09 Mexico: Chichen Itza - One of the Seven Wonders...

"I love those days when my only decision is whether to go to the beach in the morning or afternoon..."

(Chichen Itza, Mexico)

Day 09: 27/06/25 (Friday)
Activity: Valladolid, Cenote and Chichen Itza Day Trip
Hotel: Hotel Ibis Cancun Centro Mexico

We had a heavy breakfast at Ibis Kitchen Lounge before beginning the tour for Valadolid, Cenote and Chichén-Itza.

(Ibis Kitchen Lounge)

(A heavy breakfast to last till noon)

We took an Uber to the pick up point at Oasis Hotel. We will be joining a bus full of tourists for the full day Chichén-Itzá Tour by Amigo Tour. On the bus, Mr. Jonathan a.k.a. Johny Cash, our tour guide explained about the Mayan history, alphabets and numbers. 

(The pick up point at Oasis Hotel)

(Making sure to board the right bus)

(On board the tour bus)

(Mr Johny Cash, the tour guide)

(Understanding the Mayan Characters and alphabets)

The journey to our first stop, the Valladolid Town was about 2 hours' drive from Cancun. The town is only 170 km from Cancun but it has a different time zone of an hour behind.

(The highway passes through virgin jungle)

(The railway is running parallel to the highway)

(A junction to Valladolid Town centre)

Our first stop was the Valladolid Town Centre. The city was founded on May 28, 1543, by Francisco de Montejo. It was originally located in the Mayan town of Chauac-Há. In March 24, 1545, the town was moved to Zací, the capital of the Mayan chiefdom of the Cupules. In 1848, the city and its haciendas were taken by the indigenous Mayans during the Caste War in response to the oppression they suffered at the hands of the Yucatecan government, so the affected families had to emigrate to other regions. 

(The main square of the town)

(A Mayan.lady at the fountain)

(Also known as the Park of Lovers)

  

The city was taken months later by the Yucatecan government after the agreement for the federal government to provide them with weapons and troops in exchange for abandoning the idea of separating from the Republic. In June 4, 1910, the city was the scene of one of the first antecedents of the Mexican Revolution known as the Valladolid Rebellion or the First Spark of the Revolution.

( A hop on hop off bus of Valladolid)

(The colourful buildings of Valladolid)

(Church of San Servatius)

Our second stop was at Chichikan Cultural and Ecological Park in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico, offering an immersive experience into Mayan culture. It features a cenote for swimming and recreations of Mayan village life and opportunities to learn about Mayan traditions, including rituals and ceremonies.

(The wrist bands for the visitors)

(An important Mayan archaeological site)

(A sign for Chichikan Cenote)

(Ready to fly away)

(A beautiful places in the complex)

(The Mayan warriors)

Cenotes are natural sinkholes found throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock exposing groundwater. Many cenotes are open to the public for swimming and exploring.

(The oasis chenote of the Mayan)

(The entrance to the Chenote)

(A slippery wet path)

(The bamboo tunnel leading to the pool)

(Inside the bamboo tunnel)

(The view of the chenote from the upper deck)

(A natural sink hole)

(The inside is lighted up)

(Clear fresh water underground swimming pool)

We had our Cenote lunch at the "Nool" Restaurant at Chichikan, which serves regional buffet-style Mayan cuisine, offering a taste of local flavours in a natural setting.. We had the vegetarian lunch from the buffet spread. Later we gusited the souvenir shops whic display and sell varieties of vibrant coloured local handicrafts.

(Signages to the attractions)

(Having lunch under the canopy)

(Serene and tranquility in the forest)

(Celebratory reminder of life and death)

(Mexican folk arts bamboo paintings)

Our last destination was the Chichén-Itzá.It is one of the main Mayan archaeological sites on the Yucatán Peninsula.. It is located just 2.5 km from the town of Pisté, in the municipality of Tinum, in thestate of Yucatán, southeastern Mexico. It consisted of a city or ceremonial center that went through various construction periods and influences from the different peoples who occupied it and who promoted it since its foundation.

(The tickets to the Chichen Itza complex)

(The ancient path to the ruins)

(Walking in the heavy rain)

(My first sight of the ancient pyramid)

(The last of the seven wonders of the world)

(We are elated to be here)

An important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, the main constructions that remain there correspond to the period called late classic or early postclassic (800-1100 AD) within the Mesoamerican postclassic period. It's also known as El Castillo.

(One of the largest Mesoamerican cities)

(Nearly a 1,000-year history)

(Built as early as 400 AD. By 600 AD)

(Exploring the Mayan civilisation)

(Slippery path to the pyramid)

(The capital of Mayan civilisation)

(The visitors in raincoats and umbrellas)

(The whole area was flooded)

(We were wet to the skin)

(Souvenirs for the tourists)

We are back at the lbis Centro Cancun Hotel.. The surrounding areas were abuzz with Friday night revellers.. Looks like this hotel is a happening place.

(Back in the hotel by 9.00 pm)