chichen itza tours tulum

7 Best Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum [2023]

By: Author Virginia Bello

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2023

Categories Mexico , North America

Wondering what are the best Chichen Itza tours from Tulum? With the ruins being so famous, there are tons! Here you’ll find the very best options to enjoy a memorable trip. 

Chichen Itza definitely needs no introduction; if you’ve never heard anything from Mexico, at least you know about these ancient Mayan ruins that were once a thriving civilization. 

Visiting Chichen Itza is pretty much on every traveler’s bucket list . They are in fact the most famous Mayan ruins in Mexico , and you’ll probably want to visit Chichen Itza on top of the Tulum Ruins if staying in Tulum. It’s very easy to visit these ruins if you’re staying in the Riviera Maya or Tulum area.

In this post, you’ll find the top Chichen Itza tours from Tulum, most of which include a stop at the gorgeous cenotes in the area and a tasty lunch. Check them out to plan your perfect Chichen Itza day trip from Tulum! 

I usually use and recommend Viator and Get Your Guide for booking tours around the world, and I especially like their cancellation policy. If you book an activity and for any reason your travel plans change, you can get a full refund by canceling up to 24 hours in advance.

The VERY Best Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum

➤ The Valladolid, Chichen Itza and Cenote tour is one of the most comprehensive ones, and probably the best Chichen Itza tour from Tulum. It offers a guided tour around the archaeological site where you’ll learn all about the Mayan civilization that lived there, and then head to an ancient cenote that’s part of a network of sacred underground rivers.

You’ll finish your Chichen Itza tour with a fantastic buffet lunch and a stroll around Valladolid.  

This tour also includes : Roundtrip transportation from your hotel, use of dressing rooms at the cenote and entrance fees. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Cenote, Valladolid and Chichen Itza Day Trip includes a guided tour of Chichen Itza, as well as a visit to a nearby cenote, where you’ll get to swim and enjoy the snacks provided by your guide, and a stroll around the gorgeous city of Valladolid. 

This day trip Tulum to Chichen Itza also includes : Roundtrip transportation from your hotel, lunch, snacks and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Entrance Ticket to Chichen Itza

If you’d rather drive from Tulum to Chichen Itza and visit the site on your own, you should buy the entrance tickets in advance, as the queues can be extremely long at the site. 

➤ The Skip the Line: Entrance Ticket to Chichen Itza grants you immediate access to the ruins so you don’t have to wait in line, regardless of the time you decide to visit. You’ll be able to enjoy a Chichen Itza self-guided excursion, staying for as long as you want, or hire a guide on-site to learn more about the Mayan ruins. 

This ticket includes : Priority entrance to Chichen Itza. ➥ BUY IT HERE

➤ On top of the entrance ticket, you can also buy an audioguide to make the most of your self-guided tour. ➥ BUY IT HERE

Chichen Itza + Coba from Tulum

If you want to take your archaeological visits to another level, check out the following tours that include access to the Coba Ruins, as well as Chichen Itza. 

➤ The Ik Kil Cenote, Coba and Chichen Itza tour from Tulum combines a visit to two Mayan ancient cities and to a wonderful cenote. After exploring the popular ruins of Chichen Itza and learning all about its history you’ll get to cool off at the Ik Kil Cenote and refuel with a typical lunch.

You’ll then head to the Coba ruins, a smaller archaeological site that allows you to climb its main pyramid. 

This tour also includes : Roundtrip transportation from your hotel, bottled water, box lunch with sandwich, fruit and juice and admission to the three sites. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you’d rather experience the archaeological sites with your own group, choose the VIP Chichen Itza & Coba Private Tour . You’ll be taken on a private vehicle to Chichen Itza early in the morning, so you can explore the ruins before the crowds arrive, and it will be your call when you’re ready to go.

You’ll then get to swim in a cenote at Hacienda Chumuk and visit the Coba ruins. This Chichen Itza from Tulum tour allows you free time in all the activities. 

This tour also includes : Lunch a la carte, a visit to Valladolid, bottled water and private roundtrip transportation. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The Best Chichen Itza Private Tours from Tulum

If you’re already a large party and would rather enjoy the benefits of going on a private tour with your own personal guide, check out the following Chichen Itza and cenote tours from Tulum.

➤ The Chichen Itza Private Tour from Tulum offers a full-day excursion to learn all about the archaeological site and the civilization that inhabited it many centuries ago, and a refreshing swim in a sacred cenote to cool off after all the wandering around.

You’ll finish your day with a tour around the colonial city of Valladolid, and some free time to explore on your own if desired. 

This Chichen Itza and cenote tour from Tulum also includes : Lunch at a local establishment, roundtrip transportation from your hotel, snacks and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ An alternative is taking the VIP Private Tour , one of the best tours from Tulum to Chichen Itza. You’ll get to the Mayan ruins before anyone else, and avoid the crowds as you explore the site pretty much by yourself.

This Chichen Itza early morning tour from Tulum offers transportation in a luxury car and allows you full flexibility to stay as much or as little as you want in each destination. After Chichen Itza ruins tour you’ll visit a cenote nearby and also head to the beautiful city of Valladolid. 

This tour also includes : Lunch, insurance and roundtrip transportation from your hotel. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum FAQ

You can drive to Chichen Itza, or get there by bus or with a tour. The Valladolid, Chichen Itza, and Cenote and this Chichen Itza Day Trip are the best tours from Tulum. I also have a whole article about how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza .

You can definitely visit Chichen Itza on your own. If you want to learn more about the site, though, I recommend going with a tour such as the Valladolid and Chichen Itza Trip or this Private Tour to Chichen Itza .

This Tour from Tulum to Chichen Itza is arguably the best option for a day trip to the Mayan ruins.

Virginia is a writer originally from Montevideo, Uruguay. She left her career as a TV Producer to gain more freedom and never looked back. She's been traveling the world full-time ever since! Virginia has traveled extensively through Latin America, Europe and Asia. You can currently find her gallivanting through Southeast Asia.

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THE BEST Day Trips from Tulum to Chichen Itza

Day trips from tulum to chichen itza.

• Tulum to Coba
• Tulum to Chichen Itza
• Tulum to Akumal
• Tulum to Chemuyil
• Free cancellation
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• Special Offers
• Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked according to revenue made by Tripadvisor on those bookings, plus the number of page views by Tripadvisor users, and the quantity and quality of reviews

1. Chichen Itza Classic Tour and Cenote Saamal Departures from Tulum

2. Deluxe adventure! 2 Sacred Cenotes, Chichen Itza and Valladolid from Tulum City

3. Chichen Itza, Valladolid and Sacred Cenote from Tulum City

4. Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum Including Cenote and Lunch

5. Chichen Itza Sunrise and Cenote Ik Kil from Tulum (Private)

6. Full-day Tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid City

7. Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Private Tour with Lunch

8. 5 in one day! TULUM+COBA +TEQUILA FACTORY +CENOTE IK KILL +CHICHEN ITZA

9. Tour Chichen Itza Archeological Mayan Ruin & Buffete only from Tulum

10. Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote Round Transportation from Tulum

11. Chichen Itza Basic

12. Tour to Chichen Itza, Sacred Cenote and Valladolid from Tulum

13. Visit to Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid with Lunch from Tulum

14. Mayan Ruins of Mexico Self-Guided Walking Tour Bundle

15. Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote Luxury Tour from Tulum City

16. Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group Tour With Lunch

17. Private tour TULUM and CHICHEN ITZA with swimming in Cenote from Riviera Maya

18. Private Full-day Chichen Itza and Valladolid Tour from Tulum

19. Chichen Itza Regular The Best For The Less

20. Chichen Itza Full-Day Adventure from Tulum City

21. Chichen Itza Tour! With Cenote Swim & Valladolid from Tulum

22. Cenote Hubiku & Ikkil Swim and Chichen Itza Tour from Tulum City

23. Full Day Tour! Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid from Tulum City

24. Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Full Day Tour from Tulum

25. Amazing Adventure at Chichen Itza! With Cenote Swim & Valladolid from Tulum City

26. Full-Day Tour Chichen Itza, Cenote Saamal & Valladolid from Riviera Maya

27. Private Tour With Photographer Tulum And Chichen Itza With Swimming In Cenote

28. Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group with Lunch and pick up

29. Deluxe Chichen Itza Tour! Cenote Hubiku & Ikkil from Tulum City

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Chichen Itza + Cenote Tour

Full day private tour, history + culture.

Yes, you can visit the amazing Chichen Itza Ruins and experience a cenote in one day! We’ll depart early to Mexico’s famous Mayan archeological landmark, also known as one of the “new 7 Wonders of the World” and then visit the beautiful Saamal Cenote. A Mayan-style lunch is included before returning to your Tulum hotel/Airbnb. Pick-up time is 8am and the private tour ends before 4pm.

➕ ➕ Make it a double cenote day and add the breathtaking Suytun Cenote for $25 USD per person (entrance fee included). See the Suytun Cenote Reels here . Please note, this experience will add another hour to the itinerary.

 For a general idea of our private cenote tours, please see our IG Stories highlights here .

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The Chichen Itza and Cenote private tour includes pick up and drop off at your Tulum hotel/Airbnb, English-speaking driver and guide, the ruins and cenote entrance fees, parking fee, bottled water and light snacks onboard, and lunch at a local restaurant (we pay). Adding the Suytun Cenote experience is $25 USD extra per person.

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PYRAMIDS of the Mayan World + 2 Cenotes

Three Mayan Ruins, Two Cenotes, and 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen

Two days combo.

Discover the secrets of the Mayan world by visiting Chichen Itza with one of our expert guides, cool off in the clear waters of a cenote, and explore the magic town of Valladolid.

On another day you will explore Tulum , the huge archaeological site of Coba , swim in an underground cenote, and shop till you drop into Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida .

Tulum Tour + Coba + Mayan Village + Cenote + Playa del Carmen

This Tulum, Coba, and Cenote tour brings you to 2 Mayan ruins sites,  a magical  sacred Cenote, and the famous 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen . History, culture, and nature in one incredible Cancun tour . We also  learn about their customs and regional culture.

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Chichen Itza tour 50% Discount with lunch & Entrance + Cenote + Valladolid from Cancun

Visit the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins , enjoy a stop in the magic town of  Valladolid, a delicious buffet lunch, and a swim in an open-air cenote in this Yucatan adventure for history lovers! 

• Express stop at Valladolid
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• Free time to explore the archaeological site on your own 
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Backpacking in Mexico

How to get from tulum to chichen itza in 2023.

Visiting Chichen Itza is an essential stop on any Mexico itinerary, and the Mayan ruins can be easily visited from Tulum and most places in the Yucatan Peninsula such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.  In this post I’ll share the options for how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza and the pros and cons of Chichen Itza tours from Tulum, driving to Chichen Itza from Tulum and going to Chichen Itza by bus.

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If you are staying in Tulum, you could visit Chichen Itza on a day trip, or spend a couple of days near Chichen Itza to make the most of your visit.  We’ve got all the information you’ll need to plan your Chichen Itza trip from Tulum, including details for up to date 2022 prices of Chichen Itza tickets, when to visit Chichen Itza and where to stay if you want to spend the night.  Let’s get cracking!

What is Chichen Itza?

I’m assuming that if you’re already planning to visit Chichen Itza you have at least a vague idea of what it is, but here’s a brief introduction for you.

Chichen Itza was one of the largest cities built by the Maya, indigenous people who lived in and around the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.  It is estimated to have been built between750 and 900 AD and is now an archaeological site and tourist destination, where you can walk among the ruins of the city which includes pyramids, temples and other buildings.

El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan pyramid and one that you will no doubt have seen in photographs when doing research for your trip to Mexico.  Chichen Itza was named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for visitors. 

READ ALL MY CHICHEN ITZA TIPS

Visiting Chichen Itza from Tulum

Tulum is a great choice for where to stay in the Riviera Maya, and while there are plenty of things to do in Tulum itself you can also easily visit other places in Yucatan and Quintana Roo (the regions which make up the Yucatan Peninsula) including Chichen Itza.

Understandably, Chichen Itza is a popular day trip from Tulum and is often included in any standard Tulum itinerary.  However, don’t forget to enjoy the other activities in Tulum including diving or snorkelling in Cenotes , spending time on the beautiful beaches in Tulum and of course visiting the Mayan Ruins at Tulum as well.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Which is Better – Tulum or Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins?

How Far is Chichen Itza from Tulum

Chichen Itza is about 150 km from Tulum, just over 2 hours drive by car. 

How to Get from Chichen Itza to Tulum

There are several options for how to get from Chichen Itza to Tulum, including hiring a car and driving to Chichen Itza, joining a tour or taking public transport.

Tours from Tulum to Chichen Itza

Tours are probably the easiest way to visit Chichen Itza, as you don’t need to hire a car or navigate the public transport system. 

You can get some great value group tours to Chichen Itza from Tulum, and most include visits to other attractions along the way, such as Coba Mayan Ruins, the town of Valladolid and the chance to swim in a cenote, as well as lunch.

However, you don’t control the timings of the day, and you often arrive at Chichen Itza with lots of other tour groups at the same time.

Private tours are obviously more expensive than group tours but may give you more flexibility over your itinerary, and allow you to arrive at Chichen Itza before the crowds.

Remember that most tours do not include entry tickets to Chichen Itza, so you’ll have to pay extra for admission.  

I’ve researched the best Chichen Itza tours from Tulum and found the following options which have excellent reviews:

Private Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum

If budget isn’t an issue for you, then a private tour to Chichen Itza will mean you can arrive earlier at Chichen Itza, before the crowds, and go there directly instead of picking up anyone else along the way.

This private tour to Chichen Itza offers pick up in Tulum at 7am , and includes all entry fees (including to Chichen Itza), lunch in Valladolid and an English speaking guide.  You’ll visit Chichen Itza first thing in the morning, then go to a cenote and the colonial town of Valladolid for lunch. → BOOK NOW

Private Transfers to Chichen Itza

Getting a private transfer or taxi from Tulum to Chichen Itza is cheaper than a private tour, but it only includes transport and none of the other activities or guide services you would get with a tour. 

You will have to provide your own lunch and pay extra for a tour guide at Chichen Itza if you want one, but it does mean you avoid the hassle involved with hiring a car.

This private transfer to Chichen Itza costs the same for up to 7 people, so is a great option for couples, families or a group of friends.  Recommended pick-up is at 7am from Tulum, and you can add any stops you like along the way, returning to Tulum by 7pm. → BOOK NOW

Small-Group Tours to Chichen Itza from Tulum

There are small group tours from Tulum to Chichen Itza – some tours that run from Cancun and Playa del Carmen also offer pick-up from Tulum but ask them about the route the tour will take.  If they pick you up in Tulum and then go to Cancun before going to Chichen Itza it adds a lot of time to your journey.

This tour departs from Tulum, and heads straight to Chichen Itza so you should get there relatively early if the tour leaves on time and there isn’t any traffic.  Pick-up is only available from Tulum, so that should cut down on travel time.  The tour also includes a visit to a cenote, lunch and a trip to Valladolid, and gets excellent reviews for the knowledgeable guides. → READ MORE

This tour offers a separate pick-up in Tulum but stops at Coba before going to Chichen Itza, so you arrive at Chichen Itza when it is very busy.  While it is a cheaper tour, if Chichen Itza is your main priority (over Coba) then it may not be for you.  → READ MORE

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Group Tours from Tulum to Chichen Itza

Larger group tours are cheaper than smaller group or private tours, but they often take longer as a large part of the day involves picking up and dropping off people at their accommodation all around the Riviera Maya – often including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum among others.

If you’re on a budget but don’t want the hassle of taking the bus this is probably the best option for you, although check how much the small group tours are to see if it is worth paying a little more for a smoother experience.

This tour includes a visit to Chichen Itza, Hubiku Cenote & Valladolid , and while it is a full-day tour (running at about 12 hours) it gets excellent reviews thanks to the informative guides and tasty buffet lunch which is included after the cenote visit.  Some reviews mention that the pick up is done with smaller mini-buses which then join a larger tour bus to cut down on time, with central pick-up points in Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. → BOOK NOW

Tulum to Chichen Itza by Car

Driving to Chichen Itza from Tulum takes about two hours, depending on traffic.  Driving your own car gives you the freedom to choose your own itinerary, setting off at any time you like and stopping off wherever you want. 

The Tulum to Chichen Itza drive is a fairly straightforward one, heading along the QROO 109, passing by Coba, Chemax and Valladolid before arriving at Chichen Itza.  You will also pass by various cenotes so you can take your pick and stop off at any of those on the way back to Tulum.

Getting back to Tulum from Chichen Itza is easy going back along the route you followed in the morning, or you have the flexibility to stop off and explore more of the Yucatan Peninsula along the way.

Is it Safe to Drive from Tulum to Chichen Itza?

Hiring a car in Mexico is safe, but there have been numerous reports of tourists being pulled over by police and hassled into paying money.  I haven’t hired a car in Tulum myself so I can’t share my personal experience but do look into it before you decide to go ahead.   

Discover Car Hire offers price comparison of the car hire companies in Tulum so you can find the best deal for you.  If you’re planning to drive to Chichen Itza it is probably best to pick up the car the day before so you can leave early in the morning.  While you have the car you could consider driving to other places in the Yucatan Peninsula to explore more of the region, so consider keeping the car for a few days instead of just driving to Chichen Itza from Tulum.

How to Get to Chichen Itza by Bus

The bus network around the Yucatan is really good, but the timings aren’t ideal for arriving early at Chichen Itza.  The earliest bus I could find left Tulum after 9am and didn’t arrive until around noon, which is the busiest time at Chichen Itza.

Check the ADO bus website, as they have timetables available online, although it isn’t the easiest website to navigate.  Better would be to pop to the bus station and enquire, as you can’t buy bus tickets online without a Mexican credit card, you will need to go to one of the ADO bus stations to buy your ticket anyway.

If the ADO website isn’t working (which happens frequently!)  Busbud is a good alternative.  Due to COVID travel restrictions, some services aren’t running or aren’t as frequent, so check timetables before you go.

Another (better) option would be to spend the night in Valladolid or Pisté before going to Chichen Itza the next day, so you could arrive at Chichen Itza first thing in the morning. 

Pisté is the nearest small town to Chichen Itza, and has several accommodation options (such as the lovely Casa de las Lunas where I stayed) and plenty of restaurants for dinner.  It is easy and cheap to get a taxi to take you the short distance to Chichen Itza in the morning.

Valladolid is a larger town and there are frequent bus services from Valladolid to Chichen Itza, included cheaper second-class Mayab buses that go to Chichen Itza from Valladolid, although they take longer as they stop along the way to pick people up.  There are also collectivos (shared taxis) to Chichen Itza from Valladolid which set off as soon as the car or minibus is full.

When to go to Chichen Itza

Now we’ve covered how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza, let’s look at the details of when to go and other tips to make the most of your Chichen Itza visit.

As Chichen Itza is such a popular attraction in Mexico, I highly recommend going there as early as you can, so you are waiting in the queue at 8am when the ticket booths open.  It gets very crowded, so early birds can get photographs of the magnificent temples without other people in the shots.

Arriving early also means you beat the heat, as there is very little shade around the main pyramid in Chichen Itza.  The souvenir sellers also arrive at 8am, so if you can get in early you can have some peace and quiet without being constantly hassled to buy something.

Alternatively, instead of the early morning, you may want to visit Chichen Itza in the afternoon, once all the tour groups leave around 3pm.  However, Chichen Itza closes at 5pm so you may not have a chance to see everything before it closes. 

On Sundays, Mexican nationals get free entry to Chichen Itza, so the site will be even busier than on other days of the week.   Similarly, national holidays and peak times such as Christmas and Easter will be busier too, so try to plan your visit to avoid peak times, otherwise, you will have to battle through the crowds.

The most popular days of the year to visit Chichen Itza are during the spring and autumn equinox when thousands of people gather to see the snake slithering down the steps of El Castillo Pyramid.  This would be an incredible sight to behold, but it is also incredibly busy.

Chichen Itza Opening Times

Normal opening hours of Chichen Itza is from Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 17:00.

The last entry is at 4 pm and the whole site closes at 5 pm.  Don’t leave your visit till the last minute, as there is a lot to see!

Chichen Itza Entry Fee 2023

The entrance fee to Chichen Itza is more expensive than other Mayan ruins in Mexico, as you have to pay for two tickets.  One is for the federal government agency that co-administers the sites (INAH) and the other is for the state agency (CULTUR) and they cost $85 pesos and $486 pesos respectively, so the total price for Chichen Itza tickets is $571 pesos per person in 2023 (about $30 USD). 

When you arrive at the Chichen Itza ticket office, there are two separate windows next to each other, and you buy one ticket at each window.  Keep both of your tickets as they will each be stamped on the way in. 

Bring cash with you to buy your ticket as the card machine often doesn’t work.  There is a cash machine at Chichen Itza, but I wouldn’t rely on it working!  Also, the office won’t accept dollars, so make sure you have enough pesos with you to cover the entry fee, food and anything else you might need such as money to pay or tip a tour guide.  

If you want to enter the archaeological site with video equipment other than a phone (that is a GoPro, video camera, selfie stick), you must pay an additional fee per device at the ticket sales office.  I haven’t found anything official about the fee for that is, but I’ve found comments from other people that it is only a couple of dollars, (50 pesos) for a selfie stick.  If you have a professional camera, video equipment or a tripod I expect it will be more than that.  Drones are not allowed.

Discounted & Free Chichen Itza Admission

People over 60 years of age, retirees and pensioners, active teachers and students, and disabled people get free entry into Chichen Itza with valid identification.

Mexican nationals with official identification have a discounted price for the CULTUR state agency fee of $168.00 pesos plus the $85 pesos INAH fee, so $253 pesos in total.  On Sundays, residents of Mexico get free tickets to Chichen Itza. 

Discounts and free tickets only apply to the standard entrance and do not apply for the evening light shows or other special events.

Buying Skip the Line Chichen Itza Tickets in Advance

If you are visiting Chichen Itza with a tour, the tour company will arrange for you to buy tickets when you arrive at the site, or they will buy tickets for you and you pay your tour guide.

If you are visiting independently, it is possible to buy Chichen Itza tickets online in advance in the form of skip the line tickets, but reviews vary as to how useful they actually are.  If you arrive early (close to opening time) there won’t be much of a queue anyway, but if you arrive mid-morning to lunchtime it is peak time so there may be a long queue in which case paying the extra fee to skip the line may be worth it.

These skip the line tickets are collected from a shop at the entrance to Chichen Itza, so you skip the queue to buy tickets.  There may be another queue to actually enter the archaeological park, but that isn’t usually too long.  

Chichen Itza Light Show

On certain nights of the week (currently Tuesday to Sunday) you can buy an additional ticket to go back to Chichen Itza in the evening from 7pm for a night show, where lights are projected onto the El Castillo pyramid, accompanied by music and explanations in Spanish.   

Also included is a 45-minute tour around the site (with a multi-lingual audio guide), followed by the light show.  You can buy your tickets in advance online for the night show or buy them at Chichen Itza itself.

Chichen Itza light show tickets cost $630 pesos per person in 2022 but check the website for details of dates of available shows, seats and current pricing.  I only found a website in Spanish, although you can use Google Translate to convert it to English.

What to See in Chichen Itza

The main ‘attraction’ at Chichen Itza is the spectacular Kukulkán or El Castillo Pyramid.  If you arrive early, visit this first to get photographs while it’s still quiet.  Then, take time to explore all of the other areas, including the ball court, El Caracol observatory, the Bonehouse, sacred cenote, and Temple of the Warriors.

What really makes Chichen Itza so special is the architectural design, and attention to detail.  The design of the main pyramid, El Castillo, is so perfect that on the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun casts a shadow on the pyramid in such a way that a snake appears to slither up or down the huge steps.  The Mayans clearly knew a lot about astronomy and they planned every detail of Chichen Itza.

Beneath the pyramid, an underground cenote has recently been discovered, and hidden passageways remain unexplored.  At its peak, Chichen Itza was home to an estimated 90,000 inhabitants, a thriving city that has only partially been excavated.  Take time to appreciate all this, and you will realise why Chichen Itza earned its title as one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Chichen Itza FAQs

Can you climb chichen itza pyramid.

Unfortunately, no.  Climbing Chichen Itza’s pyramid is forbidden, in part to protect the intricate carvings at the top, and in part for your safety, after a tourist died when they tripped and fell down the pyramid a few years ago. 

Can You Swim in Chichen Itza Cenote?

The Sacred Cenote and other cenotes inside the complex are for viewing only, so no, you can’t swim in the Chichen Itza cenotes.  They were used as a site for religious ceremonies and human sacrifices and are a murky green colour so not ideal for swimming anyway! 

However, if you bring your swimsuit, you can visit other cenotes near Chichen Itza such as Ik Kil cenote.

What to Take to Chichen Itza

There isn’t much shade around the main temples in Chichen Itza, and the sun beats down mercilessly making it very hot indeed.  Bring plenty of water with you, sunscreen, and a hat or umbrella to protect yourself from the sun.  There is a shop at the entrance where you can buy drinks and snacks, but once you are inside there is nowhere to buy refreshments during your visit. 

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes too as you’ll want to walk around and explore everywhere.  If you decide not to take a Chichen Itza tour, a guidebook is useful to explain more about the ruins, there is very little signage to explain what is what.

Bring a swimsuit if you are planning to visit a cenote near Chichen Itza, even if you can’t swim in the cenotes in Chichen Itza itself.

Drones are not allowed at Chichen Itza so don’t bother bringing one.  

Where to Stay at Chichen Itza

If you have time in your itinerary to spend a night or two close to Chichen Itza then you can arrive early to the archaeological site and can explore the ruins while it is relatively quiet.  If you do decide to spend the night, here’s where to stay at Chichen Itza:

Chichen Itza Hotels

If you want to stay at Chichen Itza, there is the Mayaland Hotel onsite, which has a private entrance to Chichen Itza.  Mayaland has some rooms with views of the Observatory inside Chichen Itza, and there is a shuttle to take you to the main entrance of Chichen Itza.

Other hotels in this area include Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa and the cheaper Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza which both get decent reviews.  While they are physically close to the ruins, you’ll have to walk or order a taxi from the hotel to take you the 3km or so to the main entrance of Chichen Itza. 

Alternatively, staying in a hotel in Pisté gives you more choice of evening restaurants and activities, and maybe easier to find taxis or transport to Chichen Itza in the morning.  I stayed at the lovely Casa de las Lunas which has bright, clean rooms and a swimming pool. 

Nearby, CASA VICTORIA gets excellent reviews for its beautiful, clean rooms and friendly hosts.  

FIND A HOTEL

Chichen Itza Hostels

There are no hostels actually at Chichen Itza but you can stay at Hostal y temazcal Guemez in the nearby town of Piste.  There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the closest city Valladolid, like the fabulous Hostel Candelaria . 

If you stay in Valladolid, you could arrange a tour from there or take a collectivo to Chichen Itza first thing in the morning.  Buses from Valladolid to Chichen Itza won’t get you there for opening time so you could take the bus in the afternoon in preparation for the following day.  

FIND A HOSTEL

Apartments and Airbnbs at Chichen Itza

There are also some options for Airbnb near Chichen Itza, especially in the nearby towns of Pisté and Valladolid if you prefer to stay at an Airbnb.  

I hope that’s covered everything you need to know about how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza.  You can also read my dedicated post with all of my tips about Chichen Itza , and comment below if you have any more questions!

Want More Mexico Travel Ideas?

• Backpacking Mexico Travel Guide
• Cancun on a Budget
• Chichen Itza Tips
• Chichen Itza vs Tulum
• How to Get from Tulum to Chichen Itza
• Tulum on a Budget
• Cheap Hotels in Tulum
• Unique Places to Visit in Mexico
• Visiting the Pink Lakes in Mexico
• Cozumel Solo Travel Guide
• The Best Things to do in Mexico City
• Xochimilco - Mexico City's Venice
• Lucha Libre in Mexico City

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Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

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• Quintana Roo >

Day Trip to Chichen Itza

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This tour offers the following benefits to cruise passengers: Cruise Friendly Refund Policy Shore Excursions with this benefit will offer a full refund if any of the following occur: - Your cruise ship arrives late, and you miss your Shore Excursion as a result. - Your cruise ship changes its date of arrival and it is not possible to reschedule. - Your cruise ship skips port. - Your cruise is canceled by the cruise line. - You cancel prior to the Cancellation Deadline on your confirmation voucher. In the event of a refund claim for one of these reasons, Project Expedition will verify the cruise ship’s actual itinerary before processing a refund. To be eligible for a refund, you must submit your claim in writing no later than 14 days after the scheduled date of the Shore Excursion. Back to Ship Guarantee Project Expedition guarantees that you will get back to your ship on time, provided that all of the following requirements apply: - The Shore Excursion you booked offers the Back to Ship Guarantee. - Your Shore Excursion is scheduled to end no less than 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your cruise ship. It is your responsibility to confirm your ship’s departure time prior to booking, in addition to re-confirming the ship’s itinerary on the day of the Shore Excursion. - You have not changed or deviated from the original itinerary of the Shore Excursion that you booked on Project Expedition. - The delay in returning to the ship was due to no fault or action of your own. In the event that you are not returned back to your cruise ship before it departs, Project Expedition will cover up to USD $500 per person towards transportation and/or accommodation necessary to travel to the next port of call. Receipts are required for reimbursement.

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Maya Classic 5 days TULUM BACALAR CHETUMAL CALACMUL PALENQUE GULF OF MEXICO CAMPECHE UXMAL MERIDA CHICHEN ITZA IK KIL from Tulum

Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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Do not miss the opportunity to see the most emblematic archaeological sites: Tulum, Calacmul, Uxmal, Palenque.  Visit the most important colonial cities of the Peninsula: Merida, Campeche and experience the magic of the most spectacular natural beauty places like Bacalar lagoon, Cenote Ik Kil.

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Private Tour: $871.8

Pickup included

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Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

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• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's not Included

• Accommodation in hotels before and after the end of the route.
• Lunches and dinners.

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Additional Info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• When booking accommodation TRPL hotel provides 2 single beds.
• We encourage you to book DBL
• The extra charge for SNGL on request
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is require
• Face masks required for travellers in public areas
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience
• Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
• Gear/equipment sanitised between use
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Vans will only occupied 30% cappacity at all times. Food and drink stations won´t be available to prevent infection points. If temperature is not between acceptable rank, travelers could reschedule or request refund with a doctor´s note mandatory in both cases.

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• Isla Mujeres
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• Chichen Itza Tour Classic
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Chichen Itza Tour Plus

• Chichen Itza Tour Deluxe
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Private Chichen Itza Tour

Luxury chichen itza tour.

• Premium Chichen Itza Tour
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CHICHEN ITZA TOURS FROM MUN TULUM

Available tours from mun tulum.

The following tours can be booked with hotel-pick up at Mun Tulum . Some of these tours are shared, so you might have to walk out of the main lobby if you choose one any of the non-private options.

Chichen Itza Tours

Chichen Itza Classic Tour

Take the Classic Chichen Itza Tour from Mun Tulum . This tour is perfect for a journey to visit the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza Express Tour

Take the Express Chichen Itza Tour from Mun Tulum . This tour is for those who want to visit exclusively the archaeological site and return to their hotel early.

Enjoy the Chichen Itza Tour Plus from Mun Tulum with some extra amenities like unlimited drinks onboard the bus.

Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour

Get the Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour from Mun Tulum . It has all the benefits of the Plus tour, but in addition you get a Box lunch, extra drinks and more.

Chichen Itza Diamante Tour

Get the Chichen Itza Diamante Tour from Mun Tulum . will provide you with all the perks of a Chichen Itza Tour Diamante, including drinks and other amenities.

With the Private Chichen Itza Tour from Mun Tulum , enjoy Chichen Itza at your own pace. With this tour you can visit the Mayan Ruins whenever you want and how you want to… Go to Chichen Itza earlier than everyone, or later.

With the Luxury Chichen Itza Tour from Mun Tulum , enjoy the perks of traveling in Luxury. If you want to get in style to Chichen Itza, you must book this tour. Get to Chichen Itza from Mun Tulum in a Suburban vehicle with refreshing amenities on the ride.