229 feet) wide and 168 metres (551 feet) in length, this is the largest playing field in all of Mesoamerica.
It’s side walls stand at 12 metres (39 feet) with the singular hoops at 8 metres (26 feet) off the ground.
The game would consist of two teams and a rubber ball, sometimes weighing up to 4 kgs. The teams would need to keep the ball off the ground and get it through the hoops, but players were not able to use their hands or feet.
The two hoops are carved with intertwining serpents. And the lower sloped section of the walls are also carved with many depictions of the bloody game. These include headless corpses and images of players holding decapitated heads.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
When you’ve taken your photos of El Castillo head towards the (#2) Great Ball Court passing the Temple of the Jaguars on your way. You’ll enter the ball court from its southern end, walking on through to the Temple of the Bearded Man at its northern end.
#3 Wall of Skulls
This is a low level platform where the outer façade has had skull motifs carved into it. Stacked side by side, one on top of the other. It’s thought that this was a ritual platform. Wherein human sacrifices were made and the heads of those sacrificed from the Pok Ta Pok games, would have been placed on display.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Exit the northern end of the ball court to your right and walk towards the (#3) Platform of Skulls. Next up, make your way to the Platform of Venus.
#4 The Sacred Cenote
The Sacred Cenote or Well of Sacrifice is found at the end of the ceremonial walkway, through a section of forest. The cenote is fenced off and the main vantage points are to either side.
This cenote is believed to have been used purely for various ceremonies of ritual. Interestingly, explorers have discovered gold, ceramics, jade, jewels and the remains of over 200 human bodies in the bottom of the Sacred Cenote. These were found during initial dredging expeditions made by Edward Herbert Thompson between 1904 – 1910.
Among the find was this gold artefact, now on display at a Museum in Mexico. Read more about the Mayan artefacts found in Ek Balam (post coming soon).
Can you Swim at the Cenotes in Chichén Itzá?
- In short… no you can’t swim at the cenotes at Chichén Itzá. There are two cenotes within the site however these are not for swimming. They have viewing areas at each side, providing views down into the cenote. The best views however are at this one – the Sacred Cenote.
- If you do want to visit a cenote for a swim, then look to add Cenote Ik Kil to your day. It’s not far from Chichén Itzá on the road to and from Valladolid. A lot of guided tours provide this as an option. The colectivo transport from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá also has an option to visit Ik Kil Cenote for an additional cost.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From the Platform of Venus head north along the road, between the many art and craft vendors. This path leads through the jungle towards the (#4) Sacred Cenote.
#5 The Temple of Warriors
This is another large stepped pyramid named after the various warrior carvings and statues found within its surroundings.
In addition to the main pyramid, you’ll find a multitude of columns at the entrance and along the southern wall. These would have once supported an immense roof structure. Many of the columns were also carved.
At the top of the temple sits the statue of Chacmool. This prominently seen structure or carving features regularly throughout Mayan culture and history, as a place for offerings. Given that visitors are not permitted to walk on the ruins at Chichén Itzá, Chacmool can’t be seen at the top of the Temple of the Warriors from the ground. However, a quick online search shows the repeated image of a reclining Chacmool, resting on his elbows, head turned and facing to the front.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
After the cenote make a U-turn and head back down the same path. As you come back out to the central grassed area turn left. Then make your way to the Temple of the Tables and next to this is the (#5) Temple of Warriors.
#6 Group of a Thousand Columns, the Market Place & Xtoloc Cenote
The Group of a Thousand Columns and the Market Place are two of several features that form a large irregular quadrilateral plaza.
The Group of a Thousand Columns is actually only around 200 columns. However, when you see them spread out, in the various configurations, standing in straight rows one after the other you can see how they took this name. The columns are both circular in some sections and square in others. With many having carved or stucco motifs and depictions of Toltec Warriors and Priests that would have once also been painted. The columns would have once supported a large roof structure.
Also found within the space are three large grinding wheels. The Market Place was given its name by early Spanish colonisers who thought the design of the area was similar to their own marketplaces. However, the true use of the space is thought to be a combination of religious, political and civil in its use.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Carrying on in the clockwise direction from the Temple of the Warriors head south following the impressive (#6) Group of a Thousand Columns. Part way down the rows you will find a path that cuts between the columns on your left. Take this path which will bring you out into a large shaded area with the columns continuing on your left. This area form the group of a thousand columns and the Market Place.
Navigate the area, in the same way following a clockwise direction and looping back to the same point you entered.
Once you have exited the Group of a Thousand Columns, turn left again following the path to Xtoloc Cenote.
#7 The Observatory / El Caracol
The Ossuary or the High Priestess Temple – is a smaller stepped pyramid, with stairs on each side leading to the top. The temple is built over a deep cavern, with the access to it at the top of the pyramid. During excavations several tombs were found within the entrance to the cavern.
The Observatory or El Caracol (the snail) – as it’s also known, is a unique building to the south of the site of Chichén Itzá. While the stepped and tiered base is relatively standard of Mayan architecture, the circular dome positioned at the top is somewhat unique. Even more so, is the spiralled (or snail shaped) staircase that leads to the Observatory.
It is believed that the Observatory, due to its uninhibited view of the night sky, was where the astronomers tracked the movement of the stars. Within the circular structure there are numerous openings that are thought to be aligned to view various constellations throughout the year. In particular to allow for the tracking of Venus.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From Xtoloc cenote turn back on yourself and find the path leading left or west towards the Ossuary or the High Priestess Temple.
Continue south down the path through the jungle which will emerge out into another large grassed area with the (#7) Observatory / El Caracol on your left.
#8 The Church & Nunnery
The Church & Nunnery buildings are found at the southern end of the complex. They are some of the most detailed and best preserved due to their recent restoration. It’s said the Nunnery could have received its name from the Spanish conquistadors who found similarities to their Spanish convents from home.
The Church, also known as the Iglesia is found next to the Nunnery complex and is actually a temple dedicated to Chaac the Mayan God of Rain. It’s is a single story building consisting of only one chamber with a single door. However as with the nunnery its detailed façade is quite spectacular. If you look closely at the friezes on the image above, you’ll notice the Chaac masks represented in the carvings.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Follow the path south which will bring you around to the (#8) The Church and the Nunnery. Next up, make your way back up to El Caracol but take the path on your left which leads to the Red House and the Deer Temple. These structures are found in a smaller grassed area and are the last sights on our list.
To get back, you must return to El Caracol, then exit via the same main path you entered from towards the ticket office.
Audio Guides & Guided Tour Options at Chichén Itzá
It is likely that you’ll be asked on multiple occasions if you’d like a guided tour as you approach the ticket office. These of course are great options if you want more detail than we are able to offer you here. From our understanding, these guides range from 650 to 1000 MXN pesos for around 3 hours.
Also click through to our blog link below on Valladolid to Chichén Itzá, as we share the best guided tours and private tours if you are visiting nearby from Valladolid, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Included in these tours are other sights and cenotes that we recommend. Trust me I spent a great deal of time, going through many guided tours, reading the fine print and the reviews to find you the best options.
👀 Read our blog on the best guided and private tours – Valladolid (and beyond) to Chichén Itzá.
If however, this seems a little pricey but you’d still like a little more detail than we have offered here in our self-guided tour, then check out these audio guides on Get Your Guide.
Is Chichén Itzá Worth Visiting
Ooh the big question… Well this is how we see it. If you’re in the Yucatan Peninsula then YES, most definitely, it’s well worth setting a day aside to see Chichén Itzá. After all, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Just be aware that it’s super busy, so gets very touristy.
If you’re not one for crowds, then try to get there early. You might also want to consider visiting Ek’ Balam ruins instead. They are absolutely beautiful, set in peaceful jungle and without the overwhelming crowds.
You might like to check our other posts for your itinerary and visit to Valladolid.
- The best cenotes of Valladolid – we recommend and review our favourite cenotes.
- The best place to stay in Valladolid – our review of the Oryx Hostel.
- The best things to do in Valladolid – (post coming soon).
And of course don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post: how to visit Chichén Itzá without a tour!
We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)
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