Las Monjas Complex: Chichén Itzá's Palace of Carvings

The Las Monjas Complex sits about 750 meters south of the main entrance, in the quieter half of Chichén Itzá that most day tours skip. Its centerpiece, the Casa de las Monjas, is a three-tier palace with at least six construction phases and some of the densest Puuc and Chenes stonework at the site. Entry is covered by the standard Chichén Itzá ticket, and the complex closes at 4 pm, one hour before the archaeological zone itself shuts.

What You Are Looking At

A palace, not a convent

Spanish colonists named the building Las Monjas, or the Nunnery, because its warren of small rooms reminded them of convent cells. Archaeology tells a different story. The complex was a government palace and elite residence, built and rebuilt between roughly 800 and 1000 AD, when Chichén Itzá was a regional capital. The main structure stacks three levels and shows six distinct construction stages, with modifications to the building, decoration, and style that indicate a long period of occupation. Long hieroglyphic inscriptions on the second-floor lintels record a ruler named Kʼakʼupakal, one of the few Chichén Itzá leaders we can name.

The Church and the East Wing

La Iglesia, the small building just east of the main palace, is often called the best-preserved structure at Chichén Itzá. Its upper facade carries a stack of Chaac masks — the long-nosed rain god — reaching nearly 4 meters in height, arranged in a mosaic of thin, well-dressed stones. You cannot go inside, but traces of original stucco still cling to parts of the roof comb. The East Wing's frieze is the other highlight: a sky band with constellation symbols, carved in a style that scholars still argue over. Some read it as a Maya zodiac. Others, including the author of a 2015 re-examination of an 1875 Le Plongeon photograph, argue it is simply a sky band that happens to include constellations. Either way, the carving is worth several minutes of close looking.

The ball court and the low wall

Most visitors do not realize the complex includes a ball court. It sits at the southern edge of the group, unexcavated and unrestored, with benches and walls that were documented by Carnegie Institution photographers in the 1930s. A low wall rings the whole complex, separating it from the surrounding plaza. The ball court is not the Great Ball Court of the north zone — this one is small, ruined, and easy to miss — but it is a reminder that the palace group was a self-contained ceremonial unit, not just a big house.

Planning Your Visit

Hours, tickets, and access

Chichén Itzá is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. The Las Monjas Complex closes at the same time as the Ball Court, Sacred Cenote, Thousand Pillars Square, and Observatory — all of these areas shut at 4 pm, so do not leave the south zone for the end of the day. Ticket prices for 2025 run about 671 pesos for foreign visitors and 298 pesos for Mexican nationals, combining the INAH fee with the Yucatán state fee. Fees are subject to change — check the official site for current rates.

You cannot climb or enter any of the buildings at Las Monjas. Since 2006, climbing has been banned across the entire site, and INAH added a new perimeter fence around El Castillo in March 2025 after several tourists scaled the pyramid. Fences and custodians are strict; fines can run into the thousands of dollars. At Las Monjas, the rope lines keep you on the paths, but you can walk right up to the facades — closer than at the pyramid, where the barrier now sits 12 to 15 meters from the base.

How to get there and how long to stay

From the main entrance, follow the gravel path south past El Castillo and the Great Ball Court, then continue toward El Caracol. The walk is about 750 meters, 10 to 15 minutes at an easy pace. Most tours turn back after the pyramid and ball court, so the south zone is noticeably quieter — one reviewer compared the area around El Castillo to an amusement park and these ruins to a genuine lost city, practically deserted. Budget 30 to 45 minutes for Las Monjas and La Iglesia; the whole south zone, including El Caracol and the Osario, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. A full site visit runs 3 to 4 hours if you cover the major monuments.

Best time to go

Arrive at opening at 8 am. Tour buses from Cancún and the Riviera Maya generally reach the site around 10:30 am, and the difference in crowd levels is dramatic. November through February offers the driest, coolest weather, with highs around 29–30°C and lows near 18–19°C. September and October are the quietest months, hot and humid with afternoon rain, but you may have the Las Monjas carvings almost to yourself. The Yucatán uses UTC−6, one hour behind Cancún, so plan your departure accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Las Monjas included in the Chichén Itzá ticket?

Yes. The standard admission covers the entire archaeological zone, including the south zone where Las Monjas, La Iglesia, El Caracol, and the Osario sit. No separate ticket or permit is needed. Just note that the complex closes at 4 pm, an hour before the site itself.

Can you go inside the buildings at Las Monjas?

No. All structures at Chichén Itzá are closed to entry and climbing, and the ban has been enforced strictly since 2006. You view the facades and interiors from the path, behind rope lines. Custodians patrol the south zone, and violations can lead to detention and fines.

How long does it take to see Las Monjas?

Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes at the complex, including La Iglesia and the ball court. The main palace and the Church are close together, and the carvings reward slow looking. If you are combining it with El Caracol and the Osario, allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the whole south zone.

What is the best way to get to the south zone?

Walk south from the main entrance past El Castillo and the Great Ball Court, following signs toward El Caracol. The route is flat and shaded in places, about 750 meters or 10 to 15 minutes. There is no shuttle; the site is entirely pedestrian once you are inside the gate.