Chichen Itza, Ek Balam & Cenote Tour: 3 Sites in One Day

Three archaeological sites and a cenote swim, all arranged and timed to fit one full day

A 12-hour guided tour from Playa del Carmen visits Chichen Itza, Hubiku Cenote and Ek Balam in a small group of up to 12 travelers. The tour includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, all entrance fees except Chichen Itza's mandatory cash payment at pickup, lunch, and transport in an air-conditioned minivan. You skip the lines at Chichen Itza's ticket office and have free time to climb Ek Balam's main pyramid.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hospitality Suite at Chichén Itzá3h
2. Cenote Hubiku2h · entry included
3. Ek Balam2h · entry included

Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Ek Balam

• Tour Chichen Itza archaeological site
• Swim at Hubiku Cenote
• Visit Ek Balam and climb pyramid

The experience

Twelve hours is long enough to see three separate sites without rushing through any of them. The day starts with Chichen Itza, where you skip the ticket queue and walk the archaeological zone with your guide. From there you head to Hubiku Cenote for a swim in the freshwater pool, then finish at Ek Balam, where you have time to climb the main pyramid on your own. Lunch is a buffet included midway through the day, and the minivan has air conditioning for the drives between stops.

The group stays under 12 people, which means the guide can actually hear questions and you're not threading through a crowd at each site. Hotel pickup is included from Playa del Carmen (not from Cancun or Cozumel), and the driver brings you back at the end. You'll need to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel for the cenote. The tour provides bottled water, juice, fruit and cookies. Note that Chichen Itza's entrance fee ($45 USD per adult, $15 per child) is paid in cash directly to the driver at pickup, not included in the tour price.

The cenote itself is the break in the day: after hours of walking ruins, you get to swim in clear water surrounded by jungle. It's not a crowded tourist pool but an actual cenote with a natural entrance. The water is cool and the stop is long enough to actually get in and cool off, not just dip your feet.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Playa del Carmen.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance fees for Ek Balam and Hubiku Cenote.
• buffet lunch.
• bottled water, juice, fruit and cookies.
• skip-the-line access at Chichen Itza (though the entrance fee itself is paid separately in cash at pickup).

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and Thursday

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

GroupUp to 15

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 60

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Mayan Riviera Tours

Is this one for you?The 12-hour commitment rules out a half-day alternative and means you can't combine this with another major activity the same day, but it's the only way to see three separate archaeological sites and swim in a cenote without driving yourself or hiring a private guide. If you have one full day and want to cover ground without planning the route or managing the stops, this tour holds it all together.

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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 (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

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's the difference between Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and Hubiku Cenote on this tour?

Chichen Itza is the largest and most famous archaeological site, with the pyramid El Castillo as its centerpiece. You walk it with the guide and skip the ticket line. Ek Balam is a smaller, less crowded ruins site where you have free time to climb its main pyramid yourself. Hubiku Cenote is a freshwater sinkhole where you swim. It's the only stop where you get in the water.

How much time do I actually spend at each site on this tour?

The tour is 12 hours total from pickup to drop-off, but that includes transport between sites and lunch. Chichen Itza takes several hours with the guide; Hubiku Cenote is a swim break of about an hour; Ek Balam gives you free time to explore and climb the pyramid at your own pace. The exact breakdown depends on the group's pace and the guide's route.

Is the Chichen Itza entrance fee really not included?

The Chichen Itza entrance fee is not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash to the driver at pickup: $45 USD per adult, $15 per child. All other entrance fees (Ek Balam and Hubiku Cenote) are included, as is lunch and transport.

Can I do this tour if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The cenote swim is optional. You can wade, float or stay on the platform. The water is calm and shallow in most areas. If swimming isn't for you, you can skip the water and rest while others swim. Bring a swimsuit and sunscreen just in case.

What's included in the lunch on this tour?

Lunch is a buffet served during the day, plus the tour provides bottled water, juice, one piece of fruit and cookies. The buffet menu varies but is designed to fuel you through a full day of walking ruins.

Does the tour pick up from my hotel in Playa del Carmen?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from Playa del Carmen and drop-off at the end of the day. Pickup is not available from Cancun or Cozumel. If you're staying in either of those places, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.