Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Tour: Early Access & Cenote Swim

Beat the crowds at two major Mayan sites and swim in a cenote the same day

This small-group tour from Playa del Carmen gives you early access to Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, followed by the off-the-beaten-path Ek Balam ruins and a refreshing swim in Cenote Hubiku. The tour runs 12 to 13 hours total, includes a professional English-speaking guide, regional lunch, bottled water and air-conditioned transport. State park taxes for Chichen Itza and Ek Balam are paid separately in cash on the day of travel. Groups stay small, and children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Chichen Itza2h 30m
2. Cenote HubikuEntry included1h 30m

Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Ek Balam

• Arrive early at Chichen Itza
• Guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins
• Free time to explore and take photos
• Swim in Cenote Hubiku
• Enjoy regional buffet lunch at cenote
• Visit Ek Balam archaeological site
• Climb Acropolis pyramid at Ek Balam

The experience

How do you see two major Mayan archaeological sites and still have time to swim in a cenote without spending the whole day in a van? Early arrival is the answer. You reach Chichen Itza as the gates open, which means you walk the Kukulkan pyramid and the Ball Game stadium without the crowds that arrive later. Your guide leads a 1 hour 45 minute tour through the old Chichen Itza (the Iglesia, Las Monjas, the Observatory, and one of the two cenotes inside the ruins), then you get 45 minutes on your own to photograph the Kukulkan Castle, explore the 1000 Columns Temple and the Jaguar Temple, or browse the on-site shops. Total time at Chichen Itza is 2 and a half hours.

From there you head to Cenote Hubiku, an underground cenote draped in stalactites where you swim after the ruins. A regional buffet lunch waits at the cenote restaurant afterward, so you eat before the long drive back. Ek Balam comes next: a Yucatec-Maya site set in jungle landscape with intricate stone carvings most day-trippers skip. The Acropolis pyramid is the highest point of the ruins and worth the climb for the view and the detail carved into the structures around it.

The whole day, including transport to and from your hotel or meeting point in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, runs between 12 and 13 hours depending on where you're staying. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide who speaks English and Spanish. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. State park entry taxes for both Chichen Itza and Ek Balam are not included in the tour price and must be paid in Mexican pesos cash on the day you travel.

What’s included

• Early entry to Chichen Itza before the main crowds.
• a 1 hour 45 minute guided tour of the ruins with a professional English-speaking guide.
• 45 minutes free time at Chichen Itza to explore and photograph on your own.
• entry to Cenote Hubiku and a swim under stalactites.
• a regional buffet lunch at the cenote restaurant.
• entry to Ek Balam archaeological site with a guided tour.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from your hotel or meeting point in Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tulum Meeting PointGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Hotel pickup is not included. Duration: 12 hours

Departure from Playa del CarmenGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00Pickup from your hotel is included. Duration: 13 hours

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

Information

Lasts 12h–13h, runs every day at 06:00 and 07:00, from US$ 110 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 145 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.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by AGILA TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose the Playa del Carmen departure if you're staying on the coast and want hotel pickup. Pick the Tulum meeting point if you're based there and prefer a set gathering spot. Either way, the early start is what makes two major sites plus a cenote swim fit into one day without rushing through any of them.

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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 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between seeing Chichen Itza on this tour versus going on my own?

Early access means you arrive when the site opens, so you photograph the Kukulkan pyramid and walk the grounds before the main crowds arrive. Your guide covers the history and layout in 1 hour 45 minutes, then you have 45 minutes free to explore on your own pace or take pictures without people in the frame.

Is the cenote swim included, or do I pay extra for that?

Cenote Hubiku and the swim are included in the tour price. After your visit to Chichen Itza, you drive there, swim under the stalactites, and eat a regional buffet lunch at the cenote restaurant: all part of the day.

Do I need to pay anything extra on top of the tour price?

Yes. State park entry taxes for Chichen Itza and Ek Balam must be paid separately in Mexican pesos cash on the day of travel: 1,500 MXN per adult and 315 MXN per child under 12. These are not included in the tour price.

Where does the tour pick me up?

You can choose either a Playa del Carmen hotel pickup or a meeting point in Tulum. The total time of 12 to 13 hours includes transport to and from your location, so pickup and drop-off are part of the tour.