Chichen Itza Private Tour with Cenote Swim from Cancun
Walk the pyramid, swim the cenote, eat like the region does
A private guided tour from Cancun to Chichen Itza with a bilingual certified guide, cenote swimming at Saamal, a colonial detour to Valladolid and traditional Yucatan buffet lunch. You choose the pickup time and set the rhythm through the ruins. The guide, transport and meals are arranged. Eight to eleven hours total.
Step-by-step itinerary
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid visit
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins
- Free time to explore Chichen Itza
- Swim in Cenote Saamal
- Visit colonial city of Valladolid
- Chichen Itza Entry included 3h
- Cenote Saamal Entry included 2h
- Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico 45m
What’s included
- Round-trip air-conditioned transport for your group.
- bilingual certified guide throughout the ruins and free exploration time.
- cenote entry and swimming at Saamal.
- quick visit to colonial Valladolid.
- traditional Yucatan buffet lunch with salads, grilled fish, chicken in orange sauce, pork loin in Mayan seasoning, beef tips, fettuccini, fresh fruit, desserts and tea or coffee.
- bottled water and on-board cooler stocked with beers, sodas and water.
- Every day 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00
Information
Private guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins from Cancun with cenote swimming, Valladolid visit and traditional Yucatan lunch included. Your group, your pace, your pickup time.
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The experience
The day starts from your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya at a time you pick. A bilingual certified guide meets you there and drives your group in air-conditioned transport to Chichen Itza, one of Mexico's largest pre-Columbian cities. Once you arrive, the guide walks you through the major structures (the pyramid, the ball court, the observatory), explaining what each one was and how the Maya built it. After the guided portion, you have free time to explore on your own, move at your own pace through the site, and take the photographs that matter to you.
From the ruins, the route turns toward Cenote Saamal (Selva Maya), a natural sinkhole where you swim in cool, clear water surrounded by jungle. Bring a swimsuit and towel. The cenote is the moment to step out of the heat and into the water the region is built around. An on-board cooler stocked with beers, sodas and bottled water travels with you all day.
Lunch is a traditional Yucatan buffet served at a local restaurant: salads, rice and beans, grilled fish, chicken in orange sauce, pork loin in classic Mayan seasoning, beef tips, fettuccini, fresh fruit, desserts and tea or coffee. The final stop is Valladolid, a colonial city a short drive away, where you have time to walk the quiet streets and see the architecture before heading back to your hotel.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What exactly is Chichen Itza and what will I see there?
Chichen Itza is one of Mexico's largest pre-Columbian cities, built by the Maya over centuries. You'll see the pyramid (El Castillo), the ball court where the Maya played a ritual game, the observatory used to track celestial events, and other structures. A bilingual guide explains the history and purpose of each one. Afterward you explore freely at your own pace.
Can I swim in the cenote, and what is it like?
Yes, Cenote Saamal is a natural sinkhole filled with cool, fresh water surrounded by jungle. You swim in it as part of the tour. Bring a swimsuit and towel. The water is the main relief from the heat and humidity of the region.
What time does the tour start and how long does it take?
You choose your pickup time from your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel. The full tour runs eight to eleven hours depending on how much time you spend at each stop and how far your hotel is from Chichen Itza.
Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?
Yes, a traditional Yucatan buffet lunch is included. It features regional dishes: salads, rice and beans, grilled fish, chicken in orange sauce, pork loin in Mayan seasoning, beef tips, fettuccini, fresh fruit, desserts and tea or coffee.
What should I bring and wear?
Wear light, comfortable clothes, a hat and sunscreen. The region is warm and humid. Bring a swimsuit and towel for the cenote, good walking shoes for the ruins, a camera, and cash for any beverages or souvenirs beyond what's included.
Is this tour only for people in good physical shape?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle.
Operated by Go Visit Cancun. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Chichen Itza Private Tour with Cenote Swim from Cancun
8h–11h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 431 per person
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