Students and teachers looking for a distinctive trip would be wise to put the Yucatan on their wish list, its unique combination of archeological, geological and natural biology translating into a rich educational experience, among them the Mayan pyramids and the amazing freshwater sinkholes known as cetones.

A visit to Chichen Itza must surely include seeing the famous Mayan pyramids, 1,500-year-old structures, located only 75 miles from Merida. The pyramids are divided into three sections, a North grouping of structures distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” All three can be seen comfortably in one day.

The most famous of the Mayan pyramids, Chichen Itza has been studied extensively and is the most popular Mayan ruin in Mexico. An early morning or late afternoon visit will avoid the punishing midday sun.

The main attraction is the central pyramid, El Castillo del Serpiente Emplumado, which means “Castle of the Plumed Serpent,” referring to a popular deity in Mesoamerican cultures. Among other names, the Mayans called this god Kukulk