Chichén Itzá Day Trip from Cancun with Cenote Swim

Chichén Itzá, Two Cenotes & Valladolid in One Day from Cancun

You visit Chichén Itzá with a guide, then swim in two underground cenotes (Xkekén and Samulá) with time to explore both. Lunch is included as a regional buffet, and the tour finishes with a thirty-minute stop in the colonial town of Valladolid. The whole day runs about ten to eleven hours from Cancun, with hotel pickup included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chichen Itza2h · entry included
2. Xkeken Cenote1h · entry included

Explore Chichen Itza and nearby sites

• Visit Temple of Kukulcán
• Explore Temple of the Warriors
• Discover Sacred Cenote history
• Free time at ruins and artisan stalls
• Enjoy regional buffet lunch
• Swim at Cenote Xkekén
• Swim at underground cenote Samulá
• Stop in Valladolid town
• See San Servacio Church and main square

The experience

"How long do we have at the ruins?" That's the first thing most people ask, and the answer is: enough to actually see it. You get a guided walk through Chichén Itzá with a bilingual guide who takes you to the Temple of Kukulcán (the pyramid that made it onto the New Seven Wonders list), then the Temple of the Warriors with its intricate stone carvings, and the Sacred Cenote where the Maya performed rituals. After that, the site is yours to wander. You can take photos, sit with the scale of it, browse the artisan stalls if you want a souvenir. No rushing.

The cenote part is what stays with you. You swim at Xkekén first, which is inside a cave: the kind of place where sunlight cuts through the opening above and hits the water in a way that makes the turquoise look almost unreal. Tree roots hang from the ceiling. It's quiet in there. Then you move to Samulá, another underground cenote with its own cavern and different angles to explore. Both have that same clear water and that same sense of being somewhere the ancient Maya considered sacred. You'll have time to swim, float around, let it sink in. Bring a swimsuit and a towel: beverages aren't included, but you can buy them at the restaurant.

Lunch is a regional buffet: cochinita pibil, chicken, pasta, vegetables, seasonal fruit. It's all-you-can-eat, so you pick what you want and eat when you're ready. After that, the tour stops in Valladolid for about thirty minutes. It's a colonial town with a main square, the San Servacio Church, and the kind of quiet streets where you can actually see what a Yucatecan town looks like when it's not built for tourists. Some people grab a marquesita, a local crepe, while they're there. This is a shared tour, so you'll be collected from different hotels in Cancun, and the order of stops can shift depending on the day. Backpacks aren't allowed inside Chichén Itzá itself, so travel light.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide throughout the day.
• entry fee to Chichén Itzá archaeological site.
• entrance fees to both Xkekén and Samulá cenotes.
• regional buffet lunch with cochinita pibil, chicken, pasta, fresh vegetables and seasonal fruit.
• thirty-minute stop in Valladolid to visit the main square and San Servacio Church.
• hotel pickup from Cancun hotels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 40

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Exclusive Agency Tours

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see Chichén Itzá and swim in cenotes without arranging transport, tickets, or timing themselves: the fixed schedule fits all three into one day, and the bilingual guide handles the history so you don't have to read plaques.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What's included in the tour?

Bilingual guide, entry to Chichén Itzá, entry to both cenotes (Xkekén and Samulá), regional buffet lunch, and a stop in Valladolid. Hotel pickup from Cancun is included. Beverages at lunch are not.

How long is the tour?

Around ten to eleven hours total, including travel time from Cancun, the guided portion at Chichén Itzá, cenote swimming, lunch, and the Valladolid stop.

Can I bring a backpack into Chichén Itzá?

No. Backpacks are not allowed inside the archaeological site. Bring only essential items in a small bag or permitted alternative.

What should I bring?

Swimsuit, towel, extra clothes, comfortable shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, and insect repellent. The sun is strong, and the cenote water is cool.

Is this a private tour or shared?

It's a shared tour. The operator collects passengers from multiple hotels in Cancun, so you'll travel with other visitors.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The order of stops and meal timing may change without notice depending on the day and group needs.

Is swimming at the cenotes safe?

Yes. Both Xkekén and Samulá are safe for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear and the sites are well-maintained.

What is Valladolid like?

A charming colonial town with a main square, the San Servacio Church, and local shops. The stop lasts about thirty minutes, enough time to walk around and try local food like marquesitas.