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 19–27 of 114

Absolutely excellent. Our guide was thoughtful, knowledgable, kind, helpful, and went above and beyond. Very memorable and beautiful day. Wholeheartedly recommend.

Erik · Mar 2026

The highlight of our trip!Our guide was Eddy, and he was perfect. Friendly, professional, and just so well informed! He answered a million questions with a smile, and chatted through everything with us. Chichen Itza was really brought to life by him, and we had an amazing time. He was also very free with cultural insights about Mexican life both past and present. Thank you…

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The highlight of our trip!Our guide was Eddy, and he was perfect. Friendly, professional, and just so well informed! He answered a million questions with a smile, and chatted through everything with us. Chichen Itza was really brought to life by him, and we had an amazing time. He was also very free with cultural insights about Mexican life both past and present. Thank you Eddy!Our driver was Omar, and he was also excellent on a long drive! Always ready to greet us with a smile and a iced bottle of water!This was our first time using Absolute Adventure, but everything was perfect. Communication, timing, payment, all done perfectly!We will see you all again next time for sure!!

Neil · Mar 2026

We did Chichén Itzá with lunch at Valladolid. It was incredible. Juan and Ivan were nothing but informational and welcoming. I would absolutely recommend it. Juan not only knew so many unique details about the ruins but made our trip even better by knowing all of the locals. This made everything even smoother and knew what to recommend in the area. Thanks to them both!!

Alina · Mar 2026

Just as described and expected, clean and safe transport Rodrigo), knowledgeable guide (Eddy) and beautiful sights. Lunch was very good and ample shopping time was allowed. We got lucky with lovely weather. Arriving early was worth it

Jennifer · Mar 2026

We enjoyed a fabulous day with Juan and Enrique! They arrived at our hotel bright and early (and on time) such that we made it to Chichen Itza early and enjoyed short lines and photos of just us! Juan had already purchased our adult tickets and was well-versed with how to efficiently obtain the children's tickets. He took us on an informative tour, focused on…

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We enjoyed a fabulous day with Juan and Enrique! They arrived at our hotel bright and early (and on time) such that we made it to Chichen Itza early and enjoyed short lines and photos of just us! Juan had already purchased our adult tickets and was well-versed with how to efficiently obtain the children's tickets. He took us on an informative tour, focused on hitting the most populated areas first, and knowing exactly where the shady spots were to learn more about the site.After the tour, they had plenty of cold drinks and snacks in the van ready for us, which was a pleasant and needed treat!The cenote was a stunning and refreshing stop before a delicious lunch in Valladolid.Juan patiently answered all of our questions and was incredibly knowledgeable. Enrique was a great driver and kept us all safe. They're a great team!I would absolutely book another trip with Absolute Adventure Mexico next time we're in Cancun!!

Adele · Mar 2026

Super well organised and Dulce (our guide) was amazing!Dulce was extremely nice with us: she even spoke to us in Italian even though the tour was booked in English!Everything was well organised. They answered to our questions on WhatsApp in real time and were very clear and transparent. It was amazing to arrive to chichen itza before the doors even opened, avoiding the heat and…

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Super well organised and Dulce (our guide) was amazing!Dulce was extremely nice with us: she even spoke to us in Italian even though the tour was booked in English!Everything was well organised. They answered to our questions on WhatsApp in real time and were very clear and transparent. It was amazing to arrive to chichen itza before the doors even opened, avoiding the heat and the long queues. The explanations were complete and interesting. The lunch was good. I just wish they gave us a guided tour in Valladolid as well instead of leaving us free to walk around, but apart from this little suggestion everything else was perfect!

vi · Mar 2026

Was patient with our group of 5 women and answered all our questions throughout the day. Gave us advice so that we weren't overwhelmed with the vendors And had cool drinks in the shuttle. Was overall an excellent experience

Lisa · Feb 2026

i had an amazing experience would 10/10 recommend

Jayme · Feb 2026

We had clear communication from the time of booking (while still in the UK) up to our private tour.Cristina and Yos picked us up on time in a nice clean mini bus, stocked with cold drinks and snacks.As it was a private tour we could stop when we wanted on the long, but comfortable drive to Chichen Itza. We arrived before the crowds and had…

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We had clear communication from the time of booking (while still in the UK) up to our private tour.Cristina and Yos picked us up on time in a nice clean mini bus, stocked with cold drinks and snacks.As it was a private tour we could stop when we wanted on the long, but comfortable drive to Chichen Itza. We arrived before the crowds and had a really informative tour by Cristina who provided lots of points of interest that would have been easily missed. We had lots of time to take in this amazing site at our own pace.After we headed off to explore a nearby cenote, again beating the crowds for an amazing experience.Lunch (included) and a quick walk around Valladolid before heading back to our resort.Sure there are cheaper options for day trips in big groups, but the personal private tour is so worth it, making the most of your precious holiday time and having such an amazing experience.

Joe · Feb 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.

Tour photos

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.