Hacienda Chichen was built as a cattle ranch in the 1500s and became a henequen plantation in the mid 1800s. It was purchased by Edward Thompson around 1900 and he began the work that allows visitors to see the main Chichen Itza complex. Some of the hacienda walls contain stones from the ruins which are a short walk from the resort. The guest cottages were built to house the archeologists from the Carnegie Institute and have been remodeled with air conditioning and modern bathrooms while maintaining the feel of their original purpose. Most visitors travel the 200 kilometers by bus , arriving in the heat of the day while those who stay at the Hacienda can enjoy uncrowded access before the crowds arrive.