Chichen Itza and Cenote Tour
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
Scroll down for detailed info, inclusions and itinerary.
Book your tour now and if your plans happen to change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to the tour!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Private Tours You May Like
- Chichen Itza Only Private Tour: Focus exclusively on the ruins with a personalized guided experience.
- Chichen Itza & Valladolid Private Tour: Explore the ruins and enjoy Valladolid’s colonial charm without the cenote swim.
- Chichen Itza Equinox Private Tour: Visit during the March or September equinox to witness the iconic serpent shadow phenomenon at El Castillo.
- Tulum & Cenote Private Tour: Discover the stunning Tulum ruins combined with a refreshing cenote swim.
- Ek Balam & Cenote Private Tour: Explore the less crowded Ek Balam ruins where you can climb the main pyramid, plus enjoy a dip in a beautiful nearby cenote.
- Coba & Cenote Private Tour: Visit the impressive Coba ruins and cool off in a secluded cenote.
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay 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
- Chichen Itza — 210 min
- Cenote swim — 75 min
- Lunch in Valladolid — 75 min
- 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
* It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or
snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution in the cenotes, even if
they are biodegradable products. Compliance with this rule is essential
for the protection of the environment.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone,
camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you
can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always
be in the van, so keeping your things safe!
331 reviews for Chichen Itza and Cenote Tour
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FAQ Chichen Itza Cenote Private Tour
You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
No previous swimming experience is required.
We provide mandatory life vests, and our guide ensures a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.
Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.
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.
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.
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.
Allison –
Incredible experience today with Absolute Adventures doing a 2-person private tour to Chichen Itza, Cenote (Oxman), Valladolid and a stop for restaurant lunch. Thanks to our wonderful guide, Josh, and our driver, Kike, we arrived FIRST (!!) at the gate to enter Chichen Itza and managed to get several photos with no other tourists in the background. Awesome!! They picked us up at our hotel in Playa Del Carmen at 6:15AM in the morning – and we still managed to stop for free coffee/juice/pastries and a bathroom break on the way. Thanks again to our guide Joshua who taught us a lot about the history of Chichen Itza and the surrounding area! Highly recommend – do not hesitate to book!
Gayle –
Very informative and fun- Worth it to get there early!
It was SO worth it to book VIP and private. We got in right as it opened so we beat all the crowds inside the ruins and the long line of cars just trying to get in the area. Seeing the ruins was an amazing experience. We went to Cenote Samula and it was beautiful and not too crowded. We stopped and had a delicious authentic Mayan dinner in Valladolid. They had a great mezcal selection as well.
Arturo was very kind, informative and respectful and had a nice soothing tour guide voice.
Omar was also a great driver.
Angela –
Chris and Enrique were wonderful. Very chill, down to earth and knowledgeable. Appreciated Chris getting us in to Chichen Itza and moving ahead of the crowds. Highly recommend this tour
Ethan –
This private tour was everything my family could have hoped for and more. Arturo was an excellent tour guide and took very good care of us. His English was great, and he did a great job communicating all of the information we needed throughout the day.
Mitch –
Chris and his team took amazing care of us, and knows how to beat the crowds!
Jamie –
We had a grear time! Definitely worth going on the private tour. Would definitely recommend!
Yuval –
We did two tours on two separate days. The 3 cenotes one near tulum first and the chichen itza plus 1 cenote and lunch in Valladolid the next day. Both were amazing and worth every penny. We had Arturo for both days and he was really great together with the driver Omar. His knowledge of chichen itza is second to none and the cenotes he helped us pick were incredible. Lunch at Valladolid was the cherry on the top, it really was authentic and delicious!
Bethany –
Don’t think twice – book it!
The reviews don’t lie! This is the best tour we’ve ever been on. Our guide, Alex, and driver, Omar, were fantastic. It was just our family (4 of us) and it was like having our own history professor along for the ride. Alex knows so much about Mayan history and culture, and spent a ton of time answering our questions and explaining the significance of what we were seeing.
We were so glad we got to Chichen Itza early, as Alex knew exactly where to go for the best family photos before the crowds arrived. We couldn’t believe how long the line was when we left!!! Alex took my husband to see some more ruins on the site while my daughters and I shopped, and then Omar had the van ready to go when we were done. I really don’t think we would have fully appreciated the culture and the symbolism in what we were seeing if we hadn’t had Alex there with us.
Then we went to Cenote Samula – they said we could choose a different one, but this is the one they recommended because it’s not crowded. They were right! There were only a couple of other people in the cenote when we got there, and we had all the time we wanted in it. I hate cold water, and this water wasn’t bad. It was refreshing, but not uncomfortably cold.
Then the restaurant we went to for lunch was fantastic. A totally nondescript, authentic restaurant with great service. Alex joined us and we got to talk even more about Mexico.
By that time we were pretty exhausted, but we stopped in the town to check out the oldest church in Mexico, and then headed back to our hotel. I LOVED that our schedule was our own – we didn’t have to wait for anyone else or rush through anything because the whole tour was just ours.
There are some destinations that are fine DIY, but I highly recommend booking a guided, private tour for Chichen Itza. The driving, navigating, tolls, etc., are theirs to worry about, not yours.
I want to especially thank Omar and Alex for their professionalism. They really made the tour even more amazing for all of us!
Roberto –
Amazing guides. Great private tour company in the Riviera Maya!
Joshua our tour guide and Enrique our driver were amazing. Joshua was very knowledgeable and gave us an amazing tour of Chichen Itzá. Followed by a visit to an amazing Cenote and ended with a delicious lunch at a true authentic Yucatán food restaurant. They were on time and were paying attention to every single detail to make sure we had an amazing experience.
Jeff –
Great guide, a terrific day trip to our visit and good for families.
Our families had a fantastic day with Arturo as our guide. Besides being warm and friendly he is extremely knowledgable about all that you are seeing and experiencing and makes sure he moves at the pace you would like to go.
We had teenagers with us and he made sure they were included and were enjoying the tour.
Our afternoon lunch after the ruins was a top notch local restaurant that gave you an authentic taste of this part of Mexico and was yummy.
I would highly recommend this tour to our family and friends and I hope your guide is a terrific as Arturo.
Barbara –
The tour was a success. Joshua was an excellent tour guide and shared the history of the Mayans and the Toltecs in great detail. He was organized and informed us step by step along the way. He was respectful, kind and made sure our experience was excellent.
Enrique was an excellent driver. He got us everywhere we needed to go safely. He picked us up on time and was ready to go to the next stop. He was also very respectful and kind.
They both came prepared with drinks and offered us water throughout the day to make sure we were hydrated and comfortable.
It was a splendid day and we are thankful that both Joshua and Enrique were there to make it an amazing day!
Jasha –
Our tour of Chichen Itza and the Samula Cenote was terrific from start to finish. We were a group of eight: four children (ages 9, 9, 14, and 15) and four adults.
Lisa –
Chichenitza and Cenote tour
Our tour guide Arturo was professional and friendly, which made the drive comfortable for our 11 friends and family. Our Mayan ruins tour and cenote experience was enjoyable, safe and very insightful. It’s a perfect day trip from Cancun.
Meghan –
Great excursion from Cancun!
Arturo, our guide, and Omar, our driver were the best choice for our group. We got a great history and tour of Chichen Itza and then the cenote was a highlight for us (2 non-swimmers were made to feel safe and had fun in the water). We recommend!
Terranaut247 –
Simply Amazing Chichén Itzá Experience!
I searched online for a comprehensive, value-conscious private Chichén Itzá tour for me and my girlfriend. I came across the Absolute Adventure Mexico site, because it was one of the few that listed options originating from Cancún. I’ll be honest, I had no prior experience with them, but the website was very good at promoting exactly what they offered, and the price seemed appropriate for the experience offered.
I chose the private Chichén Itzá tour which included a tour of the site, 3 location choices for a cenote visit & swim (we chose “Xkeken” and it did NOT disappoint), lunch and free time to visit in the town of Valladolid.
Well, I was “blown away” by the customer service, friendliness and professionalism of our Guide (Joshua) and Driver (Omar) on our August 17, 2024 trip. My girlfriend was very impressed with the service (extra “cool points” for me..haha) as she felt like a “celebrity” having an entire vehicle (clean and in great shape) to ourselves for the transportation. The combination of knowledge, friendliness and professionalism that Joshua and Omar displayed throughout the day confirmed that I had made the right decision in selecting Absolute Adventure Mexico for this most special day for me and my girlfriend. I also want to thank Claire (one of the owners) for her outstanding customer service. My checkin was later in the day, so I was able to communicate with her via WhatsApp to provide a few additional details about where to pick us up at our hotel. I highly recommend contacting Absolute Adventure Mexico when choosing a company to book your excursions in Cancún (or the surrounding area). I am referring them to any of my friends who visit looking for a great experience. I visit often, and I will book my excursions with them in the future!
Muffy –
Knowledgeable and flexible tour
Great tour day, van was clean and Arturo was great with my kids and responsive to our needs. Provided water and snacks and life jackets. He also knew exactly how to avoid crowds.
Paul –
Wonderful experience with fantastic guide
Guide Alex and chauffeur Enrique were absolutely brilliant. Perfect timing, super friendly and
Knowledgeable. Alex explained full of passion about the history of these human and nature wonders. Picked us up early so it was not too crowded at Chitzen
Itza. We enjoyed the interesting discussions along the way and on-site. Gave us a good understanding of the wonderful and amazing Mayan people and culture. The cenote was also an unforgettable experience. The lunch was in a nice local restaurant near Valladolid, we picked the food advised by Alex, it was the best food we had this holiday. Again, if you want the best possible experience with a great guide, ask for Alex, this is the place to go to!
Malyssa –
Amazing experience
Absolutely amazing experience. We left Chichen and passed all of these tour buses coming in. It was so hot by the time we left, could only imagine how miserable the standard tours would be. The guides were passionate and so knowledgeable. I was traveling alone as a Mom with her two kids and always felt safe and in the best hands. We got to go at our own pace and had placed practically to ourselves. Worth e ery penny!
80des –
Amazing sight with friendly knowledgeable guides
Alex and Omar were awesome. They are very friendly extremely knowledgeable and informative they gave us more information than we could ever get by reading all the signs.
This trip was well worth the money. Highly recommend!!!
Ninja –
Outstanding passion and service provided by Alex and Enrique. We had the most amazing time in Chichen itza and swimming in the cenote, followed by one of the best meals we had in Mexico. HIGHLY recommend.