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El Castillo

Landmarks ·Chichén-Itzá ·Open now
4.929.4K
#1Landmarks in MexicoMost reviewed in Chichén-Itzá
  • from MXN 592
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About

El Castillo, also called the Temple of Kukulcán, is a Maya step pyramid at the centre of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, Mexico.

More photos 6

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El Castillo — The pyramid rising above the open lawn beneath a cloudy sky

El Castillo — The pyramid rising above the open lawn beneath a cloudy skyEl Castillo — Stepped pyramid framed by trees with visitors crossing the foregroundEl Castillo — Black and white view of the pyramid across the open plazaEl Castillo — Pyramid staircase leading to the temple at the summitEl Castillo — Close view of the pyramid's stone steps and upper structureEl Castillo — Angled close view of the pyramid's weathered stone terraces

Why go

  • Nine stepped levels rise to a summit temple; the pyramid reaches 30 metres overall.
  • Life-size carvings of warriors in Toltec clothing and armament flank the temple doorway.

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 16:30Show all
Monday08:00 – 16:30
Tuesday08:00 – 16:30
Wednesday08:00 – 16:30
Thursday08:00 – 16:30
Friday08:00 – 16:30
Saturday08:00 – 16:30
Sunday08:00 – 16:30

Don't miss

  • North stairway serpent headsTwo stone snake heads mark the foot of the north stairway; the other stairways have none.At the base of the north stairway.
  • Unrestored south sideThe south face remains unrestored, while the north, west and east sides were restored.South side of the pyramid.

Know before you go

  • Visitors may walk around the pyramid but cannot climb it or enter its chambers.

Tips for your visit

  • Expect large crowds at the spring equinox: the shadow effect draws thousands of visitors.

Best time to visit

  • For the equinox effect, visit in the afternoon around the March or September equinox. The pattern can appear over roughly five days around each equinox.

With kids

  • Children can walk around the pyramid, but climbing is prohibited.

Interesting facts4

1/4

  1. The pyramid stands above a water-filled cenote, near four others: Sacred Cenote to the north, Xtoloc to the south, Kanjuyum to the east and Holtún to the west.

    El Castillo, Chichen Itza - Wikipedia
  2. 260 decorative

    Its 260 decorative squares correspond to the 260 days of the Tzolkin calendar.

    Templo de Kukulcán - Wikipedia

  3. Its design combines Toltec and Maya architecture.

    Pyramide de Kukulcán - Wikipedia

  4. The temple entrance has two pillars shaped like snakes with raised, backward-curving bodies.

    Pyramide des Kukulcán - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Investigations have identified two earlier construction phases within the visible pyramid.

  1. 550–800The pyramid’s substructures date from this period.
  2. 8th–12th centuriesMaya builders developed the temple in stages as a temple to Kukulcán.
  3. 1566Friar Diego de Landa described the temple in a manuscript about Yucatán.
  4. 1843John Lloyd Stephens published a detailed account of the pyramid.
  5. 1927Exploration and reconstruction began with Mexican archaeologists involved.
Show all
  1. 1930sJ. Erosa Peniche investigated the earlier pyramid through tunnel excavations.
  2. 1932Excavators found a box of coral, obsidian and turquoise objects beside human remains. The objects are now in Mexico City’s National Anthropology Museum.
  3. 1935Archaeologists found a Chac Mool figure with shell inlays inside the temple.
  4. 1936A second inner room contained two rows of human bones and a red jaguar throne decorated with white stones and green jadeite. Its red pigment contained cinnabar, and its four fangs were gastropod shells.
  5. 1950sThe earlier pyramid’s stairway was fully uncovered.

Sources: El Castillo, Chichen Itza - Wikipedia · El Castillo, Chichen Itza - Wikipedia (part 2) · Chichen Itza - Wikivoyage (see) · Zona Arqueológica de Chichén Itzá · Pyramide des Kukulcán - Wikipedia · Templo de Kukulcán - Wikipedia · Pyramide de Kukulcán - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Next to Chichén Itzá, Chichen Itza

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What does El Castillo mean?

It means “The Castle.”

Who was Kukulcán?

Kukulcán was the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity to whom the temple was dedicated.

Where are the objects discovered in 1932?

They are exhibited at the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City.

When did visitors stop being allowed to climb El Castillo?

Visitors have been unable to climb it since 2006.

What are El Castillo’s opening hours?

It is open daily from 08:00 to 16:30.

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