I read post today that Voxtour.ai now has a new audio guide for Chichén Itzá, and it immediately brought back memories of our trip there years ago.
In 2008, I visited Chichén Itzá for the first time. It was one of those journeys that leave a lasting imprint on your memory. As a child, I had read so much about the Maya civilization, but I never imagined that one day I would find myself in this mysterious ancient city.
I remember standing at the foot of the Temple of Kukulkan, trying to grasp that I wasn’t just looking at an ancient structure, but a giant astronomical calendar. Every detail of it had a hidden meaning: four sides, each with 91 steps. If you add them all together and include the top platform, you get 365—the exact number of days in a year. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sunlight creates the illusion of a serpent slithering along the temple’s edge.
We wandered through the Thousand Columns, listening to the guide, but I must admit—so much of it slipped away. There was just too much information, and the scorching Mexican sun was merciless. It was unbearably hot. I physically couldn’t take in everything he was saying.
Thankfully, Mexico is full of cenotes—natural sinkholes filled with cool freshwater—where you can escape the heat. That’s exactly where we revived ourselves after the tour.
Cenotes (from the Spanish cenote, originally from the Yucatec Maya word dzonot) are unique karst formations—natural wells, lakes, and entire cave systems with underground rivers, sometimes even connected to the sea.
The most famous open cenote is Ik Kil, located just a five-minute drive from Chichén Itzá. It’s one of the most beautiful, though also one of the most popular.
Of course, Chichén Itzá is one of the top tourist spots for anyone staying on the Riviera Maya. It’s like talking about the Eiffel Tower—who hasn’t been there? But still, there are a few things worth mentioning:
Chichén Itzá was a thriving Mayan city from 600 to 1200 AD, around the time of the Roman Empire’s peak.
The Maya civilization had an advanced writing system, the most accurate calendar of its time (365 days), sophisticated architecture, and incredible knowledge of astronomy.
The Observatory (El Caracol) was used by the Maya to track planetary movements and predict eclipses.
The Ball Court—a mysterious ritual stadium. But who was sacrificed after the game—the winners, the losers, or captured warriors? No one knows for sure.
The largest Mayan ball court, known as Juego de Pelota, is found in Chichén Itzá—and it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. Measuring 545 feet (166m) in length and 225 feet (69m) in width, this massive open-air arena was a site of rituals, competition, and mystery.
But what makes it truly remarkable is its acoustic perfection. A whisper from one end of the court can be heard clearly at the other, unaffected by wind, time of day, or even weather conditions. Imagine how this must have amplified the chants, cheers, and the eerie silence before a final strike.
On either side of the court, stone hoops stand high above the ground, serving as goals. But this was no ordinary game. The players, using only their hips, shoulders, knees, and elbows, had to propel a 3–4 kg (6–8 lb) solid rubber ball through these rings—without using their hands, feet, or head.
And the stakes? Life and death.
Carvings on the surrounding walls depict a chilling scene: a kneeling player, moments before sacrifice to the gods. While some legends claim the victorious captain was offered as tribute, many archaeologists believe it was the losing team that paid the ultimate price.
Was this an honor or a punishment? The answer remains shrouded in mystery—just like much of the Mayan civilization itself.
One thing that really stuck with me was something our guide pointed out: “Where are the stands?” Indeed, apart from a small temple where the priests sat, the entire ball court was enclosed by high walls. He explained that this wasn’t a public spectacle—it was a religious ritual.
Back then, I wanted to learn more, but between the heat and the overwhelming amount of information, I couldn’t take it all in. Today, things are much easier—with audio guides, you can explore history at your own pace. Check the new Voxtour.ai audio tour about Chichén Itzá and Mayan history.
I listened to the Voxtour.ai tour of Chichén Itzá recently, and it was a great way to refresh my memories.
