We had a choice on our recent trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza for a day, or a shorter visit to Chichen Itza after dark and Ek Balam for a day. We opted for Chichen Itza after dark–it was a fascinating way to see this world-renowned site.
After leaving Vallodolid and our afternoon swimming at the Oxman cenote, we checked into a truly old-school (yet surprisingly modern) resort–Mayaland Hotel and Bungalows. Mayaland is about a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Chichen Itza, so very convenient.
Chichen Itza After Dark
The Chichen Itza Light Show Experience is a multimedia display exploring and explaining Mayan culture. The accompanying audio is in Spanish, but I was able to understand much of it. You also can enjoy the show without speaking Spanish because the visual elements are breathtaking. There are animations projected on the face of the pyramid of Kukulcan, showcasing the history and cosmology of the Mayans.
We arrived shortly before dark, and walked around the site for about 45 minutes before taking our assigned seats on the grass in front of Kukulcan. During our walk, there was a dog (we decided he was not part of the show) who sat on the Kukulcan pyramid and howled at the moon. It really set the mood!
The show lasted about 45 minutes more. I have to share some of the photos with you, it was so amazing. I caught most of the show on video, but its way too large to share here.
Mayaland
Not only is Mayaland convenient to Chichen Itza, it is gorgeous. The grounds were stunning. There are three swimming pools and plenty of wandering walking paths. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and lush.
Meals during our visit were all served buffet style in the dining Palapa. One of the bars in the main building was also open. There is a dining room in the main building, which I’m sure will re-open when COVID restrictions ease. The meals at the Palapa were quite good, and consisted of Mexican food, salads, soup, and tons of desserts.
We were in the main building, which had good wi-fi, and amazing views. Did I mention that we could see part of the Chichen Itza ruins from our room, bathroom, and balcony? Well, we could.
The bungalows did not have the views of Chichen Itza, but were nestled in such a way to afford a lot of privacy. Perfect for a family or group traveling together.
There is a Mayan cooking demonstration area on site as well as a Planetarium. The Planetarium show was about the Mayan cosmology and was in English. It might be a good idea to go to that before the Chichen Itza after dark so that you have a better understanding of the history being shown.
We really enjoyed the Chichen Itza after dark presentation, and our stay at Mayaland. I hope you get a chance to experience both.
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