Chichen Itza Day Trip from Cancun: Cenote & Valladolid

A Mayan shaman greets you at the ruins before lunch.

This day trip from Cancun to Chichen Itza includes a guided tour of the archaeological site, a swim in a freshwater cenote, and a stop in the colonial town of Valladolid. A bilingual guide leads the experience, and the journey itself is furnished with an air-conditioned coach, onboard brunch, unlimited beverages and a restroom. The 12-hour itinerary opens with a traditional Yucatecan buffet meal served at the ruins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid

• Drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza
• Enjoy brunch and drinks onboard
• Meet local Mayan shaman and receive blessing
• Have traditional Yucatecan buffet meal
• Guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins
• Free time to explore and take photos
• Drive to Cenote Saamal
• Swim and relax in the cenote
• Drive to Valladolid
• Short visit to Valladolid main square
• Walk around park and explore colonial city
• Return to Cancun

The experience

The coach leaves Cancun and travels 197 kilometers to Chichen Itza. A 2.5-hour drive that does not feel like a commute. You get brunch, drinks and a restroom onboard, plus a bilingual guide who shares knowledge about the archaeological site before you arrive. Once there, a local Mayan shaman greets and blesses the group, then you sit down to an all-inclusive regional buffet lunch. After the meal, the guide leads a historical walk through the ruins, leaving time to photograph and explore on your own.

The cenote lies 30 minutes from the archaeological site. This is a large freshwater sinkhole where you swim and jump into water that has held sacred meaning for centuries. Lockers and life jackets are available to rent if you need them. On the return to Cancun, the coach stops in Valladolid, a colonial city 3 minutes from the cenote. You have time to walk the main square, buy a handcraft, grab coffee or pick up Yucatecan food before heading back.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned coach with onboard restroom.
• onboard brunch and unlimited beverages during the drive.
• entrance to Chichen Itza and the cenote.
• all-inclusive regional Yucatecan buffet lunch.
• bilingual guide for the historical tour of the ruins.
• time to swim in the cenote.
• a quick visit to Valladolid's colonial center.
• hotel pickup in Cancun.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to9h before

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

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by All Emotions Mexico

Is this one for you?The bilingual guide speaks English and Spanish, so you follow the commentary about the ruins and the Yucatan's history without needing a separate audio device or translation app. The full-day pace (with onboard meals, a guide-led walk and cenote time) suits travelers who want the major sites and the regional food without building the itinerary themselves.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

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 is Chichen Itza and why is it on this tour?

Chichen Itza is one of the seven wonders of the world and one of Mexico's most important archaeological sites, located in the Yucatan Peninsula. The tour includes a guided historical walk through the ruins with a bilingual guide who explains the mysterious discoveries at the site, plus time to explore and photograph on your own.

Can I swim in the cenote on this day trip?

Yes. The cenote is a large freshwater sinkhole where you have time to swim and jump in. It lies 30 minutes from Chichen Itza, and lockers and life jackets are available to rent for 50 pesos each if you want them.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes onboard brunch during the drive from Cancun, unlimited beverages on the coach (water, soda, beer), and an all-inclusive regional Yucatecan buffet lunch served at the ruins. Bottled water is also provided.

How long is the drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza?

The drive is 2.5 hours each way. The coach is air-conditioned with a restroom onboard, and the guide shares information about the site during the journey, so the travel time is part of the experience rather than dead time.

Does the tour stop anywhere else besides Chichen Itza and the cenote?

Yes. On the return to Cancun, you stop in Valladolid, a colonial city with Spanish heritage and a main square full of history. You have time to walk around, purchase handcrafts, enjoy coffee or eat local Yucatecan food before the final drive back.

Is a guide included, and what language does the guide speak?

A certified bilingual guide leads the tour and is onboard during the drive from Cancun. The guide shares knowledge about the archaeological discoveries and leads the historical walk through the ruins. Hotel pickup in Cancun is included.