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.
Kyle –
I can’t express how great Absolute Adventure was for my family’s private Chichen Itza and Cenote tour. Our driver Enrique was friendly, got to our resort early and got us to each destination safely and efficiently. Our guide was Eddy and all we can say is WOW! He was so full of knowledge about Mexican history and culture including the Mayans. He talked with us our entire trip about so many things and we all walked away with so much knowledge and appreciation. We would definitely recommend Absolute Adventure for anyone interested in visiting a cultural site. We will definitely use Absolute Adventure for our next trip!
wojciech –
Absolutely fantastic day. Highly enjoyed. It is our first review ever. We write it because the service was exceptional. Eddy’s knowledge and Enrique professionalism are unmatched. You made our day! Which was not easy with roaring teenagers:)
Chris S –
Great Tour!We had an absolutely brilliant day with Absolute Adventure on our private Chichén Itzá, cenote and Valladolid tour.
Everything was organised really well from start to finish, and having a private tour made the whole experience feel relaxed and personal. Eddy and Rod were fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable and great company throughout the day. They gave us loads of interesting information about the history and culture of the area without ever making it feel like we were being rushed from one stop to the next.
Chichén Itzá was incredible and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Mexico. The cenote was another amazing experience and a perfect way to cool off afterwards, before finishing with a visit to the beautiful town of Valladolid.
The whole day was well planned, comfortable and enjoyable, and we felt very well looked after throughout. If you’re staying around Playa del Carmen, Cancún or Tulum and want to experience these places without being part of a large group tour, I would definitely recommend Absolute Adventure.
5 stars. Thanks again Eddy and Rod for a fantastic day!Great Tour!
Alex –
We did 3 tours with Absolute Adventure Mexico: 1. Chichen Itza/Valladolid/Cenote, Tulum/Coba/Cenote, Akumal Bay/Cenote.
All three were awesome! We had the same tour guide Luis, who was an incredible tour guide. He had deep knowledge of the sites, provided interesting insights and context for what we were seeing, and doubled as an Instagram influencer, setting up photos for us, making sure we captured these great memories. He had great energy throughout each tour and had great recommendations on things to see during the rest of our trip. Our drivers (Omar and Rodrigo) were great. The drives were safe and secure. We always had water and a cool car waiting for us, and everything was planned and timed perfectly.
It was really great to see three different Mayan sites, they were all very unique and different. We debated stacking so many sites, but in the end it was well worth it. Also, since we did all tours with the same team, they helped us select Cenotes that were all very distinct, allowing us to go into partially open, fully enclosed, and cave-connected Cenotes so we saw a great variety of these natural wonders.
All the sites were incredible, but my personal recommendation is don’t sleep on Coba; there was something so unique about riding bikes through the jungle and coming up on the ruins that you can still hike on and walk through.
The turtle watching in Akumal exceeded expectations. Even with the sargassum we saw at least 7 different turtles, various sea-life (including sting rays), and some coral reef.
And of course, Chichen Itza is a must as it is so grand and a true icon of the ancient world.
We could not have had a better time seeing these sites. I highly recommend Absolute Adventure, and be sure to request Luis!
Ed –
Luis and Rodrigo were amazing, Luis was an awesome tour guide, extremely knowledgeable and if I ever had to have another tour, I would definitely want them as my guides.
alban c –
The best ! Much better than th huge industrial ones !!Simply the best ! I’m so glad we chose Absolute Adventure. I wanted something more confidential than the huge tours. And this was incredible. Not only was the guide and the day awesome but we’ve learned a lot about Mexico and the région. Many many thanks.The best ! Much better than th huge industrial ones !!
alban –
Simply the best ! I’m so glad we chose Absolute Adventure. I wanted something more confidential than the huge tours. And this was incredible. Not only was the guide and the day awesome but we’ve learned a lot about Mexico and the région. Many many thanks.
Irena –
Josh and Kike took us out for the day to Chichen itza and it was a superb day. Josh’s knowledge is second to none and the day couldn’t have gone any smoother. Absolutely loved it. Thanks so much and can’t wait to go on another tour. Wonderful transportation and no stress when on a private tour.
Susannah S –
Great day out with wonderful guide. Luis was our guide and Rodrigo was our driver and they were absolutely fantastic. Our group ranged from 2 to 82 and they made the trip perfect for everyone, accommodating everyone’s needs and making sure the experience was right for them. Luis provided a wealth of knowledge and was such a kind and thoughtful guide the whole day through. Chichen Itzá and the Cenote were everything we hoped.Great day out with wonderful guide
Allie –
Amazing experience. Our driver, Rodrigo gave us an easy travel experience and our guide, Luis was very intelligent on the area and the history. We did the tour with Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid. The restaurant in Valladolid was exceptional, thanks to Luis’ recommendations Would absolutely recommend this group for a great day trip!
Sarah –
Joshua and his team took all 17 of us out to tour Chichen Itza – we all learned so much and even our teenagers were engaged! The cenote experience was also amazing. Excellent day all around!
Kathya Mahadevan –
Luis was our guide with driver Rodrigo to visit Chichen Itza and Cenote. Luis was awesome engaging us the entire way in facts, history, culture and conservation. We were a large group from the U.S. of varied ages and it was fun for all. The lunch choice was excellent and served us traditional choices and also accommodated kids choices. I really enjoyed Luis’s focus on conservation and focus on local flora and fauna. Rodrigo was a safe driver and very patient. I highly recommend the company and Luis/Rodrigo.
Escape518479 –
Awesome day trip for our family. We had a fab day with our Guide Eddy and driver Omar. Eddie was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed finding out the history of Chichen Itza. It was great to get there early and avoid the crowds. The next stop was cenote Oxman which was so beautiful. We were able to spend as long as we liked here. Lunch was delicious and me enjoyed exploring the colonial town of Valladolid. We were very well looked after and really enjoyed our private tour.Awesome day trip for our family.
Coastal11721519646 –
The BEST Guided Tour of Chichen Itza. Luis and Omar were amazing. Our family of four had a spectacular experience. We can’t say enough good things about Luis and the Absolute Adventure team. The whole tour went off spectacularly. Luis was a fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and super helpful guide. We highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure!The BEST Guided Tour of Chichen Itza.
Autumn Greene –
We had a great private tour to Chichén Itzá with a stop at a cenote and lunch at a restaurant. A person in my party was not feeling that great and we were able to spend as much time as we wanted at each place without waiting on anyone else. The driver was great, car had good a/c and was always ready for us when we were. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about the area and provided great information and history about the ruins. Private tour is the way to go.
Terra T –
Best tour guide EVER! Luis was an incredible guide! He was very knowledgeable but made the information so engaging and enjoyable even for my younger kids. I travelled with my 3 kids and husband and two of my children are nero-diverse. Luis was so patient and kind with them and made the whole experience enjoyable! Would definitely book another tour with this agency and request Luis again. We had Enrique as our driver and we felt very safe with him. Overall an incredible experience.Best tour guide EVER!
Terra T. –
Luis was an incredible guide! He was very knowledgeable but made the information so engaging and enjoyable even for my younger kids. I travelled with my 3 kids and husband and two of my children are nero-diverse. Luis was so patient and kind with them and made the whole experience enjoyable! Would definitely book another tour with this agency and request Luis again. We had Enrique as our driver and we felt very safe with him. Overall an incredible experience.
Terra Torres –
Luis was an incredible guide! He was very knowledgeable but made the information so engaging and enjoyable even for my younger kids. I travelled with my 3 kids and husband and two of my children are nero-diverse. Luis was so patient and kind with them and made the whole experience enjoyable! Would definitely book another tour with this agency and request Luis again. We had Enrique as our driver and we felt very safe with him. Overall an incredible experience.
Fabian Koorland –
We definitely felt that this tour was levels above the rest, especially compared to other tours being held in the same place. A personal and professional touch was added to the tour that made us feel like we were getting the most out of the historical site we visited, as well as a comfortable level of patience when it came to personal shopping time, not rushed at all. Above all else we learned a lot, and we were definitely not bored, especially with the visit to the cenotes natural pool (utterly gorgeous), which we won’t forget. Finally our day finished off nicely with possibly the most authentic food we would have found in Valladolid.
Melissa C –
Best option. Our family of four had an incredible experience with Absolute Adventure. We were traveling with our two children (ages 7 and 11), and choosing a private tour was the perfect choice for our family.
The communication before the tour was excellent. The team was very responsive, answered all of our questions quickly, and made the entire booking process easy.
We were picked up from our hotel early in the morning in a beautiful, clean, and comfortable van. The vehicle was modern, well maintained, and had everything we needed for a comfortable day. Leaving early allowed us to arrive at Chichén Itzá before the busiest time, which made the visit much more enjoyable.
Our guide, Joshua, was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history of the site. He explained everything in a way that kept both adults and children interested. He used pictures and visual examples to help us understand what the ruins looked like in the past and pointed out many details that we would have missed without him.
Joshua took his time answering our questions and made sure we understood the importance of each area we visited. He also helped us capture wonderful family photos and knew the best locations and angles.
Our driver, Enrique, was also wonderful. He was professional, dependable, and made us feel safe throughout the entire trip. The transportation was comfortable, and we truly appreciated his service.
The rest of the day was just as enjoyable. We visited a cenote, had lunch, and explored Valladolid. Joshua gave us great recommendations for places to visit, snacks to try, and shops to explore. We never felt rushed and were able to enjoy each stop at a comfortable pace.
Having a private tour made traveling with children so much easier. We were able to enjoy the experience without worrying about keeping up with a large group, and the flexibility made the entire day more relaxing.
This was one of the best experiences of our vacation. We highly recommend Absolute Adventure to anyone visiting the area. Joshua and Enrique provided excellent service and helped create memories our family will always remember.Best option.