Tourists on a trip to Chichen Itza near Cancun, Mexico
Tourists on a trip to Chichen Itza near Cancun, Mexico

Chichen Itza

Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, 77760

The basics

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site composed of stone buildings in various states of preservation, all of which are connected by a network of roads called sacbeob. The three most well-known are El Castillo (Kukulcán Pyramid), the Temple of Warriors, and the Great Ball Court.

Chichen Itza tours and private day trips tend to depart from nearby cities on the Riviera Maya & the Yucatan and often combine a stop here with visits to Ek Balam, Cobá, or the town of Valladolid. Alternatively, choose a tour with access to the Mayaland Resort and a buffet lunch.

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Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with Tequila and Lunch
Special Offer
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with Tequila and Lunch
$55.80 per adult
$59.00 $3.00 savings
Traveler Favorite
Excellent Trip!
Ramiro was excellent, his historical descriptions and detailed explanations were well delivered. Diego is calm and made sure we were on time for departures and expected arrivals. The “Small One” was larger than life and kept the trip fun and entertaining.
JoAnne_L, Mar 2024

Things to know before you go

  • Many tours are led by archaeologist tour guides, who are well-versed in Maya culture.

  • The Ossario group and Central group are open to everyone; Chichén Viejo (Old Chichén) is only open to archaeologists.

  • Come prepared for the heat with light clothing, sunscreen, bottled water, and a hat.

  • This popular site can get extremely crowded—book an early-access tour to beat the crowds.

  • Skip Sundays, when the site is free to enter for Mexican nationals and incredibly busy.

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How to get there

Chichen Itza is between 2–2.5 hours by car from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun respectively. Visitors to those coastal resorts will have plenty of options for day trips to the archaeological site, and departures are also available from Cozumel and Merida.

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Trip ideas


When to get there

The best time to get to Chichen Itza is right around opening, before the crowds arrive and the sun is high in the sky. Some private tours and small-group tours offer early access to the ancient ruins. At sunrise and sunset on the spring and fall equinoxes, the corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of Kukulkán, a feathered serpent god, and creates the illusion of a snake slithering down the north side of the pyramid.

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How to visit the Mayan ruins without the crowds

One of the best ways to experience the magic and mystery of the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula—without feeling like you’re at Grand Central Station during rush hour—is by visiting before most tour buses arrive. Early-access tours of Tulum, Chichen Itza, or Coba ensure you’ll be one of the first visitors there, so you can get that perfect photo without all the tourists in it. As an added bonus, you’ll also get expert insight into Mayan civilization from an archaeologist tour guide. It’s worth the early-morning wakeup.

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Tourists on a trip to Chichen Itza near Cancun, Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Chichen Itza?
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in Cancun?
A:
As well as visiting the Chichen Itza, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: