Chichen Itza from Tulum: Ruins, cenote swim and Mayan lunch

Chichen Itza, a cenote swim and Mayan food in a single day

This guided tour from Tulum visits Chichen Itza, one of the 7 new wonders of the world, with a bilingual cultural guide who explains the Temple of Kukulkán, the Ball Game and other ceremonial spaces of Mayan civilization. The day also includes a food demonstration and buffet lunch of regional Mayan cuisine at Kaua, a swim and zip line at Cenote Nool Ha, and a panoramic stop in Valladolid. Admissions to the archaeological area and cenote are payable when you board (47 USD per adult, 20 USD per child). Hotel pickup is available as an add-on option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chichen Itza, cuisine, cenote and Valladolid

• Visit Chichen Itza archaeological site
• Tour Temple of Kukulkán and Ball Game
• Enjoy Mayan cuisine demonstration in Kaua
• Have buffet lunch at Kaua restaurant
• Swim and relax at Cenote Nool Ha
• Use life jacket and zip line at cenote
• Take panoramic tour of Valladolid town

The experience

Chichen Itza anchors the morning. A certified bilingual guide meets you and walks the main structures (the Temple of Kukulkán, the Ball Game, the ceremonial spaces) explaining the astronomical and architectural legacy of Mayan civilization as you move through one of Mexico's most important archaeological sites. The guide's role is to make the stones legible. Without that narration, the geometry and the history stay silent. You'll spend several hours here before moving on.

After Chichen Itza, the tour shifts to food and water. At Kaua restaurant, a local cook demonstrates how regional Mayan cuisine works (the ingredients, the traditional flavors of Yucatan), and then you eat a buffet meal. The demonstration is not a performance. It is a working kitchen showing you how the food is made. From there, you head to Cenote Nool Ha, a natural sinkhole where you can swim. A life jacket is included, and so is a zip line if you want to use it. This stop lets you cool off and move your body after the archaeological walking.

On the way back to Tulum, the route passes through Valladolid for a short panoramic visit. It is one of Yucatan's colonial towns, and the stop gives you time to walk its streets and feel the traditional architecture without a long detour. The whole day runs 12 to 13 hours from your pickup point. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the guide stays with the group throughout. Two bottles of water are provided during the tour.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle and certified bilingual guide throughout the day.
• entry to Chichen Itza's main structures with guided explanation of the Temple of Kukulkán, Ball Game and ceremonial spaces.
• food demonstration of regional Mayan cuisine and buffet lunch at Kaua restaurant.
• swim, life jacket and zip line at Cenote Nool Ha.
• panoramic visit to Valladolid.
• two bottles of water during the tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Meeting point pickupGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Meeting point pickup: you need to go to the assigned meeting point. We will try to find the one closest to you.

Bilingual hotel pickupGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Cancun area

Tour with PLUS amenitiesGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00PLUS package: includes a boxed lunch with a baguette or croissant, an energy bar, a pack of 5 drinks, and 1 organic sunscreen or repellent. Lockers available at the cenote.

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

Information

Lasts 12h–13h, runs every day except Saturday at 07:00, from US$ 29 per person, with live guides in 5 languages and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 07:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 5001 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and PortugueseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.8 with pickup ›

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ekinox Tours

Is this one for you?Choose hotel pickup if you want to start and end at your accommodation without navigating to a meeting point. The meeting point option works if you are staying near central Tulum or prefer to join the group at a fixed location. Either way, the bilingual guide and the fixed itinerary mean the day holds together without you arranging transport between the four stops or timing the transitions yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is the Temple of Kukulkán and why is Chichen Itza one of the 7 new wonders?

The Temple of Kukulkán is the main pyramid at Chichen Itza, a structure built by the Maya that demonstrates their knowledge of astronomy and architecture. Chichen Itza was named one of the 7 new wonders of the world because of its scale, its engineering, and its role as one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and its structures as you walk through it.

Can I actually swim at Cenote Nool Ha, or is it just a viewing stop?

You can swim at Cenote Nool Ha. The cenote is a natural sinkhole with water, and swimming is included in the tour. A life jacket is provided, and a zip line is also available if you want to use it. This stop is designed for you to cool off and spend time in the water after the archaeological visit.

Is the Mayan cuisine demonstration hands-on, or do I just watch?

The demonstration at Kaua is a working kitchen showing how regional Mayan cuisine is prepared using local ingredients and traditional Yucatan flavors. After the demonstration, you have time to eat a buffet meal at the restaurant. It is a viewing and tasting experience, not a hands-on cooking class.

How long do we spend at each stop?

The tour is 12 to 13 hours total from pickup. Chichen Itza takes several hours of walking and guided explanation. The meal at Kaua and the swim at Cenote Nool Ha each take time for you to move through them without rushing. Valladolid is a short panoramic stop. Your guide will manage the timing so all four stops fit into the day.

Do I need to pay extra for entry to Chichen Itza and the cenote?

Yes. Admissions to the archaeological area and cenote are paid when you board the vehicle: 47 USD per adult and 20 USD per child. These fees are not included in the tour price. Everything else (the guide, transport, lunch, the zip line and life jacket at the cenote) is included.