Best Chichen Itzá tours from Playa Del Carmen include stops in cenotes

14 Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen [2023]

Want to enjoy one of the best Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen without spending hours in line?

You are in the right place!

In this article, I rounded up some of the best Chichen Itza tours by prices, activities, and reviews from fellow travelers, so you can choose one of the best options.

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the Yucatan Peninsula. One of the largest Mayan cities ever built, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the country with several million tourists coming here every year. 

Staying in Cancun? Find out about the best Cancun tours for your next adventure

Visiting Chichen Itzá without a tour can be a chaotic experience, especially if you are visiting for the first time. Joining a guided tour will ensure you avoid the crowds, and learn history from your guide. 

The tours mentioned in this article depart from Chichen Itza, but some also can pick you up from other destinations in Riviera Maya like Cancun and Tulum. Some tours include tequila tasting and buffet lunch, while others provide early access to Chichen Itza.

Best tours from Playa Del Carmen with Valladolid and Cenotes

Chichen Itza is one of the best Mayan ruin sites in Mexico

1. Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and Cenote Ik Kil all-inclusive tour 

 6,856 Reviews – 5 stars 

One of the most popular Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen is a day trip to Chichen Itza that includes a stop in the colonial town of Valladolid and a nearby Cenote Ik Kil where you can refresh after touring the famous Mayan ruins.

The Mayan civilization stretched from today’s Mexico to parts of Central America, and a visit to Chichen Itza offers a perfect introduction to the Mayan culture. 

What’s included:

  • Hotel pick-up from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or a designated meeting point
  • An English-speaking guide
  • Access the Chichen Itza
  • Lockers and life jackets

What’s not included: 

  • Beverages (If option selected)
  • Chichen Itza access tax ($32 USD per adult / $5 USD per child)
  • Lockers and life jackets

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

2. Best Chichen Itza Cancun Tour – Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid

Chichen Itza is a popular attraction, and it gets busy. Taking a custom tour of Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen is the best way to skip the crowded buses and long lines at Chichen Itza. 

The private tour of Chichen Itza includes a stop in Cenote Ik Kil or Xcajum after touring the popular site.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

3. Chichen Itza, Cenote, Tequila Tasting & Valladolid

Explore Chichen Itzá on this full-day tour with a local guide. The tour begins early in the morning before Chichen Itza gets busy, so by the time most visitors arrive, you will be already done. After exploring Chichen Itza, you will stop in Valladolid and swim in a cenote – a natural sinkhole filled with crystal-clear water.

Following the tour, you will enjoy delicious food from the Mexican buffet before returning to your hotel. 

The tour offers a pick-up from Playa Del Carmen and other locations in Riviera Maya like Cancun, Puerto Aventuras, and Tulum.

What’s included: 

  • Lunch
  • Professional guide (Monolingual English or Spanish)
  • Visit to Valladolid
  • Visit and swim in a sacred cenote (ticket included)
  • A hotel pick-up (if the VIP option is selected)
  • Tequila tasting

What’s not included:

  • Visitors to Chichen Itza need to pay a local tax of $31USD
  • Life vest in the cenote
  • Drinks

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

Best private Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen 

Best cenotes in Yucatan

4. VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour

This tour offers a perfect opportunity to explore the famous Mayan ruins and visit some of the best cenotes in the area, like the open-air Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman. 

You’ll arrive at Chichen Itza early to avoid the crowds and heat and continue to Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman, one of the most beautiful cenotes in Yucatan where you can jump in the water from the wooden platform.

The tour ends with an a la carte lunch in Valladolid.

What’s included:

  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation

What’s not included:

  • Soda
  • Gratuities

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

5. Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Private Tour

This popular private tour will allow you to enjoy Valladolid and Chichen Itza at your own pace and learn the rich history from your guide while enjoying the gorgeous views. 

After the tour, you will stop in a local hacienda and swim in a cenote. 

What’s included:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Bottled water and snacks
  • Professional guide
  • Transport by private vehicle
  • Lunch
  • Entrances

What’s not included: 

  • Drinks at sites and restaurants
  • Gratuities
  • Snorkel and other equipment

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

6. VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour – Luxury Car

One of the best private tours of the area gives you a perfect chance to explore one of the most popular places in Yucatan at your own pace.

Explore the pre-Columbian city that was built by the Mayans who lived in the Yucatan Peninsula before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors. Take a swim in a cenote and enjoy a traditional Mayan lunch at a local restaurant in Valladolid.

What’s included: 

  • Private transportation
  • A professional guide 
  • Entrance fee to the archaeological site.
  • Lunch
  • All fees and taxes

What’s not included:

  • Drinks at the buffet
  • Souvenirs
  • Tips (optional)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

7. Skip the Line Chichen Itza with sacred cenote and a la carte lunch

This private full-day Chichen Itza tour allows you to skip the line and enjoy the archeological area with a knowledgeable guide.

The tour is followed by a visit to a cenote where you can take a refreshing dip and later enjoy the colonial city of Valladolid with the gorgeous pastel-colored buildings that make a perfect backdrop for your photos. 

What’s included: 

  • Round-trip transportation
  • Private tour with a licensed guide
  • Local taxes & National Park fees 
  • Soda
  • Bottled water
  • Alcoholic beverages 
  • Lunch and snacks

What’s not included:

  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic drinks (In restaurant) * Only included onboard in a vehicle.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

Playa Del Carmen is one of the most convenient locations in the Yucatan Peninsula for traveling to Chichen Itza.

8. Private Tour Chichén Itzá from Playa del Carmen

Enjoy Chichen Itza on this private, day trip from Playa del Carmen, and swim in a cenote, before going for a traditional Mexican lunch. 

The tour includes a stop at Valladolid, a designated pueblo magico, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its pastel-colored buildings and rich colonial history where you will have some free time to explore the streets and take photos.

What’s included: 

  • A pick-up and drop-off
  •  Professional guide
  •  Use of Snorkeling equipment
  •  Private tour
  •  A visit to a cenote
  •  Open Bar on board of Van

What’s not included:

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  •  Food and drinks in a restaurant
  •  Tips

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

One of the best Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen includes a stop in Coba

9. Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, and Coba Ruins Day Trip

If you want to see more Mayan sites, book this tour! This small group tour departs from Playa del Carmen and includes stops in Chichen Itza, Coba, and a visit to the Ik Kil cenote. 

After learning about the history of Chichen Itza, head for a refreshing swim in cenote followed by a delicious buffet lunch. The tour continues to Coba, home to the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, where you can explore the jungle and learn the fascinating history of this place.

What’s included:

  • Beverages and breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan

What’s not included:

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

Ek Balam is one of the most popular cities in the Yucatan Peninsula.

10. Chichen Itza, Cenote Hubiku, and Ek Balam Day Trip All Fees Included

One of the best-selling tours of Chichen Itza combines two important Mayan ruin sites: Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. This trip includes hotel transport, a buffet lunch, and a swim in Cenote Hubiku. 

What’s included: 

  • Beverages
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

What’s not included:

  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

Best Chichen tours from Playa Del Carmen for budget-travelers

Many Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen include stops in cenotes

11. Full-Day Tour of Chichen Itza Plus from Playa del Carmen

This classic Chichen Itza tour includes an overview of the popular Mayan archeological area with an expert guide followed by a swim in a sacred cenote and a delicious buffet lunch of Yucatan cuisine. 

Enjoy some free time in Valladolid where you can take photos against the colorful backdrop of colonial architecture and explore the main square anchored by the San Gervacio Cathedral. 

What’s included:

  • Box lunch with sandwich, fruit, juice, and sweet
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Local guide
  • Drinks on board
  • Lunch
  • Admission to Chichen Itza

What’s not included:

  • State taxes: $31 USD for adults or $20 USD child must be paid via cash or card upon check-in.
  • Gratuities
  • Mandatory life jacket rental in the cenote is $3 USD

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

best Cenote tours from Cancun

12. Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Cenote Tour

If you want to see more than just a bare minimum, book a tour of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, a hidden gem of Yucatan where you can visit the pyramid El Torre and admire well-preserved frescoes and masks. 

After visiting two archeological areas, finish your adventure with a refreshing dip in a cenote and a delicious Mexican buffet lunch.

What’s included:

  • Round transportation
  • Bilingual guide
  • Buffet Lunch
  • Ek Balam tickets
  • Chichen Itza tickets
  • Cenote tickets

What’s not included:

  • Gratuities
  • Life vest (mandatory)
  • Drinks
  • Taxes ($48 USD)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

13. Chichen Itza Early Access, Buffet Lunch & Cenote Tour

Beat the crowds of Chichen Itza and avoid the heat with the best private tour.

The best time to visit Chichen Itza is before sunrise, and you can do it on this personalized tour that departs from Play del Carmen in the early hours.

This tour provides a perfect opportunity to see the famous Mayan city as the sun rises over its ruins – a one-of-a-kind experience that so many travelers miss out on!

One of the most popular Chichen Itza tours includes a stop at Xcaret

14. Combo Tour: Xcaret Parks + Chichen Itza

If you want to enjoy one of the most famous theme parks in Rivera Maya, you can choose from several options included in the combo tour. Aside from visiting the popular Mayan ruins, you can also visit one of the popular theme parks like Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor.

After visiting Chichen Itza and Valladolid, you can enjoy one of the most popular parks on your terms and enjoy some of the best activities and attractions. This is one of the most popular Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

Chichen Itzá Tours from Playa Del Carmen: FAQs 

Some of the best Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen include a stop in Valladolid, one of the best pueblos magicos in Mexico.

How do I get from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza?

There are a few ways to get from Play Del Carmen to Chichen Itza. Aside from booking a tour, you can also come here on your own by public transportation or car rental. 

Is there a bus from Playa Del Carmen to Chichen Itza?

The bus from Playa Del Carmen to Chichen Itza departs from the ADO bus station in Playa Del Carmen. Ticket costs between 300-400 Pesos one way, and the ride will take between 2,5-3 hours. If you want to get to Chichen Itza faster, you can take a private tour or rent a car in Playa Del Carmen. 

Is Chichen Itzá tour worth it?

Yes, the Chichen Itza tour is worth it, whether you are visiting for the first time or have already been here. A tour of Chichen Itza allows you to learn the history of this place and avoid the crowds and mid-day heat if you opt for an early morning tour. 

Can you do Chichen Itza without a tour?

A guided tour is not required to visit Chichen Itza. Many travelers visit Chichen Itza on their own by taking a bus or renting a car which allows them to visit other places in Yucatan.

How much do you tip the Chichen Itza tour guide?

Tipping etiquette in Mexico is part of the culture, and you should leave between 15 to 20 percent in tips for your guide at the end of your tour. The amount of your tip should be based on how well they conducted the tour, so it’s up to you whether you should leave less or more than the standard amount.

Chichen Itza tours from Playa Del Carmen: final word

Visiting Chichen Itzá is a wonderful experience and one of the must things to do in Yucatan. I hope this guide provided you with valuable information on how to visit this popular archeological area and choose the right tour for your taste and budget.