Chichen Itza (Yucatec Mayan: Chi'ch'èen Ìitsha') means "at the mouth of the well of the Itza". The large city was built by the Mayas in A.D. 600 as a major centre, and continued to thrive for well over 600 years!
The city presents many Mayan architectural styles attributed to the fact that it was home to the most diverse population in the Maya world. It is also said to have been one of the great mythical cities of the Mayan civilization.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is very visited, perhaps underwhelming, and we prefer by far the grander Uxmal, also a UNESCO World Heritage with a fraction of the visitors (see Uxmal gallery).
