Valladolid to Chichen Itza: A Complete Guide for A Successful Trip
One of the most iconic things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula is to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza. Located near Valladolid, Mexico, this UNESCO World Heritage site encompasses a well-preserved and restored ancient Mayan city that spans over 4 square miles. With thousands of years of history within Chichen Itza and hundreds of tours available, deciding how to spend your day and whether a tour is worthwhile can feel overwhelming. To simplify it all, I have created the ultimate Chichen Itza travel guide that includes everything you need to know for an unforgettable and seamless trip.
This Chichen Itza travel guide includes key information on how to get there, ticket details, personal experiences, and important tips to help you decide how to spend your time here. I highly suggest having a plan before you arrive. Even if you do not follow it exactly, it will at least give you some direction.
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Valladolid to Chichen ITza: Travel Guide
Let's start with some basics!
What is Chichen Itza?
Chichen Itza, translating to “at the mouth of the well,” is an ancient Mayan ruin city located centrally on the Yucatan Peninsula. Rediscovered in 1842, this city contains five main squares connected by roads and two large open cenotes, believed to have been a water source for the 35,000-plus residents of the time.
The Wall of Skulls
El Castillo, also referred to as the Temple or Pyramid of Kukulkan, is the iconic building within Chichen Itza that is world-renowned today. This structure stands around 30 meters tall (98 feet) and functioned as a calendar for the Mayans, utilizing its’ 9 platforms, 52 panels, 18 terraces, and sunlight.
However, the archaeological site has much more to uncover than just the famous El Castillo, including a Great Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, and my personal favorite, El Caracol.
Tip: You can find Chichen Itza’s official location here.
How much is it?
There are 2 fees you must pay to enter Chichen Itza.
For foreigners, the entrance fee is 548 pesos plus an additional 95 pesos for the INAH fee.
Residents of Mexico can enter the ruins for 285 pesos, and Yucatan locals pay as little as 95 pesos. Don’t forget your I.D.!
Mexican and Yucatan residents can enter for free on Sundays!
An additional 50 pesos must be paid for those looking to bring any camera other than an iPhone.
All fees can be paid via card.
When Is It Open?
Chichen Itza is open Monday - Sunday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The latest available time slot to enter the ruins is 4:00 PM.
I recommend arriving right at 8:00 AM to experience the park with fewer people, avoid the tours that arrive around 9:00 AM, and have the best photo opportunities.
Best Time to Visit:
Hurricane Season: June - October | Dry Season: November-April
Chichen Itza, located centrally in the Yucatan Peninsula, is best visited during the cooler months from November to February, with February being the coolest month. March and April are also good months to visit the site, as they precede the rainy season and are still relatively cool.
How Much Time Do I Need?
I spent 2.5 hours wandering Chichen Itza. I consider myself a fast explorer, but I explored the area more slowly while listening to a free self-guided audio tour on an app that explained the wonder’s history in more depth (more on this app later). I recommend planning to enjoy anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 hours here (depending on interest).
Where Should I Stay?
I highly recommend staying in Valladolid for easy access to the ruins. Valladolid is a cute but small historic city, located 53 km from Chichen Itza. Accommodations are affordable, with plenty of food options and fun things to do. There is also an inexpensive Colectivo that heads to Chichen Itza hourly (see more on this below in the “how do I get there” section).
The best area to stay in Valladolid is any location within walking distance of the main square. I have listed some of the best options below!
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Hostel Candelaria
Best Low-Budget: Hotel Kookay or Hostel Casa Xtakay
Best Mid-Budget: Colonte Hotel Origen or Casa San Roque Valladolid
Best High-End Budget: Casa Tia Micha or Real Hispano
For more information on Valladolid, Mexico head here!
If you prefer to stay elsewhere and want to join a group tour, I suggest opting for either Merida (the closest after Valladolid) or Cancun, which has the most daily guided tour options. Keep in mind that most guided tours arrive at the ruins around the same time, making it extremely busy after 9:30 AM.
How do I get there?
If you are navigating your way to Chichen Itza without a guided tour, you do have a few options. Most tours arrive after 9:30 AM, so I recommend getting there right at 8:00 AM or even a bit earlier. Also, keep in mind that on Sundays residents can enter for free, which could make the site much busier than normal.
Option 1: Colectivo
Valladolid has a Colectivo Station (shared van) located here that will take you to Chichen Itza for 40 pesos each way (80 total). If you also want to visit Ikkil Cenote on your way back to Valladolid, you can pay an additional 20 pesos.
There are other Colectivos to Chichen Itza from Cancun, Merida, PDC, Tulum, etc., but they will take longer and be more expensive.
My Experience: I stayed in Valladolid and arrived at the Colectivo station with my boyfriend at 7 AM on the dot. We departed the station at 7:35 AM once we had a full van of 16-17 people and arrived at Chichen Itza at 8:20 AM. The Colectivo was air-conditioned and very cozy. However, when leaving Chichen Itza (10:40 AM), we had to wait around 40 minutes for the Colectivo to return to pick us up. During the week, the Colectivos prioritize the residents trying to commute to and from work and pick up tourists afterward. The van on the way back had no working air conditioning, so we only had windows to keep us cool. But for 40 pesos (2 USD) each way, I cannot complain.
Option 2: ADO Bus
An ADO bus runs to and from Chichen Itza daily but only leaves once or twice daily (around 10:00 AM) from the Valladolid station. The bus fee is anywhere from 125-150 pesos and the travel time is about 1 hour. The drawback is that it arrives during a busier time compared to the Colectivo, which tends to arrive after most tours are already in the park.
There are other bus routes from Cancun, PDC, Merida, and Tulum to Chichen Itza, but they are much more costly and timely.
Option 3: Car Rental
You can always opt to rent a car or motorbike and venture to the site on your own. Valladolid to Chichen Itza is around 45 minutes. There is a parking fee.
Option 4: Taxi
If you want to take a private taxi to Chichen Itza, I recommend heading there from Valladolid or Merida for the most affordable pricing. However, it may be best to opt for a guided tour over a private taxi as it will be cheaper.
Option 5: Train
Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay updated on what routes are open now!
Can I go on my own or do I need a tour guide?
Personally, I think the tours are overpriced and the price does not include the entrance fee to Chichen Itza, which is already 35 USD. The best option is to head there on your own and use a self-guided tour.
Best Self-Guided Tour Options:
Self-Guided Chichen Itza Audio Tour
Self-Guided Bundle Audio Tour
This one is great for people who plan to visit Coba, Tulum Ruins, and Ek Balam as well.
FREE Self-Guided Audio Tour Via SmartGuide app.
I LOVE this app—I used it for my Chichen Itza self-guided tour. You can easily download the app to your phone and find A LOT of self-guided tours all over the world. It can track your location within Chichen Itza and will make a ping noise when you reach a new site and need to press play on the next audio.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget headphones to connect and listen.
If you prefer a guided tour you have a few options:
If you take the Colectivo from Valladolid mentioned above (in how to get there), the driver is likely to offer a group guided tour for 1200 pesos. If your entire group decides to join the tour with you, it ends up only being around 75-100 pesos, depending on how many people are in the van. This is a great option if everyone joins because it is affordable and also secures your ride back without a wait.
There are also hundreds of tours outside of the site that offer transportation, water, and sometimes a local cenote. However, they rarely include the Chichen Itza entrance fee.
Is there a dress code?
Nope! But I highly recommend wearing comfortable and breathable clothing due to the humidity. Pack LOTS of water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, mosquito spray etc.
Is there any food or water in the park?
Yes, there are loads of vendors selling snacks and drinks at the entrance, inside the park, and outside. I purchased a bottle of water right outside the exit to Chichen Itza, and while it was less expensive than buying one inside, it was still pricier than what you might find elsewhere (50 pesos for a small freeze pop and 60 pesos for water). I recommend packing snacks and drinks in a backpack beforehand to avoid paying higher prices at the park.
There is an ATM and restroom available at the entrance as well.
Throughout your tour, you will see MANY people selling trinkets, traditional Mayan items, clothing items, etc.
Is It Safe at Chichen Itza?
YES, most definitely. BUT, I recommend following basic safety precautions and staying up to date on your country’s travel advisories.
A Few Safety Tips:
Always keep an eye on your belongings.
There are mosquitos about, so bring lots of spray.
Plack plenty of water to avoid overheating and heat exhaustion.
Sunscreen may also be necessary.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: 9-1-1
Highlights of Chichen Itza & What not to miss…
El Castillo (The Iconic Structure)
El Castillo, also referred to as the Temple or Pyramid of Kukulkan, is the iconic building within Chichen Itza that is world-renowned today. This structure stands around 30 meters tall (98 feet) and functioned as a calendar for the Mayans, utilizing its’ 9 platforms, 52 panels, 18 terraces, and sunlight.
Fun Facts:
Inside the structure is another temple, named Temple of the Red Jaguar.
The entire pyramid was built over a cenote!
If you clap, the opening at the top of the pyramid echos back to you.
El Caracol (The Observatory)
An opening sits at the top of this building’s tower, which is believed to have been used for astronomical observations. The priests of their time were the greatest astronomers, predicting the movements of planets, solar and lunar eclipses, stars, etc.
Temple of Warriors
This structure is a pyramid surrounded by pillars that were carved to resemble Toltec warriors. A famous Chaac Mool lays before the structure’s main entrance.
Casa de las Monjas (The Nunnery&Church)
Pok ta Pok (The Ball Court)
Chichen Itza Tips & Review
Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen!
Mosquito spray is essential.
Go right at 8:00 AM to avoid the tour buses. I counted over 24 buses at one point and it was only 10:20 AM.
Sundays are a busy day! Residents can enter the park for free.
You only need 2.5 - 3.5 hours to explore its entirety.
Valladolid is the ideal place to stay for your trip to Chichen Itza. Inexpensive Colectivos/shared vans are available here for 80 pesos round trip.
There is a FREE Self-Guided Audio Tour available on the SmartGuide app.
