El Caracol
El Caracol
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
727 reviews
Excellent
469
Very good
209
Average
41
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL435 contributions
Mar 2022
The walk here was a bit long for my kids, but I enjoyed seeing the curved architecture and imagining ancient man tracking celestial bodies out the windows. Pretty amazing.
Written 21 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thaisfuncia
Sao Paulo, SP293 contributions
Oct 2021
The entire main big area of the complex you have all those together, around the Piramide. When you walk around you can see all the other areas
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward D.
Lucena, PB2,993 contributions
Mar 2021
This round structure inside Chichen Itza was an observatory. It is named “El Caracol” (“the Snail”) because it has a spiral staircase inside. It is believed that the building dates to 906 AD. Part of the Observatory’s platform and a portion of the tower resting on El Caracol has been lost, but it is believed that Mayans used this to observe Venus and many other astronomical events important to them.
This is a major structure and is definitely worth viewing while here.
This is a major structure and is definitely worth viewing while here.
Written 31 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,641 contributions
Jan 2021
When finished with Castillo as the main attraction head right from it (southern direction) and when you pass a line of vendors you'll find this round semi ruined structure.
It's the Caracol, meaning snail, and it was the observatory from where the Mayans studied sun movements and changes. That probably enabled them to build such outstanding structures.
It's the Caracol, meaning snail, and it was the observatory from where the Mayans studied sun movements and changes. That probably enabled them to build such outstanding structures.
Written 9 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich
San Diego, CA644 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
How did the Mayans know so much about astronomy? This was their observatory, and is still pretty well intact. Beautiful building.
Written 29 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,440 contributions
Nov 2020
You cannot see this from the main area of the ruins. We asked our guide and he took us there and there were less than 10 total people here, so I don’t think many come here. It was magnificent and amazing to think how the Ancient Mayans built an observatory.
Written 22 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adriana R
Calgary, Canada29 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
If you contracted a guide, ask to also include this site in the tour. Some of the guides will just hang out by the Kukulkán temple
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandylady
Aberdeen, UK1,230 contributions
Feb 2020
The observatory - clever people these Mayans when they built this they knew all about the stars and equinoxes .
Tip - can get a good photo from Mayaland hotel / restaurant which shows the building without the hoards of tourists !
Tip - can get a good photo from Mayaland hotel / restaurant which shows the building without the hoards of tourists !
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This historically significant building is a short walk from the main area of Chichen-Itza. It was a lot less busy than the central area, and is a nice place to come and escape the crowds. The building itself is very impressive and has a unique round dome structure. It is believed to have been a Mayan Observatory.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eljuaneche
Bogota, Colombia15 contributions
Oct 2019
The only Mayan structure that we know to feature a ROUND DOME..... called the Snail (El Caracol) because it has a spiral stair inside (Called in spanish "escalera de caracol")....... it was a very advanced astronomic observatory.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VibrantDreamer.com
Canada2,820 contributions
Hello, Is this on the same site as the main Chichen Itza? Thanks
Ross H
Warwick, Australia2,289 contributions
Yes. Only a short walk from the pyramid. It's the oldest part of the site I think.
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Frequently Asked Questions about El Caracol
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience El Caracol:
- Chichen Itza: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map (From ₹ 832.36)
- CHICHEN ITZA EXCLUSIVE TOUR, Cenote, Magical Town, Buffet & Free Souvenir (From ₹ 4,915.85)
- Mayan Ruins of Mexico Self-Guided Walking Tour Bundle (From ₹ 2,082.15)
- Chichen Itza Self Guided Scavenger Hunt (From ₹ 1,248.96)
- The Way of Kukulkan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour (From ₹ 582.40)
- Hotels near El Caracol:
- (0.32 km) Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows
- (0.41 km) Hacienda Chichen Resort
- (0.51 km) The Lodge at Chichen Itza
- (0.53 km) Hotel Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza
- (2.34 km) Hotel Chichen Itza
- Restaurants near El Caracol:
- (0.34 km) Taco Maya By Oxtun
- (0.35 km) Hotel & Bungalows Mayaland - Buffet Restaurant
- (0.41 km) We Proudly Serve Starbucks Chichén Itzá
- (0.33 km) Mural
- (0.40 km) Hacienda Chichen