Chichén Itzá is an important archeological site located on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a great spot for discovering the history, culture, and traditions of ancient Mayan civilization.
There are many guided tours available around the vast site, as well as around other important attractions in the area. These are a great option to gain a more in-depth understanding of the area, and allow you to conveniently get from most major tourist resorts to the site without having to rely on public transportation.
These are the 15 best tours you can take to Chichén Itzá.
1. Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid Full Day Tour
Source: Pakhnyushchy / shutterstockThis tour gives you a great cultural experience of the region that Chichén Itzá is in. Start off with a trip to the Mayan monument and a guided tour around the ruins. You will then be taken to the Ik Kil Cenote.
Cenotes are sinkholes filled with water and have amazing natural beauty as well as interesting geological formations. You will be provided a buffet meal at the nearby village and given a demonstration on how some Mayan cuisine was produced.
You will also have a short stopover in Valladolid to take in some of the local Mexican culture.
2. Chichén Itzá Sunrise Tour
Source: Patryk Kosmider / shutterstockSunrise is probably the most rewarding time to visit Chichén Itzá, but getting there on your own in time can be difficult.
This tour will pick you up nice and early from Cancún before continuing to the archeological site just in time to watch the sunrise behind the main pyramid. This is excellent for photo opportunities and a truly beautiful sight to behold.
The dedicated guide – who can speak both Spanish and English – will then show you around the rest of the attraction. A box lunch is provided on board so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.
3. Chichen Itzá, Ik Kil and Coba Small Group Tour
Source: Madrugada Verde / shutterstockThis tour takes you to Chichen Itzá and Ik Kil sinkhole, as well as on a short trip to Coba. Coba is filled with other interesting archeological sites from the Mayan empire, including high pyramids that you can climb and take photos from.
Your local guide will help you uncover the history and culture surrounding all the attractions, and all your entrance fees are included.
The tour also includes breakfast and a lunch provided at a typical Mexican restaurant.
4. Chichén Itzá All Inclusive with Hubiku Cenote and Valladolid
Source: Eddy Galeotti / shutterstockThe first stop on this tour is the Hubiku Cenote. Here you will be able to explore the unique geological formations of the cenote, as well as enjoy a quick swim in the clear waters.
The tour then continues on to Chichén Itzá where your skilled tour guide will discuss ancient Mayan culture and the significance of the monuments in the area.
You will also be able to enjoy a longer trip to Valladolid, where you can admire the colorful pastel buildings, boutique shops, and traditional restaurants.
5. Chichén Itzá Entrance Ticket with Hospitality Suite
Source: adrenalinerushdiaries / shutterstockIf you are planning to make your own way to Chichén Itzá and want somewhere to relax after exploring the site, this entrance ticket gives you additional access to the facilities of the neighboring hotel.
The Mayaland Hotel and Bungalows is a gorgeous place to enjoy a stroll through the grounds; you can access the swimming pool and recreational areas as well as the hospitality suite.
This is a great way to add a touch of luxury to your trip to Chichén Itzá.
6. Chichen Itza, Hubiku and Ek Balam Tour
Source: Angelina Pilarinos / shutterstockThis tour takes a much more extensive dive into the culture of the ancient Mayan civilization.
Chichen Itza itself is the first stop; the guide is a specialist in the culture of the ancient civilization, giving you a great insight into their traditions and beliefs. You will be taken for a swim at Hubiku Cenote, and get to hear about the significance of the sinkhole to the Mayan people.
The tour finishes at Ek Balam, where you can admire the Acropolis style buildings and beautiful carvings made by the Talol Kingdom.
7. Chichén Itza Tour with Hotel Transfers
Source: VICTOR TORRES / shutterstockStay in bed a little longer with this dedicated tour that will pick you up from your hotel in the area.
Chichén Itza is the main focus of this tour, with most of the time spent helping you gain a deep understanding of the monument and what it represents. You will also be taken to Suytun, where you can enjoy a swim in a sinkhole managed by an ecotourism agency. You will enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch at the site.
For the final stop of your tour, you will spend some time in Valladolid exploring the town at your own pace before being dropped off at your hotel.
8. Classic Chichén Itzá Day Tour from Cancún with Lunch
Source: Elzbieta Sekowska / shutterstockFor those based in Cancún, this day tour is a tried and tested itinerary that is popular with many guests from across the world.
You will be given a fully guided tour of the ruins with in-depth explanations of what they all mean, before continuing on to Ik Kil Cenote to learn about the religious importance of the sinkholes to the Mayan people. Afterward, you will enjoy a traditional, Mayan-style lunch at Chichén Itzá.
Unlike other tours, this one includes a traditional song and dance performance for you to engage even more with Mayan culture.
9. Chichén Itzá Private Tour
Source: Shootdiem / shutterstockIf you want something more bespoke and private, this option allows you to arrange your own guide and customize your itinerary for your visit to Chichén Itzá.
The nine-hour tour can be conducted in six different languages, and you will be the only group shown around the area by your dedicated tour guide.
This guide is a professionally accredited expert on local archaeology and can provide some very in-depth insights into the importance of the area.
A buffet lunch is included, as well as snorkeling equipment for visits to the nearby Cenote.
10. Early Access Chichen Itza and Tulum 2-Day Tour
Source: DC_Aperture / shutterstockIf you have more time on your hands, this tour takes you around the archeological site at a much more relaxed pace, as well as providing you with an additional trip to Tulum.
You will be given early access to Chichen Itza so you can admire the site before the majority of other tourists arrive; however, you will have the full day to explore the area at your own pace.
The second day is dedicated to Tulum – a walled city that has many interesting archaeological sites as well as fantastic views over the Caribbean.
11. Open the Gate to Chichen Itza with Mayan Planetarium
Source: Mickael Rouze / shutterstockAstronomy was an important aspect of Mayan life, and this tour allows you to explore the way the stars shaped the lives within the ancient civilization.
You will have early access to the main site via a dedicated Mayaland Resort entrance, allowing you to check out the park before the rest of the tourists. Once you have finished exploring, you will be taken to a planetarium nearby to check out the Maya Skies exhibit.
This exhibit talks about the Mayan traditions that revolved around the night sky, as well as how the stars shaped their dating system.
12. Chichen Itza Full-Day Extended Tour from Cancún
Source: Galyna Andrushko / shutterstockIf you are planning to visit from Cancún or Playa del Carmen, this bumper tour takes you on a much more extensive adventure around the main attractions in the area.
Aside from Chichén Itzá itself, you will visit the Ik-kil Cenote, where you can take a swim in the clear waters and learn about its significance to the Mayan civilization.
Your licensed guide will impart extensive knowledge about the main attractions in the site, including the Temple of One Thousand Columns. Your tour will finish up with a fully guided look at Valladolid.
13. Chichen Itza Tour Light and Sound Show with Cenote Ik Kil
Source: getyourguide.comAt night, the Chichen Itza site lights up in a beautiful display that highlights the magnificence of the main attractions in the area.
This tour will begin with a fully guided daytime tour of the UNESCO site, before continuing on to a tour of the Ik Kil Cenote, where you can also go for a swim.
In between the tour and the light and sound show, you will have full access to the Mayaland Resort facilities, allowing you to unwind and relax ahead of the exciting show.
14. Chichen Itza, Xcaret, and Xel-Ha 3 Tours Combo Package
Source: Helen Filatova / shutterstockThe Maya Riviera region has a lot more to offer and this package allows you to take three tours to Chichén Itzá, Xcaret and Xel-Ha.
The Chichén Itzá tour includes visits to Valladolid. Xcaret has an exclusive underground cenote that you can swim in at your leisure and enjoy a more eco-conscious tour.
At Xel-Ha, you will enjoy one of the most unique theme parks in the world that focuses on the local ecosystem. Meals and transportation are included for each tour.
15. Yucatan Overview: Chichén Itza and Uxmal 2-Day Tour
Source: Iren Key / shutterstockThis is another great option if you are looking for a slower paced tour; it focuses on the major attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The first day consists mostly of a tour of Chichén Itza, with plenty of time provided to listen to a knowledgeable tour guide as well as explore at your own pace.
Overnight accommodation is provided in Uxmal, and the second day is dedicated to the natural beauty of the town as well as other nearby towns on the Riviera Maya.
Meals are provided, as well as the use of the Mayaland Facilities whilst you are at Chichen Itzá.