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Getting to Chichén Itzá: from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum & Riviera Maya

Where is Chichen Itza located?

Address: 97751 Yucatan, Mexico | Find on Map

Spanning about 4 to 5 square kilometers, the ancient Mayan site of Chichén Itzá is located in the eastern part of the Yucatan state of Mexico. You can easily reach this site from major cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya. The town closest to the site is Pisté, which is only about 2km away. It has shops, restaurants, and hotels that cater to countless tourists.

Closest landmark: The closest landmark to Chichén Itzá is Cenote Ik Kil, located just 3.2km away.

Getting to Chichén Itzá from Cancun

  • By bus: If you’re taking a bus to Chichén Itzá, you’ll find an ADO bus leaving from downtown Cancun at around 8:45am. It reaches Chichén Itzá between 11:30am and 11:50am. 
  • By car: If you’re traveling from Cancun by car, you can take the toll highway 180D westward. The drive is about 200km and will take you anywhere between 2 and 2.5 hours to reach, depending on traffic. Keep in mind that toll fees will apply ($385 MXN one-way.)

Getting to Chichén Itzá from Riviera Maya

  • By bus: Getting to Chichén Itzá from the Riviera Maya is easy with several ADO buses running throughout the day.
  • By car: Just like the drive from Cancun, if you’re driving from Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, you can take the highway 180D westward. This route is about 195km and will take you anywhere between 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Chichén Itzá. If you’re driving, you will have to account for a toll of $385 MXN one-way.

Getting to Chichén Itzá from Playa del Carmen

  • By bus: If you're taking a bus from Playa del Carmen, you can choose an ADO bus to Valladolid, and then take a local shuttle to Chichén Itzá.
  • By car: The distance to Chichén Itzá from Playa del Carmen by car is 185km, which will take you about 2.5 hours to cover. Keep in mind that you'll have to pay around $385 MXN in toll one-way. You'll also have to pay about $80-100 MXN for parking for the day once you reach the site.

Getting to Chichén Itzá from Tulum

  • By bus: There are no direct buses from Tulum to Chichén Itzá. However, you will find ADO buses that leave Tulum and arrive at Chichén Itzá via Valladolid. The entire journey, including transfers, will take you roughly 3-4 hours.
  • By car: Traveling to Chichén Itzá by car from Tulum is the faster option, and will take you roughly 2 hours via toll highway 180D. Note that you will have to pay a toll of around $385 MXN one-way.

What is the best way to reach Chichén Itzá? 

Tourist guide explaining Chichen Itza temple history to visitors in Mexico.

Guided tour with round-trip transfers: A guided tour to Chichén Itzá is the ideal way to explore this ancient Mayan site. These guided tours offer the convenience of round-trip transfers from a shared meeting point or your hotel in an AC coach.

This way, you won't have to worry about driving to Chichén Itzá and paying the toll and parking charges, or the transfers that come with taking an ADO bus to the site.

Recommended tours:

  • From Cancun: Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Lunch
  • From Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Lunch
  • Chichén Itzá Sunrise Guided Tour

Parking facilities at Chichén Itzá 

There is plenty of parking available right outside Chichén Itzá’s entrance. Parking will cost you anywhere between $80-100 MXN. Keep in mind that parking can fill up quickly, so arriving as early as possible is the best way to secure a spot for yourself.

Frequently asked questions about getting to Chichén Itzá

The cheapest way to get to Chichén Itzá is by taking an ADO bus from Cancun or Valladolid. The buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, but the journey may take longer than other transport options.