The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza from Cancun

The ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza are one of the most spectacular sights in Mexico, and there are numerous easy ways to get from Cancun to Chichen Itza on a day trip. This site was once among the largest and most important cities for the Mayan civilization.

You can reach Chichen Itza from Cancun by joining a tour, driving yourself in a rental car, or taking the ADO public bus. In this travel guide, I’ll explain how to use each of these transport options, along with their respective pros and cons.

Overall, visiting this wonder of the world as a day trip from any tourist town in the Yucatan Peninsula is not difficult, and it’s also quite budget-friendly. Therefore, it should definitely be included in your Mexico travel plans!

Where To Stay In Cancun

Where is Chichen Itza?

First things first — where is Chichen Itza located in Mexico?

Chichen Itza is situated in the heart of the Mexican state of Yucatan, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Cancun, which can be reached in about 2 to 3 hours of driving.

The ruins are near the 16th-century city of Valladolid, along with various cenotes (natural sinkholes) for swimming. Consequently, there are numerous other amazing attractions to explore near the ruins.

How To Get From Cancun To Chichen Itza

• Join A Group Tour

One of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel from Cancun to Chichen Itza is by joining a group tour with fellow travelers. This can be arranged online or through your Cancun hotel upon arrival in Mexico.

Chichen Itza tours are quite popular; hence, a wide variety of companies offer them daily. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning, transported to Chichen Itza by van or bus, and provided with a guided tour of the ruins.

We personally opted for one of these tours and enjoyed it immensely. There are also early morning tours available, allowing you to access the Chichen Itza ruins early in the day before the crowds arrive.

Moreover, these group tours often feature other stunning sights in the Yucatan Peninsula, such as the Coba ruins, Tulum, Valladolid, and swimming opportunities in one or two picturesque cenotes. Typically, these tours include a buffet lunch and hotel pickup/drop-off as well.

The only downside is that with a group tour, you’ll adhere to a fixed itinerary, which usually allocates about an hour or less at each location. Although we found this somewhat limiting, for many, this duration is likely sufficient. With that said, we tend to take excessive photos.

On the bright side, sharing the tour with other travelers can be enjoyable, especially since Chichen Itza tends to be crowded anyway, and the bus ride can provide a great opportunity to meet new people.

• Book A Private Tour

If you prefer the flexibility of a tour without the hustle of a large group, private and small group tours from Cancun to Chichen Itza are also available daily.

This option is generally more costly than a group tour, but if your budget allows, it can provide a wonderful way to travel! A private tour includes a dedicated driver and a multilingual guide, enriching your experience by delving into the history of the archaeological sites.

Often, these private tours also encompass nearby Mayan ruins like Coba and Tulum, inclusive of buffet lunch and hotel pickup/drop-off from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or other Riviera Maya spots.

• Rent A Car & Drive Yourself

Renting a car and driving to Chichen Itza is another popular option; it’s relatively straightforward in Mexico.

This arrangement provides maximum flexibility to tailor your itinerary, making it an economical choice if traveling with friends or family, as you can share expenses.

The car ride from Cancun to Chichen Itza takes roughly 2.5 hours, and the roads are well maintained. The distance is approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles). You can navigate using this map, though note that you will arrive at the parking area slightly before the ruins.

Traveling on the 180D highway (a toll road), the toll is approximately 400 pesos (~$21 USD) one way, payable in Mexican pesos only (no credit cards or US dollars). Therefore, ensure you bring sufficient cash.

Along the journey, you may stop at various attractions like the 16th-century city of Valladolid and the numerous beautiful cenotes nearby.

It’s vital to reserve your rental car through a reliable company and take photos of the entire vehicle body to prevent any potential rental damage disputes.

For Chichen Itza, remember that you still need entrance tickets. Consequently, it’s advisable to book your Chichen Itza entrance tickets online ahead of time, enabling you to bypass the ticket lines and maximize your time exploring the ruins.

• Take The ADO Public Bus

One of the most economical ways to reach Chichen Itza from Cancun (particularly appealing for solo travelers) is by taking the ADO bus. This bus departs daily from downtown Cancun at 8:45 AM, returning at 4:30 PM.

This option may be ideal for budget-conscious solo travelers who do not mind a bit more logistical effort compared to a tour. You can easily reach the Cancun bus station via a short taxi or Uber ride.

The bus journey from Cancun to Chichen Itza typically takes about 3 hours and costs around 250 pesos ($13 USD) for a one-way ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at the ADO Bus website or in-person at the bus station.

ADO buses are clean and equipped with air conditioning and bathrooms; however, you should remain vigilant about your bags and valuables, as theft can occur on buses and at terminals. It’s recommended to arrive early at the station because busy days may lead to a slow and chaotic check-in process.

Keep in mind that by traveling by bus, you’ll have about 5 hours to explore the archaeological site, which could be more time than needed for many visitors. A feasible alternative is to take the bus from Cancun to Valladolid, where more frequent departures are available, then hop on a colectivo (shared van) to Chichen Itza.

If time allows, consider hiring a local taxi to visit one of the cenotes near Valladolid as well, allowing you to experience more in the same duration.

As emphasized earlier, even if you’re not on a tour, you’ll still need entrance tickets. Therefore, it’s prudent to book your Chichen Itza entrance tickets online in advance, ensuring a streamlined experience when you arrive.

Cancun To Chichen Itza FAQ

• What is Chichen Itza?
  Chichen Itza was a significant city for the Mayan civilization between 600 AD and 1200 AD. Its main attraction is the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo), a remarkable pyramid that, while no longer climbable, remains a breathtaking wonder of the world!

• Is Chichen Itza worth visiting?
  Absolutely! Chichen Itza is a must-visit site, showcasing ancient wonder, with its impressive main pyramid serving as a highlight of our trip to Mexico.

• What is the distance from Cancun to Chichen Itza?
  The road distance measures around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Cancun to Chichen Itza.

• How hard is it to visit Chichen Itza from Cancun?
  It’s simple to reach Chichen Itza from Cancun, irrespective of whether you opt for a car, bus, or guided tour.

• Can you fly to Chichen Itza?
  No direct flights exist to Chichen Itza; the nearest airport is Cancun International Airport (CUN). You can browse international flights to Mexico via Skyscanner.

• Is it safe to drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza?
  Indeed, driving from Cancun to Chichen Itza is generally regarded as safe. The roads are well-maintained, and Yucatan is recognized as one of the safest states in Mexico, with many tourists making this journey without problems.

• What are the best things to see on the way from Cancun to Chichen Itza?
  Numerous attractions line the route from Cancun to Chichen Itza. The 16th-century city of Valladolid is a notable stop, alongside many inviting cenotes perfect for swimming. Many tour packages to Chichen Itza also include these sights. For instance, the tour we chose featured a visit to Cenote Saamal, a scenic open-air sinkhole ideal for swimming and photography.

• What is the best Chichen Itza tour?
  Here is a highly rated Chichen Itza Cancun full-day group tour with convenient pickup from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Riviera Maya. We had a wonderful experience with this tour!

• How can I go from Tulum or Playa Del Carmen to Chichen Itza?
  Whether starting from Tulum or Playa Del Carmen, you have the same general options as Cancun: tours to Chichen Itza, rental cars, or ADO public buses.

• How many people visit Chichen Itza?
  Chichen Itza attracted 2.6 million visitors in 2017, with daily numbers peaking at 18,000. Thus, it can be very crowded; however, the expansive grounds around the ruins help mitigate that feeling. To avoid crowds, aim to arrive early on weekdays and avoid weekends or holidays. For fewer tourists at other incredible Mayan ruins, consider visiting Tikal Guatemala!

• What is the entrance fee for Chichen Itza?
  As of now, the entrance fee is 538 Mexican pesos (~$26 USD) for adults, while children under 13 have free admission. Entrance fees are typically not included in tour prices, so be prepared to pay this separately. Credit cards are generally accepted, but it’s wise to carry cash in case electronic payment systems are down. Also, there is a parking fee of 80 pesos (~$4 USD) if choosing to self-drive to Chichen Itza.

  To streamline your visit, consider booking your Chichen Itza entrance tickets online in advance, thus allowing you to skip the lines and allocate more time to explore the ruins. Happy travels!