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So you’re thinking of visiting Chichen Itza? Great choice!
Chichen Itza is even more magical in person than it looks in photos. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it’s a must-visit for history buffs, culture lovers, and anyone dreaming of standing before the iconic Kukulcan Pyramid.
With so many tours to choose from, it can be hard to know which one’s worth it. After exploring Chichen Itza myself (and testing a few tours), I’ve rounded up the 4 best Chichen Itza tours. From early access to private guides, each one offers something special. So if you’re ready for an unforgettable adventure, let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!

The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal favorite Chichen Itza tour was this early morning tour including a cenote and tequila tasting! It includes transportation from anywhere along the Riviera Maya and will get you to the ruins bright and early, before the crowds! There are a few bonus stops too.
Check out the 4,400+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Best Chichen Itza Tours
1. Early morning visit to Chichen Itza, cenote, and tequila tasting


- Departure points: Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum
- Price: $39 – $676 USD
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 6 am – 7 am
- Highlights: Visit Chichen Itza before the crowds on a guided tour, swim in an underground cenote, enjoy tequila tasting and buffet lunch, explore the colonial town Valladolid
- Inclusions: Air condition transportation, professional guide, hotel pick-up/drop off (if option selected), buffet meal, tequila tasting
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check out the 5,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re all about beating the crowds and packing your day with unforgettable experiences, this early morning Chichen Itza tour is for you!
With an early start, you’ll be one of the first to step foot on the grounds of Chichen Itza, meaning fewer crowds and better photo ops. Seeing the iconic Kukulcan Pyramid without a sea of people in the background? Totally worth the early wake-up! Our guide’s storytelling made the ancient city come alive, pointing out details I’d never have noticed on my own.
Next, you’ll cool off with a swim in a cenote before enjoying a tasty buffet lunch. Then comes the highlight – tequila tasting! You’ll sample local tequilas and learn about the process from agave to bottle. It’s as delicious as it sounds, and you can even buy a bottle to take home (like I did!).
The day wraps up with a stroll through Valladolid, a charming colonial town full of colorful streets and local culture. It’s the perfect end to a packed day of adventure.
This tour starts at just $39 USD per person, which is a steal for all the experiences included. Just make sure to budget extra for the entrance fee to Chichen Itza, which isn’t included (around $30 USD each).
You can also upgrade to include hotel pick-up/drop-off from your accommodation in Cancun’s hotel zone, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum for only $10 USD extra. It’s one of the best-rated tours (read the great reviews here), and it’s easy to see why!
Secure your spot on this popular Chichen Itza tour here before it sells out!
2. Private Chichen Itza tour


- Departure points: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and any place in the Riviera Maya
- Price: $190 – $285 USD
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 6:30 am or 7 am
- Highlights: Visit and Learn about Chichen Itza from an expert private guide, enjoy comfortable private transportation for the long drive, swim in a cenote, enjoy a la carte lunch in a colonial town
- Inclusions: Private guide and transportation, lunch, bottled water, entrance fees
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 1,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
For a more personalized and stress-free way to experience Chichen Itza, this VIP Chichen Itza private tour is the way to go! No crowded buses or rushed schedules – just you, your group, and a dedicated guide to make the whole experience feel special.
I think one of the biggest perks of this tour is the private transportation. We were picked up directly from our hotel and rode in air-conditioned comfort the entire way. It’s such a luxury compared to being crammed onto a bus with a bunch of strangers! Plus, all the entrance fees were included, so we didn’t have to worry about bringing extra cash for tickets.
Once you’re at Chichen Itza, your personal guide will tailor the tour to your interests. Want more time at the Kukulcan Pyramid? No problem. Curious about Mayan history? Your guide’s got you covered with in-depth stories and cool facts you’d never hear on a large group tour!
After exploring Chichen Itza, you’ll have time to visit a cenote for a refreshing swim and stop by Valladolid, a charming colonial town. Since it’s a private tour, the pace is up to you.
For a private tour, it’s surprisingly affordable starting at only $190 USD per person – and with everything included (hotel pick-up/drop off, entrance fees, guide, and lunch), it’s 100% worth it! If you’re still not sure, have a look at the hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
If you’re ready to see Chichen Itza like a VIP, book this private tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Chichen Itza and Coba Ruins


- Departure points: Riviera Maya area (Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen areas are included), and Cancun (for an extra charge)
- Price: $149 USD
- Duration: 11 hours
- Time: 5 am to 7:30 am
- Highlights: Explore two famous archaeological sites: Chichen Itza and the Mayan Ruins of Coba, swim in a natural cenote, learn about Mayan history and culture
- Inclusions: Professional guide, hotel pick-up/drop off, all entrance fees (except Chichen Itza), lunch, snacks, beverages
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check out the 700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Did you know there are over 80 ancient pyramids in the Yucatán Peninsula? Visiting them all would be nearly impossible, but on this day trip to Chichen Itza and Coba, you can check two of the most iconic ones off your list!
The adventure kicks off at Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There’s so much to see here, and we explored everything from the Great Ball Court, where ancient Mayans played their sacred ball game, to the Temple of the Warriors, known for its intricate stone carvings and rich history.
Next up? A swim in a stunning cenote! There’s a reason this stop is included on nearly every Chichen Itza tour – swimming in these natural sinkholes is a magical experience that never gets old!
Then it’s on to Coba, one of my favorite Yucatán archaeological sites! It’s a bit more off-the-beaten-path than Chichen Itza but equally as impressive. This site is massive, with tree-lined pathways connecting ancient structures. Walking through the jungle and spotting hidden stone temples felt like discovering a secret world – it was such a cool experience!
This tour is an all-in-one adventure for history buffs, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. With hotel pick-up/drop off, a guide, and lunch included, it’s a stress-free way to explore two of Mexico’s most famous ruins in one unforgettable day!
Read all the 5-star reviews and secure your spot on this epic tour here!
4. Early access Chichen Itza visit with a certified archaeologist


- Departure points: Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum
- Price: $30 – $407 USD
- Duration: 11 hours
- Time: 4:30 am
- Highlights: Enjoy exclusive early access to Chichen Itza to explore without crowds, learn about Mayan mythology & architecture, visit the untouched archaeological site of Yaxunah
- Inclusions: Professional guide, transportation, hotel pick-up/drop off (if option selected)
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check out the 3,700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re an early riser (or can handle one early morning), this exclusive early-access Chichen Itza tour is the way to go. With a 4:30 am start, you’ll arrive before the crowds, giving you a rare chance to explore the site in peace.
We loved how there was no jostling for space or photobombers – just clear views of the Kukulcan Pyramid in the soft morning light. Plus, we got to beat the midday heat, which was a huge benefit!
Guided by a certified archaeologist, you’ll get behind-the-scenes stories and insight into Mayan history and astronomy that most tours don’t offer. It’s a more in-depth experience that’s perfect for history buffs and those curious about Mayan mythology.
Unlike other tours, this one skips the extras like cenote swims, keeping the focus squarely on Chichen Itza. So if you just want a deeper dive into the site’s history, this tour is ideal.
By the time the crowds start arriving, you’ll have already explored the highlights and will be ready to head back feeling accomplished. Early access, fewer crowds, and expert insight from an archaeologist? It’s the smart way to see Chichen Itza, take it from me!
Check availability for this early access tour here!
Renting a Car in Mexico

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!

No matter where you’re staying on the Rivera Maya, there’s a perfect Chichen Itza tour for you! We love how all of these tours hit “the big three” – Chichen Itza, a cenote, and Valladolid, but each is a bit different. After visiting these ruins multiple times, I can assure you, it’s worth a visit and a tour makes it 100% easier!
Thanks for reading our blog! If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other Mexico blogs. We’ve traveled all over this wonderful country and have put together a lot of resources to help fellow travelers. Here are a few related reads that will help you plan your next adventure – cheers!
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