The Ancient Mayan City of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

 The Maya name "Chichen Itza" means " at the edge of the Itza's well." The word Chichen derives from chi', meaning "mouth" or "edge", and ch'e'en, meaning "well." Itzá is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that dominated the northern peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico prior to the Spanish Conquest. It is believed that "Itza" derives from the Maya itz, meaning "magic," and (h)á, meaning "water;" Itzá means: "Water Magicians." Archaeologists today believe that this majestic Mayan city rose as a prominent power towards the end of the Mayan Early Classic Period (600 AD) and current scholastic data places Chichen Itza's fall around AD 1000. Chichen Itza was a major economic power in the northern Mayan region during its apogee. The city's impressive architecture and urban design still marvels visitors and has won Chichen Itza to be included in the new list of the seven wonders of the world, and is one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

The Amazing Beauty of Chichen Itza: Important Places and Mayan Temples to Visit at the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza's Urban Design: The urban design found in Chichen Itza is highly impressive and well planned with many Mayan Temples grouped in a series of architectonic sets.  The four well known set of Mayan pyramids and temples in Chichen Itza; three are open to the public:

• The Great North Platform, which includes Kukulkan Pyramid, known in
  Spanish as El Castillo; plus the Temple of Warriors and the Great Ball Court.

• The Ossario Group, which includes the Ossario pyramid, the Xtoloc temple,
  and the cenote of the Xtoloc.

• The Central Group, which includes the Observatory or El Caracol, the group
  of Las Monjas and La Iglesia, plus the lovely Mayan temple of Akab Dzib.

The forth set is known as  or Chichen Viejo only opened to archaeologists and is located inside the Hacienda Chichen private Mayan Jungle Reserve in the south region of Chichen Itza. Among the temples found in Old Chichen are the Group of the Initial Series, the Group of the Lintels, and the Group of the Old Castle. The past ten years, Dr. Merle Greene has dedicated many summers to work recording many of the Mayan stone-carvings in these Mayan temples; a lovely collection of her original "rubbings"  can be seen by the Hacienda Chichen guests at the hotel's Merle Greene's Museum.

Chichen Itza Cenotes: The ancient city of Chichen Itza is located in Northern Yucatan, an arid region where underground fresh water ways run through it rather than rivers; such waterways form natural skink holes called cenotes in Spanish. There are two open cenotes in Chichen Itza's archaeological zone, the most famous is the Sacred Cenote at the north side of the Kukulkan Pyramid. (photo) Edward Herbert Thompson dredged El Cenote Sagrado, 1904 to 1910, and recovered artifacts of gold, jade, pottery, etc.

  Important Places to Visit near Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin Spa:

Chichen Itza, of course is known now for the impressive Kukulkan Mayan Temple, an ancient Mayan pyramid that became part of the 2007 Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Mayan city has been the most famous of all Mayan archaeological zones in Yucatan, Mexico.  Today, Chichen Itza offers many Mayan eco-cultural traditions.

Thus, we recommend travelers to stay at least two night in our eco-friendly resort to explore and enjoy the various eco-cultural activities this great region offers, including the nightly Light and Sound Show at Chichen Itza after a short "siesta" in your room or cottage terrace over viewing our Maya Jungle gardens; do visit our private Merle Greene Museum and Yaxkin Spa unique Mayan  Natural Cave, where guests enjoy the purification ancient Mayan ceremonial mysticism at this original natural holistic sweat-bath and cleansing Zumpul-che ceremony, within Hacienda Chichen's ritual garden.

Chichen Viejo, a special treat for Hacienda Chichen guests since it is the south area of Chichen Itza located within the grounds of the hotel property; although nowadays it is not open to the general public, especial guests can request a visit permit to the official team of archaeologists. A short southbound walk from the Casco or Main Colonial House of the Hacienda will bring you to the site of Chichen Viejo which is under reconstruction nowadays.

DID YOU KNOW: Dresden Mayan Codex, in 1519, Hernan Cortez navigated the Yucatan coastline during the his conquest travels of the New world.  It is assumed that the Dresden Mayan Codex  was one of the many treasures and gifts he sent to the King of Spain; such codex, experts agree today, originally came from Chichen Itza during the post-classical Maya period, in 1250 A. C.  This beautifully crafted ancient Mayan manuscript has been an important key for the study and understanding of Mayan Gods, numbers, hieroglyphs and writing.  This piece of information is of utmost importance to today's J-Men and Mayan Senior Wiseman since the codex contains important description of the Mayan Cosmo-vision, holistic understanding of mankind, the planet, gods, and astronomical events. 

 The Dresden Codex also contains a Mayan ceremonial calendar for the different Mayan gods, tables of solar and lunar eclipses, calculations of the planet movements, especially Venus and Mars, and many Mayan cultural traditions that are all part of Yaxkin Spa Mayan Holistic Healing Care and purification ceremonies.

What to Do when in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico:
Eco-Cultural Activities and Mayan Ceremonial Events to Remember.

Where to Stay in Chichen Itza ? For Nature and Culture Lovers as well as Gourmet Healthy Food Conscious Travelers and those that wish to truly experience the Mayan Cultural Heritage of Yucatan, Mexico, the place to stay while visiting Chichen Itza is Hacienda Chichen Resort.

As a guest at Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa, you have the unique opportunity to enjoy natural purification Spa treatments rooted in Mayan holistic healing traditions as you discover our Mayan Cultural traditions, and explore many fascinating ancient Mayan temples and ruins in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

What to Do in Chichen Itza ?
Visit the Mayan temples and ancient Mayan ruins of the archaeological zone, including the Kukulkan Pyramid, the Mayan Ball Court, or the Observatory where ancient Mayan scientists observed and studied the Cosmos, our Milky Way Galaxy, and Solar Planetarium System with much emphasis on Venus, the Moon, and Solar equinox rhythms.

Book a Mayan Holistic Spa Ritual and Therapy at Yaxkin Spa - Do take the opportunity to experience a Mayan holistic healing Spa care, a unique intimate way to understand the cultural heritage of ancient Maya wisdom.  Find our Spa menu here.

Explore the Maya world and fascinating Eco-wonders:
Visit the Hacienda Chichen private Mayan Jungle Reserve and Bird Refuge, take a Mayan Nature Guided Tour or a Bird-Watching Tour with a Mayan Guide, you will be fascinated with the endemic flora and fauna of the region, the Mayan language and legends that continue to be part of the Mayan rural traditions and belief system.

Swim in any of the multiple natural cenotes or Mayan water ways and underground lake-like sinkholes of fresh crystal clear waters.  Enjoy the natural cave formations of this unique land and explore its underground rivers and beauty.

Visit small rural villages and discover the Mayan crafts and talents, if you enjoy the traditional art and crafts of the Maya, take the opportunity to visit Mayan hammock weavers, clay potters, embroiderers, and wood carvers in their own home towns.

Take Mayan Cooking Classes with Chef Josue Cime and enjoy collecting your own Organic ripe fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices from the Organic Gardens at Hacienda Chichen Resort.  Learn ancient Mayan and Fusion Cuisine with a healthy approach; then enjoy your own cooking under the stars with a glass of fine wine.

Come to participate in any of the great Mayan Calendar Festivity:

SPRING 2013 MAYA EQUINOX: March 21ST. 2011 - 2013 at 10AM the Senior Mayan J-Men Healers and Shamans will celebrate a mystical Spring Equinox Mayan Ceremony at Hacienda Chichen's Sacred Mayan Ceremonial Site, participation is "free", for further information view Yucatan Adventure's Mayan Ceremonies and Rituals Calendar after the open to the public free Mayan Equinox Ceremony, J-Men Mayan Healer and J-Men (Shaman) will be offering the Zumpul-che mystical rituals and Mayan Holistic Purification Ceremonies (3  sessions) to small groups of participants, for further information, booking, and price per person registration, click here.

Yaxkin Spa offers you a variety of skin and body natural care,
including purification and nutritious organic skin treatments to
restore the natural beauty of your body, skin, face, hair, nails.
Come enjoy Mother Nature gifts: organic algae body rich care,
skin purification, skin aging prevention care, relaxation, stress
release massages, feet deluxe Spa treatments and much more!

We recommend you book a Mayan Spa Vacation package or any of the various great Yucatan Spa Resort Vacation Packages offered by Chichen Services,, your Mayan Vacation Portal.  If you would like to save 10%, book a prepaid Yaxkin Spa Maya Beauty or Purification Ritual in our sister website Chichen Services, our Mayan Vacation Packages Portal . Chichen Services is dedicated to help you plan fun cultural and ecological experiences while visiting Yucatan.
Please read our service policies.

Or book directly through Yaxkin Spa here.