Chichen Itza is a complex of ruins from a pre-Mexican settlement on the Yucatan Peninsula. The centerpiece of the ancient complex is a huge step pyramid named El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcan. A number of interesting carvings, temples, and other ruins also shed a bit of light onto what life might have been like for them. The site is fairly easy to access from both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

While it is fantastic to look at, the crowds can be a bit difficult to handle, especially during the high seasons. Getting there early is a good way to enjoy the sights, with less of a crowd. While climbing the pyramid was once a popular activity, it is no longer permitted in an effort to preserve this historically significant site. Map

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