Chichén Itzá guided tour with cenote swim and Valladolid buffet

Twelve hours that hold the pyramids, a cenote swim, and a full meal together

This guided tour departs Cancun early morning and covers three stops: Chichén Itzá archaeological site with a certified bilingual guide for roughly 2 hours of walking and free time; Santuario Tsukán cenote near Valladolid for swimming in fresh water; and La Casona de Valladolid restaurant for a regional Yucatán buffet with unlimited beverages. Pickup is included from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya hotels. Light breakfast, water bottle, entry tickets, and refreshing towel are provided. The fixed schedule means all three stops fit into one day without you arranging transport between them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Hospitality Suite at Chichén Itzá1h
2. Xkeken CenoteEntry included1h

Chichén Itzá tour with cenote and buffet

• Confirm pick-up and start tour
• Have breakfast box en route
• Receive water, earphones, and tickets
• Guided tour of Chichén Itzá pyramids
• Travel to Santuario Tsukán Cenote
• Swim and take pictures at cenote
• Travel to Valladolid city
• Enjoy buffet meal at La Casona restaurant
• Optional walk and photos in Valladolid
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The tour starts with pickup around 6:45 am from your hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. You'll have a light gourmet breakfast on the bus (baguette, natural juice, pancake and coffee), while the guide outlines the day ahead. A certified bilingual guide walks you through Chichén Itzá for roughly two hours, explaining the history and mysteries of the Mayan pyramids and architecture. You get entry tickets, a reusable water bottle, earphones to hear the guide clearly, and umbrellas if the sun gets intense. After the guided portion, you have an hour of free time to explore on your own or take photographs. Before leaving the site, fresh drinks (water, beer and sodas), are available to refill.

From there, the bus heads to Santuario Tsukán cenote near Valladolid, where you swim in the fresh waters and take pictures. The cenote is the kind of stop that breaks up the day and gives you a chance to cool off. You'll want to bring a swimsuit and towel. A change of clothing is useful too since you'll be wet for part of the ride afterward.

The tour ends at La Casona de Valladolid restaurant with a buffet of regional Yucatán cuisine and unlimited drinks included: vegan and vegetarian options are available. If time allows after eating, you can walk around downtown Valladolid and photograph the cathedral before boarding the bus back to your accommodation. The return trip takes a couple of hours depending on traffic and your hotel location.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation by panoramic bus or luxury van.
• light gourmet breakfast on the bus.
• entry to Chichén Itzá archaeological site with a certified bilingual guide.
• reusable water bottle and earphones.
• water, soft drinks and beer at the end of the site visit.
• swimming at Santuario Tsukán cenote.
• regional Yucatán buffet with unlimited drinks at La Casona de Valladolid restaurant.
• refreshing towel.

Information

Lasts 12h, runs every day except Friday and Sunday with no fixed time, from US$ 185 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and SundayAnother day? ›

GroupUp to 40 · max 5 per booking3 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Grupo Xcaret

Is this one for you?Small groups work well here since the certified guide keeps everyone together at the pyramids, and the fixed schedule means you don't coordinate transport between the three stops yourself: pickup, timing and meals are all arranged so the day holds together without gaps.

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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 (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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 exactly do I see and do at Chichén Itzá on this tour?

A certified bilingual guide takes you around the pyramids and explains the history and mysteries of Mayan culture for roughly two hours, then you have an hour of free time to explore on your own or photograph the site. Entry tickets and earphones are provided so you can hear the guide clearly.

Can I swim in the cenote, and what should I bring?

Yes, you swim in the fresh waters of Santuario Tsukán cenote. Bring a swimsuit, towel and an extra change of clothing since you'll be wet for part of the ride to the restaurant afterward. A refreshing towel is provided at the end of the archaeological site visit.

What's included in the meal at La Casona de Valladolid?

A buffet of regional Yucatán cuisine with unlimited beverages is included. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and if time permits after eating, you can walk around downtown Valladolid and visit the cathedral.

How early does pickup happen, and where do I get picked up?

Pickup starts around 6:45 am from your hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya. If you're in Playa del Carmen, you'll stop at Xel-Há Park. If in Cancun, at Centro de Transferencia Xcaret. Light breakfast is served on the bus during the drive to Chichén Itzá.

Is there anything I need to know before booking this tour?

The tour is roughly 12 hours total. Bring comfortable lightweight clothing, walking shoes, biodegradable sunscreen and a swimsuit. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 3.2 feet (1 meter) travel free, and pricing for children between 3.2 and 4.6 feet is discounted. Visitors who have consumed alcohol or drugs are not permitted to enter the archaeological zone under Mexican regulations.