How to Visit Chichen Itza: DIY, Guided Tours, When to Go

Getting to experience the Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza was a highlight of our time in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. But figuring out how to visit wasn’t as straight forward as Lori and I had thought.

Having lived in Mexico for the past four years, Lori and I know both the rewards and pitfalls of touring the country’s top sights. Chichen Itza is one of the most visited attractions in the whole country so it definitely pays to plan ahead on this one.

We put together this first-hand guide to help other visitors make the most of their time at this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes we (and countless others) have made along the way.

We absolutely loved our visit to Chichen Itza. With the right information and a little bit of local insight, we know you will too!

In this guide we’ll cover our top recommendations for Chichen Itza tours, how to do a day trip on your own, where to stay, what to bring, when to visit, and more!

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Planning a Visit to Chichen Itza?

Here are our hand-picked Chichen Itza tour recommendations:

✪ Top Pick All-inclusive Small Group Tour

✪ Budget Pick Chichen Itza Early-Access Tour

✪ Private Tour VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour

Keep reading for more tour recommendations later in this guide.

El Castillo Temple of Kukulcan at Chichen Itza Mexico — El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico

Why Tour Chichen Itza?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (El Castillo), the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza continues to capture the imagination of millions of visitors each year, for its advanced architecture, dark history, and mystic allure.

This pre-Columbian city was a major focal point for the Maya people between 600 and 1200 AD, and remains a symbol of great pride among the Maya population and Mexicans as a whole.

While visitors can no longer climb the structures, a walk around the grounds of this significant and well-preserved Mayan city evokes a strong sense of time and place in a way that few archeological sites succeed in doing.

Simply put, Chichen Itza is an amazing bucket list attraction worthy of the attention it receives, and definitely worth your time and money.

Keep reading to find out how to get the most out of your visit with one of these top Chichen Itza tours from Cancun, Tulum and beyond.

The Best Guided Chichen Itza Tours

After seeing Chichen Itza on our own, we wish we would have gone with tour. Of course, we didn’t realize this until much later when we toured Teotihuacan with an experienced local guide. It really took our experience to the next level.

Lori and I also know from experience that the tour company and guide can make or break the experience (we’ve had some pretty lackluster experiences in Mexico due to substandard tour guides as well).

Right now, we’re planning a visit back to the Yucatan and compiling our tours shortlist. This section is basically a summary of that list, organized by tours from Cancun/Riviera Maya, Tulum, and Merida.

Heads Up

If you choose to go with a large group tour that offers pickup in multiple locations across the Riviera Maya, it is not uncommon to spend 1-2 hours of your day picking up and dropping off other travelers.

The best way to avoid this scenario is to choose a small group or private tour. We’ve included a few of those options below.

✪ Our Top Pick All-inclusive Chichen Itza small group tour with Excursiones Riviera Maya. This full-day tour strikes a balance between top archeological and natural wonders, with visits to Chichen Itza and the Black Jaguar Ek Balam site, in addition to lunch and swimming at Cenote Hubiku. Pickup from Riviera Maya, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Puerto Morelos.

Hot Tip This tour requires a fair amount of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable footwear and sun protection.

✪ Budget Pick This Chichen Itza Early-Access Tour with Amigo Tours Mexico is a favorite among budget-minded travelers and has the high marks to show for it. Beat the crowds and the heat by getting exclusive early access to the archeological site with your archeologist guide. Enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch followed by a one-hour stop at Cenote Saamal. Pickup from Cancun and across the Riviera Maya.

Hot Tip It’s worth noting that the star of this tour package is Chichen Itza (3 hours at the Mayan ruins), and the brief stop in Valladolid for lunch and cenote swim are sort of icing on the cake.

✪ Private Tour Our top pick (see above) offers one guide for up to 20 people, with a maximum of 60 travelers in a group. Not your style? Check out this VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour by My Quest Concierge Private Tours. This all-inclusive package pairs you up with your very own English-speaking certified archeological guide as you tour Chichen Itza for 3 full hours, with private transfer to/from your hotel and other stops, including visits to Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman and the colonial center of Valladolid. Pickup from Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Pressed for Time? Check out this excellent, yet slightly shorter, private tour option from Living Dreams Mexico.

✪ Tour from Merida Chichen Itza, Izamal, Cenote & Food Experience with Eco Expeditions Mexico. This top-rated small group tour from Merida offers a refreshing balance between ruins, colonial charm, and relaxation, making 2-hour stops each at Chichen Itza, Cenote Yokdzonot, and the Pueblo Magico of Izamal.

Chichen Itza tours from Cancun Riviera Maya

Touring Chichen Itza on Your Own (DIY)

If you want to get the absolute most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we strongly recommend one of the Chichen Itza tours on our list above.

However, if you’d rather see Chichen Itza on your own, it is certainly doable if you’ve got the time, flexibility, and sense of adventure.

By far the easiest and most comfortable way to get to Chichen Itza is with your own wheels. Driving is straight-forward in this part of Mexico, and the toll highways are fast and efficient.

If you don’t plan on renting a car, we recommend asking your hotel to arrange a private hire/ taxi or Uber for you. Obviously, the closer you can get to Chichen Itza beforehand, the cheaper your private hire will cost. Valladolid or Izamal are great jumping off points in that respect.

For travelers on a tighter budget, we recommend taking the ADO Bus, which you can catch from any major destination in the region for an affordable price.

If you plan to go the DIY route, you’ll want to arrive at Chichen Itza just before the site opens (current operating hours are 8am to 5pm). Which means you’ll want to arrange your transport for early in the morning or get as close to the archeological site as possible the night before.

There is superb accommodation within a stone’s throw of the ruins (see next section), but if you’re traveling on a budget, you may want to stay the night before in nearby Valladolid instead.

When you get to Chichen Itza, you can opt to do a self-guided tour or hire a guide on arrival. Keep in mind that hiring a guide at the park can be hit or miss, and fees can vary wildly and may require a bit of bargaining in Spanish or English.

Where to Stay Near Chichen Itza

Looking to extend your time in and around this incredible place? Or simply want to get a jump on the day trippers and tropical heat? Fortunately, there are a handful of exceptional hotel options just steps from the archeological park.

Staying near Chichen Itza also serves as the perfect jumping off point for exploring other excellent nearby attractions such as the Yellow City of Izamal and the friendly city of Valladolid, as well as a number of spectacular cenotes.

Here are our top recommendations for places to stay all within a stone’s throw of Chichen Itza. These are the stays Lori and I would be considering if we were planning our trip today.

✪ Our Top Pick A true bucket list stay with breathtaking views in the heart of Chichen Itza, Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows will blow you away with 5-star service just steps away from the site’s most famous temples and structures.

✪ Exceptional Jungle Lodge Stay in a luxurious Mayan style bungalow in the very aptly named Lodge at Chichen Itza! While you’re here, take a dip in secluded swimming pools, take advantage of five-star service, and enjoy using the resorts exclusive entrance to the archeological site.

✪ Eco-Friendly Boutique Stay There’s so much to love about Hacienda Chichen Resort, particularly for visitors looking for upscale amenities in a homey and eco-friendly stay. Hacienda Chichen commits itself to sustainable tourism and working closely with the local Mayan community.

What to Pack for Your Adventure

The best Chichen Itza tours run year-round, rain or shine, so you’ll want to come prepared!

While the Yucatan Peninsula has distinct dry and wet seasons, it can potentially rain year-round. Pack a lightweight, breathable rain jacket or poncho (umbrellas are kind of useless here in the Caribbean).

Make sure you stay well-protected from the sun. Day trips to Chichen Itza often mean many hours of sun exposure, and the sun can be brutal in these parts.

A high SPF-rated sunscreen is a good idea (remember to choose a biodegradable, reef-friendly sunscreen if you’re also visiting the beaches), along with some sort of wide brim sun hat.

The archeological park is pretty big, so plan for lots of walking. Pack a good pair of hiking shoes or sandals (sandals often work better in the rainy season).

If you plan to tie a stop at a cenote into your visit, don’t forget your bathing suit and a quick-drying pack towel, but NO SUNSCREEN! Most cenotes in the region either discourage or outright forbid the use of lotions of any kind to protect the fragile underwater ecosystem.

And don’t forget to bring your favorite reusable water bottle! Most restaurants in Mexico don’t provide drinking water free of charge, and you’ll want to stay well-hydrated on your day out in the hot, tropical climate.

It probably goes without saying, but you’ll definitely want to bring along a good camera to capture this amazing place. If you plan to tie in a visit to a cenote, don’t forget your action camera (e.g. GoPro).

When to Visit Chichen Itza

Best Weather

The Yucatan Peninsula has a tropical sub-humid climate that becomes drier as you get farther inland (Chichen Itza is located in the middle of the peninsula, away from the coast).

Expect less rain here compared with Cancun and the Riviera Maya, but with the knowledge that rain is possible year-round.

The driest AND coolest part of the year runs from November to March, so if you’re looking for the best possible weather for your trip, plan on visiting during this time.

BUT…

Smallest Crowds

The most POPULAR time of year for visiting Chichen Itza is during the driest, coolest months between November and April, with visitor numbers peaking around Christmas/ New Years and Easter/ Spring Break.

Keep in mind that Chichen Itza is one of the most popular attractions in all of Mexico, so expect a fair amount of visitors year around. With that said, if you’re particularly crowd-averse, avoid Sundays (when the park is free to Mexicans), holiday weekends, and the spring and autumn equinox when huge crowds descend on the park to view the extraordinary phenomenon that takes place here.

And, of course, always try to arrive as close to 8am as possible for your best chance at beating both the heat, crowds, and afternoon thunderstorms.