Chichen Itza Full-Day Historical Journey + Cenote + Buffef Lunch

4.4
(8 reviews)
Cancun, Mexico

13 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

Step Into Time: Chichen Itzá, Cenote Saamal & Valladolid Discovery

Unlock the wonders of an ancient civilization on our expert-led journey to Chichen Itzá—a timeless expedition where history echoes through majestic ruins. Let our seasoned guides transport you into the heart of the Mayan world, where stories etched in stone come vividly to life.

Cool off in the serene waters of Cenote Saamal, a hidden sanctuary wrapped in emerald jungle—ideal for a rejuvenating swim surrounded by nature’s grandeur.

Then, wander the cobbled streets of Valladolid, a charming town where colonial elegance meets vibrant culture. Admire colorful facades, lively plazas, and the soul of Yucatán in every corner.

This isn't just a sightseeing tour—it's a curated blend of heritage, nature, and local flavor.

️ Reserve your place today and relive the magic of the Mayan world!

What's Included

Brief visit to the historic city of Valladolid, Yucatán
Certified guides specialized in archeology and Mayan culture who will accompany you
Visit to the Cenote “Saamal”, Swimming is allowed
Exquisite buffet with a wide variety of typical foods from the region
Pick-up in shared transportation
Round trip aboard our luxury air-conditioned panoramic buses
Guided tour (bilingual) to Chichen Itzá and free time to walk and take photos on site archaeological
Drinks in the restaurant or box lunch (This can be added with the pricing options)
Local ecotaxes and service fee (765 MXN per taveler)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

This experience includes round-trip transportation, with both outbound and return service provided from your hotel/accommodation or from a designated meeting point, depending on the area and applicable pickup conditions.

Transportation is offered in the following locations:

CANCÚN

* Hotel Zone (Blvd Kukulcan)
* Downtown area
* Puerto Cancún
* Puerto Juárez
* Punta Sam
* Playa Mujeres
* Costa Mujeres

PUERTO MORELOS

* Coastal hotel and resort zone of Riviera Maya and Puerto Morelos

PLAYA DEL CARMEN

* Coastal hotel and resort zone of Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen
* Downtown area
* Hotel Zone
* Playacar
* Playa Paraíso
* Punta Maroma
* El Caracol
* Paamul
* Xcaret Hotels

RIVIERA MAYA

* Coastal hotel and resort corridor throughout Riviera Maya
* Puerto Aventuras
* Xpu Ha
* Akumal
* Chemuyil
* Xcacel
* Jacinto Pat

TULUM

* NO hotel pickup is provided. Only one meeting point is available in downtown Tulum, specifically around the intersection of Boca Paila Avenue and the Cancún-Tulum Highway. The precise meeting location may shift slightly depending on where our vehicle is authorized to stop or park. Therefore, one day before your trip, you will receive the exact location where we will meet you the following day.

IMPORTANT:

In Cancún: Any hotel or accommodation located in the southwestern sector of the city, between the intersection of Av Cancún and Av Kabah, as well as within the northern sector after Av José López Portillo, is served exclusively through a meeting point in downtown Cancún due to safety considerations and poor road conditions. Even when your accommodation appears on the available pickup list, transportation will be arranged from the downtown area.

Any hotel or accommodation located within the northern sector of Cancún, after Av José López Portillo, is served exclusively from a meeting point in downtown Cancún because of safety considerations and poor street conditions. Even if your hotel or accommodation appears listed, your transportation service will be scheduled from the downtown area.

In Playa del Carmen: Any hotel or accommodation located outside the downtown sector, between 30 Av Sur and Av Luis Donaldo Colosio, is served exclusively from a meeting point in downtown Playa del Carmen due to safety considerations and poor road conditions. Even when your accommodation appears listed, transportation will be arranged from the downtown area. This condition does not apply if your accommodation is located within the Playacar hotel area or at Riviera Maya resorts bordering Playa del Carmen to the north or south.

For most hotels and accommodations situated within Playa del Carmen's metropolitan coastal area, for example accommodations along 5th Avenue, the nearest possible meeting point will be assigned. Local traffic authorities restrict collective transportation vehicles from operating on streets running parallel to the beach. The assigned location is generally only a few minutes away on foot, at the closest authorized bus stop to your accommodation.

This experience does NOT provide hotel pickups from any island and does not include ferry tickets or crossing tickets to or from an island. If you are staying, for example, on Isla Mujeres or Cozumel, you must make the crossing independently. Transportation will meet you at the bus stop nearest the ferry terminal on the mainland side of Riviera Maya, and the return service will end at the same boarding point.

Access restrictions may apply to certain accommodations, hotels, or resorts because of safety concerns, physical street closures, restrictions imposed by local authorities, damaged roads, or unpaved access roads that cannot be reached by vehicle. When this applies, your final confirmation sent one day before your trip will specify the closest accessible meeting point and/or bus stop.

Access to medium and large hotel properties, resorts, or hotel complexes may also be restricted according to the individual policies of each property. Although most hotels generally allow transportation providers operating shared experiences to enter, access is not always permitted because of security and privacy policies. In this situation, your final confirmation sent one day before your trip will instruct you to meet at the hotel entrance or at the nearest accessible meeting point outside the hotel property.

If the meeting point selected in your reservation was confirmed by our team through the final confirmation but is not actually the accommodation where you are staying, you are required to inform our team in writing by email, reservation chat, text message, or WhatsApp, preferably within the first minutes/hours after receiving the final confirmation. This allows us to organize the service accordingly and meet you outside your actual accommodation or at a newly assigned meeting point. If you have not previously notified our team in writing and attempt to request a meeting point change only a few minutes before, during, or after your assigned pickup time, the request will be subject to availability and approval, with no guarantee that any modification can be made. A last-minute change may interfere with the scheduled pickup times of the other travelers and affect the itinerary of passengers who are already on board. As part of our standard operating procedure, our team will always first search for travelers at the hotel lobby, designated boarding area, or front desk, and afterward, if a change was previously approved, at the newly assigned meeting point.

Exact pickup times can vary significantly depending on the area where each traveler is staying. We operate several vehicles, each assigned to a specific geographic zone, and no single vehicle travels through every pickup area. Some estimated pickup windows are:

Cancún downtown and Hotel Zone: 6:30 AM – 7:45 AM
Playa Mujeres and Costa Mujeres: 5:50 AM – 6:50 AM
Puerto Morelos: 6:45 AM – 7:30 AM
Playa del Carmen and Playacar: 7:10 AM – 7:55 AM
Riviera Maya: 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Tulum: 9:30 AM

By making a reservation, you understand and accept that the approximate schedules listed above are not final or definitive and may change depending on the specific location of each hotel or assigned meeting point.

By booking, you also understand and accept that this experience operates with transportation logistics departing from Cancún, and that the farther an accommodation is located from central Cancún, the earlier or later the corresponding pickup time may be.

The time printed on your ticket represents the average boarding time assigned to most travelers. Please contact our team directly to verify your exact pickup time. If you have any questions, please also confirm your assigned meeting point with our team.

Please make sure you are at the designated location on time, at least 5 minutes before your assigned pickup. Waiting periods are very limited, and transportation cannot remain waiting indefinitely for an individual participant. Please respect the established pickup schedule. Keep in mind that even minor delays can accumulate and affect travelers who are already participating in the experience, as well as those who are still waiting to be picked up.

REMEMBER: One day before your trip, you will receive a final confirmation message through the contact methods associated with your reservation. This message contains your exact pickup time and boarding location. It will be sent through the reservation chat, email, and the telephone number provided in your booking through WhatsApp and/or text message, depending on which communication options are supported by that phone number and allow us to confirm receipt of the information. For this reason, we strongly ask travelers to provide accurate, current, active, and reachable contact information.

Itinerary

Duration: 13 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Cancun

    Your experience begins with pickup at your accommodation or meeting point, where our team will welcome you before starting the journey to Chichen Itza. The drive to the archaeological site takes approximately 2.5 hours.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Chichen Itza

    Before reaching Chichen Itza, the route includes a short stop near some points of interest located close to the area. During this stop, you will also enjoy a buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant. You can taste different regional dishes and traditional Mexican flavors. You will have approximately 1 hour for lunch. The group will continue on foot toward the main access point of the site. Your guides will stay with the group during this walk, sharing information and making sure everyone knows where to go. Once inside Chichen Itza, you will take part in a guided visit lasting approximately 1 hour. During this time, our knowledgeable guides will explain the history of this ancient Mayan city, share interesting facts and help you better understand how people lived during the Mayan world. After the guided portion, you will have about 1 hour to enjoy the site independently. Please listen carefully to your guide’s instructions, as they will let you know the exact time and place to meet.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Cenote Saamal

    The next part of the tour takes you to a beautiful Mayan cenote, one of the natural freshwater formations that made the Yucatán Peninsula so unique. In ancient Mayan culture, cenotes were considered sacred places and were often connected with spiritual beliefs about the underworld. The ride to the cenote takes approximately 45 minutes. Once you arrive, you will have time to enjoy its clear and refreshing waters. Bring your swimsuit, as this stop is perfect for swimming, cooling off, and experiencing one of the most special natural settings in the region. The visit to the cenote lasts approximately 1 hour.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Valladolid

    The final stop of the experience will take place in Valladolid, Yucatán, a beautiful colonial city known for its calm atmosphere, colorful streets, traditional charm, and rich local culture. This is a great opportunity to see another side of the region and enjoy the authentic character of a historic Yucatecan town. You will have approximately 30 to 45 minutes of free time to walk around the area, take photos, admire the colonial architecture, and enjoy the local surroundings at your own pace before continuing with the return journey.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Cancun

    After your time in Valladolid comes to an end, the guide will let the group know where and when to meet before boarding the bus again. Once all travelers have returned, we will begin the ride back toward Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The journey back takes around three hours, making it a good moment to rest after a full day of exploring. Settle into the vehicle, relax, and enjoy the return ride as the experience comes to a close.

    3 hours Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Luggage may only be accepted if the assigned vehicle has available space and our team approves it beforehand. If you plan to travel with luggage, please check with us before the service so we can review the transportation assigned to your booking and let you know whether it can be accommodated. Please keep in mind that space cannot be promised in advance, and approval is not automatic.
  • Beginning April 21, 2026, Mexican archaeological zones have restricted entry with backpacks and luggage as part of their security measures. For this reason, we suggest visiting the site with only the minimum items needed, ideally small personal belongings that can be carried in your pockets or in a compact bag. Certain necessary items may be allowed as exceptions, such as diaper bags, but final access decisions are made by the site’s security staff. Any belongings refused at the entrance by the archaeological site authorities remain outside our responsibility. However, for this tour, the transportation service offers the option to leave your items inside the vehicle while you complete the scheduled visits.
  • During each stop, access to the transportation vehicle is only allowed at the official boarding time indicated by the guide or staff. Guests may not enter the vehicle early or stay inside while the rest of the group is away, since other travelers may have left personal items stored there during the visit. This measure is applied for security and to protect everyone’s belongings.
Supplied by Aktive Tours

Tags

Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Archaeology Tours
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.4 Based on 8 8 reviews
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