Today we went to Chichen Itza. Paul & Claudia are having problems with their car so we were going to rent one for the 2 hour trip. However, a good friend of Claudia's, Rosalia, came by as Claudia was talking to the rental company and offered up her almost brand new van, which was very considerate of her and much appreciated (especially the air conditioning). We took the toll road and were surprised at the cost which was about 320 pesos or $32 (and we thought we had it bad with the cost of the 407!). We are going to take the "libre" (free - no tolls) highway on the way back. 
Chichen Itza is the Yucatan's grandest archaeological site. It is a UNESCO World Heritage area of immense cultural significance and dates back to 600 AD. It is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the New World (fun fact - the others are the Colosseum, Christ the Redeemer, Great Wall of China, Petra, Taj Mahal, and Machu Pichu). 
Chichen Itza is perhaps the largest, most famous and most accessible Mayan site, about 125 kilometres west of Cancun. This ancient Mayan ruin is a rugged place of soaring pyramids, massive temples, startling carved columns and do-or-die sports fields. Chichen Itza was one of the largest Mayan cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Mayan world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site.
The site includes the El Castillo pyramid (also known as the Pyramid of Kulkulcan), the Great Ball Court (a sports arena called Juego de Pelota Principal), the Sacred Cenote (well), the imposing Temple of Warriors, the reclining Chac Mool figure (a form of classic Mayan sculpture believed to have served as an altar for sacrifices), El Caracol (the Astronomical Observatory known as the snail), Tzompantli (Temple of Skulls, where heads of the sacrificed were displayed for the gods), Osario, Platform of Venus and the Nunnery.
The ball court has two 27-foot-high walls running its 480-foot length has a small stone ring near the top, through which a hard rubber ball had to be shot.
The Maya name "Chichen Itza" means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza." This derives from chi', meaning "mouth" or "edge," and ch'en or ch'e'en, meaning "well." Itzá is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that gained political and economic dominance of the northern peninsula. 
The ruins of Chichen Itza are spread across about 2 square miles on an artificially levelled terrain owing to the rocky landscape. Each building is interconnected by ancient paved paths, which in the Mayan language are called Sacbeob. The buildings' architectural styles are heavily influenced by the Mayans' study of celestial bodies. For instance, there are 365 steps on the El Castillo pyramid. There are serpent-like shadows snaking up the walls of the pyramid at the spring and fall equinoxes, the directions of the windows of the El Carocol Observatory, and the Platform of Venus dedicated to the planet that was believed to have immense significance as a war God for the Mayans.
We weren't going to hire a tour guide but after overhearing some we decided we would be missing too much of the history of the people and area if we didn't. We we're glad we did but think our guide was in a hurry to leave us after getting a couple of phone calls. So we finished looking at everything on our own. The day was so hot & humid, I literally started to melt. But the sights were magnificent. It's amazing what those people accomplished with just man power. In the ball court you can stand at one end and clap and hear an echo. This arena was also used as a theatre and the acoustics are incredible. At El Castillo you can clap and it sounds like the call of the Quetzal, a bird considered sacred in the area. After 3 hours we decided to cool down in the air conditioned car and head to Valladolid for lunch.
What a beautiful city. We had a typical Yucatan lunch in a beautiful open air restaurant overlooking a Cenote or well. After reviving we made our way back on the "free" highway which took us through many small villages.  Most of these villages appear poor. It's interesting to note that most North Americans would not ever consider living in any of these places let alone in the houses they live in. One thing of note is that many of the houses have satellite dishes despite the poor condition they are in! However, the people seem very happy and young and older kids are playing throughout the towns without parental supervision. The people throughout the areas we have visited are extremely polite and helpful. They go out of their way to answer questions and help you with anything you need. Many North Americans could learn a few things from them. 
It was yet another great day with many sites to marvel at.