Looking for the best Chichen Itza tour from Cancun?
Chichén Itzá is one of the most iconic attractions in Mexico, and visiting this ancient Mayan site was at the top of our four-day Cancun itinerary. After researching various tour options, we found the best Chichen Itza tour from Cancun through my favorite tour-finding platform, Viator, which offered an excellent value for the price.
The tour included transportation, a guided tour of Chichén Itzá, a visit to a cenote, a traditional Mayan buffet, and a brief stop in the colonial town of Valladolid. At $97 per person, including entrance fees and rentals, this tour was just what we had hoped for, and provided great value!
If you’re looking for a well-organized and convenient way to visit Chichén Itzá, without dealing with rental cars or the hassle of planning logistics, this tour is a solid option. We spent four days in beautiful Cancun, and this tour was definitely the highlight of our trip. Here’s a detailed look at our experience.
Click Here for the Best Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun!
This Chichen Itza tour by Sat Mexico tours is truly the best value for your money. It covers all of the main tourist attractions like Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and you even get to swim in Cenote Chichikan, and everything is taken care of. The bus is nice and air conditioned, the tour guides are engaging and informative, and you don’t have to worry about a thing as you relax and soak up some local history.
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– Snag great hotel deals on Booking.com and Expedia.com. I’ve found rates here that beat the hotel’s own site and even Google!
– Book amazing tours hassle-free with Viator.com. Their trusted guides made it easy for me to explore both iconic spots and off-the-beaten path attractions, with exclusive access in cities like Vegas, DC, Northern Virginia, and more.
– Travel smarter with Capital One – My favorite for earning points and saving on flights and hotels. Cards like SavorOne and Capital One Business are a big part of how I travel well on a budget!
Morning Departure and Preparation
Our day began early, with a 6:20 AM breakfast at our hotel before heading to the meeting point at Smart Cancun by Oasis. Located just across the street from the restaurant we visited the night before, this location was very convenient.
The meeting area was bustling with different tour groups, guides, and buses. We quickly found our guide, Alfredo, who was friendly and helped us easily locate our group.
One key lesson learned: I had forgotten my eco-friendly bug spray in the hotel room, despite packing it earlier. Fortunately, a vendor outside was selling small bottles for $10, though I opted to skip purchasing one. Thankfully, I managed to avoid too many bug bites!
On the Bus: AC + Introduction to Mayan Culture
Once we boarded the bus, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that we were the last pickup, meaning we wouldn’t have to make extra stops. Most passengers took the opportunity to rest, but Alfredo soon engaged us with an informative overview of the region’s history, geography, and anthropology.
He introduced us to Mayan astrology, explaining how the ancient Mayans used celestial events for daily guidance. At this point, we were offered personalized Mayan astrology readings for $20. I opted out, but my partner decided to participate.
You don’t have to do this if you book this tour (I was happy to look up my Mayan astrology online for free), but if you decide to pay the $20, you get a cool paper to take home (which I guess is worth the money? Honestly not sure)
First Stop: Mayan Village
Our first stop was a small Mayan village, where we arrived early and had about 15 minutes to explore before other groups arrived. The village had restrooms, souvenir stands, and vendors selling handmade crafts, but honestly? It felt a bit like a tourist trap – the prices were pretty high.
Our guide explained that the restrooms here were better than those at Chichén Itzá, but honestly, I think the stop also served to encourage souvenir purchases!
It was at this stop where I managed to get my hands on some bug spray from a fellow traveler who had purchased a bottle. My partner also discovered a table offering free shots of Mayan herbal liquor, which we both enjoyed, though we didn’t buy any additional items since we knew there would be more opportunities later at Chichen Itza.
Chichén Itzá: A Glimpse into Ancient History
By the time we reached Chichén Itzá, the sun was intense (and we were visiting in the wintertime!) Vendors immediately swarmed us, trying to sell hats and souvenirs.
Our guides, Norma and Alfredo, handed us our entrance tickets (we had paid in US dollars on the bus, which they accepted) and led us inside. There was no line at security, and we entered quickly.
Norma gave the English tour, and she was fantastic. She kept us in the shade as much as possible while explaining the history and significance of the site. The ruins were incredible in person, and despite the heat, I wasn’t miserable. Having spent two weeks in Vegas during a 121°F heatwave, it wasn’t bad, but there were a lot of people on our tour fanning themselves (don’t forget to wear a hat!)
Vendors were everywhere, trying to get our attention with jaguar whistles and phrases like “almost free” and “buy from me, make my day.” Some people find this annoying, but I thought it was okay – it was part of the experience. We just ignored them and said “no thank you”, and we were fine. So keep that in mind if you visit Chichen Itza!
Shopping & Bargaining Lessons
After the tour, we had an hour of free time.
I had read that bargaining is key when shopping in Mexico, and I quickly realized it when I tried to buy an obsidian bracelet. The vendor started at $20 for one bracelet, but I hesitated when I countered with $10, and he didn’t budge. My boyfriend stepped in and managed to get two bracelets for $10. Not the best deal, but at least we had something to take home.
Just know that if you’re going to go shopping near Chichen Itza, be ready to bargain!
Cenote Swim & Mayan Buffet
Next, we visited Cenote Chichikan, which was absolutely stunning. The cool, crystal-clear water was exactly what we needed after the heat at Chichén Itzá. I really liked how the tour was paced – jam-packed Chichen Itza in the morning full of tourists, with a relaxing swim in a cenote midday.
We rented life jackets (mandatory for swimming) and lockers for our stuff, since we purchased our tour with the basic package. I left my phone behind and just enjoyed the moment, which was a nice change, but if you want to take some Instagram photos during your swim, there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
After the swim, we went to a Mayan buffet, which I honestly didn’t have high expectations for, but it ended up being amazing. The lime soup was flavorful, and the taco stand had the best tacos I’ve ever had. Alfredo encouraged us to fill up at the buffet, and we took his advice…we ate so much that we weren’t even hungry for dinner later!
Tequila Tasting & Quick Stop in Valladolid
On the way back, we stopped in Valladolid, a charming colonial town with colorful buildings. The tour includes a tequila tasting, but they only give you 20 minutes total, which means that you barely get to explore. If you do the tequila tasting, it takes about 10 minutes of your time, which means you just have time to snap a photo of the church, walk around the main square, and then head back to the bus.
It was okay since we were super tired, but I’ll admit this part of the tour felt a bit rushed. I saw some people skipping the tequila tour, so you can also do that and walk around Valladolid a bit, if that’s more up your alley.
Something to note: This tequila is goood. Like the best I’ve ever had. But when I went to buy a small bottle, but my boyfriend pointed out that $40 USD for a tiny bottle (two shots worth of tequila) was a rip-off. We decided to pass on the tequila, but if you’re willing to take home a one of a kind souvenir, go for it!
We tried to find this tequila in the airport, but we couldn’t find it anywhere else. Honestly, I kind of regret not buying it!
Final Thoughts: Was the Tour Worth It?
We got back to our hotel by 6:30 PM, exhausted but happy.
Here’s a breakdown of our expenses. We chose the “meet at the pickup point” option, since the pickup point was a quick 11-minute walk from our hotel, but you can also purchase this tour where they pick you up from your hotel:
- Viator Tour Ticket – $37 USD per person
- Chichén Itzá Entrance Fee – $40 USD per person
- Life Jacket & Locker Rental (Cenote) – $20 USD for two people
- Food & Drinks – Included
- Transportation – Included
- Free Tequila Samples – A nice bonus
Total cost: $97 per person for a full day with no stress. We didn’t have to worry about driving, navigating, or planning – it was all taken care of.
Click Here for the Best Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun!
This Chichen Itza tour by Sat Mexico tours is truly the best value for your money. It covers all of the main tourist attractions like Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and you even get to swim in Cenote Chichikan, and everything is taken care of. The bus is nice and air conditioned, the tour guides are engaging and informative, and you don’t have to worry about a thing as you relax and soak up some local history.
Overall, if you’re visiting Cancun and want to experience Mayan history, stunning cenotes, and great food, this tour is absolutely worth it. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. There are plenty of other tours your can take from Cancun, some that take you to Tulum ruins, snorkeling, etc., but if Chichen Itza is on your bucket list, this tour is really worth it.
Gracias, Sat Tours!
About the Author
Sasha is the founder of Little Happy Travels, a blog with tips and inspiration for combining work + travel and living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a business coach and remote worker, she’s spent the last few years traveling the world while helping others do the same. Follow for guides, tips, and personal stories on working from anywhere!
