English
English
Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá Tours
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION12 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
Timeline
Map
START POINT
4 starting points available
1. Crown Paradise
2. InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
3. Smart Cancun
4. Hotels in Cancun or Riviera Maya
This experience involves pick-up from various locations. You can choose your pick-up location in the next steps.
221 km
2 hours 52 minutes
1
Chichén Itzá
150 min
3 attractions
Tickets included
Guided tour
Nearby things to do
Kukulcán Pyramid
El Castillo
El Juego de Pelota
3.4 km
4 minutes
2
Sacred Cenote
150 min
Tickets included
This isn’t just any swimming hole—cenotes were sacred to the Mayans, believed to be gateways to the afterlife. With crystal-clear water and dramatic limestone formations, it’s an otherworldly experience. Take a swim and float beneath vines and sunlight streaming through ancient caves.
Highlights
Mexican buffet lunch
Lunch
A feast of authentic Mexican flavors, this buffet lets you sample regional specialties made with fresh, local ingredients. From slow-cooked cochinita pibil to handmade tortillas and zesty salsas, you get to build your own perfect plate.
42 km
40 minutes
3
Valladolid
30 min
1 attractions
Free Admission
A charming colonial town with colorful streets, Valladolid is a perfect place to experience authentic Yucatán culture, from its bustling markets to its historical architecture.
Things to do
Shop in Local Markets
Local markets in Valladolid are perfect for picking up handmade hammocks, embroidered dresses, and Mayan chocolate. Yucatán embroidery is a centuries-old craft, each piece taking weeks to complete, its so iconic that it was also featured in Pixar's Coco.
140 km
1 hour 40 minutes
4
END POINT
4 ending points available
1. Crown Paradise
2. InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
3. Smart Cancun
4. Hotels in Cancun or Riviera Maya
Explore Yucatán with ease—round-trip transfers, convenient pickups, and stunning sights!
- Everything you get: Get an early start to explore Chichén Itzá’s pyramids and ball courts, swim in a serene cenote, and stroll Valladolid’s colonial streets. Enjoy hassle-free transfers and a hearty buffet lunch.
- Why choose this: This comprehensive tour offers a blend of cultural and historic insights, and natural beauty, making it ideal for travelers seeking a rich & wholesome adventure.
- Upgrades: Opt for hotel pickup in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya for added convenience.
Explore Yucatán with ease—round-trip transfers, convenient pickups, and stunning sights!
- Everything you get: Get an early start to explore Chichén Itzá’s pyramids and ball courts, swim in a serene cenote, and stroll Valladolid’s colonial streets. Enjoy hassle-free transfers and a hearty buffet lunch.
- Why choose this: This comprehensive tour offers a blend of cultural and historic insights, and natural beauty, making it ideal for travelers seeking a rich & wholesome adventure.
- Upgrades: Opt for hotel pickup in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya for added convenience.
Inclusions
- Round trip transfers from shared meeting points in Cancun (based on option selected)
- Hotel pick-up from Cancun or Playa del Carmen
- Bilingual expert guide (English/Spanish)
- Entry to Chichén Itzá and a sacred cenote
- Guided tour of colonial Valladolid
- Buffet lunch with authentic Mexican cuisine
Exclusions
- Drinks
- Mandatory life vest rental
- Chichén Itzá tax
- The tour will last approximately 12 hours.
- The Chichén Itzá tax ($39 for adults & $6 for children) must be paid on-site (only via credit card). Mexican citizens, bring your ID to get a discount.
- The mandatory life vest for the cenote can be rented at $9 and is not included in the ticket price.
- You’ll get travel insurance for your trip.
- Not suitable for pregnant women or people with limited mobility.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION9 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
Timeline
Map
START POINT
4 starting points available
1. Crown Paradise
2. InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
3. Shared Meeting Point: Smart Cancun
4. Hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen
This experience involves pick-up from various locations. You can choose your pick-up location in the next steps.
221 km
2 hours 52 minutes
1
Chichén Itzá
150 min
3 attractions
Tickets included
Guided tour
Nearby things to do
Kukulcán Pyramid
El Castillo
El Juego de Pelota
3.4 km
4 minutes
2
END POINT
4 ending points available
1. Crown Paradise
2. InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
3. Shared Meeting Point: Smart Cancun
4. Hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Explore Chichén Itzá early in the morning with a bilingual guide—beat the crowds and midday heat.
- Everything you get: Get early access to Chichén Itzá before the crowds build up, guided by a Mayan expert. Discover the site's pyramids, ball courts, and sacred cenotes in the golden morning glow. Includes convenient round-trip transfers.
- Why choose this: Enjoy the tranquility of early access and expert insights—perfect for history lovers and photographers.
- Upgrades: For added flexibility, opt for a hotel pick-up from Cancun Playa del Carmen or shared meeting points in Cancun.
Explore Chichén Itzá early in the morning with a bilingual guide—beat the crowds and midday heat.
- Everything you get: Get early access to Chichén Itzá before the crowds build up, guided by a Mayan expert. Discover the site's pyramids, ball courts, and sacred cenotes in the golden morning glow. Includes convenient round-trip transfers.
- Why choose this: Enjoy the tranquility of early access and expert insights—perfect for history lovers and photographers.
- Upgrades: For added flexibility, opt for a hotel pick-up from Cancun Playa del Carmen or shared meeting points in Cancun.
Inclusions
- Entry to Chichén Itzá
- Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
- Round-trip transfers from shared meeting points in Cancun (based on option selected)
- Hotel pick-up from Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Exclusions
- Food & drinks
- Chichén Itzá tax
- The tour will last approximately 9 to 10 hours.
- You will be picked up at 4:30am from the meeting point.
- There is a Chichén Itzá tax ($39 for adults & $6 for children) that must be paid on-site (only via credit card).
- Mexicans, children, students, and teachers (residents in Mexico) have a discount on the Chichén Itzá tax upon presentation of their ID on the day of the tour. The discount will not be applicable without the official identification.
- Travel insurance is also included in your trip.
- This tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with limited mobility.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION12 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
START POINT
5 starting points available
1. Cancun Pick-up Point - Crown Paradise
2. Cancun Pick-Up Point - Presidente Intercontinental
3. Cancun Pick-Up Point - Oasis Smart Hotel
4. Cancun Hotel Pick-Up Point
5. Playa del Carmen Pick-Up Point
1
Ek Balam
90 min
Tickets included
71 km
70 minutes
2
Chichén Itzá
120 min
Tickets included
Guided tour
51 km
45 minutes
3
Cenote Chichikan, Valladolid
180 min
Tickets included
Enjoy a buffet-style lunch, shop, and take a dip in the cenote.
2 hours
4
END POINT
5 ending points available
1. Cancun Pick-up Point - Crown Paradise
2. Cancun Pick-Up Point - Presidente Intercontinental
3. Cancun Pick-Up Point - Oasis Smart Hotel
4. Cancun Hotel Pick-Up Point
5. Playa del Carmen Pick-Up Point
Discover two iconic Mayan sites, a cenote swim, and lunch—history, adventure, and culture in one day!
- Everything You Get: Wander through Chichén Itzá’s legendary ruins, then uncover Ek Balam, a hidden Mayan city with intricate carvings and soaring pyramids. Cool off in a sacred cenote before savoring a buffet lunch of Yucatecan specialties.
- Why Choose This: The tour blends history, adventure, and local flavors, making it perfect for culture enthusiasts and explorers alike.
- Upgrades: Enjoy seamless hotel pickup and drop-off for extra convenience.
Discover two iconic Mayan sites, a cenote swim, and lunch—history, adventure, and culture in one day!
- Everything You Get: Wander through Chichén Itzá’s legendary ruins, then uncover Ek Balam, a hidden Mayan city with intricate carvings and soaring pyramids. Cool off in a sacred cenote before savoring a buffet lunch of Yucatecan specialties.
- Why Choose This: The tour blends history, adventure, and local flavors, making it perfect for culture enthusiasts and explorers alike.
- Upgrades: Enjoy seamless hotel pickup and drop-off for extra convenience.
Inclusions
- Round-trip transfers from Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
- Bilingual expert guide (English/Spanish)
- Entry to Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam & a sacred cenote
- Guided exploration of both archaeological sites
- Buffet lunch with traditional Yucatecan dishes
Exclusions
- Drinks
- Mandatory life vest rental
- Chichén Itzá tax
- Ek Balam tax
- The tour lasts approximately 12 hours.
- The tax for the archeological sites (Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam) is $61 in total and must be paid on-site (only via credit card). Mexican citizens, bring your ID for a discount.
- Renting a life vest is mandatory for access to the cenote. A fee of $9 must be paid on-site.
- Travel insurance is included.
- Not suitable for pregnant women or those with limited mobility.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Chichén Itzá ToursPlaya del Carmen to Chichén Itzá Tours
Why choose a Chichén Itzá tour from Playa del Carmen
See all photos
Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá: Choosing the ideal tour
Experiences
Key Features
Book Now
From Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Lunch
Entry to Chichén Itzá and Valladolid |Access to a sacred cenote | Round-trip transfers | Mexican-style buffet lunch | English or Spanish-speaking guide
Chichén Itzá, Ekʼ Balam & Cenote Tour with Lunch
Entry to Chichén Itzá and Ekʼ Balam | Access to a sacred cenote | Round-trip transfers | Mexican-style buffet lunch | English or Spanish-speaking guide
Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Archaeological Sites Tour with Lunch
Entry to Chichén Itzá & another archaeological site | Access to a sacred cenote | Round-trip transfers | Mexican-style buffet lunch | English or Spanish-speaking guide
Early Access Tour Chichén Itzá
Entry to Chichén Itzá | Round-trip transfers | English or Spanish-speaking guide
Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Lunch
Entry to Chichén Itzá and Valladolid | Access to a sacred cenote | Round-trip transfers | Mexican-style buffet lunch | English or Spanish-speaking guide
Getting to Chichén Itzá from Playa del Carmen
By car
By bus
Via a guided tour
- Going from Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá by car is one of the most comfortable options you can choose. You can take toll highway 180D westward to reach the site. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay a toll of about $385 MXN one-way.
- You can also take a bus from Playa del Carmen that takes you directly to Chichén Itzá or includes a transfer in Valladolid. The whole ride will take you about 3-4 hours, including stops, but the air conditioning makes this a comfortable journey.
- The best way to explore Chichén Itzá is to choose a guided tour. These offer transfers in an AC coach from a shared meeting point or from your hotel, and also give you the benefit of a bilingual guide who offers key insights into the site’s history.
Recommended tours:
- Chichén Itzá, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with Lunch
- Chichén Itzá, Cenote, and Archaeological Sites Tour with Lunch
- Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam & Cenote Tour with Lunch
- Chichén Itzá Early Access Guided Tour
- From Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Lunch
Key highlights of Chichén Itzá
See all photos
Frequently asked questions about Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá tours
What is the best way to reach Chichén Itzá from Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen?
If you want to go to Chichén Itzá from Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen, you can choose to travel by car, bus, or opt for a guided tour that includes round-trip transfers.
Are Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen the same?
Playa del Carmen is a city in the larger Riviera Maya region, and thus, they are not exactly the same.
Can I purchase tickets in advance?
Yes, you can book various Chichén Itzá guided tours and skip-the-line tickets in advance. This way, you’ll avoid waiting in the ticket and tax queues, allowing you to spend more time exploring the site.
What are the operating hours of Chichén Itzá?
Chichén Itzá is open daily from 8am to 5pm, with the last entry permitted at 4pm
Is it possible to climb the pyramids at Chichén Itzá?
No, climbing the iconic pyramid, El Castillo, is prohibited to preserve the structure and ensure visitors’ safety.
Are guided tours available?
Absolutely! You can choose from various guided tours on Headout. Some also combine a guided tour of the site along with visits to other archaeological sites such as Coba, Ekʼ Balam, and even cities like Valladolid.