Immerse yourself in the Mayan culture for a vacation experience like no other.
Looking for the perfect spring getaway? Don’t miss the opportunity to behold the magnificent, can’t-miss light and shadow spectacle of the spring equinox at the legendary Maya city of Chichén Itzá, just a short excursion from Vidanta Riviera Maya.
Named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988 and a Wonder of the World since 2007, Chichen Itzá once stood as the cultural, political, and scientific center of the ancient Maya civilization, the Itzáes. Today, it’s the most visited archeological site in Mexico.
El Templo de Kukulcán, also named as El Castillo (the castle) by the Spanish conquerors, is the main pyramid at Chichén Itzá and was constructed in 1200 AD as a place for worship. This impressive structure is a testament to its creators’ incredible knowledge of astronomy, geometry, and stunning architecture.
It’s 60 meters per side at the base, rises with nine decreasing levels up to 24 meters, reaches the plateau that houses the temple, and raises its walls eight meters more. Each facade boasts a wide stairway formed by 91 stone steps, plus the land or the upper platform, giving a total of 365 steps—one for each day of the Maya calendar. These stairs are adorned at ground level with colossal snake-like sculptural heads to honor Kukulcán, “the feathered snake god.”
In 1969, archeologists discovered that the sunlight created a dramatic optical illusion on the pyramid during the spring and fall equinoxes. On the days surrounding March 19th, which marks the start of spring in 2024, you will see a snake-like shadow approximately 120 feet long. It will appear at the top around 3:30 pm and take about 45 minutes to reach its head at the bottom as the sun’s rays move.
This unique feature is due to the pyramid’s precise design and placement, which allows the solar projection of seven light triangles. Maya architects mastered the knowledge of stars, planets, and the sun; however, there is debate about whether they intentionally created this visual representation of their deity. Still, traditions say the people took Kukulcán’s descent to signal the land was ready to receive the seeds in the spring, and in the fall equinox, it announced harvest time.
What the Itzáes never thought (or perhaps did) was that centuries later, they would continue to amaze millions of international visitors with their mathematical ingenuity. Now, tourists arrive for this incredible event, dressed in white to recharge their energy, cleanse their aura, and connect to the earth to welcome the life-giving spring season at El Castillo.
Visiting Kukulcán’s temple at Chichén Itzá is, without a doubt, an unparalleled experience, be it for spiritual, cultural, or recreational reasons. Make sure your next vacation is the singular event you deserve.
Call 1-800-292-9446 to book your stay at Vidanta Riviera Maya during the equinox and reserve your excursion to Chichén Itzá with your concierge.
