Mayan Ruins In Yucatan Peninsula
So much Cancun content to share with two visits under our belt in 6 months. We have now visited Chichen Itzá twice and the ruins in Tulum also known as El Castillo. The history of these ruins in fascinating. The guided tour are a must. You have a couple options on how you get a tour guide. You can book a group trip through Viator or Trip Advisor. Or find a private driver and hire a tour guide when you arrive at the ruins. We have done both and the tour guides were both great. It really depends on what your budget is. So let’s get into the Mayan Ruins In Yucatan Peninsula.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itzá is believed to mainly be inhabited by 550 AD to 800 AD and then possibly abandoned and resettled. They have found that there are smaller structures underneath the ones we see today. The main center of the ruins was inhabited by the upper class surrounded by a wall that separated the middle and lower class. The main temple or Kukulcán pyramid also serves as their calendar. There are 364 steps total, 91 on each side, and the top platform counting for the 365th step. Chichen Itzá also consists of the largest ball park in mesoamerica, a sacrificial cenotes and several other structures.
Read more about the history of Chichen Itzá HERE.
Tulum Mayan Ruins
Another set of Mayan Ruins in Yucatan Peninsula are the ruins in Tulum. Lined up right along the beautiful coastal waters of Tulum. It has the main structure knows as El Castillo or ‘the castle’. The Tulum Ruins over the look the gulf of Mexico. All with stunning views of the waters below allowing the Mayan people to have one side of protection from the ocean. The castle has distinct holes that illuminate during the change of seasons. Again, showing us that they had knowledge of the calendar with equinoxes and solstices. If you can align your travel when these natural phenomenons occur you will be truly lucky. We saw photos and we can only imagine what they would like in person.
There are other structures throughout the walled in community and it is thought to be one of the last cities to be inhabited by the Mayan people. We could write a complete essay on these ruins, but must see them for yourselves and experience the stories and sites on your own. However, if you want to read more, you can view more on El Castillo and the Tulum Ruins HERE.
Looking for more about Cancun? Check out this post on Cenotes in Cancun HERE.
