Chichen Itza & Cenote Oxman from Playa del Carmen: Private Tour

Drive straight to Chichen Itza before the tour buses arrive

You're driven from your Playa del Carmen hotel to Chichen Itza, arriving early before the crowds, with time to explore the pyramid and temples at your own pace. After the ruins, you swim in the underground Cenote Oxman inside a colonial hacienda, then stop in the town of Valladolid for lunch and a walk through its pastel streets. The private vehicle and guide are included. Entry fees and meals are separate. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid

• Travel from hotel to Chichen Itza
• Explore Chichen Itza ruins
• Travel to Cenote Oxman
• Swim in Cenote Oxman
• Travel to Valladolid
• Lunch break in Valladolid
• Return to hotel

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in Playa del Carmen and driven inland toward the Yucatan's most famous ruins. The road cuts through scrubland and small towns, and your guide sits with you in the air-conditioned vehicle: no crowded minibus, no set departure time waiting for stragglers. The whole point is to reach Chichen Itza right when the gates open, which means you're walking the pyramid grounds while the parking lots are still half-empty. That four-hour window between pickup and arrival gives you time to ask questions, adjust the day's pace, and actually see what you're heading toward instead of just enduring the drive.

Chichen Itza itself is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the stepped pyramid dominates the plaza, but the real discovery happens when your guide points out the smaller temples, the ball court, and the cenote that fed the city's water supply. You're not herded through on a fixed schedule. The private tour means you can linger at a carving that catches your eye or ask about the Maya calendar without holding up thirty other people. Tickets aren't included (around $45 per person), but that's standard for the site.

After the ruins, you drive to Cenote Oxman, a underground cenote set inside a hacienda from 1746. The water is clear and cold, and swimming here feels less like a tourist stop and more like stumbling into something the locals actually use. You'll have time to cool off and change before heading to Valladolid for lunch. The colonial town is a Pueblo Mágico: narrow streets, pastel buildings, and restaurants serving regional food. Lunch isn't included, so you choose what to eat and what to spend (dishes run $2 to $20), which means you're not stuck with a set menu or a group table.

The whole day is built around avoiding the rush and the rigid timing of group tours. You're traveling with up to 12 people maximum, your driver knows the route, and your guide handles the talking, which frees you to actually look at what you came for instead of managing logistics. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the only thing you arrange is showing up ready to go.

What’s included

Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off from Playa del Carmen, an air-conditioned vehicle for up to 12 passengers, bottled water throughout the day, and an authorized tour guide who accompanies you to Chichen Itza, Cenote Oxman, and Valladolid. Entry fees to Chichen Itza and Cenote Oxman, as well as lunch and drinks in Valladolid, are not included and are paid separately on the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Tours with Mike

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Chichen Itza without the crowded bus-tour experience and prefer a private vehicle with flexible timing. The early arrival is what makes it possible to explore the ruins before the main groups arrive.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's included and what costs extra?

Hotel pickup, private vehicle, air-conditioned transport, bottled water, and an authorized guide are included. Chichen Itza entry (around $45 per person) and lunch in Valladolid (à la carte, $2–$20 per person) are separate. Cenote Oxman entry is around $15 per person.

How early do you arrive at Chichen Itza?

The tour is timed to reach the ruins right when they open, before the main tour groups. Exact arrival depends on your hotel location in Playa del Carmen, but the goal is first light.

Is the cenote swimming mandatory?

No. You can skip the swim at Cenote Oxman or just wade in. The stop is built into the itinerary, but your guide can adjust based on your preference.

How many people travel together?

Groups are capped at 12 passengers maximum in the vehicle, making it much smaller than standard bus tours.

How long is the full day?

Around 8–10 hours total, including pickup, drive time, exploration at Chichen Itza, the cenote, lunch in Valladolid, and return to your hotel.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes. The tour description mentions the ability to customize the itinerary, so discuss any changes with your guide when you're picked up.

Is the vehicle wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.