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.
Amanda Cable –
If you’re looking for a private tour of the Mayan ruins and cenotes, stop searching and book with Absolute Adventure. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
We visited Chichén Itzá and a beautiful cave cenote with our guide, Arturo, and driver, Omar. Arturo was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain the history, traditions, and deeply rooted Mayan culture with genuine respect for the sites. We left with such a greater appreciation and understanding of the land, the people, and the history than we ever expected. GET THERE EARLY! Beat the crowds and heat.
We originally requested a specific cenote, but Arturo suggested a different cave cenote that would be much less crowded while offering the same incredible experience. He made it clear the choice was ours, and we’re so glad we trusted his recommendation. He was absolutely right! There were only two other people there when we arrived, and at one point it was just my husband and me swimming in the cave. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A huge thank you to Omar as well for getting us everywhere safely, especially driving through a heavy rainstorm on our way back. He was friendly, professional, and made the day completely stress-free.
One of our favorite parts of the tour was enjoying lunch together at a local restaurant, where we had delicious food, including traditional Mayan dishes. Spending time talking with Arturo and Omar made the experience feel even more authentic and personal.
We can’t recommend this private tour enough. Arturo and Omar made an amazing team, and if you have the opportunity to book them together, do it—you won’t regret it!
monica roush –
The best tour and transportation to Chichanitza. The van is perfect and comfortable for a family of 4-6. Our driver, Ron was super efficient. Our Guide Eddy was like family. We left early enough to start our tour when they opened at 8am. We got a nice history of all the buildings-much more than other tours seemed to be experiencing. We were done by 10 and headed to cool off at a Cenote. We had an intimate and authentic lunch in Valladolid. Such a great almost private experience. Highly recommend. We will be back.
Packer –
Excellent trip with an extremely knowledgeable guide. I would thoroughly recommend them. Excellent tour with Luis our guide and Omar our driver. So much history and information condensed into a day. We all had a wonderful time and learnt and saw so much. Chichen Itza was beautiful and the Cenotes were amazing to swim in. Delicious lunch in a nice cool restaurant. Thank you LuisExcellent trip with an extremely knowledgeable guide. I would thoroughly recommend them.
Christopher G –
Chichen Itza and surrounding area. A fantastic day out with Eddy. Incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. We really felt we had a genuine authority explaining the archeology, the Mayans, and the dynamic of the local area. Topped off with the best Mexican lunch of our trip. Access the sites was very fast and very VIP. Can’t recommend too highly.Chichen Itza and surrounding area.
Gillian S –
Great day out. Great trip. Friendly and well informed guide (Eddie) making the day very enjoyable.Great day out.
Loxy1 –
An amazing authentic tour. We had a fantastic day at Chichén Itzá and Oxman cenote with Absolute Adventure. We chose to do the private tour, which was more expensive, but it was worth it and was one of the highlights of our holiday.
Luis, our guide, was brilliant. His knowledge was amazing, but what really impressed us was his passion for conservation, Mayan history and culture, and the pride he has in his country. He brought everything to life and we learned so much.
Chichén Itzá had a magical feel to it and we loved learning about it.
The cenote was absolutely stunning and it was the perfect way to cool down after the heat of Chichén Itzá.
Luis went above and beyond to help us take some amazing photos. Instead of the usual “stand in a line and smile”, he suggested creative and unique poses that have given us some wonderful memories to take home.
Our driver, Omar, was equally excellent. He was a very careful, considerate driver, and we felt completely comfortable throughout the journey.
We were provided with cold drinks, snacks and a delicious authentic meal, all of which made the day even more enjoyable.
Thank you to Luis, Omar and everyone at Absolute Adventure for such a memorable experience. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Mexico, and if you’re considering the private tour, we can honestly say it is well worth the extra cost.An amazing authentic tour.
FadoraTheAdventurer –
Great adventure!The tour was great! Josh and Omar were great! Safe driving and attentive. Josh was knowledgeable about the history and a great guide. The Canote Oxman was nice, and not crowded. Totally recommended!Great adventure!
Geraldine –
My friends and I booked a private tour to Chichen Itza and Cenote Oxman with Absolute Adventure including lunch. Our tour guide was Josh and driver Omar. We had a wonderful and informative tour. They picked us up on time. And we learned a lot about the Mayan and Mexican culture. Josh answered all our questions. We highly recommend this tour company and tour guide and driver.
Diane H –
An absolutely magical experienceI can’t say enough good things about our experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico! Our guide Josh and driver Enrique were kind, professional, and knowledgeable. The day itself was absolutely perfect, with thoughtful touches like cold drinks and snacks provided in the van.
The day started early, which was great because we arrived at Chichén Itzá before the tour buse and crowds, and before the blazing hot afternoon sun. We spent about two hours on the tour of the ruins, which was perfect. Josh knew a ton about the history and culture and was eager to share his knowledge.
After the ruins, we went to the cenote to swim. We were offered the choice of a larger, more well-known cenote and a smaller one that was a bit quieter. We chose the quieter one, which was enclosed inside a cave. It was absolutely magical. The water was very cool and clear and there were very few other visitors. It was really like nothing we had ever experienced.
After the refreshing swim, we went to a small restaurant in the town of Valladolid. We were offered the choice of five different entrées, all of which were superb. The owner of the restaurant was a very friendly woman and the service was great. She actually gave us fresh mangoes from her mango tree.
Following lunch, we had about 30 minutes to walk around the main square in the town. We got some delicious ice cream and checked out the cathedral on the square.
We arrived back at our hotel at about 5 PM, very tired and very satisfied. The private tours may be more expensive than some of the larger tours that take buses, but the service is tailored toward your interests, and all of the ticketing is taken care of before you go so there is no waiting in line at any of the attractions and no added costs because everything is included (except a tip). Because we were in a group of five people, the whole day felt like a really interesting conversation instead of a formal tour.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, but be aware that there is quite a bit of walking and you have to be OK with very hot weather. We wore sun protective clothing to the ruins, which worked very well. Lots of people also had sun umbrellas, which was also a great idea.An absolutely magical experience
Diane H –
I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico! Our guide Josh and driver Enrique were kind, professional, and knowledgeable. The day itself was absolutely perfect, with thoughtful touches like cold drinks and snacks provided in the van.
The day started early, which was great because we arrived at Chichén Itzá before the tour buse and crowds, and before the blazing hot afternoon sun. We spent about two hours on the tour of the ruins, which was perfect. Josh knew a ton about the history and culture and was eager to share his knowledge.
After the ruins, we went to the cenote to swim. We were offered the choice of a larger, more well-known cenote and a smaller one that was a bit quieter. We chose the quieter one, which was enclosed inside a cave. It was absolutely magical. The water was very cool and clear and there were very few other visitors. It was really like nothing we had ever experienced.
After the refreshing swim, we went to a small restaurant in the town of Valladolid. We were offered the choice of five different entrées, all of which were superb. The owner of the restaurant was a very friendly woman and the service was great. She actually gave us fresh mangoes from her mango tree.
Following lunch, we had about 30 minutes to walk around the main square in the town. We got some delicious ice cream and checked out the cathedral on the square.
We arrived back at our hotel at about 5 PM, very tired and very satisfied. The private tours may be more expensive than some of the larger tours that take buses, but the service is tailored toward your interests, and all of the ticketing is taken care of before you go so there is no waiting in line at any of the attractions and no added costs because everything is included (except a tip). Because we were in a group of five people, the whole day felt like a really interesting conversation instead of a formal tour.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, but be aware that there is quite a bit of walking and you have to be OK with very hot weather. We wore sun protective clothing to the ruins, which worked very well. Lots of people also had sun umbrellas, which was also a great idea.
ShelleyDB –
Awesome Josh and driver KiAmazing day. Very knowledgeable and lovely guide and driver. Very clear on plans , schedule and options. Was an absolute pleasure to work with Josh again. Ki had an immaculate mini van that was very comfortable ✨✨✨Awesome Josh and driver Ki
Roxanne S –
Awesome experienceLuis and Rodrigo were excellent. Luis is very knowledgeable and will share information you didn’t know. This tour was excellent and our entire family enjoyed it.
I would definitely go again.Awesome experience
John –
WOW! Where to begin?! We had a GREAT experience with Absolute Adventures. A quick overview —
Guide: Josh (Joshua)
Driver: Kiki (Enrique – sp?)
Tour: Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid
Everything from start to finish was really outstanding — from pick-up to drop-off.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about Chichen Itza and provided SO much history, cultural background, and insight during the guided tour. I honestly can’t imagine if we had just gone on our own and tried to explore the site without our guide. Just as we finished at Chichen Itza, it began to rain… I mean, like tropical storm rain. It poured! But, Josh and Kiki were right there in it with us.
Next, we went to Xkeken cenote. Usually there is a choice of cenotes on the tour, but due to the rain and storm, it was recommended that we do Xkeken, since it is a cave cenote. Our guide explained that there would be a chance that the other cenote option would be closed due to the storms. All said, the Xkeken was great. We were able to stay there about an hour before heading to Valladolid for lunch and shopping.
Lunch was fabulous. Unfortunately the rain continued, so after spending some time in the town center area, we looked like wet dogs and were completely water logged. But, from there, it was the return trip to our resort. So, we had about 2 1/2 hours to dry out and relax.
I would HANDS DOWN use Absolute Adventures again. Thanks to Josh and Kiki for giving us an excursion to remember and talk about for years to come!
Lia –
We took a private tour to Chichen-Itza, cenote and Valladolid. Our guide Arturo and the driver Enrique were extremely nice, tanks to them for such a wonderful experience. We came at 8am to Chichen-Itza so in places we were the only one, in the cenote (we asked for Arturo’s recommendation), was incredible, again, no one there. And after enjoyed the local cuisine in Valladolid. Definitely would love to repeat this tour or choose another with same company.
Jordan –
My wife and I did the private chichen itza, cenote, Valladolid tour with absolute Mexico on Friday May 15 2026.
Everything was incredible, our tour guide Eddy, his knowledge was nothing short of extraordinary, we learned so much, many things I had never considered or thought about before. We got to the ruins before it even opened which allowed us to get inside the second they opened, explore the entire available ruins when it was practically empty and vendors were just setting up. By the time we left, the tour busses were just arriving, which meant the cenote we visited was also empty and ours to explore ourselves since the other big tours were still at chichen itza. Lunch in Valladolid was exceptional too and the town is absolute beautiful.
The driver was also extremely good and got us everywhere correctly and safely.
I highly recommend absolute adventure mexico for any tours you want to do, it will be an easy, laid back, stress-free day where everything goes smooth and perfect. I learned so much and I never thought I’d get the opportunity to see chichen itza.
Thank you again absolute adventure mexico!! And also a special thanks to our guide Eddy and our driver Enrique!
Jen –
We had an absolutely incredible full-day tour with Arturo and his driver, and I can’t recommend this company highly enough.
From the moment they picked us up, everything was seamless, professional, and right on time. Our driver was exceptional—smooth, safe, and so comfortable to ride with that everyone in our group commented on what a wonderful driver he was throughout the day.
Arturo was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and full of interesting information, while also being completely happy to move at our pace and let us enjoy each experience without feeling rushed. He chose a delicious restaurant for lunch and made some excellent recommendations for our table that we all loved.
And the cenote experience… absolutely breathtaking. We ended up being the only people at the cenote we chose for most of our time there, and getting to swim in that kind of peaceful, almost sacred silence was something I’ll never forget.
Overall, this was a first-class experience from start to finish. Wonderful people, excellent service, and memories we’ll treasure forever. I would recommend Arturo and his team to anyone without hesitation!
Natalie –
We had a fantastic trip to Chichen Itza, one of the Cenotes and Valladolid with our guide Dulce and driver Omar. Dulce was so knowledgeable and really lovely. A huge thank you to Omar who safely got us from A to B kept us hydrated and cool throughout the heat. Would 100% recommend Absolute Adventure to anyone looking for a private tour in Mexico. Thank you Dulce & Omar for looking after us!
Caitlin –
We booked two tours with Absolute Adventire, chichen itza and cenote and the reef tour. Our guide JJ and driver Josmar were both absolutely fantastic from start to finish. I love that everything is included (even lunch), meaning we didn’t have to worry about anything throughout the days. With a group of 2 adults and 6 older teenagers/young adults this meant less stress for myself and my husband which is a huge win. We also love that we had the same guide and driver for both excursions! I would recommend both tours and Absolute Adventure again and again.
Ian C –
Excellent touWe had a great tour with Luis and Yosmar. Luis in particular was extremely knowledgeable and was able to find all of the ideal spots and point out the intricacies.
Garrett –
Louis Arturo and Omar thank you for the amazing trip to Chichen Itza!!! Great tour!!