You are no longer able to climb the ruins at Chichen Itza and have not been able to for several years now. You are still able to climb Coba and Ek Balam, both of which are only partially excavated/restored and well worth visiting.
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Yes!A self-guided walking tour of Tulum is the best way to explore everything that the fantastic site offers. Not only will the app give you directions on where to go, but it will also tell you all about the secret history of the Mayan empire.
And visiting Chichen Itza without a tour is actually pretty simple. The number one way to visit Chichen Itza and avoid the crowds is to arrive as early as possible in the morning, before the tour buses from Cancún, Tulum or Mérida arrive a few hours later. Depending on where you're staying this may not be possible.
Chichen Itza – MexicoThe architectural styles of the area are said to be different than in any other Mayan city, which many historians believe is due to the diversity of the region. The area is the most visited archeological site in Mexico and roughly 1.2 million tourists comed to marvel at the ruins each year.
You can expect to pay around 80 pesos for admission on a Tulum tour, with an extra 45 pesos for professional photo equipment. In USD, that's about $4 to $6.
You can expect to pay around 80 pesos for admission on a Tulum tour, with an extra 45 pesos for professional photo equipment. In USD, that's about $4 to $6. That's a super reasonable price to see everything that the Tulum ruins have to offer!
Climbing the temples at Chichen Itza has been illegal for some 15 years now, with the ban coming into force in 2008 over concerns about the safety of those climbing and the potential long-term damage to the ancient structures themselves.
The Pyramid of El Castillo in Chichén Itzá was built to reflect the Mayan astronomical year. Each side has 91 steps with a final step at the top, so there are 365 steps total. The Pyramid was constructed so that it marks the equinoxes—the two days of the year when there are equal amounts of day and night.
El Meco Mayan Ruins in CancunEl Meco, are Mayan ruins in Cancun, which opened to the public in 2001. The ruin is well preserved and has the tallest Mayan structure around Cancun. The Castillo is 12 m (40 ft) high and was likely the lighthouse for the region. As well it has a small temple and fabulous sea views.
Penalties established by Mexico's Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historical Areas for accessing the site without authorization range anywhere from $2,500 to more than $5,000.
Of the four main Mayan ruin sites that people visit from the Riviera Maya, only one still allows people to climb to the top of the main pyramid. There are however some other Mayan ruins that might be a little harder to get to but offer a great experience including being able to climb to the top of some of the pyramids.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes too as you'll want to walk around and explore everywhere – flip flops aren't ideal; I'd suggest covered-toe sandals or training shoes are the best options. As I said above, bring a swimsuit and towel if you will be visiting a cenote on your Chichen Itza visit.
To answer your question though - yes, the ruins are safe. Chichen Itza is a bit of a trek (3 hours drive each way) and being inland in the jungle, it can be extremely hot there. Tulum is much closer and the setting is spectacular (the ruins are on top of a cliff).
Can you visit Chichén Itzá on your own? Yes, it's not required to book a private tour or guide. In fact, many travelers choose to rent a car and drive themselves to the various sightseeing locations around the Yucatan for a more flexible schedule.
Archaeologists have discovered a cave filled with hundreds of artifacts beneath the ruins of the Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the lead researcher on the project said Monday, calling the find incredible.