Quintana Roo has long been one of our favorite places to unwind: a blend of tropical beauty, warm Caribbean waters, incredible food, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family. It’s also home to the Riviera Maya, a coastline shaped by centuries of Mayan history and culture.
The region may be famous for its 5‑star all‑inclusive resorts, but step outside the gates and you’ll find a world rich with stories, ruins, and experiences that reward anyone with a curious streak for the extraordinary.
Home Base
For this trip we traveled to Akumal, Mexico, and set up camp at the Grand Sirenis Resort and Spa Riviera Maya. It’s a familiar favorite that always sets the tone for a great stay and has everything you’d want from a Caribbean getaway. But honestly, it’s the coatis, iguanas, and other endearing critters that keep us coming back. 😊
The Tour
After a little R&R and some well‑deserved pampering, it was time for exploration. Our sights were set on Chichén Itzá, one of the seven wonders of the world. We booked an all-day tour with Majestic Expeditions that included three stops: Yun Chen Cenote, Chichén Itzá, and the city of Valladolid.
We caught our bus outside the resort at 8:00 a.m. and settled in for the two-and-a-half-hour ride to Yun Chen cenote. The trip went by quickly as our guide, Ismael, shared fascinating information about the Yucatan history, Maya culture, the influence of Maya science on modern mathematics and astronomy, and how early beliefs still shape life in the region today. It was basically a crash course in the Maya world, and we hadn’t even stepped off the bus yet.
Yun Chen Cenote
Now deep in the Yucatán jungle, we arrived at our first location: Ki’ichpam Xunaan Eco Park and the small Maya community of Yalcoba. As we entered the park, an elder Maya shaman welcomed us with a traditional ritual, smudging us with incense as he chanted a short Maya prayer.
We then passed through an area of straw‑roof huts filled with colorful handmade souvenirs, local chocolate, tequilas, and mezcals with plenty of samples to try (remember, this is real tequila 😁).
After a few minutes of “sampling,” we made our way to the staging area and grabbed our life jackets for the swim. Once we peered over the edge, we were struck by the sheer depth and scale of the cenote.
The cavern opened beneath us like a watery gateway to some ancient world, lined with stalactites, trailing vines, and waterfalls that made the whole scene feel straight out of Jurassic Park or an Indiana Jones movie.
What’s a Cenote?
Remember the meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs? Ground zero was right here at the tip of the Yucatán, cracking the limestone bedrock and creating a web of underground rivers. When parts of the surface collapsed, cenotes formed. These deep, water‑filled caverns were viewed by the Maya as sacred gateways to the underworld. The word comes from the Spanish take on the Yucatec Maya word ts’onot, meaning “deep” or “abysmal.” And that they are!
Lunch
Refreshed by our dip into the unknown (and getting very hungry), we followed the incredible aroma drifting through the jungle. It led us to a buffet the locals had prepared: a fresh, traditional Maya lunch of cochinita pibil.
The pork had been marinated in Yucatecan spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow‑cooked underground over hot coals, a method the Maya have used for generations (the word pibil literally means “buried”). Out here in the jungle, it doesn’t get any more authentic than this. Simple, rustic, and unbelievably delicious, this was easily the best cochinita pibil we’ll ever have.
Fat and happy from lunch, our group waddled back onto the bus and set off for the main attraction, Chichén Itzá.
Chichén Itzá
“The ruins rise like memories of a world that has not entirely vanished. In the shifting light, the stones seem to breathe – as if the ancient builders still linger.” — Alice Dixon Le Plongeon (1870s explorer and photographer)
The ride from the cenote to Chichén Itzá was only about 40 minutes (it would have been 30 if traffic hadn’t stopped to let a full-grown boa cross the road). Once we arrived, our guide explained the rules and led us past rows of souvenir vendors toward the ruins area. After a tour of the site, we were set loose to wander around freely.
The Great Ball Court
At the entrance to the site is the Great Ball Court. This huge arena was where the Maya played a ritualized game with a nine‑pound ball – best described as a mix between soccer and basketball.
Part sport and part ritualistic ceremony, the game was tied to myth and power, and “winning” often meant a sacrifice. Not much incentive, if you ask us!
The Venus Platform
Another fascinating ruin is the Venus Platform. This smaller ceremonial structure was dedicated to the planet Venus, which the Maya tracked with amazing accuracy. Its movements helped guide agriculture and determine the timing of political events and even warfare.
Around the base are carved panels depicting warriors, captives, and celestial symbols, a reminder of how astronomy shaped daily life and influenced power in Maya culture.
Group of the Thousand Columns
This impressive complex is known as the Group of the Thousand Columns. Some of the pillars are carved with images of Maya warriors and once supported a grand thatched roof leading to the Temple of the Warriors. That’s the large stone structure standing behind them.
Many experts believe these columned spaces were council chambers where community leaders, priests, and military captains met to discuss city policy and religious matters. In many ways, it was like a Maya version of your local downtown city hall.
Kukulcán Temple (or El Castillo)
Finally, we reached the iconic Kukulcán Temple, the most famous and dominant feature on the site. Standing before the legendary pyramid in person was absolutely mind blowing, and we couldn’t help but feel slightly humbled by its otherworldly presence.
Calculator, Calendar, Archeological Marvel!
Later nicknamed El Castillo by the Spanish, this massive 98‑foot pyramid served as Chichén Itzá’s sacred religious anchor. Although the temple is often associated with human sacrifice and rituals, the deeper secrets it holds are even more mysterious.
The temple’s unique design serves several purposes. Its sides are aligned with the cardinal directions, and each of the four staircases contains 91 steps. Add the final platform (or step) at the top and you get 365, the number of days in a year.
Shadow of the Serpent
The main staircase on the north side was built so the steps would cast a shifting shadow during the spring and fall equinoxes, creating the illusion of a serpent slithering down the pyramid and connecting with the carved snake head at the base.
The chirping echo
Because of its precise design and acoustics, the temple produces a distinct “chirp” when you clap your hands at its base. The echo is intentionally shaped to mimic the call of the Resplendent Quetzal, a sacred native bird once believed to carry messages between people and the gods.
Other Fun Facts!
The entire tour was like an information overload, but we learned many interesting and fun facts about Chichén Itzá and the Maya people.
To name just a few, the Maya people are actually descendants from Siberia and Mongolia. Around 15,000 to 25,000 years ago, their ancestors crossed the Bering Land Bridge into Alaska, migrated south, and eventually settled in what’s now Mexico.
In 1894, an American diplomat bought the entire site for just $75 from a local who thought the ruins were worthless. He lived on the property for over 30 years before the Mexican government seized the land back.
The Maya civilization never truly disappeared. Instead, they adapted, survived, and blended into modern Mexico, where millions still speak Maya languages.
Valladolid
Just before sunset, we reached our final stop: the colonial town of Valladolid. Bustling streets, pastel stucco buildings, and a mix of small vendors and souvenir shops gave the center of town a warm, old‑world feel, especially as the setting sun broke through the fading storm clouds.
Unfortunately, this was a quick visit because we were running a bit behind schedule, but were still able to see a few things in town.
Church of Saint Servatius
Presiding over the city’s main plaza is the Church of Saint Servatius, or Iglesia de San Servacio. Towering high above the buildings below, it remains the town’s most prominent historic landmark. Its long history becomes even more evident once you step inside. A quiet, still presence that rushes over you the moment you pass through its giant 16-foot doors.
Many of the religious artifacts inside are original colonial pieces dating to 1706, when the church was rebuilt.
A Troubled Beginning
Valladolid and Saint Servatius may look peaceful today, but its origins were anything but. The first Spanish settlement of Valladolid was founded in 1543 along the Gulf of Mexico, but abandoned within two years because of relentless mosquitoes and harsh conditions.
Forced to move inland, the conquistadors then seized the ancient Maya village of Zací and even used stone from its temples to build their new settlement. This obviously didn’t go over well with the people of Zací, sparking the beginning of what would become a long and turbulent history for Valladolid.
Valladolid’s ongoing civil conflicts were only part of the story. In 1703, a politically motivated mob murdered a corrupt mayor and his lawyer inside Saint Servatius. Because blood was shed within its sacred walls, the church was intentionally demolished and rebuilt. Later, it served as a fortified bunker and was even fitted with cannons during the bloody Caste War of 1848.
These are just a few examples of the conflicts Saint Servatius and Valladolid have endured over the years.
Once everyone was accounted for, we began our 2‑hour trip back to the resort. After a full day of exploring three exciting locations, the ride was understandably quiet. With the cabin lights dimmed, most of us drifted off – some were even snoring. It was a long day, but one that left us all with memories we’ll carry for a lifetime.
In Conclusion
The next couple of days were all about taking it easy and enjoying a bit more pampering. Quiet beach time, evening entertainment, exquisite food, and that easy resort living that always seems to feel just right. A simple finish to an adventure that had given us more than we ever imagined.
Have you been to Chichén Itzá? If you’re staying in the Riviera Maya and want an excursion that combines nature, history, culture, and a few unexpected moments, this is a day trip worth taking. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, and plenty of curiosity. Also, leave a little flexibility in the schedule for the occasional boa crossing the road.
Planning your own adventures in Mexico? Check out these other stories from our travels about Tulum and Akumal. And don’t forget to comment below and subscribe to our blog! 😀
