Chichén Itzá

Enter your dates to find available activities
All categories
Tours
Activities
Culinary & Nightlife

Top pick


Chichén Itzá: Tours & Tickets

See all tours & things to do in Chichén Itzá

Chichen Itza: Top 5 facts

Supposedly the great mythical city in Mesoamerican literature, this Mayan city stands today as one of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico. Read on for more on Chichen Itza history and Chichen Itza facts.

  • Origins: El Castillo & Kukulcan

    1. Origins: El Castillo & Kukulcan

    Archeologists believe the main monument, El Castillo, was dedicated to Kukulcan, the Mayan snake god, and was built between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D.

  • The Meaning Behind the Name

    2. The Meaning Behind the Name

    Chichen Itza translates to “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were a sea-warding subset of Mayan people.

  • Why was it built there?

    3. Why was it built there?

    It is likely that the city was built in this location on the Yucatan Peninsula because of two large natural “cenote” nearby that would have provided water to the population.

  • The Mayan Calendar

    4. The Mayan Calendar

    The total number of steps on the pyramid El Castillo, including the temple platform at the top, is 364—the total number of days in the Mayan calendar.

  • Take Me Out to the Ballgame

    5. Take Me Out to the Ballgame

    The Mayans were great athletes. Archeologists have found 13 ball courts for their Mesoamerican game; the best preserved and largest lies on this site just northwest of El Castillo.

Planning Your Visit

  • Chichen Itza Weather: How to pack & What to Wear

    Nothing is worse than setting out for a big day of exploration and getting hit with a spell of dehydration. Prepare ahead and bring lots of water, it cannot be overstated how hot this place can get. Bring a sturdy set of shoes and a hat or umbrella for sun. Bug spray is a must, especially in the rainy season when mosquitoes are running amok.

  • Rent A Car or Hire a Defensive Driver

    If you decide to rent a car, make sure to purchase a map and have a friend in the passenger’s seat navigating on the way to Chichen Itza. Be careful—some of the road is rocky or in disrepair. Be sure to keep your gas tank full, because there aren’t many gas stations along the toll highway. For a day trip from Cancun, the drive will take a little more than two hours.

  • Take a Dip in the Cenote for a Quick Cool off

    Stop at Ik Kil to go swimming in this ancient water source, a popular spot open to the public.

Good to know

  • When should I visit?
    Open daily, 8:00AM to 5:00PM, year-round.
  • Is it expensive?
    Adult tickets start at 64 MXV (about $4) and continue upwards with tours, packages and other perks available.
  • Will I need a guide?
    With so much history to learn about, a guide is a great idea.
  • How to get there
    You can rent a car (parking is 10 pesos), take public transportation, or take a tour from Cancun or Cozumel.
  • Additional information

    • Try to arrive in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the sun is hottest at midday.

    • A light and sound show is put on each evening, and times vary by season, so plan to stay late if you can!

What people are saying about Chichén Itzá

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 2,418 reviews

The Cenote was great. It was beautiful to observe and listen to the waterfall. If you want to swim in it, life jackets are a required rental for $2 and you can optionally get a locker for $2. There were other things to see that we did not get to so I cannot say anything about them. Our tour included lunch. The lime soup was very good. Other dishes were ok at best. The salad does not have dressing. Lunch was described as all you can eat buffet but due to covid they were serving at the tables. They only had 2 waiters so the service was slow and disorganized. We had several wrong items brought to the table. I had to ask for more pico de gallo 4 times before receiving. Order everything up front if you will want more than one plate. All drinks are additional. The tour guide had to give us an extra 30 mins at lunch to ensure everyone was served. My table mates got the margaritas and said they were strong & good & frozen were very good. A few souvenir & 1 tequila shop at the location.

Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Valladolid & Cenote Tour Reviewed by David, 2/24/2021

We got to see a lot of places in one day. Felt a bit rushed but everything was on time and got picked up in our hotel located in Hotelera zona in Cancun. Cenote was beautiful and food was delicious. Chichen Itza and ballcourt looked amazing and tour provided information about Mayans. Valladolid was a quick 30 min stop on our way back. My only complaint is that there were a lot on people on bus tour with few empty seats with this ongoing pandemic. I thought maybe they would reduce amount of ppl. Overall good experience.

Chichén Itzá: Hubiku Cenote & Valladolid Tour Reviewed by Yaretzy, 2/1/2021

Really enjoyed this tour! Mike was a great tour guide, the bus was very comfortable (seats reclined a lot) and we could rest during the long travel. Knowledgeable tour guides. Easy to book. I would recommend using Get Your Guide and Sat Mexico for this specific tour.

Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Valladolid & Cenote Tour Reviewed by Russell, 1/29/2021

Bus was comfortable, clear instructions and very punctual. Activities were engaging. Alfredo drove very well and Alan was educational and entertaining. Lunch stop doesn't have the best options for vegetarians and vegans. Get on this tour for a day well spent!

Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Valladolid & Cenote Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 2/17/2021

Alvarado was an excellent guide. It was a ling day but totally worth every cent. Rather than suffer through a tour bus and crowds of people, we rode comfortably in a nice Mercedes from site to site. Excellent experience.

Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Private Tour with Lunch Reviewed by Mark, 2/28/2021

Top destinations

Popular on GetYourGuide

Popular Attractions