Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun: Cenote Swim & Tequila Tasting

Beat the tour buses to Chichen Itza, then swim in a cenote and taste tequila in a colonial town

This 12-hour guided tour from Cancun reaches Chichen Itza in the early morning, before most visitors arrive, with a certified bilingual guide leading you through El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, and the Temple of the Warriors. The day includes swimming in Cenote Saamal at Hacienda Selva Maya with a traditional Yucatecan buffet lunch, free time in Valladolid's historic center, and a tequila tasting. Hotel pickup is available in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, or you can meet the group at a designated point. The entrance fee to Chichen Itza is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid

• Early morning visit to Chichen Itza
• Guided tour of main archaeological sites
• Free time to explore and take photos
• Buffet lunch at Hacienda Selva Maya
• Swim and relax at Cenote Saamal
• Visit Valladolid historic center
• Tequila tasting in Valladolid
• Walk around Valladolid main square

The experience

How do you see Chichen Itza without spending half the day in line? This tour solves it by arriving early, when the site is still quiet and the light is sharp for photographs. Your certified bilingual guide leads a one-hour walk through the main structures (El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors) explaining Maya astronomy and architecture. After that hour, the site is yours to wander at your own pace, which is when most people actually absorb what they are standing in front of.

The second stop is Cenote Saamal at Hacienda Selva Maya, a limestone-walled open-air cenote surrounded by jungle near Valladolid. You swim here, or sit on the edge, or explore the hacienda grounds. It moves at your speed. Lunch is a traditional Yucatecan buffet served inside the hacienda restaurant, so you eat in a real room instead of from a cooler. The cenote was sacred to the ancient Maya, and the water is clear enough that the history feels present in a way a photograph never captures.

Valladolid is the final stop, a colonial town with a main square ringed by colorful buildings and the San Servacio Church at its center. You walk around, then join a tequila tasting where someone explains the varieties and the craft behind them. It is a relaxed end to the day: time to move through a place instead of rushing through it. Round-trip transportation is in a comfortable vehicle with an onboard restroom, and the whole day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation in a comfortable vehicle with onboard restroom.
• early-morning guided tour of Chichen Itza with a certified bilingual guide and free time to explore on your own.
• access to Cenote Saamal with changing rooms and restroom facilities.
• traditional Yucatecan buffet lunch at Hacienda Selva Maya.
• free time to walk Valladolid's historic center and visit the San Servacio Church.
• tequila tasting with education about varieties and craftsmanship.

Options for this experience

4 options

Convenient Meeting pointGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Starting points: Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; Hotel Smart Cancun, Av. Tulúm 4, capilla ecumenica, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico; SUPER CHEDRAUI PUERTO AVENTURAS, México 307 060, Fraccionamiento, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico; Súper Akí Tulum, Carretera Federal Tulum Ruinas s/n, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. Pickup is included.

Full VIP TourGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Gourmet lunch at a stunning hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula. Hotel pickup: we will collect you from your hotel lobby or from the nearest walkable point when vehicles cannot reach it. Pickup is included.

Private and customizable tourGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 1 Nov 2027Professional driver and licensed guide for comfort and cultural insights. Gourmet lunch at a stunning hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula. Private van at your disposal to set your own times. Pickup is included.

All inclusive optionGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Includes Chichen Itza entry fees with skip-the-line service, a locker and a lifejacket, plus one drink with lunch. One drink included at the buffet, with no extra fee for the lifejacket and locker. Chichen Itza access tax: skip the line and Chichen Itza access tax. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 12h, runs every day at 06:30, from US$ 39 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 401 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

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

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): 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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sat Mexico Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private option if you want to control your schedule and pace. Pick the meeting point if you're staying outside Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive version includes drinks during lunch and gets you to Chichen Itza early, before peak crowds arrive.

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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 (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): 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 time does the tour pick me up from my Cancun hotel?

Pickup times vary depending on your hotel location and the option you choose. The operator will confirm your specific pickup window when you book. If you are staying outside the standard pickup zone, a convenient meeting point will be assigned instead.

Do I have to pay extra to enter Chichen Itza?

Yes, the entrance fee to Chichen Itza is not included in the tour price and must be paid separately. Bring cash for the entrance, beverages during lunch, and any optional items like lockers or life jackets at the cenote.

Can I swim in Cenote Saamal, or is it just for looking at?

You can swim in Cenote Saamal. The cenote is open for swimming during your stop at Hacienda Selva Maya. A life jacket is mandatory, and changing rooms and restroom facilities are available on the hacienda grounds.

What is included in the tequila tasting at Valladolid?

The tequila tasting in Valladolid includes samples of different tequila varieties and education about the traditions and craftsmanship behind Mexico's iconic spirit. Beverages during lunch may vary depending on which tour option you select.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear. Beach attire works well since you will be swimming. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, your camera, and some extra cash for the entrance fee, drinks, and any optional items.