Discoverymundo Blog

Category: Chichen Itza

Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza this 2017
On the sunset of May 21st 2017, it can be observed in the nort side of Chichen Itza Castle an incredible spectacle, that marks the beginning of spring equinox.

The Calendar of solstices and equinoxes, the equinox of march 2017 takes place on the 20 at 10:29 UTC. This means that the right moment of the spring equinox in Mexico is on March 20, 2017 at 4:29.On the sunset of 21st 2017 is when the phenomenon of a snake solar projection is seen. Seven triangles of light, as a result of the shadow that project the nine platforms of that building, when the sun stares.

To start, the first shadows of the top part of the pyramid start to project the form of a snake.

In this magical moment Kukulkan serpent descents for the stairs of the pyramid of Chichen Itza castle.

The pyramid has 4 stairs of 91 steps, each one to form a total of 364 steps! Step number 365 is considered the superior platform such as the days of a year. Thousands of people assist to this event when the serpent descends of the steps. This is a place that must be visited at least once in your life. The equinox can also be observed on the 19, 20 and 22 of March 2017, but it is not the official day.

Tours for Chichen Itza with transportation included:

Chichen Itza Regular:
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Chichen Itza light and sound:
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Private Tour Chichen Itza:
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Chichen Itza limo:
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March 16, 2017
Mysteries of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza was built in the year 525 a.C. It is not possible to explain the dissapearance of the Mayan civilization. Some says for the Spaniards conquest, epidemics or droughts that left the city alone with an incredible history and structures. The main structure “Kukulkan” represent honor to Quetzalcóatl, the god of cultivation and land.

There are hundreds of mysteries hidden in the city. Archaeologists from over the world travel all the way to Yucatan to explain how the Mayans built those pyramids, how they lived, their predictions and intelligence.

There are many mysteries in Chichen Itza:

1. The Equinox in Chichen Itza represents a snake in the pyramid of Kukulkan

During spring and fall, the equinoxes in the afternoon are ideal to admire at Chichen Itza. The sunset light transform the pyramid into a snake reflection descending from the pyramid. Click here to assist to the fall equinox in Chichen Itza

2. There is a cenote located below the pyramid of KukulkanThe Mayans constructed the pyramid over a cenote, which means they believed in religion. Many sacrifices, ceremonies and offerings where made in the sacred cenotes such as this and others located in the city.

3. Human remains and valuable artifacts are found in the cenotes of Chichen Itza

Mayans used to make sacrifices into the cenotes. Explores found also relics that were burried many years ago, principally in the biggest one “Cenote Sagrado”. Some of these cenotes are closed for visitors, but there are many around the Yucatan Peninsula. Want to try swimming in a cenote? Click here to see what it feels to jump into these big hole of water!

4. Mayans left us seven prophecies

Explorers found a message written in stone with seven prophecies that are going to happen these times that we live in. Some of them already happen and other where unreal. Mayans built the structure “El Caracol” to predict all the astronomical events like these. They predicted the “codex Dresde” that every 117 twists of Venus marked every time it appears in the same sky, the sun suffer strong alterations, big spots or eruptions of solar wind.

5. Step and clap in front of Kukulkan pyramid to hear a bird chirp

When you step in front of Kukulkan on a certain distance you have to clap to hear the sound of a quetzal bird, a very pretty bird that forms part of the mayan culture.

September 10, 2016
Chichen Itza Spring Equinox 2016

Chichen Itza Spring Equinox 2016

An equinox is an astronomical event that happens when the sun is positioned directly over the equator. The word “Equinox” has a meaning which is “Equal Night”.. that is because on the EQUINOX the night is EQUAL IN LENGHT TO THE DAY. It occurs twice a year, around march 20 and september 23. The day when the spring equinox happens mark the end of winter and beginning of spring.
Each year thousands of pilgrims and curiosity seekers travel from all around the world to Yucatan to watch this phenomenon.

How it works?A man hold a crystal above his head as he and over 15 thousand people congregated in front of the famous pyramid at Chichen-Itza, Mexico to celebrate the arrival of the Equinox signaling the beginning of Spring. The famous Maya ruin is popular at the Equinox when the serpents back shows on the side of the stairway that leads to the top.
At the exact time of the equinox a play of light and shadow creates the appearance of a snake descending in the Pyramid of Kukulkan or also named as “El Castillo”. This shadow snake is composed of seven or so triangular shadows. The sinking sun seems to give life to the shadow which takes a look like it is moving. If you have a car you must take advantage to see the equinox light in Dzibilchaltún, another archaeological site, where the sun aligns directly with the main door of the Templo de las Siete Muñecas.

Spring Equinox Tickets to Chichen Itza

The days to see the equinox are on March 20, 21 and 22. To get your tickets to Chichen Itza on the Equinox you must buy a normal day tour, some of them include transportation and food. Here is a list with our tours available to see the equinox:

Chichen Itza Regular: Roundtrip transportation from Cancun or Riviera Maya + tour + lunch.
$64 USD adults and $43 USD infants.

Chichen Itza Sky Luxury cruiser: Roundtrip transportation on a luxury bus from Cancun or Riviera Maya + breakfast on the bus & drinks + tour + lunch.
$94 USD adults and $69 USD infants.

March 14, 2016
What to do when you arrive to Cancun

Arriving to Cancun can be very fun and exciting since the moment you set foot in the Caribbean. But as in any destination, It is best to come prepared and avoid any inconvenience to your arrival.

What is the best? I made a list of things you should do when you arrive to Cancun.

1. Know how to transport yourself from the airport

At Cancun Airport, you will find on each corner all kind of vendors who want to take you to your hotel. But if you want to SAVE MONEY AND TIME waiting to make your reservation there, I suggest you book your transportation ONLINE before traveling.
If you are traveling with family or friends, the best way is to book a private shuttle to take all of you to your hotel or stay without delays. Some of these shuttles make a quick stop at a convenience store in case you want something to drink along the way.

2. Reserve your room hotel

Cancun counts with more than 1200 hotels where you can stay in case you don’t know where to go. Some are cheaper than others. It is always better to come prepared. As I mentioned earlier, online booking will always be cheaper than if you book directly at the hotel, don’t forget this!

3. Enjoy a tour in Cancun

If you are looking What to do when you arrive to Cancun, you can not miss one of the hundreds of tours that are in Cancun! Including the Riviera Maya, Tulum & Yucatán. In my experience, these are the best 5 tours recommended:

-Xelha: A water park for all ages in which you can perform hundreds of activities: Snorkeling, swimming with sharks, buffets, pools, cenotes, caverns, biking, ziplines and more.

-Chichen Itza: Do not miss one of the 7 World Wonders. Chichen Itza is part of this and include good tours to know all the archaeological site. There is a very cool tour called “Chichen Itza Light & Sound” in which you can enjoy a day and the night show.

-Isla Mujeres: A beautiful paradise island located 30 minutes from Cancun, you must take a ferry to get there. What you can do at Isla Mujeres is a day at the beach, travel around the island on a golf cart and spend the night in one of the many bars or clubs. Isla Mujeres sunsets are unforgettable.

-Tulum: In my opinion, Tulum is one of the best beaches and destinations of Cancun I visited. This is an ecological destination where in the evening, darkness let you see the starry sky. I recommend you book a hotel at the sea shore and close to the restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious dinner with music and shows.

-Scuba Diving: If you want to feel what is to live in the World of Nemo, you must dive in Cancun. It has coral reefs of all colors and exotic fish. It is a unique opportunity that you will never forget. Cancun Diving offers several tours during the day and at night. Click here for more information.

4. Go eat Mexican Food

One of the main desires of the foreigners is to try Mexican food, because it is unique and can not be imitated in any other country. I suppose that you want to taste the best tacos in Cancun. I recommend you to go to Cancun Downtown (CENTRO DE CANCUN). There are places that are open until dawn in case you have no time. My recommendation is to go to La Resabrosa or Los Tarascos, they are located in AVE. TULUM. You can take a bus from your hotel to Cancun Downtown and then a taxi to the restaurant.

Thank you for taking the time to read What to do when you arrive to Cancun, hope you enjoyed it. Please share the link with your friends on the Social Network!

November 9, 2015
Visit the World Wonder of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, Yucatán Mexico

Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the world, it is an archaeological site that you can not miss. It has hundreds of amazing & interesting structures like temples and pyramids the Mayans created thousand years ago. If you visit the World Wonder of Chichen Itza, keep reading this important article!

Where is located Chichen Itza?

This World Wonder is located in the State of Yucatán, Mexico 121 kilometers east of the city of Merida. From Cancun, Chichen Itza is 268 km away, about a 3 hour trip. I would recommend that if you want to travel in comfort and without stops in other cities, book a Shuttle, it will pick you up in your hotel and take you directly to Chichen Itza with some good benefits: air conditioning, music and a quick stop for snacks and beverages. (Some Tours to Chichen Itza have transportation included, click here to see more)

What’s inside Chichen Itza?

Here are several amazing structures built by the Mayas that you are going to see in your trip to Chichen Itza:

Kukulkan Pyramid

Certainly, Kukulkan is the most recognized structure in Chichen Itza, you have surely see it. Something incredible about Kukulkan is the phenomenon that occurs each summer and autumn equinox where a snake can be seen descending from the pyramid.

Cenote Sagrado

This cenote, located inside Chichen Itza, where given offerings to God Chaac (the Lord of Rains) and also where high-ranking prisioners were held sacrifice.

Currently valuable pieces are found in this cenote as jades, obsidian knives, gems, precious stones, treasures and skeletons but it’s said this cenote has not been fully explored.

El Caracol (Observatory)

It is also called the Temple of Venus, because observing and studying this planet was one of the most important objects of study for the Mayans. The observations made from the Mayan Caracol were intuitive in many cases only using the eye. That was how the Mayans predicted 29 eclipses, equinoxes, solstices, etc. These predictions can be seen through the sculptures located in the Caracol.

The Great Ball Game (Juego de Pelota)

The Great Ball Game is a huge field oriented north / south direction. The point of this game for the Mayans was a rematch between the team captains to show who was going to be beheaded. The whole scene is done in each game displayed on a disc in the center of each slope that borders the area of the game.

Jaguar Temple

This temple, part of the ball game, it’s called Jaguar Temple because of the amount of jaguars carved that has its structure in the main part.

The Temple of the Warriors

In the eastern part of the square of Chichen Itza, you will find the Temple of the Warriors. Here is where you will see the incredible castle surrounded by “A Thousand Columns”.
The Thousand Columns are one of my favorite structures and performances. Each column represents something very interesting: within the human being even though each one has a negative part we all also carry our part of being warriors, which help us fight this negativity and evil that we carry inside.

November 4, 2015