The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico
Visiting Chichen Itza is one of the best things to do on the Yucatan Road Trip Itinerary. Discover the famous Mayan Ruins in just a few hours and get one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on your bucket list.
Chichen Itza is the most visited Mayan archaeological site and one of the best tourist attractions in Mexico. Every year, millions of tourists visit the Unesco World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza to learn more about the ancient Mayan civilization.
Visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico? In our post, you will find how to get to Chichen Itza and what to see, including practical information and the entrance fees. Avoid the crowds and make the most of your trip to Mexico with our ultimate guide to visiting Chichen Itza.
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- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Where is Chichen Itza, Mexico
- When was Chichen Itza built?
- What to see
- Best time to Visit Chichen Itza
- How to Visit Chichen Itza, Mexico
- How to Get to Chichen Itza
- Chichen Itza Opening Hours
- Chichen Itza Entrance Fee
- What to Pack for Visiting Chichen Itza
- Visiting Chichen Itza with Cenote Tour
- Tips for Visiting Chichen Itza
- Where to Stay near Chichen Itza
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Where is Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, not far from the magnificent colonial city of Valladolid, Yucatan.
When was Chichen Itza built?
Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian ancient Mayan city built by the Mayans. It is unknown exactly when the building of Chichen Itza, but many people think it was built between 400-600 AD (about 1500 years ago).
The most impressive attraction in Chichen Itza is the temple of the Kukulkán, also known as the Chichen Itza Pyramid. But there are also some beautiful buildings to explore.
See also → Machu Picchu Guide
What to see
- The temple of the Kukulkán (El Castillo Pyramid)
- The Temple of the Warriors
- Great Ball Court
- Skull Wall
- Eagles and Jaguars Platform
- Sacred Cenote
- Thousand Columns
- El Caracol (The Observatory)
- Gran Juego de Pelota
- Venus Platform
- Cenote Xkoloc
- Temple of Jaguars
Best time to Visit Chichen Itza
The best time to visit the Yucatan Peninsula is from mid-November to April. The weather is pleasantly warm during this period, and rainfall is rare.
The perfect time to visit Chichen Itza is after the gates open or around 3 PM. This way you can avoid the heat and the crowds, especially if you want to take photos.
Chichen Itza is open to visitors every day of the year. However, avoid Sundays when admission is free for Mexican citizens!
Book your Chichen Itza day trips via Viator or GetYourGuide, where you can get the best prices.
How to Visit Chichen Itza, Mexico
Visiting Chichen Itza is very easy, and you can visit it on your own, with a guided tour, or join a group.
You can easily book tours from popular cities such as Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Merida. But the best option is to choose your Chichen Itza tour online.
Check tour prices and availability HERE.
We rented a car at Cancun International Airport. Then we stayed the night in Valladolid, and the next day, we visited Chichen Itza without a tour. We really enjoyed exploring the Chichen Itza complex with flexible time and our preferences on what to see.
Car rental will cost around 30-35 USD per day, which included full insurance. Book your car in advance to get the best price!
Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
The small colonial town of Valladolid is the closest to the Mayan Ruins, so the best way to visit Chichen Itza is from Valladolid.
If you want to learn more about Chichen Itza, you can rent an official guide at the entrance to take you through the Mayan Ruins.
Recommended post → Valladolid Itinerary
How to Get to Chichen Itza
There are several ways to get to Chichen Itza, such as renting a car, taking a bus, or group tours.
One of the easiest ways to get to Chichen Itza is to join a Chichen Itza tour. Find the best Chichen Itza tours online.
The nearest airport to Chichen Itza is in Merida, 2 hours away. Another option is fly to Cancun and reach the Mayan Ruins in about 2.5 hours.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Mexico.
By car
Car rental is the best way to get to Chichen Itza. The best place to rent a car is the Cancun Airport.
During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.
The journey from Cancun to Chichen Itza takes about 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
The 180D highway connecting Cancun and Chichen Itza is a toll road costing 385 MXN (21 USD). They don’t accept credit cards or dollars, so make sure you bring enough Mexican pesos!
If you arrive by car, there are plenty of parking spaces around Chichen Itza, and parking costs 80 MXN (4.5 USD) for the day.
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving around the Yucatan Peninsula.
Good to know
There are no ATMs and few petrol stations between Cancun and the highway.
By bus
Valladolid is the closest city to Chichen Itza, only 50 minutes away, and therefore closer than Cancun.
Take the ADO buses to Valladolid, which run several times a day and connect most cities such as Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. The bus is the cheapest way to get around in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ADO buses are air-conditioned, clean, and very comfortable.
The cheapest way to get to Chichen Itza is by Colectivo (shared minibus) from Valladolid. The one-way trip costs around 40 MXN (2 USD) per person, and you can be the first to arrive in Chichen Itza when the doors open.
They usually depart from the car park on Calle 39 between Calles 44 and 46 when they fill up with enough people.
Alternatively, you can book a bus from Valladolid to Chichen Itza for just 10 USD.
Chichen Itza Opening Hours
Chichen Itza is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM. The last entry is at 4 PM.
Recommended post → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
Chichen Itza Entrance Fee
The Chichen Itza entrance fee is 614 MXN (34 USD) for foreign adults, which includes two tickets. The Chichen Itza federal fee is 90 MXN (5 USD), and the state fee is 524 MXN (29 USD).
You should bring Mexican cash! Only the state fee can be paid by card, and the federal fee must be paid in cash.
The entrance fee for children (3-12 years old) is 90 MXN (5 USD).
Keep reading → Yellow City of Izamal
What to Pack for Visiting Chichen Itza
- Wear walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
- As there will be a lot of walking and little shade, use sunscreen and wear a hat.
- Bring plenty of drinking water and some snacks. Water will be okay, but hide the snacks in the bottom of your bag.
- Because Chichen Itza is located in the middle of the jungle, bring mosquito repellent.
- Take your camera with you.
- Pack your swimsuit and a towel for when you visit Cenote Ik Kil.
- There is an ATM at Chichen Itza, but it was not working during our visit. So bring enough Mexican pesos.
Visiting Chichen Itza with Cenote Tour
After Chichen Itza, you should visit Cenote Ik Kil, which is about a 10-minute drive away. After spending a few hours walking around the Mayan Ruins, you will look forward to this refreshing experience. Cenote Ik Kil is always crowded because most Chichen Itza tours stop there, but it is worth a visit.
The entrance fee is 150 MXN (8 USD), which includes a life jacket and a locker. Cenote Ik Kil is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Are you hungry? Here is a buffet service with delicious food for only 350 MXN (19 USD), which includes the entrance fee.
For the best experience, book your Chichen Itza and Cenote day trips via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Tips for Visiting Chichen Itza
- Arrive early or buy skip-the-line tickets.
- The Chichen Itza complex area is quite large, and you will have to walk a lot. So wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Spend at least 2-3 hours at Chichen Itza and explore the whole archaeological site.
- Avoid Sundays, as Mexican citizens can visit Chichen Itza for free.
- Don’t bring drones and tripods, as their use is prohibited at Chichen Itza.
- To learn more about the famous Mayan Ruins, hire a guide or join a guided walking tour.
- Climbing the pyramid of Chitzen Itza is not allowed.
- It’s safe to visit Chichen Itza and well worth it.
- You’ll find some beautiful souvenirs at the Mayan Ruins, but make sure to bargain!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Stay near Chichen Itza
Most people take a day trip to the Mayan Ruins from Cancun, Tulum, or Merida. But for the best experience, stay in Valladolid, a perfect base for visiting Chichen Itza. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Valladolid
- Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
- Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Meson del Marques
- Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo
We hope our complete guide to visiting Chichen Itza will help you plan the perfect day trip to the Mayan Ruins. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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