Fall Equinox

On September 22 you can witness the incredible accuracy of Mayan astronomy as it was integrated into architecture.

The Mayans planned their lives around the sun; their daily lives centered on the sowing and harvesting of their crops, especially corn. At the fall equinox they harvested the crops  while the spring equinox  (March 21) was their signal to plant the crops. The Mayan built complex structures using advanced geometry and astronomy to map the cycles of the sun.

The equinox is an event of international importance, so be prepared to deal with crowds,parking, and walking. This is a sacred time for many, so please be respectful of those who are meditating and the Mayan who are doing their ceremonies. Many people wear white clothing and a general feeling of peace reigns at both sites.

The equinox phenomenon can actually be viewed in Chichen Itza on the El Castillo pyramid for up to four days, so if it is raining or cloudy or you just can’t get there, it is visible from the 20th - 24th. During the equinox the sun casts its rays on the pyramid, forming seven isosceles triangles that resemble the body of a serpent 37 yards long slithering downwards until it joins the huge serpent’s head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. It is said this snake is trying to make its way to the Sacred Cenote well of sacrifice which is in a straight line from the pyramid.

At the Mayan site of Dzibilchaltun, September 22 at 5 AM is the official day and exact time of the fall equinox when the sun sends its beams through the two windows of the Temple of the Seven Dolls providing a lovely spectacle of Mayan exactitude.

Dzibilchaltun is located 20 km north of Merida and while it doesn't have the giant pyramids of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, it does have its own special claims to fame such as its museum of the village, Museo del Pueblo, the refreshing cenote where you can take a swim and the Franciscan chapel that blends in with the ruins.

During the fall equinox, you must get there early if you want to see the Equinox at Dzibilchaltun - it is at 5 AM. In Chichen Itza the equinox is at sunset, so you can actually see both in one day. In Dzibilchaltun, it can only be seen on the exact day – September 22 at sunrise.

Above: Our cover picture was taken by photographer Juan Manuel Mier y Teran and shows the spring equinox at Chichen Itza on the Kukulcan pyramid.

Entrance fee into Chichen Itza is $95 pesos and into Dzibichaltun $43 pesos.  There will be day long activities at Chichen including typical dance and music.

FREE Transportation to the EquinoxesBuses will leave from the parking lot of the Convention Center Siglo XXI. Get your FREE ticket for the transportation between Sept 10 – 20 at the Cultur offices at said Convention Center between 9 AM and 5 PM or at the Peon Contreras, Daniel Ayala Perez and Merida theaters in downtown Merida.  Information 942 19 00 Cultur offices.

 Departures to Dzibichaltun: 4:30 AM & 5:30 AM

 Departures to Chichen Itza  12:30 PM and 1:30 PM

 Returns from both places when the event finishes.

For more information on these archaeological sites:
 Chichen Itza
 Dzibilchaltun
 Uxmal
 Spring Equinox
 Equinox at Dzibilchaltun

Visit our map:
 Map of Yucatan Peninsula
 Map of Chichen Itza

Furter reading:
 New Seven Wonders of the World
 Spas in Yucatan
 Achaeology