El Caracol

Beautiful archeological marvel! Recommend to visit the place with local guide tour. You will learn a good historic information about the place.

We arrived early morning before the heat kicked in. What an amazing place, the history, the science and the stunning scenery a must see for any visit to the Yuchatan peninsula

The Caracol astronomical observatory is located away from the main plaza of Chichén Itza so make sure that you don't miss it. There is no access to the upper levels of the structure so it must be viewed from some distance and the interior of the observatory is sadly, off limits. Still, it is a unique building and one of the most famous structures built by the Maya.

Everything at Chichen Itza is worth seeing!

This is really cool. The Maya were fascinated with the stars and watched them closely with the belief that they could predict events and shed light on the past. Seeing what they built in order to do that is impressive to say the least.

If you're in the area, you can't miss a visit to Chichen Itza, it's an amazing site!

El Caracol is a spectacular example of Mayan engineering, science and spacial understanding of our solar system, our planet and its neighbors. The civilization that incorporated the use of zero as did the Cambodians, Indians (of India) Arabs, and finally the Europeans starting in the 13th century. That led to the European scientific revolution of the 17th century.

The El Caracol or Observatory is the ruin of a building south of the Great Pyramid.
These guys who built this piece knew exactly what they were doing. It is constructed at the same time that people in Europe still believed that the earth was flat as a pancake.

The construction is aimed at 27.5 degrees north of west which is not in line with the other buildings on the site but an almost perfect direction for Venus northernmost position in the sky.

In addition, a diagonal formed by the northeast and southwest corners of the building is in line with both sunrise at summer solstice and sunset at winter solstice.

Amazing Archaeological Site. This area was an astronomical observation site. The whole building suggests that it was used to look upon the sky and for ceremonial purposes. Really beautiful and well preserved.

Easily one of the most significant ruins I have seen in Mexico. Not the only observatory on the peninsula (Coba also has one), but el caracol is much more architecturally unique. Worth the trip even though Cichén Itzá is completely overrun with people. Go here regardless.

Peaceful

Surprising most of the bus-groups skip the observatory. First time I did as well and knew something was missing

This is a must visit
Took a DIY tour myself and was humbled and moved by this place.

Spend time around the campus.... picture tourists everywhere but few spend time to sit and absorb the place.

Cool, can view from a few feet away

Enlightened. This ancient observatory is almost unbelievable. The Mayans (much like the star gazers of the bible) had a full understanding of the universe. I imagine we look like dumb arrogant children with all of our technology.

A magical, whimsical sight. It seems ethereal but welcoming, and it radiates absolute comfort and serenity. Easily one of the highlights of my trip to Mexico.

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.

Nice building in need of some restoration

Fabulous tour around El Caracol, the Observatory, is a unique structure at pre-Columbian Maya civilization site of Chichen Itza . Mexico
Impressive construction site
outstanding .

This observatory is amazingly well preserved, the Ancient Mayans truly had an advanced understanding of the cosmos, especially with this building as an invaluable tool.

This was a super cool thing to learn about on our trip, so much interesting history and info. Would love to see at night

This place was wonderful. Rich of history!