Gran Juego de Pelota
Gran Juego de Pelota
4.5
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4.5
1,496 reviews
Excellent
1,033
Very good
411
Average
42
Poor
6
Terrible
4
BerlitzTraveller
Melbourne, Australia96 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Our tour guide asked asked us if we wanted to see the Gran Juego before sending us off on our 60 minute ration of free time, and it turned out to be among the highlights of our visit. To stand in the vast arena, with the immense walls towering on each side gives an eerie sense of dread as the mind tries to re-create what must have happened when this place was in use. Legends of who got to be sacrificed and why, and did a win turn into a sacrifice only add to the feeling of awe and slight unease, and as you marvel at the architecture you will no doubt also be treated to its very interesting acoustics. Definitely worthwhile and thought-provoking.
Written 10 November 2012
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.
Hursh M
Tustin, CA525 contributions
Apr 2021
Must see at Chichen Itza. You can see the hoops as well as possibly experience the echo across the court if it isn't crowded.
Written 9 April 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.
Skippounet
Montreal, Canada420 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The acoustics in this stadium is perfect
You can talk from one side to another snd hear everything.
The walls look straight, but they are concave, that is why the acoustics is so good.
You can talk from one side to another snd hear everything.
The walls look straight, but they are concave, that is why the acoustics is so good.
Written 4 January 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.
Jake23
New Jersey6,855 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
One of the spots you should stop at in Chichen Itza. This is the mean ball field the Mayans used. Our guide was unsure if people were sacrificed after winning or losing a game here.
Written 29 December 2017
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.
the_real_Oscar
Toronto, Canada116 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Not just for history lovers, but for anyone who visit Chichen Itza, the Grand Ball Game, or "El Gran Juego de Pelota" as in Spanish, is one of the most stunning attractions in this archaeological park.
We visited Chichen Itza, which we recommended you to do without excuses, and were amazed by how many buildings and attractions that this ancient city has to offer.
Our tour guide explained to us that "El Gran Juego de Pelota" was actually like a big stadium used by the Mayans to play a game similar to baseball, but without using a bate and the whole game was casting a ball through a hole in the top of each side wall; really interesting.
The place is an echo chamber that made possible for the captain to communicate to each player on his team, as well as the king to talk to the priests sitting in the opposite site of the court.
Your tour guide will explain this and many more interesting details of this magnificent ancient culture; don't just take pictures but try and listen to your guide, you'll be mesmerized by the greatness of this civilization.
It's definitely a must visit place if you stay close to the area, either in Cancun or the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. We definitely will be back again!
We visited Chichen Itza, which we recommended you to do without excuses, and were amazed by how many buildings and attractions that this ancient city has to offer.
Our tour guide explained to us that "El Gran Juego de Pelota" was actually like a big stadium used by the Mayans to play a game similar to baseball, but without using a bate and the whole game was casting a ball through a hole in the top of each side wall; really interesting.
The place is an echo chamber that made possible for the captain to communicate to each player on his team, as well as the king to talk to the priests sitting in the opposite site of the court.
Your tour guide will explain this and many more interesting details of this magnificent ancient culture; don't just take pictures but try and listen to your guide, you'll be mesmerized by the greatness of this civilization.
It's definitely a must visit place if you stay close to the area, either in Cancun or the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. We definitely will be back again!
Written 30 September 2014
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.
MartinoLatino1981
London, UK99 contributions
This is probably the biggest Mayan Ball court in Yucatan. 14 people used to play there and captain of winning team was sacrificed...apparently it was an honor.
This is a stunning place which will amaze you. Acoustics are great.
Spend some time there - it is worth it
This is a stunning place which will amaze you. Acoustics are great.
Spend some time there - it is worth it
Written 20 January 2014
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, PB4,577 contributions
Mar 2021
The Great Ball Court of Chichen Itza is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. The rings where players would score a goal are set 30 feet (9 meters) above the playing alley. There were actually 13 ballcourts at Chichen Itza, but this one is the biggest: it measures 551 x 230 feet (168 x 70 meters). It is also very well-preserved.
The game they played was called “Pok-a-tok” or “pok-ta-pok” and was played with a solid rubber ball.
There is a Temple (the Temple of the Bearded Man) that overlooks the court and royal spectators probably viewed the games from this vantage point. You can explore this area yourself or with a guide who will give you some interesting facts about the ancient structure. It is very impressive and worth seeing.
The game they played was called “Pok-a-tok” or “pok-ta-pok” and was played with a solid rubber ball.
There is a Temple (the Temple of the Bearded Man) that overlooks the court and royal spectators probably viewed the games from this vantage point. You can explore this area yourself or with a guide who will give you some interesting facts about the ancient structure. It is very impressive and worth seeing.
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.
Rich
San Diego, CA687 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
This was a very impressive example of the Mayan ball court; it is absolutely huge! There are also carvings on the walls, showing a Mayan warrior/ball player holding the decapitated winner’s head (yes, the winner’s head!)
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, CA1,455 contributions
Nov 2020
The first basketball court and the captain of the winning team was beheaded as an honor. The structure itself is not all that spectacular more the stories and history that come from being in that place.
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.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,657 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This old "sports arena" was built for their entertainment, and a pretty well preserved area. The tiny structure at the end with the walls on each side gives it all its character.
Written 26 October 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.
Hello, Is this on the same site as the main Chichen Itza? Thanks
Written 27 November 2016
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