Fall Equinox in Chichén Itzá
September, when leaves start changing colors, when cooler months begin, and when the Mexican Caribbean calls for an epic beach escape on the warmer shores of Mexico. During this particular month, Mexico becomes one of the most visited countries in the world thanks to its unique happenings, which include Mexico’s Independence Day and the fall equinox. Both events are popular among tourists; however, if you seek to experience something special for the first time, you must book a trip to Cancun to appreciate the fall equinox in Chichén Itzá.
But what is an Equinox?
An equinox is when the sun is directly above the equator, making the length of the day and night almost the same; in other words, equinoxes cause the northern and southern hemispheres to receive the same amount of sunlight – 12 hours each.
Equinoxes happen two times a year, on March 21st and September 21st, and can be appreciated from all around the globe.
All you Need to Know about the Fall Equinox in Chichén Itzá
Even when these events can be appreciated from all over the globe, the fall equinox in Chichén Itzá exceeds all expectations. In these famous Mayan ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and wonder of the world located approximately a three-hour drive away from Villa del Palmar Cancun and Garza Blanca Cancun, the ancient Mayas built a pyramid that, thanks to the Mayas’ vast knowledge of astronomy, creates a one-of-a-kind light spectacle that is only visible when the fall equinox takes place.
During this unique event, the ancient Mayan god, Kukulkan, descends step by step the pyramid of El Castillo in a beautiful exhibition. While kukulkan descends, the illusion that lights and shadows create also forms seven triangles on the sides of the staircase, then connects the upper platform to the huge stone head with the head of the hairy serpent at the bottom.
People visiting the ruins during the fall equinox usually wear white clothes to get rid of bad vibes and attract the positive energy of the new sun. People also believe that when Kukulkan returns to Earth, he blesses his worshippers with a harvest and gives them health.
Best Tour to Chichén Itzá
If you wish to attend this event, tours from Villa del Palmar Cancun and Garza Blanca Cancun are available by a shuttle service equipped with air conditioning for the travelers’ convenience.
The trip includes a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour, accompanied by a visit to a botanical-inspired restaurant where everyone will get to delight their tastebud with exquisite Mexican dishes and learn the preparation of tortillas in the Mayan style. The tour ends with a refreshing visit to nearby cenotes, where guests and members will get to swim and appreciate the beauty of these natural monuments.
If you are interested in taking this tour, book it in advance by contacting ResortCom Member Services, the pre-arrival team, or even on-site at the Resort Activities Office.
Tour Itinerary
Guests and members are picked up from their hotels around 7 am. The first stop is at Selva Maya Cenote, where everyone will have time for a swim and explore Cancun's natural beauty.
The next stop will be at an exquisite restaurant at 12:30 for lunch, where a Mexican and an international buffet are served.
After everyone has eaten a hearty and delicious meal, the most exciting part of the tour will be arriving at Chichen Itza at 2:15 to enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour.
At 4:45 pm, guests can enjoy the light and sound effects of the equinox. Once all the magic has been absorbed and the glory has been embraced, the departure from the archaeological area is made at 5:30 pm for the return journey.
Please note that this is a full-day tour and that the guests will arrive at the resort's grounds between 9:00 and 9:30 pm.
Visiting Cancun is wonderful any time of the year, but seeing the equinox really is an unbeatable experience. We hope this article has helped to explain the beautiful phenomenon and inspired you to visit Chichen Itza during the equinox to see the magic for yourself!