Chichen Itza Full Day Tour from Merida: Early Entry & Cenote Swim
Arrive at Chichen Itza when the site opens and the heat hasn't yet.
A full-day guided tour from Merida to Chichen Itza, Xcajum cenote and Izamal, departing at 6am in a small group with a certified guide in English or Spanish. The early start means you enter the archaeological site before crowds and midday heat. You get 60 minutes of guided history followed by an hour to explore and photograph at your own pace, then swim in cenote waters, eat a buffet lunch with regional Yucatecan dishes, and climb the temple of Kinich Kak Mo in Izamal. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours total, with air-conditioned transport and a live guide throughout.
Step-by-step itinerary
Chichen Itza, cenote, and Izamal tour
- Meet at the designated meeting points
- Travel to Chichen Itza archaeological zone
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza site
- Free time to explore and take photos
- Transfer to Xcajum cenote
- Swim in the cenote's crystal clear waters
- Enjoy buffet lunch with regional dishes
- Travel to the magical town of Izamal
- Explore Izamal and climb Kinich Kak Moo temple
- Visit San Antonio de Padua convent and try marquesitas
- Return to Merida city
- Conclude tour at original meeting points
The experience
The 6am departure from Merida is the engine of this tour. You arrive at Chichen Itza early enough to enter before the site fills: no lines, no crowds pressing in, and the morning light still low enough that photographs hold their detail. A certified guide walks you through the site for 60 minutes, sharing Mayan history and culture, then steps back and leaves you free to wander for another hour at your own pace. The guide is there to answer questions, but the time is yours to linger where you want, climb what calls you, or simply stand in front of the structures without a schedule.
After Chichen Itza, you travel to Xcajum cenote: a natural sinkhole with clear water where you can swim and cool off. The cenote is the kind of place that makes the Yucatan distinct: limestone walls, water that feels different from any pool, and a sense of being inside the landscape rather than on top of it. After swimming, lunch arrives as a buffet with Yucatecan regional dishes (cochinita pibil, poc chuc, and the regional specialties), plus international options and vegetarian plates, with a drink included.
The final stop is Izamal, a colonial town known for its yellow-painted buildings and its place in Mayan history. You climb the temple of Kinich Kak Mo, one of the largest Mayan temples still standing, and visit the convent of San Antonio de Padua nearby. Both offer views and the kind of light that makes photographs work. The return to Merida closes the day at the same pickup point where it began.
What’s included
- Air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
- certified guide in English or Spanish.
- 60 minutes of guided tour at Chichen Itza followed by 60 minutes of free exploration.
- access to Xcajum cenote for swimming.
- buffet lunch with Yucatecan regional dishes, international options and vegetarian plates, plus a drink.
Information
Lasts 11h–12h, runs every day at 06:00, from US$ 55 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Guías de Yucatán
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Merida without a car and want to see Chichen Itza, a cenote and Izamal in one day: hotel pickup is arranged, and the early 6am start is what makes the full itinerary fit inside a single morning-to-evening window without rushing between stops.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What time does the tour leave Merida and when do we get back?
The tour departs at 6am and runs 11 to 12 hours total, so you return to your Merida pickup point in the early evening. The early start is what gets you to Chichen Itza before the crowds and heat arrive.
How much time do we actually spend at Chichen Itza?
You have 60 minutes with the guide learning the site's history and layout, then 60 minutes on your own to explore, photograph and move at your own pace: two hours total at the archaeological zone.
Is the cenote swimming included, and what should I bring?
Yes, swimming at Xcajum cenote is included in the tour. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. The cenote water is clear and cool, and you'll have time to swim after the guided portion of the day.
What's included in the lunch, and are there options for dietary needs?
Lunch is a buffet with Yucatecan regional dishes, international options, and vegetarian plates, plus a drink, all included. If you have specific dietary needs, mention them when you book.
Do I need to buy a separate ticket to enter Chichen Itza?
Entrance to Chichen Itza is separate from the tour price. You'll pay the entrance fee when you arrive. The guide will handle the logistics, but the admission cost is not included in the tour.
What's the temple of Kinich Kak Mo, and can anyone climb it?
Kinich Kak Mo is one of the largest Mayan temples in the Yucatan, located in Izamal. You'll have the chance to climb it and see the views from the top, then visit the nearby colonial convent of San Antonio de Padua.
Chichen Itza Full Day Tour from Merida: Early Entry & Cenote Swim
11h–12h · EN · ES
from US$ 55 per person