Based on previous reviews here, I initially thought I would stay at a nearby accomodation with a "private" entrance allowing to be earlier. Unfortunately, it seems that this private entrance has been closed in the last months due to Covid. So I chose to stay in Valladolid instead and drive early to be at Chichen Itza at the opening at 8am. I arrived at 8.05am and was not the only one who had that idea as I had to wait for about 20 minutes to buy the ticket. The entrance price has increased in the recent years. In November 2021, an adult ticket costs 533 Pesos, and I had to pay 80 Pesos for the parking.

Fortunately the site is so large that it didn't feel crowded inside, and there is still nobody on most of my pictures. There were still several areas of the archeological park where I was alone, like the observatorio and the Grupo de Las Monjas. Those areas, with the skull platform, were actually my favourites areas. Of course, the pyramid and the other areas are interesting as well. The Great Ball court size is truly impressive !

All the hawkers also arrived in the park after 8am, and they were not fully set up before 10ish, so I suspect the large groups arrive later. The complete tour of the site, going everywhere on my own (no guide) took me about 3 hours. I am not sure it was my favourite Mayan site, but it's definitely impressive and worth a visit.