YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Chichen Itza ruins and Valladolid

114 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: Don’t miss this exclusive private tour with a guided visit to the Chichen Itza ruins! Enjoy a stop in the charming colonial city of Valladolid and savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant..
  • 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.
  • Capture Perfect Photos: Be the first to arrive at the best spots for stunning shots.
  • 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 ruins and visit of Valladolid Private Tour

 

How many Wonders of the World have you visited? Adding Chichen Itza to your list is a truly unforgettable experience! As the most famous Mayan archaeological site globally, Chichen Itza invites you to immerse yourself in authentic Mayan culture and history. This private tour to Chichen Itza is ideal for travelers who want the benefits of an expert guided visit combined with the freedom to explore at their own pace.

  1. Self-Paced Guided Visit of Chichen Itza

    During this self-paced guided tour, you’ll have the chance to explore every corner of the site. Your expert guide will take you to the awe-inspiring Kukulkan Pyramid, the Great Ball Game court, the Temple of the Warriors, and several well-preserved platforms that tell the story of ancient Mayan civilization. You’ll also visit the sacred Cenote Sagrado, the Observatory Area, and the oldest sections of the ruins, gaining fascinating insights along the way.

    To ensure you make the most of your visit, your guide will have your entrance tickets ready so you can skip the long lines and start exploring immediately. At the end of the tour, you’ll have some free time to browse the local stalls and shop for authentic souvenirs to remember your visit.

  2. Valladolid & Traditional Yucatec Lunch

    After exploring Chichen Itza, the tour continues to the charming colonial town of Valladolid. Known for its vibrant main marketplace and the impressive San Bernardino de Siena Cathedral and Convent—the second largest convent in the Yucatán—Valladolid offers a delightful cultural experience. Here, you will enjoy a delicious lunch featuring typical Yucatec dishes served at a local restaurant, giving you a true taste of the region’s culinary heritage.

    After lunch, take some free time to wander the colorful streets, admire colonial architecture, visit quaint shops, or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere of this picturesque town.

  3. Tour Logistics & Comfort

    Your private tour to Chichen Itza begins with a convenient hotel pickup by your dedicated guide and private transportation. We start early in the day to help you avoid the crowds and make the most of cooler morning hours. Following your day of exploration and relaxation, you’ll be comfortably returned to your hotel by mid-afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to unwind or enjoy your evening.

     

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
  • All entrance fees and state tax
  • 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:
 10 hours
Physicality:
 Easy
Age:
 All ages
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 & Valladolid

  1. Chichen Itza — 165 min
  2. Lunch in Valladolid — 40 min
  3. 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 and Valladolid, moving at your own pace.
Want a faster tour? Free time can be reduced or skipped; your guide can adjust the pace on the day of the tour.

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

  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 114 tour reviews

Showing reviews 1–9 of 114

We did a private tour to Chichen Itza and it was brilliant. The minibus was really comfortable and stocked with cold drinks and snacks. We stopped along the way for comfort breaks and the journey was nicely broken up by our guide Luis, who shared videos and history of the region and some really interesting wider facts about Mexico. Luis was a brilliant guide and…

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We did a private tour to Chichen Itza and it was brilliant. The minibus was really comfortable and stocked with cold drinks and snacks. We stopped along the way for comfort breaks and the journey was nicely broken up by our guide Luis, who shared videos and history of the region and some really interesting wider facts about Mexico. Luis was a brilliant guide and he was so knowledgable about the site and the wildlife and fauna. We really recommend an early hotel pick up in order to get to Chichen Itza when it opens - much less crowded and comfortable temperature-wise. We also stopped off in Valladolid for some authentic Mexican food and a small tour. We cannot thank our guide, Luis and driver, Enrique enough for such a great experience.

Ben · Aug 2026

Private tour. Our guide and driver were making everything fit for us. We learned a lot and felt in the entire time in good hands.Private tour

Aviv · Aug 2026

Trip1: Chichen Itza ruins and ValladolidAbsolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods,…

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Trip1: Chichen Itza ruins and ValladolidAbsolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods, customs and way of life. Lucky enough to see woodpecker and motmot birds too. As we left the site was crammed with visitors so we were thankful we had the early start. Had a delicious lunch in Valladolid with recommended typical Yucatan cuisine.Fabulous trip, waited a lifetime to see Chichen Itza and was not disappointed. This is a well organised day out and we were really looked after. We have 2 more trips booked this week. Very highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure Mexico.Trip 2: Tequila Tour in the Mayan Jungle with Tulum ruinsWe had the same guide for Tulum that we had for Chichen Itza which was brilliant as he told us about the differences in the old cities and the building types. It was an amazing place. We also got there super early and were the first on site which made for amazing photos and no crowds. They do seem to factor in the best times for heat and crowds.Lunch was really fresh at a lovely restaurant in the jungle. We also did the tequila/mezcal tasting over lunch with insight given into the different types of tequila/mezcal.Another amazing tour.Trip 3: Coba ExpressTook our 3rd trip with Absolute Adventure Mexico during our stay, and what a memorable trip they made. Coba is stunning, the guides are full of knowledge about the history, language and culture. Loved the tricycle taxi around the site, really helps in the heat. Amazing to be able to climb the main temple and see the view across the jungle, well worth the sore knees. Once again the early start proved to be the best tip. Less crowded here than other sites. Guide also told us about newer sites and finds so cannot wait to visit Mexico again.Don't hesitate to book these tours, excellent value and you are well taken care of.

Martin Lindsey · Jul 2026

Brilliant, well organised day trip. Absolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods,…

Read full reviewShow less

Brilliant, well organised day trip. Absolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods, customs and way of life. Lucky enough to see woodpecker and motmot birds too. As we left the site was crammed with visitors so we were thankful we had the early start. Had a delicious lunch in Valladolid with recommended typical Yucatan cuisine.Fabulous trip, waited a lifetime to see Chichen and was not disappointed. This is a well organised day out and we were really looked after. We have 2 more trips booked this week. Very highly recommend booking with Absolute AdventureBrilliant, well organised day trip.

sarahmillie · Jul 2026

Absolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods, customs and way of life.…

Read full reviewShow less

Absolutely superb day visiting Chichen Itza with Arturo. Starting early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat, we were picked up at our hotel (thanks to driver Enrique). It was a long journey but we had stops on the way. Arturo was very knowledgeable, giving us lots of facts, highlighting the key areas, explaining the main gods, customs and way of life. Lucky enough to see woodpecker and motmot birds too. As we left the site was crammed with visitors so we were thankful we had the early start. Had a delicious lunch in Valladolid with recommended typical Yucatan cuisine. Fabulous trip, waited a lifetime to see Chichen and was not disappointed. This is a well organised day out and we were really looked after. We have 2 more trips booked this week. Very highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure

Sarah · Jul 2026

Fantastic tour. We had a fantastic experience with Luis our Guide and Omar our driver. They picked us up on time and Omar was an extremely safe courteous driver. Luis our guide was very knowledgeable and obviously had a love for the Yucatán Peninsula and the Mayan ruins . I highly recommend this tour and if you get.Luis as your guide you will be extremely…

Read full reviewShow less

Fantastic tour. We had a fantastic experience with Luis our Guide and Omar our driver. They picked us up on time and Omar was an extremely safe courteous driver. Luis our guide was very knowledgeable and obviously had a love for the Yucatán Peninsula and the Mayan ruins . I highly recommend this tour and if you get.Luis as your guide you will be extremely happy, this tour was fantasticFantastic tour.

Mike D · Jul 2026

Premium quality trip to Chichen Itza for a fair price. Everything about this excursion was perfect. They arrived right on time. The van was clean and comfortable. Our driver, Rodrigo, let us stop for bathroom breaks and snacks as we wanted. Luis, our guide, was very friendly. He gave us a great explanation of the site on the way there. That allowed us to move…

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Premium quality trip to Chichen Itza for a fair price. Everything about this excursion was perfect. They arrived right on time. The van was clean and comfortable. Our driver, Rodrigo, let us stop for bathroom breaks and snacks as we wanted. Luis, our guide, was very friendly. He gave us a great explanation of the site on the way there. That allowed us to move quickly through the site, but still see everything we wanted, which was great because it was SO hot and humid in July. We got there when it opened, which also helped with the heat. We were in within 5 minutes of arriving and it was busy. Luis made sure we saw all the most important sights, without rushing us, but also checking to make sure we wanted to continue with the heat. Nothing felt like a tourist trap. Every cost was included. Luis did take us to one of his preferred vendors because they had actual quality products. We did buy some souvenirs, but it was because we wanted to and felt like we weren’t being swindled. After we finished we did lunch in Valladolid, which was fantastic. We all loved the food and the 2 vegetarians in the group had several choices. After lunch we chose to do brief sightseeing and souvenir shopping. I was able to quickly find the souvenir I was looking for. We also appreciated learning about the background of the city and region. The entire tour focused on the Mayan culture as well as the ecology of the region. My nieces and nephew commented that they learned more in 1 day than they had learned all year in school (and they’re great students!)I can’t say enough good things about this excursion. It truly was the highlight of this trip and I will absolutely use this company again for other excursions if I’m able to return. The tour was private for our group. The more people that you have join, the cheaper it is per person. But it’s always just who you book in your own group. Totally private.Premium quality trip to Chichen Itza for a fair price.

Jay P · Jul 2026

Our family had an outstanding experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Eddy, our guide, and Enrique, our driver, made the day enjoyable from start to finish.Enrique was punctual, professional, and made the drive comfortable and relaxing. We left our hotel at 6:30 a.m., made one quick coffee stop, and then headed straight to Chichén Itzá, arriving before the larger crowds. His driving was safe throughout the…

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Our family had an outstanding experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Eddy, our guide, and Enrique, our driver, made the day enjoyable from start to finish.Enrique was punctual, professional, and made the drive comfortable and relaxing. We left our hotel at 6:30 a.m., made one quick coffee stop, and then headed straight to Chichén Itzá, arriving before the larger crowds. His driving was safe throughout the day, and we always felt well taken care of.Eddy was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the Maya civilization. He answered every question we had and explained the significance of the sites in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely interesting. We never felt rushed and appreciated being able to explore at our own pace, something you simply don’t get on a large bus tour.Visiting Chichén Itzá and Valladolid with a private guide made all the difference. We avoided the stress of waiting for large groups, had plenty of time for photos, and were able to focus on the places that interested us most. The personalized experience was well worth it.If you’re considering a trip to Chichén Itzá, I highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure Mexico and asking for Eddy as your guide and Enrique as your driver. They provided exceptional service and made this one of the highlights of our vacation.

Cobar Family · Jul 2026

Our family had an outstanding experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Eddy, our guide, and Enrique, our driver, made the day enjoyable from start to finish. Enrique was punctual, professional, and made the drive comfortable and relaxing. We left our hotel at 6:30 a.m., made one quick coffee stop, and then headed straight to Chichén Itzá, arriving before the larger crowds. His driving was safe throughout…

Read full reviewShow less

Our family had an outstanding experience with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Eddy, our guide, and Enrique, our driver, made the day enjoyable from start to finish.

Enrique was punctual, professional, and made the drive comfortable and relaxing. We left our hotel at 6:30 a.m., made one quick coffee stop, and then headed straight to Chichén Itzá, arriving before the larger crowds. His driving was safe throughout the day, and we always felt well taken care of.

Eddy was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the Maya civilization. He answered every question we had and explained the significance of the sites in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely interesting. We never felt rushed and appreciated being able to explore at our own pace, something you simply don’t get on a large bus tour.

Visiting Chichén Itzá and Valladolid with a private guide made all the difference. We avoided the stress of waiting for large groups, had plenty of time for photos, and were able to focus on the places that interested us most. The personalized experience was well worth it.

If you’re considering a trip to Chichén Itzá, I highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure Mexico and asking for Eddy as your guide and Enrique as your driver. They provided exceptional service and made this one of the highlights of our vacation.

Cobar Family · Jun 2026

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Chichen Itza Valladolid 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 does a private Chichen Itza Cenote tour take?

Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.

It typically lasts between 9 to 10 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site. 

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.

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.

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MAKE IT YOUR DAY

Book with Confidence

Chichen Itza ruins and Valladolid

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

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.