Cancun, as the tourist city that we know it, it's only about 40 years old, so now, we are going to visit a fantastic place in which you can travel to the past and know something about the Mayan culture, Chichen Itza, which was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, but for doing it more interesting and amazing we'll take a compete tour called "La Ruta de Oriente"(The east route) and it will take most part of the day.
First we are going to talk something about the history of this place. The Maya name "Chich'en Itzá" means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza". It was the capital of one the biggest civilizations developed in Mesoamerica, the Mayans. It is located in the northern center of the Yucatan Peninsula and was the major regional center from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. This archeological center represents the prosperity, power and the almost hegemony of the region. Chich'en Itzá is a very magnificent place because of it's structures, such as the "Templo de Kukulcan" where On the spring and Fall equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent - Kukulcan - along the side of the North staircase. On these two days, the shadows from the corner tiers slither down the northern side of the pyramid with the sun's movement. Another important places are "el Templo de los Guerreros", "El Juego de Pelota" and "El Cenote Sagrado".
This tour is lage so we have to take breakfast at the hotel early so that we can be leaving the hotel at 8:30. The route starts at Chich'en Itza, located 120 km east of the city of Merida, No. federal highway. 180 bound for Cancun, you will enjoy its impressive architecture and hear more of the history of the place through his museum and the spectacle of "light and sound". After traveling this archeological zone and admire your Sacred Cenote, we can steer 6 kilometer ahead to the Caves of Balamkanché, a place that served as ceremonial center of the Maya, in its internal remnants of countless offerings and the throne of Balam, a kind of an altar which gave its name to these caves. No. Continuing on the road. 180, 40 km later comes to Valladolid, the second oldest city in the Yucatan. It may make a evening stroll through downtown to buy crafts and eat typical dishes, be sure to visit the neighborhood of Candelaria, one of the most picturesque and legendary. Near here and to close this route, you can visit the archeological zone Ek 'Balam, located 26 km from Valladolid on the road to Cancun, this site has 45 majestic buildings, including a game ball and a beautiful bow protected by two concentric walls of stone. It also has snakes hieroglyphic, which monuments are beautifully carved in stone blocks.
We'll be arriving at the hotel at 6 pm aproximately and then we'll have free time and optionally you'll go the downtown to "Coco Vongo" a nice disco.
