Stay Overnight At Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, the ancient Maya city, has always been popular with tourists. Year after year, it racks up the highest visitor numbers of any archaeological park in Mexico, not least because of its easy access from the highly frequented resort areas of Cancun and Riviera Maya, from which literally dozens of packed tour buses arrive at the archaeology park on a daily basis.

When Chichen Itza was voted as one of the New Wonders of The World, the publicity which surrounded this anointment served to attract even more visitors to the park.

From about 10am onwards each day, the tour buses begin to arrive.  The ruins are also situated in the jungle, so not only do visitor numbers swell, the heat of the day begins to take hold, making exploration of the park less pleasurable and more tiring in the afternoon heat and humidity.

If you really want to experience Chichen Itza properly, there is only one way to accomplish this: by staying overnight at one of the hotels situated right next-door to the park.  By-pass the malaise of tour-bus crowds and enjoy the comfort of the facilities and services the hotels have on offer to guests.

You may arrive at your chosen hotel in the late afternoon, check-in, relax with a cool drink, and perhaps take an afternoon swim.  Some hotels offer spas treatments, too.  You have time to unwind in the quiet tranqulity of the hotel’s grounds before enjoying dinner served in a courtyard surrounded by soft candlelight and lush vegetation.

After a good night’s rest, you wake early to sounds of birdsong: a symphony performed by wild jungle birds, principally tropical Toucans.   Enjoy a leisurely breakfast from around 7am.   The park opens its doors at 8am.

By entering the park at 8am, you have at least two-to-three hours to really enjoy Chichen Itza, without hordes of people everywhere.  People staying at the hotels may enter through small side entrances, just a short walk away.

By the time the tour-bus crowds descend upon Chichen Itza, and the intense heat of the midday sun takes hold, you have seen most of the park’s key features and got some great pictures.

You may return to your hotel to lunch and perhaps take a swim to cool down.  If you are staying a second night at the hotel, you may want to return to the park for further exploration in the afternoon, or enjoy a spa treatment, or just relax in the restful and refreshing gardens of the hotel’s grounds.

We recommend at least one night at a hotel in Chichen Itza, but preferably two nights, for better relaxation.   By staying overnight, you avoid the tour-buses, the rush to the entrance, the jockeying for position for the photographs you want, the jungle heat, and the ‘long’ bus journey back to your hotel at the beach resort.

In short, staying overnight is not only the most pleasurable way to experience the Chichen Itza; it is also the most civilized.

One or two night’s stay at Chichen Itza is surprisingly affordable and worth every cent if you truly want to experience the wonderful Maya ruins without the commercialized crush.

The Mexperience Hotels Collection includes three properties located at Chichen Itza:

Hacienda Chichen & Spa – For a restful, relaxing and truly refreshing experience in Chichen Itza, visit the Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin Spa.  The Hacienda Chichen is a Colonial Boutique hotel located next to Chichen Itza. Secluded within a vast Maya Jungle, this 16th Century Hacienda has an inviting serene ambiance where guests can experience Maya cultural traditions and many great outdoors activities.  The hotel’s property has become a Sanctuary of Life and Nature Conservation Reserve dedicated to Sustainable Tourism.

Mayaland Hotel and Bungalows – Situated right next-door to the park, Mayaland was the first Hotel built at Chichen Itza (in 1923).  The hotel built and is operated by its original owners and their descendents in a style reminiscent of the hacienda nobility of a century ago.  Clustered around secluded swimming pools, the 50 bungalows seem an extension of the gardens in which they are located. Built in traditional Mayan style with wood, stone, native marble and thatch, there were created for guest wishing to commune with nature and with the culture that 1,000 years before rose to greatness here.  Spend the extra and stay in Bungalow when you stay here.

The Lodge at Chichen Itza – This is a hotel that offers total immersion in the Yucatan-Maya experience: an enclave of untamed nature in the heart of the Yucatan jungle.  The Lodge sits on 100 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens (the largest of any hotel in the Land of the Maya, Mexico and the Caribbean) in the heart of the Chichen Itza archaeological park, with its own entrance to the Maya temples. Individual, dual and three-unit villas are nestled among trees and flowers of this beautifully landscaped property. The 39 comfortable and spacious bungalows were built with the materials that the Mayans used for building their houses, such as wood, stone, palms, marble and thatch roofs. It is an ideal space for people who want to be in touch with culture and nature.

Also See:

• Guide to Chichen Itza
• Chichen Itza Photo Gallery