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..
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking. Discover the 3 benefits of an early departure to visit Chichen Itza.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
06:15am: Private transportation from your hotel to Chichen Itza
08:00am – 11:30am: Visit of Chichen Itza + free time
11:30am – 12:30pm: Transportation
12:30pm – 02:30pm: Lunch in Valladolid + free time
02:30pm – 04:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
Transportation takes less than 3 hours, and there is a one-hour time difference between Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum and Chichen Itza.
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!
You must be logged in to post a review.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking. Discover the 3 benefits of an early departure to visit Chichen Itza.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
06:15am: Private transportation from your hotel to Chichen Itza
08:00am – 11:30am: Visit of Chichen Itza + free time
11:30am – 12:30pm: Transportation
12:30pm – 02:30pm: Lunch in Valladolid + free time
02:30pm – 04:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
Transportation takes less than 3 hours, and there is a one-hour time difference between Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum and Chichen Itza.
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!
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!!
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!
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.
our family had a great experience on our excursion to Chichen Itza with Arturo the guide and Ivan the driver.
we were comforable on our trip and they were very accomodating; very safe trip; they gave us plenty of time on the area and for our shopping.
we highly recommend the agency.
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You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.
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.
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.
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.
Adele –
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!!
vi –
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!
Lisa –
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
Jayme –
i had an amazing experience would 10/10 recommend
Joe –
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.
Teresa –
our family had a great experience on our excursion to Chichen Itza with Arturo the guide and Ivan the driver.
we were comforable on our trip and they were very accomodating; very safe trip; they gave us plenty of time on the area and for our shopping.
we highly recommend the agency.
Kevin –
Private Chichen Itza and Valladolid tour for two, Juan was a excellent tour guide with great timing to avoid all the crowds. Gave plenty of time for anything we wanted to do with great information. Great lunch next to Convent of San Bernardino de Siena. The driver was excellent, I just cant remember his name but always was welcoming and on time. Definitely Recommend for a Private Tour, will use them again.
Nicole –
My husband and I did a private tour of Chichen Itza on Friday January 30th. We thoroughly enjoyed it! Juan was an excellent tour guide with tons of knowledge and experience. He ensured we got there early and even had a few minutes to take photographs alone, before the temple area became overrun with tourists. We learned a lot and truly recommend Absolute Adventure private tours for anyone looking for a reliable company to tour Chichen Itza with! Thank you so much for an amazing day.
Dulce –
Dulce the tour guide and Yosmar the driver were very professional and polite. Yosmar spoke very good English and was knowledgeable. Yosmar drove great. Never felt unsafe. Water and snacks were plenty in the vehicle.
Rob –
Our 9 person group did the Chichen Itza / Valladolid Lunch Tour with Dulce as our guide. It was an incredible experience and truly informative. Dulce even brought out a bird book as our questions ran the gammit and she was prepared. An amazing excursion and would highly recommend for anyone interested in the Mayan culture.
Ashley –
Juan was an incredible tour guide and we greatly enjoyed our tour of Chichen Itza and Valladolid. The ride there was comfortable and we appreciated how accommodating they were of the baby and toddler who joined us on the tour. Once we arrived, Juan was very knowledgeable, able to answer our many questions, and made the tour fascinating. We also appreciated that he knew exactly when to arrive and where to go to get the best pictures and how to avoid the crowds. I can imagine if we had gone on our own it would have felt overwhelming and there’s so much we would have missed. So this was a great format to explore Chichen Itza. We also loved the restaurant that we stopped at for lunch. The food was delicious, the atmosphere beautiful, and we enjoyed the local recommendations Juan shared. Would highly recommend tour.
Tom –
Great driver + great guide = great day!
We had a wonderful experience on our private tour to Chichen Itza and Valladolid with our very conscientious driver Enrique and expert guide, Cristina. Absolute Adventure’s suggestion of going early in the morning is well worth it. They arrived on time and we were one of the first couples to enter the sight that morning. Cristina carried an enormous amount of knowledge about Chichen Itza and we were more than happy to learn as much as we could. We followed the tour up with an included lunch in Valladolid and a mini tour around the town square along with a tour of the impressive San Bernardino de Siena Cathedral.
Katie –
We had an amazing tour to Chichin Itza with Juan (JJ)! He was very knowledgeable and answered so many questions and had great stories. We had an infant and toddler with us and was very accommodating of their timeline! He wander our whole day so much fun and we highly recommend booking a tour with this company and requesting Juan!
Amy E. –
This tour was amazing! We went on a 10 person guided tour to Chichen Itza with our tour guide Juan. He was extremely informative, and taught us a lot about the area.
Technically, our whole party was 12 people, but the extra two were little ones (a 21 month old and a 3 month old). The tour accommodated the little ones really well. There were plenty of bathroom stops, and my sister had a fairly easy time feeding her 3 month old.
We requested two car seats a head of time, and including the two car seats and our whole party, there happened to be lot’s of space. The tour came with morning snacks (coffee/juice and gas station snacks), afternoon snacks (chips and a soft drink), and lunch (a Mexican restaurant with amazing food! Follow your guides recommendations for food, and you will not be disappointed).
Over all 10/10 would recommend to family and friends.
Caitlyn –
We used Absolute Adventures for 2 seperate tours while we were in Mexico and it was the best choice we could of made! We chose private tours and we would use them again! The communication was spot on, they were on time, super organized, and reasonably priced for the care and services.
Our first tour was to Chitzen Itza, the three of us were picked up on time at 615, (it sounds early but it was 100% the best choice) the drive is long but they offered a stop for coffee and a pastry as well as bathroom breaks along the way. We arrived when there was hardly any people on the site. We were able to get many great pictures and Joshua was so knowledgeable! We all learnt so many things about the history of the Mayans and the area it was great. He was also very mindful of how hot it was and made sure we had breaks in the shade because it is HOT! (Another reason to go early). He was super organized, tickets all ready to go and was great at explaining the process or where we were going next! They had ice cold water and drinks and we ordered a few beer for the long trip. We than went to Valladolid and ate at an AMAZING resturant in the city. We spent some time exploring the square and the surrounding area. They were very knowledgeable about all the things to see and made the day so great. I also have to mention, KiKa our amazing driver. Some of the roads and areas were so busy and nuts but he always found a great place to park and we always felt safe.
Our next trip was for two to the Tulum Ruins, the Tak bi ha cenote, and snorkeling in Akumal. Juan was our guide and he was so fun! He added to all the information Joshua had given us and the ruins were amazing to see. We were literally the first two people into the ruins and again so many great photos, some really great information and facts, even learnt some mayan words. We than went to the cenote and we arrived just as everyone else was leaving and had the whole place to ourselves other than divers gearing up to go! Again full of so much information and great knowledge. Ate at another great restaurant where certain items were included and than off to see the turtles. I wish I had gotten the guides name that took us into the ocean but it was the best experience, he guided us through the water, held us in place so we could view the turtles, squids, fish and sting rays all around. Was an amazing day!! Kika was out again our driver on another fantastic trip.
If your looking for a company with amazing people, thats super organized and great at communication, please use absolute adventure! You really won’t be sad you did!!
jeosmith63 –
This tour was excellent value for money. Alex the tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided a ton of interesting information. They suggested the early morning tour which required a 6am pick up from our hotel. But it was worth it to miss the crowds and explore the site while it was still relatively cool. The site itself is quite amazing
paintman112 –
Wonderful Chichen Itza Experience
Alex and Enrique were awesome! Alex was extremely knowledgeable and was wonderful with both our children. This tour was perfect from the planning to the delivery back to our hotel, everything was well communicated and was exactly as described. I can’t recommend enough.
Lisa –
Great tour! We set our own pace and Arthuro was so kind. He provided a wonderful time and tons of information on the people and history. Highly recommend this tour and Arthuro and Homer! Can’t say enough good things about them!
Sightseer34972722907 –
Private tour of Chichen Itza for Joshua and Rodrigo
We had the pleasure of Joshua (our guide) and Rodrigo’s (our driver) company for you half day tour of Chichen Itza and lunch in Valladolid. It was an early start but it was 2+ hours from our hotel so that was just fine. Rodrigo was excellent and got us there safe and sound and was punctual when it came to picking us up afterwards. Joshua was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. He was also great company at lunch. Can’t recommend these two guys enough so please request them if you are lucky enough to go and see Chichen Itza. The place itself speaks for itself and is well worth the trip 🙂
Rob –
A Great way to visit with kids
A fantastic way to see Chichen Itza with kids. We were picked up early and arrived in time for the site opening. Our guide took us round and explained everything we wanted to know. With kids and it being the middle of Summer, we were interested in understanding the site, but not hanging around unduly.
Once we had seen all we wanted to, we went for Lunch nearby (very nice and authentic) and were back in the hotel pool by mid afternoon.
Overall a really enjoyable trip, we learnt lots about the culture and history and the kids enjoyed it without getting too hot or bored hanging about.