El Caracol
Quick Facts
- Location
- Mexico, Chichen Itza
- Category
- Sightseeing
- Duration
- 20-30 min; 2.5-4 h for the whole site
- Opening Hours
- Daily 08:00-16:30 · Open daily; ticket offices and last entry at 16:00, extended to 17:30 around the equinoxes
- Ticket Price
- Adult: MXN 697 for foreign visitors · Child: Free under 13 · Split into an INAH federal ticket of MXN 105 and a Yucatan state ticket of MXN 592 at two windows; Mexican citizens enter free on Sundays
- Address
- Zona Arqueologica de Chichen Itza, Tinum, Yucatan 97751, Mexico
- Coordinates
- 20.6845, -88.5670
Introduction
El Caracol, the Snail, is the odd one out at Chichen Itza: instead of a stepped pyramid, it is a round tower on two square platforms with a spiral stone stair winding up inside, which earned it the Spanish name. Its remaining narrow windows were not decorative. Maya priests aligned them with the extreme positions of Venus and particular stellar events, using the observations to set planting, calendars and ritual, making this one of the most cited examples of pre-Columbian astronomy in the Americas. Visitors cannot climb the tower today, but can circle the base to study the round masonry and window slits. It shares the site with El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors and the Sacred Cenote, all covered by one entrance ticket. Chichen Itza became a World Heritage site in 1988 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders in 2007.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:00-16:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Thursday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Friday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Saturday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Sunday | 08:00-16:30 |
Open daily; ticket offices and last entry at 16:00, extended to 17:30 around the equinoxes
Ticket Information
| Adult | MXN 697 for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Child | Free under 13 |
Split into an INAH federal ticket of MXN 105 and a Yucatan state ticket of MXN 592 at two windows; Mexican citizens enter free on Sundays
Transportation
ADO bus 1 h 50 from Merida, 30 min from Valladolid
2.5-3 h from Cancun via the 180D toll road
No separate ticket; inside the site, a short walk from El Castillo
FAQ
What are the opening hours of El Caracol?
Monday: 08:00-16:30; Tuesday: 08:00-16:30; Wednesday: 08:00-16:30; Thursday: 08:00-16:30; Friday: 08:00-16:30; Saturday: 08:00-16:30; Sunday: 08:00-16:30; Open daily; ticket offices and last entry at 16:00, extended to 17:30 around the equinoxes
How much is the admission for El Caracol?
Adult: MXN 697 for foreign visitors; Child: Free under 13; Split into an INAH federal ticket of MXN 105 and a Yucatan state ticket of MXN 592 at two windows; Mexican citizens enter free on Sundays
How long should I spend at El Caracol?
A typical visit takes 20-30 min; 2.5-4 h for the whole site.
How do I get to El Caracol?
Bus: ADO bus 1 h 50 from Merida, 30 min from Valladolid; Driving/Parking: 2.5-3 h from Cancun via the 180D toll road
