YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Chichen Itza and Cenote Tour

326 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: Explore Chichen Itza with a personal certified guide, take a refreshing dip in a cenote, and savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Valladolid.
  • Exclusive Experience: Just you, your personal local guide, and driver!
  • Private Transportation: Convenient pick-up from your hotel or rental.
  • Escape the Crowds & Beat the Heat: Skip the lines & enjoy a relaxed, stress-free guided tour.
  • Breathtaking Cenotes! Pick from Oxman, Samula or Xkeken - You’ll love the adventure!
  • Lunch in the colonial city of Valladolid: Savor authentic Mexican flavors, à la carte menu, not a buffet!
  • Set Your Own Pace: Stay longer or move on, the choice is entirely yours.
  • All-Inclusive at the Best Price: Transport, guide, entrance fees, lunch & more

Early bird discountBook 60+ days ahead and save 10%.

Multi-tour discountBook 2+ tours and save 10%.

Offers cannot be combined. Holiday exclusions apply. See terms and conditions.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The details of your private day.

Chichen Itza and Cenote Tour – Private & All-Inclusive

 

Dreaming of visiting one of the New Seven Wonders of the World? Our all-inclusive Chichen Itza and cenote tour is the perfect Riviera Maya day trip for travelers who love history, culture, and nature. Designed exclusively for your group, this private experience blends world-famous Mayan ruins, a refreshing cenote swim, and authentic Yucatec flavors—at your pace and without the crowds.

  1. Skip the Crowds at Chichen Itza with Your Private Guide

    Upon arrival, your entrance tickets are ready so you can skip the lines and begin exploring right away. With your certified private guide, you’ll discover Chichen Itza at a comfortable pace and enjoy commentary tailored to your interests.

    Stand before the legendary El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), walk the vast Great Ball Court, and learn the symbolism etched into sacred temples and ceremonial platforms. Your guide brings the site to life with insights on Mayan astronomy, architecture, and traditions that shaped this ancient city.

  2. Refreshing Swim in a Stunning Cenote

    After your journey through history, cool off in one of Yucatán’s most beautiful cenotes—either Cenote Oxman, Cenote Xkeken or Cenote Samula. These crystal-clear freshwater pools lie within dramatic limestone caverns, creating a magical setting for swimming, floating, and relaxing.

    We provide life vests for comfort and safety, and your guide shares the geological and cultural importance of cenotes in Mayan life. Whether you take a dip or simply admire the view, this stop is often a highlight of the day.

  3. Traditional Lunch & Free Time in Valladolid

    To round out the experience, we’ll visit the colonial city of Valladolid, one of the most charming towns in Yucatán. Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring regional dishes such as cochinita pibil, sopa de lima, and handmade tortillas.

    After lunch, enjoy free time to stroll colorful streets, browse local shops for handicrafts, or relax in the main square before returning to your hotel.

  4. Why Travelers Love This Chichen Itza Cenote Tour

    Private & all-inclusive: just your group and your guide, with logistics handled for a seamless day.

    Flexible pace: explore comfortably, avoid crowds, and focus on what interests you most.

    Award-winning service: trusted local team with thousands of 5-star reviews.

    Join us for an unforgettable Chichen Itza and cenote tour and see why it’s our most popular private day trip in the Riviera Maya.

     

     

Price includes

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
  • Experienced certified private guide
  • Toll road when pick up from Playa del Carmen and Cancun
  • Chichen Itza entrance fees and state tax
  • Cenote entrance fee and life vests
  • Coffee and snacks in the vans
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte

Price excludes

  • Drinks at the restaurant
  • Ruins: If you bring a GoPro, video camera, or phone with a selfie stick, a fee of 60 pesos (about USD 3) per device is charged at the entrance to each archaeological site and must be paid in pesos (INAH fee). Drones and camera/video tripods are prohibited.
  • Tips

General Info

Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
 11-12 hours
Physicality:
 Easy
Age:
 All ages
Swimming:
 Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
Which cenote will you visit? 
The day of your tour, you can choose between Cenote Oxman, Xkeken or Samula.
What’s on the menu?
Selection of best specialities from Yucatan Cuisime… with vegetarian, fish, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!

Itinerary options

Times at each stop are estimates. Driving and your exact pickup location affect the schedule.

Chichen Itza, cenote & Valladolid

  1. Chichen Itza — 210 min
  2. Cenote swim — 75 min
  3. Lunch in Valladolid — 75 min
  4. Free time in Valladolid — 60 min

The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic, crowds, and heat at Chichen Itza, but you can opt for a later pick-up when booking.
Discover the 3 benefits of early departure to visit Chichen Itza.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at Chichen Itza, the cenote, and Valladolid, moving at your own pace.

Transportation takes less than 3 hours, and there is a one-hour time difference between Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum and Chichen Itza/Valladolid.

What to Bring

  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 326 tour reviews

Showing reviews 208–216 of 326

Tour of Chichén Itzá was super cool. Joshua was an awesome tour guide he was super knowledgeable and funny. Cenote was refreshing and lunch was super good.

QT · Apr 2024

Trip to Chichén Itzá and a Cenote, Joshua was a great tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable. Rodrigo the driver was great. Lunch was awesome.

Quinton · Apr 2024

Fantastic Day! A big thank you to Juan and Enrique for such an enjoyable day. We visited Cancun for the first time in mid-March and were looking for a safe, educational and fun way to spend a day off the resort with our teenage son. After much research, we booked the Chichen Itza tour. It was one of the best tours we’ve ever been on.…

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Fantastic Day!
A big thank you to Juan and Enrique for such an enjoyable day.
We visited Cancun for the first time in mid-March and were looking for a safe, educational and fun way to spend a day off the resort with our teenage son. After much research, we booked the Chichen Itza tour.
It was one of the best tours we’ve ever been on. Juan and Enrique picked us up promptly at 6:15am and we reached Chichen Itza before the crowds.
Everything was well organized with tickets pre-purchased for us and we were ushered through the gates. We really felt like VIPs.
Juan guided us through the ruins and shared his extensive knowledge of the Mayans. It was incredible and we have some great pictures in front of El Castillo without another person in sight.
We really appreciated the private tour, especially when we were leaving Chichen Itza and saw dozens of buses and hundreds of people lined up to get in.
We then traveled a short distance to a ceynote. Again, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves with only 4-5 other people there at the same time. It was a spiritual and invigorating experience.
After that we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a very nice restaurant in Valladolid.
It was a stress-free day. Enrique skillfully and safely drove the entire trip. Juan was a wealth of knowledge and able to share so much about the culture. Both were very friendly and professional.
We would highly recommend Absolute and will definitely spend another day with them on our next trip to Mexico.

Jamburl · Apr 2024

Website had all the dates as full. They engaged through chat function and Claire helped find a date they could rearrange staff to accomodate our trip. 1st class service. Juan (our guide) reached out and strongly encouraged an earlier start (we wanted coffee) and arranged a stop for that life giving elixir for us. Great decision, cooler at Chican Itza and much less crowded. By…

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Website had all the dates as full. They engaged through chat function and Claire helped find a date they could rearrange staff to accomodate our trip. 1st class service.
Juan (our guide) reached out and strongly encouraged an earlier start (we wanted coffee) and arranged a stop for that life giving elixir for us. Great decision, cooler at Chican Itza and much less crowded. By the time we left it was much busier and a lot hotter.
We had the Cenote swim as an add-on and had the out of the way location almost entirely to ourselves. Never had more than two other swimmers with us. Fantastic.
Now, back to Juan. I have never had a better guide and interpreter. His knowledge of the Maya and their customs was excellent and accurate. He engaged our children (10,10 & 7) in the details and really excited their imagination.
Lunch was in some hidden away local gem and has been our best meal of the trip.

Charles · Apr 2024

The cenote swim made the entire trip. I mean I've always wanted to see Chichen Itza, so item checked, it was so hot our day one of the kids couldn't do much more, absolutely no one's fault and with this private tour we got there before opening. I can't imagine arriving when we left and there were plenty of busses waiting to get in at…

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The cenote swim made the entire trip. I mean I've always wanted to see Chichen Itza, so item checked, it was so hot our day one of the kids couldn't do much more, absolutely no one's fault and with this private tour we got there before opening. I can't imagine arriving when we left and there were plenty of busses waiting to get in at that point. A/C and cold water revived everyone and then the cenote got us all the way back.
The lunch was fantastic. Chris our guide gave good recommendations.
I would highly recommend this tour just on the timeframe of getting there, the cenote, and lunch.
Our driver Omar was super patient, and was fantastic in watching over whatever we left in the vehicle and was opening the trunk to the cooler as soon as he saw us after ever stop.

Justin · Apr 2024

Great tour with Arturo. Very knowledgeable. It's an early tour but it allows you to beat the crowds. By the time we were done at Chichen Itza, it was getting crowded. Same with the Cenote. Lunch in Valladolid was great. Highly recommend this tour. Thanks Arturo!

Michael · Apr 2024

100% Worth the Money Went on the Chichen Itza private tour with another couple. Our guide was Alex and our driver was Omar. If you’re lucky, you’ll get these guys. They were total pros and we never had any worries at all during the day! Our pickup was early at the hotel and on time. Alex gave us an outline of what the day would…

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100% Worth the Money
Went on the Chichen Itza private tour with another couple. Our guide was Alex and our driver was Omar. If you’re lucky, you’ll get these guys. They were total pros and we never had any worries at all during the day!
Our pickup was early at the hotel and on time. Alex gave us an outline of what the day would entail while Omar drove in a safe yet efficient manner.
Made a gas station stop on the way and any time we were away from the van, Omar was standing with it and it was a great feeling knowing our belongings were safe.
At Chichen Itza Omar dropped us off at the entrance like rock stars and Alex led us through the already developing long line. We walked right into the site and I was blown away.
Alex was an excellent guide and was fascinating to listen to. We learned so much about the Mayans and the buildings we were lucky enough to get to see. We all felt incredible appreciation for the history and respect for the area and the people who lived there.
We were toured in a very efficient and enthusiastic way by Alex and we were out of there by 11 ish. By then there were literally thousands of people entering the site and an incredible amount of vans and tour buses. Omar had us hooked up near the exit and we were tail lights thankfully. It’s a pretty big crowd by noon.
We then went to the Cenote and it was unlike anything we’d ever seen before. We had a refreshing swim in there and then headed to lunch.
We had a wonderful lunch at the restaurant in town and it was really nice to have Alex join us.
We weren’t really into the idea of going to a market since we’re not really into that kind of thing and we’d already gotten anything we wanted at the Chichen Itza site, so one of the benefits of this private tour was we had the ability to skip it.
On the way back we had a few beers and then learned there was a protest on our route back. No problem-o. Omar knew a route we could take to get us back without getting jammed up in a protest.
We got back to our hotel, got a group photo and we all talked the next day about what an absolutely fantastic experience this was.
Make it happen folks. This is the way to do it. Zero regrets, and we’ll be sure to be taking the same route for any future tours if we’re in the area again.
Thanks again Omar & Alex! You guys made it such a fantastic day! We’ll always remember it with nothing but positive memories!

Scott · Apr 2024

Do not let the price of the private tour scare you away. Well worth the price even for family of 3. It is far and above worth the price-quality of tour, one on one interaction, ease of booking, travel accommodations, communication from company, or ANY special requests (departure time , breakfast choices, staying longer at Chichén Itzá or cenote). Joshua our guide and Omar our…

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Do not let the price of the private tour scare you away. Well worth the price even for family of 3. It is far and above worth the price-quality of tour, one on one interaction, ease of booking, travel accommodations, communication from company, or ANY special requests (departure time , breakfast choices, staying longer at Chichén Itzá or cenote). Joshua our guide and Omar our driver were wonderful. Joshua is knowledgable and informative. Clearly enjoys his work! The day starts early to avoid the long wait time to get into the park -on leaving the park saw a very long line of buses and cars. Then plenty of time for a very refreshing swim at a cenote and lunch in Valladolid. Breakfast , water , soda and snacks provided. Returned early evening to our hotel in Cancun for dinner. Highly recommend! Had NO safety concerns.

Geraldine · Mar 2024

I read the amazing reviews before booking with this company and they definitely did not disappoint! I can definitely say that they deserve their 5 star rating! They picked us up from our hotel right at 6am, and started our way to Chichen Itza (we stopped in they way for some coffee and breads as a light breakfast), then Joshua gave us an amazing very…

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I read the amazing reviews before booking with this company and they definitely did not disappoint! I can definitely say that they deserve their 5 star rating! They picked us up from our hotel right at 6am, and started our way to Chichen Itza (we stopped in they way for some coffee and breads as a light breakfast), then Joshua gave us an amazing very knowledgeable tour in Chichen Itza, constantly changing between Spanish and English to accommodate all my family.
After Chichen Itza we went to swim at the Cenote and then to have a delicious lunch at a wonderful restaurant in Valladolid. We had an amazing day and would recommend them to everyone!

Ayesha · Mar 2024

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Chichen Itza Cenote tour private or shared?

This is a private tour, just for you and your group.

You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.

Is the driver also the guide?

No. The driver and guide are two different professionals.

All our tours include a dedicated driver and a separate certified guide. 

While some companies offer a guide-driver, we believe this is not safe. Having a driver focused solely on the road and a guide fully dedicated to our guests ensures a safer and higher-quality experience.

How long is the drive to Chichen Itza?

The drive to Chichen Itza from the coast takes approximately 2 hours and 30 to 40 minutes.

Our professional drivers always respect speed limits to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone.

Pickup & transport

Is transportation included from my hotel or Airbnb?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. We’ll pick you up right from your hotel, resort, or Airbnb for a stress-free start to your day.

Please note: we don’t offer pick up from Cancun Playa Mujeres hotels unless your group has 6 or more adults.

What vehicles do you use for your tours?

We offer a range of modern, air-conditioned vans to suit the size of your group and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Visit our fleet page for more details.

Can I change the pick up time?

Yes, you’re welcome to choose your preferred pick-up time when booking.

That said, we recommend an early morning start to help you beat the crowds, skip the traffic, and enjoy cooler temperatures—it really makes a difference!

Activities & facilities

Can we make bathroom stops on the way?

Yes, absolutely! There are 1 or 2 bathroom stops available along the way at gas stations and convenience stores, where you can take a break whenever needed.

How much walking is there at the Chichen Itza ruins?

During the guided visit at Chichen Itza, we typically spend about 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes exploring the site.

We go at your own pace, taking breaks whenever needed to ensure your comfort.

If you wish, we can also adjust the visit to be shorter or longer depending on your preferences.

Our goal is to make the experience as enjoyable and flexible as possible for you.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

You can view the list of cenotes available for this tour under the ‘Tour Description and General Info’ tab, where you'll also find links to full descriptions of each cenote.

Unless you've already made your choice, you can decide which cenote to visit together with your tour guide on the day of your tour.

Is swimming experience required for this tour?

No previous swimming experience is required.

We provide mandatory life vests, and our guide ensures a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.

Are there showers or changing rooms at the cenote?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.

Planning & booking

What should I bring for the tour? Where can I leave my belongings?

Check the "What to bring" tab on the tour page for the full packing list.

Essentials include swimwear, a towel and comfortable shoes.

You can safely leave your belongings in the van—our driver stays with it the entire time while you're out enjoying the activities.

Are vegetarian or special dietary meals available?

Yes, we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs or allergies.

After booking, you can let us know your needs by filling out the check-in form—just follow the link in your booking confirmation email.

What is the cancellation policy?

Go ahead and plan with confidence—your booking is fully flexible!

You can cancel free of charge or reschedule (subject to availability) up to 24 hours before your tour.

We’re a small team and often fully booked 1–2 weeks in advance, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.

Bonus: if you book at least 2 months in advance (60 days), you’ll qualify for our early bird discount*!

For full details, check out our booking policy page.

More questions?

Visit our main FAQ page or contact us by email, WhatsApp or via chat, we're happy to help!

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Coupon terms & conditions

EARLY2MONTHS — 10% off
Book at least 60 days before your tour date.

MULTITOUR — 10% off
Book at least 2 tours in one transaction.

If part of a multi-tour booking is canceled and only one tour remains, the discount becomes void and the remaining balance will be adjusted.

Enter your coupon code at checkout.

Tour photos

MAKE IT YOUR DAY

Book with Confidence

Chichen Itza and Cenote Tour

Choose your date, number of guests and pickup location to see your exact price.

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.