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| Chichen Itza |
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The large restored and partially reconstructed structures, like the famous Ball Court above, make Chichén Itzá one of the most impressive and most visited ruins in the Yucatan. While there has been a great deal of reconstruction there already, as you walk around the site, you are sure to see small hills that are other structures waiting to be rebuilt.
The architecture of Chichén Itzá is split between the original Mayan city that was built beginning in the 8th Century and the later arriving Toltecs. According to historians, the Toltecs from Central Mexico conquered the area in the later part of the 10th Century and began building in their own style. If you visit, the difference in the building styles will be evident.
The most dominating structure in Chichén Itzá is the Pyramid of Kukulkán, which is built in the Toltec style. One of the fascinating features of the structure is that it's actually a remarkably accurate form of calendar. Each side of the pyramid has 91 steps, which multiplied by the 4 sides equals a total of 364. Counting one additional step for the top platform gives a total of 365. The Mayan Calendar was composed of 18 months of 20 days plus one month of five days, which also equals 365. We've never been there at the right time to see the phenomenon but on the spring and autumnal equinox, the shadow cast by the steps of the pyramid creates the image of a serpent moving up and down the pyramid.
Beneath the photo of the pyramid is the Temple of the Warriors with is also known as the Group of the Thousand Columns. Many of the columns are carved with the images of warriors. Ask you guide to show you the image of what is thought to be a Western fighter.
Be sure to look for the famous statue of Chac Mool, a reclining god holding a bowl.
The next image on our page is one of the more intriguing of the Mayan built structures. It is known as El Caracol or The Observatory. The word "caracol" is Spanish for conch and the building earns it's name by the winding stairways in it's interior. In fact, the building is a planetarium with windows set to view particular celestial bodies. It is amazing to realize that the Maya had advanced so far in the science of astronomy so long ago.
There are quite a few other structures and points of interest in Chichén Itzá including the Temple of the Jaguars and the Tzompantli. To the right is a photo of the base of the Tzompantli, which is also known as the Platform of the Skulls. It is thought that this is one of the locations where the Toltecs made human sacrifice.
In addition, you will probably want to walk down the pathway, which was once part of the sacbeob, the Mayan white stone road system as it leads to the Sacred Cenote.
Chichén Itzá is located roughly half way between Cancún and Mérida. A drive there will take from 2-3 hours from either direction. Tickets for an organized day trip can be bought from any travel agent or hotel travel desk in either city. It is also possible to make an organized trip there via commuter airplane from Cozumel. As an alternative, you can take a bus or drive yourself from Cancún, Mérida or Playa del Carmen. If you are driving, it would be smart to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the afternoon heat.
On our last visit, it cost $75 Pesos for admission. English speaking guides are available. At 8:00pm each night, there is a light and sound show that will cost you an additional $35 pesos or $60 pesos with headphones that will allow you to hear the story in English.
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| Uxmal |
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| In many ways, Uxmal is one of our favorite ruins that we have ever visited. As with Chichén Itzá, while much restoration has already taken place, there is still a lot of work to be done there.
From around 600-900AD, Uxmal was home to as many as 25,000 Mayans. It is located in an area known as the Ruta Puuc named for the nearby Puuc hills.
The architecture of Uxmal is one of the things that really sets it apart from other Mayan ruins. Among many other structures, highlights are the Pyramid of the Magician, The Nunnery Quadrangle including a beautiful pointed arch entry and the Governor's Palace.
This is a beautiful, beautiful city.
Uxmal is about an hours drive from Merida. Tickets for an organized tour can be bought from any travel agent or hotel travel desk in the city.
You also might consider touring there in a private car instead of the normal bus tour. Hire a car and driver for the day and if you have the time and money, stop in at the Hacienda Temozon for lunch and luxuriating and then on to the archaeological zone for an afternoon tour. Temozon is an elegant restored henequin hacienda, which today is now a luxury hotel.
On our last visit, it cost $40 pesos to enter Uxmal with an additional charge for the sound and light show in the evening. We have stayed for the show on one occasion and while it was interesting, to be perfectly honest, it wouldn't have bothered us to miss it. In fact, for a light display, as sun down approaches, find your way to high ground in the western portion of the city and enjoy the view looking back as the soft yellow light of sun set reflects off the Pyramid of the Magician and other buildings. It is a lot more impressive light show than any laser we saw that night.
As is the case for many of the ruins, there is no charge for entry on Sundays. And as pointed out in discussions for other Mayan ruins, if possible, it is best to get an early start to avoid the crowds and mid-day heat.
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| Izamal |
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Izamal is a charming colonial town located about an hour to an hour and a half drive from Mérida. Virtually every building in the town is painted yellow.
Before the Spanish arrived, Izamal was an important ceremonial center for the Maya. Since their arrival, it has become a ceremonial center for honoring the Virgin of Izamal. Pilgrims have included Pope John Paul II who visited Izamal in August 1993
Regular organized bus tours are available from any travel agent or hotel tour desk in Mérida. When we visited, we took advantage of the Izamal Express Train, which runs only on Sundays. The train is very slow but it does give a close up view of the Mexican countryside and was a worthwhile endeavor.
The train leaves Mérida just after 8am and arrives in Izamal around 10am. The tour included a visit to several Mayan sites as well as the very large Franciscan convent completed by the Spanish in 1561. We were entertained by a Folkloric Ballet performance in the restaurant after our lunch and were driven back to the train station in a horse drawn carriage. The train got us back to Mérida around 5pm. Editor's Note: We have heard a rumor that the train service may have been suspended recently.
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