Chichen Itza Cancun
Looking for an incredible experience in Mexico? Look no further than the stunning Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza! This ancient city was once one of the most powerful during the height of Mayan civilization.
Luckily, it’s easy to access from Cancun, whether you opt for an organized tour, rent a car, or take public transport with ADO buses. In this guide, we’ll go through all three options and their advantages and disadvantages so you can decide which one works best for you.
Read Next:
Although Chichen Itza may not be the most glorious cultural center of the Mayan civilization, it’s still an impressive site. In fact, it’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The best part? Visiting this natural marvel doesn’t have to be a long and complicated process. You can easily enjoy it as part of a day trip from anywhere on the Yucatan peninsula. Plus, it’s affordable and offers a wide variety of activities for everyone to explore
.
.
The majestic Chichen Itza ruins are located near the beautiful 16th century town of Valladolid. It’s only 125 miles away from Cancun and can be reached in a mere two or three hour drive.
Read Next:
There are several ways to get to Chichzen Itza from Cancun, depending on your budget, preferences, and travel style.
If you want to make the most of your money and meet like-minded travelers, joining a group tour from Cancun to Chichen Itza is an excellent option. You can book your tour online or through your hotel, and you’ll be picked up in a van or bus and taken to the ruins for a guided tour. Some tours even offer early morning options that beat the crowds and give you exclusive access to the site.
The only downside of a group tour is that you’ll need to stick to a pre-set schedule, usually allowing for about an hour at each stop. However, it’s an excellent way to make new connections and share the experience with others.
Read Next:
If you prefer a more personalized experience and don’t mind paying extra, a private tour from Cancun to Chichen Itza might be the way to go. You’ll have a personal driver and a multilingual guide who will accompany you and explain each archaeological site along the way. You can even take a private tour to nearby Mayan ruins like Coba and Tulum Ruins for a more comprehensive experience.
For those who want more flexibility and autonomy, renting a car is a great option. It’s also cost-effective if you’re traveling with friends or family members, and the journey takes only around 2 ½ hours on a well-maintained toll road. Remember to book through a reliable company, take pictures of the vehicle, and buy entrance tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in line.
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind the extra hassle, taking the ADO public bus from Cancun to Chichen Itza is the most economical option.
ADO buses are modern, air-conditioned and equipped with restrooms for your convenience. However, you must be watchful of your belongings at all times – thefts occur in the buses as well as inside the terminals. To avoid long queues and potential delays, it is best to arrive early at the station before departure day so that check-in can proceed quickly and efficiently.
The bus leaves downtown at 8:45 AM and returns by 4:30 PM, taking around three hours each way. You can purchase your ticket online or at the bus station and enjoy modern, air-conditioned buses with restrooms. However, be watchful of your belongings and arrive early to avoid delays.
A one-way ticket will only set you back 13 dollars (250 pesos) and complete the journey in three hours. You can purchase these conveniently online at their website, or snag them directly at the Mexican bus station itself.
Before you choose to visit Chichen Itza, there are a few important things to consider.
Firstly, Chichen Itza is an awe-inspiring archaeological site with many fascinating structures. One of the most interesting features is the Sacred Cenote, which is off-limits for swimming, but still worth seeing and capturing on camera. You might even get a chance to see the beautiful Mot Mot bird!
To make the most of your visit, plan to spend at least three hours at Chichen Itza. This will give you ample time to explore the site without feeling rushed or missing anything important. Trust us, you don’t want to leave feeling like you missed out!
To avoid long queues and a chaotic environment, arrive promptly when the ticket office opens at 8 am. This is especially important if you’re visiting during peak season, when the site can get very crowded.
If you’re planning to bring a big backpack or a professional camera, you’ll need to get a permit at the entrance or on the INHA website beforehand. And if you want to fly a drone, be prepared to pay a pricey fee at the entrance. On the other hand, mobile phones are allowed on the site, so you can snap some pictures and share your experience with friends and family.
In conclusion, visiting Chichen Itza is an incredible experience that you won’t want to miss. Just make sure you plan ahead and follow the rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Chichen Itza is definitely worth visiting. This ancient Mayan city is a remarkable sight, with its main pyramid, El Castillo, being especially awe-inspiring. It’s no wonder why this stop stood out as the highlight of many travelers’ journeys through Mexico.
If you’re coming from Cancun, it’s about a 125-mile (200-kilometer) journey to Chichen Itza.
It’s easy to visit Chichen Itza from Cancun, no matter which mode of transportation you decide tochoose. You can drive yourself, take a bus, or join a tour.
Unfortunately, there is no airport near Chichen Itza, so you’ll have to fly into the Cancun International Airport (CUN) if you’re coming from out of town.
Absolutely. The roads are well-maintained and safe, and there have been no reported safety issues in the Yucatan region. Every day, tourists travel this route without any problems or worries.
If you’re road tripping from Cancun to Chichen Itza, there are plenty of amazing stops along the way. Valladolid, a 16th-century city, is a must-see, as are the crystal clear cenotes for swimming.
If you’re coming from Tulum or Playa Del Carmen with a tour of car, your options are similar to anyone who is coming from Cancun – you can join a tour, rent a car, or take the public bus system ADO. More details on how to get from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza here.
Chichen Itza is a popular tourist destination, with 2.6 million visitors in 2017 and up to 18,000 visitors per day
As of now, the entrance fee for adults is 538 Mexican pesos, which is roughly $26 USD. Children under 13 can enter for free. Just be aware that some tour packages don’t include this fee, so you’ll have to pay it yourself.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
© SmartXpat All Rights Reserved 2022
