Chichen Itza Day Trip: Cenote Swim, Valladolid & Mayan Lunch

Summary

Swim in a hacienda cenote taste fresh tortillas explore Mayan ruins

You’ll walk ancient Chichen Itza with a local guide, sample fresh tortillas in a Mayan village, swim in a cool hacienda cenote, and end your day wandering Valladolid’s colorful streets—all with lunch included and roundtrip pickup handled for you.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if the Kukulkán pyramid really feels as massive up close as it looks in photos? I did, until we got to Chichen Itza after a winding drive from Mérida (the pickup was early but at least I could nap). Our guide, Luis, had this way of making the old stones feel alive—he’d pause mid-sentence when birds called overhead or when a breeze rustled through the trees around the observatory. The sun was already sharp by late morning, and I kept squinting at all those carved serpent heads. There were crowds, sure, but somehow it didn’t matter; Luis pointed out little details I’d never have noticed alone. He even laughed when I tried to pronounce “Xtabentún”—I definitely butchered it.

The stop at the Mayan village surprised me. We watched women patting out tortillas by hand (the smell—warm corn and woodsmoke—hung in the air), and they let us try one right off the comal. Sweet, earthy, almost smoky. Someone poured a tiny cup of Xtabentún for us too—honeyed and strange but good. Turns out part of our visit helps fund an English school for local kids; that stuck with me more than I expected. Lunch later was loud and busy—buffet style—with dancers swirling around tables in bright dresses, their feet thudding on tile. Not everything was to my taste (the pumpkin seed sauce is...interesting), but I loved the cochinita pibil.

Swimming in the cenote felt surreal after so much heat—the water was shockingly cold, almost glassy-dark under the hacienda’s trees. For a second underwater you can’t hear anything except your own breath echoing back at you. People laughed and splashed; someone’s GoPro slipped into the blue depths (hope they found it). By late afternoon we drove into Valladolid. The main square buzzed with families eating gelato under big shady trees, and our guide showed us Saint Servatius cathedral—its stone still warm from the sun. I bought some weird tamarind candy from a vendor who smiled but said nothing; maybe she knew I’d make a face at how sour it was.

I keep thinking about that first bite of tortilla and how quiet it felt floating in that cenote—like time paused for just a second before we piled back into the van for Mérida or Cancún or wherever home is next.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chichén Itzá and Valladolid

• Visit Mayan handicraft village
• Taste fresh corn tortillas and Xtabentun
• Tour Kukulkán temple and observatory
• See sacred Cenote and other sites
• Enjoy buffet lunch and Mayan dance
• Swim in Cenote at Hacienda
• Explore Valladolid and Saint Servatius cathedral
• Relax at Valladolid main park

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Chichen Itza from Mérida?

The full tour lasts most of the day with 4–5 hours spent on roundtrip transportation between locations.

Is swimming in a cenote included on this Chichen Itza tour?

Yes, there’s time to swim in a cenote located within a hacienda during the tour.

What kind of food is served for lunch on this tour?

A buffet-style lunch featuring regional Yucatecan dishes is included; drinks are not included.

Are guides provided throughout the Chichen Itza day trip?

Yes, knowledgeable local guides lead you through Chichen Itza and Valladolid.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off are included as part of your booking.

Is there any cultural activity besides visiting ruins?

Yes, there’s a stop in a Mayan village to see handicrafts being made and sample traditional foods.

Do I need to bring my own life vest for swimming?

No, life vests are provided at the cenote as part of your experience.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off, guided visits at Chichen Itza and Valladolid, entry fees for all sites including swimming at a hacienda cenote (with life vest provided), bottled water along the way, plus a buffet lunch featuring regional dishes before heading home again in comfort.