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!
You must be logged in to post a review.
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.
klorenz10 –
Seeing a wonder of the world in style!
This was an amazing tour! We were picked up at our hotel by Omar (our driver) and Juan (our tour guide). Juan, took us all over the Chichen Itza site. We zoomed past the crowds and got in before most people were able to. By doing this, we were able to get some amazing pictures of the ruins! After seeing this beautiful wonder of the world, we went to lunch at a very nice restaurant at a nearby town and did a little shopping in a colonial square. I cannot recommend this tour enough. Just a great experience through and through!
Richard –
Arturo was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Thanks so much!!!
Dean –
We booked our tour to Chichén Itzá on Feb 4, 2025 and had one of our best tours with our guide Joshua and driver Omar. They picked up our group of four at our resort lobby a few minutes before the appointed time of 6:15 am. We stopped for a coffee and pastry a few km’s down the road (paid for by tour company) and then stopped for a bathroom break about half-way to the ruins. Omar was an excellent driver and we never felt in danger on the road. As we neared the ruins, Josh gave us a quick overview of what to expect as we arrived and asked if there was anything in particular we wanted (or didn’t want) to see. We weren’t interested in shopping for any souvenirs but wanted to see and learn as much as we could. Our early departure time meant that we arrived shortly after the gates opened, and having a guide allowed us to bypass the already lengthy lines and get into the site quickly. We were able to get couples and group photos with little to no people in the background. Josh carried an I-pad loaded with images of details of the pyramid and other structures, including pictures of carvings and paintings inside the structures. He was also very knowledgeable of the various stories and legends associated with the different buildings and carvings. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Chichén Itzá. When we were finished at the ruins, we were taken to Valladolid for lunch at Paladar De Cura. Lunch was also included in the tour price (we only paid for our drinks which were very reasonably priced). We all had amazing meals there, and were able to get to know Josh a bit better and learn more about the region. After a quick stop at the town center square, we were on our way back to the resort. What we appreciated the most was that we were never pressured to buy any trinkets, shop anywhere we didn’t want to or do anything we didn’t want to. We felt very much in control of our day. We would definitely use them again!
Dylan –
Had a private tour to Chichen Itza and Valladolid. Rodrigo and Joshua promptly picked up at 6 and headed out. We were among the first at Chichen Itza and the weather was perfect. Joshua gave us a nuanced and insightful history of this magnificent place. Our lunch was delicious and unhurried. Rodrigo was professional in getting us to our destinations. What made it so worth the money was leaving Chichen Itza just as all the large busses started rolling up. We would never have learned as much as we did had we taken a big bus tour.
Shirley –
Joshua was absolutely amazing. He gave a nuanced and insightful telling of Chichen Itza’s history. We were thrilled to be leaving as all the buses started to arrive, having spent a very intimate two hours at the site with just a small handful of others. Worth every penny! And Rodrigo our driver was an ace on the roads getting us smoothly delivered to our destinations.
Arturo –
Great private tour of Chichen Itza
Easy hotel pick-up, driver and tour guide were great. Guide speaks English well and engaged with adults and tweens on tour. Shared great knowledge about Chichen Itza, history, time for pictures, etc. Lovely lunch in nearby town. Private tour, clean van with ample seating, good AC, water and snacks.
Tifany –
Loved our early private family tour of Chichen Itza!
Wonderful private tour with our guide, Joshua, and driver, Enrique. From our perspective, the service and knowledge provided allows us the ease to soak in what you want to experience as they handle all logistics and expertise in subject matter.
The tour was Chichen Itza and lunch/time in Valladolid.
Even my older kids who hate getting up early did say it was worth getting up early so we could enter and appreciate Chichen Itza before the massive crowds. We stayed in Playa del Carmen and our pick up time was 6:15am. There was a mix-up on where to meet as our hotel (Aloft) had the main lobby upstairs and one downstairs so I was worried that our guide wasn’t in the lobby (as we had taken an Absolute Adventure tour earlier in the week and that person had met us there.) It might be worth reaffirming this with the company the day before if your hotel has different lobbies. However, after this, all went smoothly and there were no issues.
On the trip to Chichen Itza, we stopped for coffee and pastries. It was nice the gas station had a coffee machine that had an option for cappuccino and expresso.
Our family appreciated the opportunity to access Chichen Itza earlier before all the big tours and crowds and Joshua shared interesting stories and knowledge about the Mayan culture so we could learn an incredible depth of information about Chichen Itza. From our past experiences and in our opinion, guides make the difference in your experience of a place. Joshua’s enthusiasm and knowledge shone through!
The most photographed structure is a Mayan calendar system. To hear it was built without metal tools and possibly with obsidian rock is fascinating. Joshua spoke in details about the different structures, and we gained an understanding about the Mayans’ life and their incredible knowledge of astronomy. There were so many structures and symbols to learn about – including the ball court. There is an opportunity for your group to either continue learning more about the Mayans/Toltecs or if you would like to shop from the hundreds of vendors onsite. We chose to continue walking Chichen Itza and hearing more about the people who lived there at one point of history. I also liked being told that there are Mayans living in Mexico today.
As we walked out of Chichen Itza to the parking lot, we passed many vendors with their table of wares. Often, vendors would blow on a jaguar “whistle” and the sound would always startle me a bit. I think the vendors are mostly Mayans. Joshua shared that tourism is one of the top 3 industries in Mexico (agricultural goods is another and can’t remember the last one). If I was someone who collected “stuff,” I probably would have taken some time to purchase something from one of those local vendors.
Valladolid was interesting to see as it has a colonial Spanish feel. Lunch was very good and in lovely restaurant that seemed popular with locals – as it was not close to the main square/church. The menu offered a nice variety of options. After lunch, Enrique drove us to the main square and Joshua did share some ideas of things we could do including a Museum of Chocolate. I think if you had an idea of what you would like to do, then you could request more time. As we didn’t have something in mind, we walked through the church and wandered a few streets before getting some ice-cream.
Thank you, Joshua, for being our guide and sharing your knowledge in such a way that it was engaging, inviting and fun! We also want to acknowledge Enrique for his skills as as driver and managing the snacks/drinks! They were committed to our experience and contributed to all loving Chichen Itza.
Absolute Adventure Mexico was easy to work with in booking the trip, timely with thorough communications (email and What’s App) and exceeded our expectations!
Chris –
Wonderful tour of Chichen Itza. Tour guide Chris was friendly and had lots of local knowledge to share. Omar was a safe and dependable driver. Also had lunch and did some shopping in Valladolid before heading back to the resort. Overall a great full day tour. Highly recommend the company and leaving early to beat the tour bus companies. Chichen Itza can have over 10k visitors a day.
Kathryn –
We had a really wonderful experience in Mexico this December with Absolute Adventure Mexico.
Our first tour was to Chichen Itza and a cenote with a lunch in Valladolid. Our tour guide Arturo was extremely knowledgeable about the Mayan ruins and answered lots and lots of questions that we had about all kinds of things that were not necessarily part of the tour “script”. He made suggestions about the best things to do and even advise us on ways to improve some of the other experiences we were planning to have in Mexico. He stopped at a convenience store so that we could buy a waterproof case for our phone when we realized that we wanted one for our tours. He made suggestions about a special drink we could try during our lunch. We really enjoyed our time with him and the attentive and tailored experience we had.
Our second tour was to swim with the sea turtles at Azumal and another cenote and lunch with our tour guide Juan.
Our driver on both days was Enrique and he did a great job. We felt very confident with his excellent driving and it was lovely that he stayed in the vehicle to guard all of our things so that we could have unencumbered time swimming and doing activities without worrying about our personal items. He was always very helpful with getting us drinks and getting our equipment for each activity.
We thought it was very nice to be with a local family-owned Mexican business and we found the service to be top notch both emailing with the co-owner Claire and spending our days with the driver and tour guides. We were recommended this company by a friend and we will be recommending it to others anytime we have the opportunity.
I would also note that the prices were quite comparable if not cheaper than some of the big companies that have you in a group with a whole bunch of other people – whereas this was a private tour where we got personalized service, never felt rushed and got to guide our own way to some extent. We would not hesitate to come back again and again anytime we come to this area of Mexico.
Nikkia –
We had an amazing private tour with Arturo and Enrique! Everything went perfectly and was our favorite activity from our trip to Playa Del Carmen. Would highly recommend!
James –
Happy family trip
The guide was very patient with my children and we had a great time~ Thank you for the detailed explanation of Mayan history.
Neil –
Great day at Chichen Itza with a knowledgable and friendly guide
We had a great day as a family and with our guide Joshua. He was fantastic with our two children – especially as they had lots of questions for him throughout the day. Joshua was very knowledgable , sharing a lot of history about the Mayans and Mexico. We set off early and arrived just before Chichen Itza opened so didn’t wait too long to enter the site. Food at Paladar de Cura in Valladolid was fantastic too.
Laura –
Absolutely fantastic company!
I booked online for the first available date for the private Chichén Itzá tour. I wanted something sooner, so I emailed and the owner Claire made arrangements for us to go sooner.
We chose a private tour because we are tired of the stops at other resorts, loud and/or possibly annoying people in the bus, and high pressure sales stops.
From the moment our guide Arturo and our sweet driver arrived, I knew the day would be peaceful and great.
Arturo’s knowledge of the Mayan civilization is phenomenal! We had such a great, informative, and peaceful tour of Chichén Itzá. Arturo is like an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, very laid back, easy to talk to, and incredibly intelligent. Well traveled!
Another reason why we chose this particular company and your was the lunch option. Instead of the mass crowd Buffet most tours offer, Arturo took us to a fantastic restaurant in Vallodid, where we ordered from the many and it was included in the price. The food was authentic and delicious, and we got to have a great conversation with Arturo.
I will absolutely recommend and continue to book only private tours with this great company, and I will always request Arturo.
Fabulous day! 5+ stars all day long.
T.N. –
Our first tour with Absolute Adventure was Cichan Itza Ruins and Valladolid. The three of us were picked up at our hotel early in the morning and our guide, Juan, was already there when we came down from our room. On the way to Chichan Itza, we stopped for coffee and breakfast snacks for the ride. We were among the first people to enter Chichan Itza and Juan took us straight to the pyramid to get pictures before the crowds arrived.
We then started the tour at a point to best learn the history of the site and the Mayan Culture. Juan was extremely knowledgeable about both and knew how to navigate Chichan Itza so that we were alone for several of the locations. Juan explained what the different parts of the sites were used for and about the symbols used in the architecture. He pointed out many features we would most likely have missed had we not had a guide. We also learned about the language, counting, beliefs and more. We were there in May, during a heatwave, so it was quite hot by the end of the tour. Juan notified our driver when we were on the way back to the van so it would be cooled down and cold water would be ready.
From Chichan Itza, wo went to Vallodolid, where we had lunch at restaurant we never would have chosen on our own. We ordered a traditional Mayan pork dish, cochinita, and a local beer recommended by Juan. Both were delicious. We were then given time to explore the city with no time limit. Throughout the day, Juan answered all of our questions and filled us in on the Mayan Culture, as well as the current culture. My family and I highly recommend this tour.
Julie –
From the moment we booked to dropping us off the experience was great with this company. Very easy to deal with, flexible with a couple of changes and nothing was too much trouble. The actual experience was fantastic, early start but you are rewarded by beating the crowds, we literally had the place to ourselves and as we were leaving crowds of people where queuing to come it.. great van, guide and very well organised. Shout out to Juan who was awesome, him and my husband got on like a house on fire! Defo recommend this company.. thank you for for making it such a great experience
James T –
The absolute best. Took us early and beat all the crowds.
Gisela –
Maya Civilization
We did a private Chichen Itza ruins and Valladolid tour with Alex and Enrique.
It was amazing!
Alex is very knowledgeable and explains the greatness of the Mayan civilization easily.
Enrique is a good driver, and both made my elderly mother feel appreciated.
I highly recommend this adventure.
Galen –
Phenomenal Experience! Chichen Itzla
100% recommend this tour! Our guide Alex was beyond amazing and our driver Enrique got us there comfortably. Worth the cost to travel privately rather than on a big charter. Better service, better experience. Ask for Alex!
Leanna –
Joshua, our guide, and Omar, our consciously driver, were prompt, courteous and attentive. Van was clean, tour guide knew his stuff and they had our best interest during our travel. Communication with the office in setting things up was efficient and helpful. We had a great time!
Jellybean –
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico. My family (myself, husband and our 2 teenage sons) did the Tulum – Cenote tour and the Chichen Itza – Vallodolid tours. We loved our tour guide Juan and our driver Enrique. We all had a great time and my older son said that the Chichen Itza trip was his favorite thing we did in Mexico. Juan was very knowledgable and able to answer all of our questions. He knew all of the best spots to get photos; we would do that first and then he would give us information about the sites we were visiting.
Enrique was fantastic as well; we felt safe with him driving and leaving our belongings in the van. He was prompt whenever we needed to be picked up from our stops. It was so convenient to be picked up and dropped off directly from our hotel. We left the hotel early both days and Juan and Enrique were waiting at the appointed time. It is well worth it to leave early and get to the sites early. We were practically the first ones at Tulum and Chichen Itza and able to get photos without a bunch of people in the background. We had the beautiful cenote Nicte-Ha to ourselves most of the time we were there.
Lunch on both tours was delicious and Juan’s recommendations were spot on.
I had initially booked the Tulum Express tour but modified it to add one cenote and lunch via email. Communication with Claire, the co-owner, was quick and seamless. Would definitely use this company again if we are back in the area!