The best way to connect with the universe and with the energy of thousands of people is to live an equinox in Yucatan, a phenomenon in which the Sun illuminates the Earth with the same intensity in the northern and southern hemispheres, and which only happens twice a day. Year: March 21, for the beginning of spring, and September 22, for the fall.
On both, the day and the night last the same time all over the world.
To this day, the Mayans of antiquity are considered wise priests and architects, with a deep astronomical knowledge. The stars were the basis for planning their lives, especially agriculture, since the equinoxes marked the seasons of planting and harvest, respectively.
In addition, this knowledge allowed them to build buildings and pyramids, calculating the effects that sunlight would have on them at certain times of the year, according to their orientation. On those dates, you can appreciate the incredible precision that Mayans reached in the sciences.
There are two options in Yucatan to admire this wonderful event to the fullest: follow the sacbé that goes to the Temple of the Seven Dolls, in Dzibilchaltún, or visit the impressive vestiges of Chichen Itza.
DZIBILCHALTÚN
From 5:00 am, people begin to arrive here to witness how the sun greets and enters perfectly the doors of the Temple, thanks to the impressive mathematical, astronomical and architectural knowledge of the Mayas, an advanced civilization for its time.
There, visitors can also observe inscriptions on the flat stones, walk around the site and the museum, and take a dip in the cenote. This archaeological zone, located only 20 minutes from Mérida, is the only one that has a cenote within it, so it is recommended to bring a bathing suit, sandals and towel.
The ticket offices of the tourist center will open from 4:30 a.m. to give access. The rate to enter this site is 227 pesos for foreigners, 124 pesos for nationals and 75 for residents of Yucatán.
CHICHÉN ITZÁ
Less than two hours along the road to Valladolid, Chichen Itza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). Thousands of people, who come from all over the world, attend to live this unique moment and walk through the buildings of the site, where an atmosphere of peace and tranquility is unequaled.
The Mayan people of antiquity conceived the equinox as the moment when Kukulcán comes down to earth to give good harvests and health to his worshipers. At the beginning of the solar phenomenon, in the Kukulcán pyramid, it can be seen how the shadows form seven triangles that go down through the structure to finish off at the head of the feathered serpent, when the sunset falls. The best time to see this show, worthy of witnessing at least once in a lifetime, is between 12:00 and 2:00 pm.
This site is expected to host 13 thousand tourists, so they will be given access to the area from 8:00 a.m.
The entrance fee for Chichén Itzá is 481 pesos for foreigners, 202 for nationals, and 75 for Yucatan residents. It is recommended to bring light clothes, comfortable shoes, hat, umbrella and sunscreen.
Díaz Montalvo explained that access to archaeological areas is not allowed with backpacks and large packages. Therefore, they are invited to leave them in their vehicles.
Regarding the introduction of photographic and video equipment, he explained that visitors must pay the corresponding permit to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which varies according to the device in question.
