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.
Lorraine –
Thank you to Arturo and Omar for a wonderful day today. Arturo was an outstanding guide. He was so knowledgeable and engaging. Omar was a safe driver and drove us down many back roads so we saw the culture of the places we visited. We are so grateful that we booked this tour. Way to go guys!
Catherine –
Best experience ever! Alex and Omar were so kind and patient. Alex was incredibly informative about chichen and Mayan history. Every thing was seamless and very organized. Got to chichen early so it was cool and less crowded. Also was able to get some amazing photos. Had the best meal we had this trip in Vallodolid. Definitely a must and worth the price. Thank you Alex and Omar!
Anita –
A trip we will always remember!
Our sons (8) and (10) can’t stop talking about our trip to Chichen Itza. Our tour guide, Joshua, answered all of their questions and made the tour interesting for all of us! The entire day was seamless and well planned out! We would definitely recommend!!!! Especially with Joshua!
tbust-moves1 –
My family cannot be more pleased with our experience with Absolute Adventures. Booking was easy and the information provided on their website was very accurate. They kept in touch as our scheduled tour approached. Our guide Alex and driver Omar were great. Alex was awesome! He was very welcoming and he made sure my family was included in the experience. What impressed me was his knowledge of Chichen Itza and the passion he has for what he does! We were very impressed with his attention to the history of the site, the culture of the people, and making sure my family was good! It is refreshing to experience someone who truly loves what they do! Thank you to Alex, Omar, and Absolute Adventure.
Travel61912345 –
Wonderful private tour of Chichen Itza
We really enjoyed our visit to Chichen Itza. Our guide Alex and driver Omar put us at ease right away. We learned so much on the drive there which made seeing the ruins much more meaningful and interesting.
The Cenote swim was lovely and lunch was fun. It was great to get there early ahead of the crowds and the heat.
All round a great day!
Julie F –
We had a wonderful experience to Chichen Itza with Juan! He was extremely knowledgeable and kept our two teenage sons interested the entire time. We had to make an unexpected stop and Juan and our driver were very flexible and accommodating. I highly recommend this company!
Vacation305967 –
Amazing tour and tour guide!
Our tour guide was Arturo! He was absolutely amazing! Arturo was very knowledgeable, patient and kind. He also took amazing pics of me and my group I’m so glad we booked this tour it was an amazing experience! We learned a lot about the Mayan culture and the history of Chichen Itza! Since we left so early in the morning we were able to avoid all the crowds! I highly recommend this tour!
Vy –
If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable way to explore the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, I highly recommend booking a private tour with this company. The tour was well-organised, informative, and fun!
Our guide Juan was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the site, and he answered all our questions with enthusiasm. He also took us to some hidden spots that were not crowded with tourists, and we got to see some amazing views and details that we would have missed otherwise.
The private tour also included a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, and a refreshing swim at a nearby cenote. The whole experience was worth every penny, and we learned so much about the fascinating civilisation that once thrived there. This was definitely the highlight of our trip, and we are so glad we chose this option.
Craig –
Great experience! Great gude!
We visited Chichen Izta 22 years ago and decided to revisit. Such a remarkable place. Our guide and driver were very professional and very knowledgeable. Joshua and Enrique took very good care of us. My wife has limited mobility and they made sure we had enough time to enjoy all our activities. We went to a cenote and then to a nice lunch at a local restaurant in Valladolid. After that we had free time to shop and look around the main plaza.
But what sold us on this particular guide service is that they are a small local business that does it right. They will customize a tour to fit whatever you want to do. We highly recommend this company. Thanks again to Joshua and Enrique.
David –
You can’t go wrong choosing this company!
Honestly, it was an absolutely fabulous day out. Joshua (tour guide) and Enrique (driver) were great. We had the best time ever! Thank you guys
Robert –
Great family experience
Joshua was so patient with our family and provided great information on all the spots we visited but especially Chichen Itza. And our driver Rodrigo got us around safely and on time! I highly recommend starting EARLY. We left Playa del Carmen at 6:15 and arrived at Chichen Itza just before the gates opened at 8am. No lines! On our way out, a couple of hours later the line of vans and buses was sooo long. And the site was very crowded. And we got back to our hotel in time to shower and get ready for our dinner reservation. I also like that we could adjust our day as we went. We opted for more time at Chichen Itza and the Cenote (also very few people and GORGEOUS) and less time at Valladolid. I would highly recommend this tour!
Cathie –
Wonderful experience!
Juan was the best guide we have experienced! Efficient, Informative, great personality, just an overall perfect tour. My whole family was taken care of down to every little detail! I will definitely be booking another tour and will be requesting Juan! Thank you for a wonderful day!
Dylan –
Using Absolute Adventure for a Chichen Itza tour is a no-brainer. They get you there early and have a plan of attack that avoids lines and crowds as much as possible. We were appalled at the sea of humanity that was in line to get in as we were done for the day and leaving. Plus, we gained so much more knowledge than if we had been on our own.
Sanjay –
Just like they promised!
This was an incredible, personal, and educational experience. Enrique got us from place to place safely and Alex is an excellent guide. Knowledgeable and friendly. One can tell he really cares about the material and the beauty and wonder that the Mayan civilization represents. This also was NOT a tour that puts you in a position to visit stores or tequila tastings. Just exactly what they promise. The cenote is an amazing geological destination. Will definitely use Absolute Adventures again and highly recommend!
Anitha –
Private tour of Chichen Itza with Josh
We had a private tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid with Joshua. Incredibly nice tour guide. Very knowledgeable. In the morning, coffee and bread was included. Lunch was included, not too bad but small portions so beware of that. Snacks and beverages were included on bus. Our tour started at 6:30 am, recommend going early before the crowds. Definitely recommend Josh.
Brady –
Juan was an amazing tour guide. He was considerate, knowledgeable, friendly, and very fun! He helped us beat the crowds of ppl and provided us an easy and awesome experience. Would 100% book with him again.
Bonnie –
Amazing and Memorable tour of Chichen Itza
My husband and I booked a private tour to Chichen Itza and what an amazing experience it was! We had the pleasure of having Alex as our guide, who is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also very interesting with a wonderful personality. We learned so much from him! The tour itself is timed perfectly, allowing for sufficient time at all of our destinations. Additionally, our driver Omar is amazing and made us feel safe the entire trip.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Claire for being super timely and responsive to all the questions I had prior to booking. We will definitely be scheduling all future tours with Absolute Adventure!
Jake –
Great tour of Chichen Itza, local cenote and restaurant/town. Tour guide and driver were incredible, would definitely recommend!
Bryon –
Incredible experiences! We had Alex (Alejandro) as our tour guide for two days and Omar as our driver. Alex knew exactly how to get us to all the sites when no one else was there and was able to work with us to pick the best cenotes to visit. The food at both the Valladolid restaruant (for Chichen) and the jungle (for Tulum/Akumal/cenotes) was AMAZING! Seriously cannot say enough about how attentive Claire was with needs like a booster seat/drinks, etc.. and how amazing our experiences were. Getting up early and having your own private van (so we could stop for snacks, etc..) and the RIGHT GUIDE is everything.
Doug –
Great trip beautifully orchestrated
We had a superb experience. We were staying at a lovely resort in Riviera Maya. We booked this trip via TripAdvisor because of the superb reviews. I had some concerns in advance because we were devoting a full day to this and needed it to be worthwhile. It was great. The tour operator (and this was run by owners, not just a broker) did a great job communicating with us in advance. We were picked up at their recommendation at 6:45 which was a great idea because we stayed just ahead of throngs of tourists on Thanksgiving Day – they were pouring in as we were leaving both Chichén Itza and the Cenote. Our guide, Carlos, was a joy. He was super knowledgeable and a great communicator (impeccable English in our case). He’d been to CI thousands of times but there was nothing rote about how he guided us during the day. CI was about 2.5 hours from our resort, so it was a long day, but it was worth it. CI is breathtaking and the Cenote experience was easy and a lot of fun. The lunch was quite good. The whole day was paced just right. Great value, great guide, great day.