Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil & Valladolid: Small Group Tour

Three Yucatan landmarks in one day: the pyramid, the cenote, the colonial city

A guided small group tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil and Valladolid from Riviera Maya hotels, with no more than 15 people per group. You spend over 3 hours at the archaeological site with a guide, swim in a 60-meter-deep cenote, and walk the downtown landmarks of the colonial city. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, continental breakfast, buffet lunch with one drink, and skip-the-line entry to Chichen Itza are included; the Chichen Itza entrance fee is paid in cash on the day of the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid

• Hotel pickup in Riviera Maya
• Continental breakfast on board
• Guided tour of Chichen Itza
• Free time at Chichen Itza
• Visit Valladolid downtown landmarks
• Swim at Cenote Ik Kil
• Enjoy buffet lunch

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in the Riviera Maya and a continental breakfast on board the air-conditioned van. You arrive at Chichen Itza for a guided tour that runs roughly two hours, then have free time to explore on your own—the site is yours for more than 3 hours total. The guide walks you through the Kukulcan Pyramid, which marks the Mayan civil calendar; El Caracol, the Observatory; the Group of the Thousand Columns; and the Ball Court, the largest built throughout Meso-America. The name Chichen Itza means "Mouth of the well of water witches" in Maya, and the site sits on the Yucatan Peninsula as one of its major archaeological centers.

After Chichen Itza, you head to Cenote Ik Kil, a few kilometers away. The cenote drops 60 meters deep and you swim in it—a life jacket and locker are provided. Lunch is a buffet with one drink included, served after the swim. Then the group drives to Valladolid, the colonial city, where you walk the downtown landmarks: the main church, a convent and the central plaza. The entire day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and travels with the group throughout. Transport is in an air-conditioned minivan with bottled water, juice, fruit and cookies on board. The tour skips the line at the Chichen Itza ticket office, though the entrance fee itself is paid in cash when you board—ask the operator for the current rate before you book. Hotel drop-off is included for most Riviera Maya locations; Cancun and Costa Mujeres are excluded.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Riviera Maya hotels.
• air-conditioned minivan transport.
• continental breakfast, bottled water, juice, fruit and cookies on board.
• guided tour of Chichen Itza with skip-the-line entry.
• over 3 hours at the archaeological site.
• swim at Cenote Ik Kil with life jacket and locker.
• buffet lunch with one drink.
• guided walk through colonial Valladolid including the church, convent and central plaza.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Excursiones Riviera Maya

Is this one for you?The 12-hour day and the swim at Cenote Ik Kil mean you are moving between three sites and entering the water, so this tour suits travelers who are comfortable with a full schedule and want to see the major Yucatan landmarks without arranging separate transport to each one. If you prefer a slower pace or want to spend the whole day at Chichen Itza alone, a single-site tour is a better fit.

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Top questions

What is the Kukulcan Pyramid and why does the guide spend time on it?

The Kukulcan Pyramid is the main building at Chichen Itza and represents the Mayan civil calendar. It is one of the most prominent structures on the site and a centerpiece of the guided tour.

Can I swim at Cenote Ik Kil, and what do I need to bring?

Yes, you swim at Cenote Ik Kil after the Chichen Itza portion of the tour. A life jacket and locker are provided; bring a swimsuit and a towel.

How much time do I actually spend at Chichen Itza?

You spend more than 3 hours at Chichen Itza total: roughly two hours on the guided tour with your group, then free time to explore the site on your own.

Is the Chichen Itza entrance fee included in the tour price?

No, the Chichen Itza entrance fee is not included and must be paid in cash when you board the van on the day of the tour. The tour includes skip-the-line access, so you do not wait in the queue at the gate.

What is included for lunch?

Lunch is a buffet served after your swim at Cenote Ik Kil, with one drink included.

Does the tour pick up from Cancun hotels?

Hotel pickup is included for most Riviera Maya locations, but not from Cancun or Costa Mujeres. Confirm your hotel location with the operator before booking.