Chichen Itza Tour with Cenote Swim and Certified Guides

Walk the pyramid and the ball court, then swim in a cenote fed by underground rivers.

A 13-hour guided tour of Chichen Itza with certified archaeologist guides covers the pyramid, ball court and other ruins, followed by a swim in the Saamal Cenote and a stop in the colonial city of Valladolid. The tour includes hotel pickup, a regional buffet lunch, tasting of homemade bread, and free time to photograph the site. Guides speak English and Spanish. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chichen Itza and Saamal Cenote

• Pick up from hotel by luxury bus
• Guided tour of Chichen Itza pyramid
• Free time to explore archaeological site
• Buffet with regional typical foods
• Swim and relax at Saamal Cenote
• Tour historic city of Valladolid

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned bus. A certified guide fluent in English and Spanish meets you at Chichen Itza and walks you through the site with detailed explanations of the pyramid, the Ball Game court, the Snail and various other pyramids. After the guided portion, you have free time to explore the archaeological areas on your own and capture photos without a guide pacing the group.

Lunch is a regional buffet served at the Hospitality Suite at the site, with a tasting of homemade bread included. The meal gives you a break before the afternoon portion, which centers on the Saamal Cenote: a natural sinkhole fed by underground rivers where you can swim in the water. The guide gives instructions on entering safely, and you get time to relax in the cenote before heading back to the bus.

On the return route, the tour includes a stop in Valladolid, the historic colonial city nearby, so you see the architecture and layout of a traditional Yucatan town before heading back to your hotel. The entire day runs 13 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned bus.
• certified bilingual guides (English and Spanish).
• admission and taxes to Chichen Itza.
• guided tour of the pyramid, ball court and other ruins.
• free time to explore and photograph.
• regional buffet lunch with homemade bread tasting.
• visit to the Saamal Cenote with swimming time.
• shelter when leaving the cenote.
• stop in the historic city of Valladolid.
• sunshade in the archaeological area.

Options for this experience

3 options

Classic tour to Chichen ItzaGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00Pickup is included

Chichen plusGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00Chichen Plus: Limited drinks on the bus (water, soft drink and beer) and an umbrella in the archaeological area. Pickup is included

Chichen DeluxeGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00Box morning lunch, drinks on the bus, and 2 alcoholic beverages included with the buffet. Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Lasts 13h, runs every day at 06:00, from US$ 92 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 27 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 13 Baktun Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the archaeology explained by someone trained in it rather than walking the site alone, and if you want the cenote swim and Valladolid stop bundled in so the day holds together without building an itinerary yourself. The 13-hour length means a full day commitment, but it covers three distinct experiences (ruins, water and colonial town) in one route.

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

What exactly will I see at Chichen Itza on this tour?

The guide takes you through the main pyramid, the Ball Game court, the Snail structure and various other pyramids across the archaeological zone. After the guided walk, you have free time to explore additional areas and photograph whatever interests you most.

Can I swim in the cenote, or is it just a viewing stop?

You can swim in the Saamal Cenote. The guide gives you instructions on how to enter safely, and you have time to relax in the water before the group moves on.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will it be?

Yes, a regional buffet lunch is included at the Hospitality Suite at Chichen Itza, with a tasting of homemade bread. The menu features typical foods of the Yucatan region.

How long is the whole tour, and when will I be back at my hotel?

The tour runs 13 hours total from the time the bus picks you up until it drops you back at your hotel. That includes travel time, the guided walk, lunch, the cenote swim and the stop in Valladolid.