Once you have arrived through the main entrance, a private internal vehicle will take you to ‘Chichen Itza Viejo’ (Old Chichen Itza) for a unique opportunity to explore an area that is not currently open to the public. This is the site of the active archaeological excavation and restoration work by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (NIAH) – subject to special permits. Located more than a kilometre from the main structures of Chichen Itza, ‘Chichen Viejo’ is an archaeological zone that includes several ancient Mayan structures thought to be an extensive compound once home to Mayan elites.