Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore Chichen Itza, an impressive Mayan archaeological complex. Visit a sacred sinkhole and enjoy a buffet meal.
Get picked up from your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, or choose a convenient meeting point. Journey to one of the Yucatan Peninsula's most important monuments.
Upon arrival, marvel at the step pyramid of Kukulcan, renowned for its shadowy serpent image created by equinox light.
Experience an ancient cenote, part of a sacred underground river network to the Maya people. Indulge in a tasty buffet and take a leisurely stroll in Valladolid.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The use of a life jacket is mandatory in the cenote
What To Expect
Chichen Itza
Explore the Wonder Before the Crowds One of the biggest advantages of this tour is our early arrival to Chichén Itzá, before most large tour buses reach the site. This allows you to explore the ancient city during the cooler morning hours, avoiding the intense heat and large crowds that arrive later in the day. Your certified bilingual guide will lead you through the most important areas of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), the Great Ball Court, and the Temple of the Warriors, while sharing fascinating stories about Maya astronomy, architecture, and culture. The guided portion lasts about 1 hour, followed by 1 hour of free time to walk around, take photos, and experience the magic of this New Seven Wonder of the World at your own pace. Total time at Chichén Itzá: approximately 2 hours.
Cenote Saamal
Discover the stunning Cenote Saamal, a massive open-air cenote located inside the historic Hacienda Selva Maya. Surrounded by towering limestone walls, lush vegetation, and a small natural waterfall, its crystal-clear waters create one of the most breathtaking swimming spots in the Yucatán. Here you can swim, relax, or simply enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace. You’ll also have time to enjoy a buffet of traditional Yucatecan cuisine served inside the beautiful hacienda, offering a more authentic and comfortable experience than the typical roadside restaurant stops.
Options
Chichen All inclusive option
All Inclusive: Includes Chichen Itza Entry fees with Skip-the-line service, locker and lifejacket and 1 drink included with lunch. Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Pickup included
Meeting point option
Lunch at a Beautiful Hacienda: Enjoy a gourmet lunch at a stunning Hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Starting points: Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Hotel Smart Cancun, Av. Tulúm 4, capilla ecumenica, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico SUPER CHEDRAUI PUERTO AVENTURAS, México 307 060, Fraccionamiento, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico Súper Akí Tulum, Carretera Federal Tulum Ruinas s/n, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico Ultramar, Av. José López Portillo Calle 49, Puerto Juarez, 77525 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Pickup included
Private Chichen Itza
Cenote access: Entry to a cenote for swimming and exploration. Driver and certified guide: Professional driver and licensed guide for comfort and cultural insights. Duration: 12 hours: Relaxed timing Regional buffet lunch: Traditional buffet with regional flavours. Private round transportation: Round-trip from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Additional inclusions: Courtesy stops. Pickup included
Hotel pick-up option
Lunch at a Beautiful Hacienda: Enjoy a gourmet lunch at a stunning Hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula Hotel Pick up: We will pick you up at your hotel lobby or at the nearest walking-access point when vehicle access is not available. Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Visit to Cenote Saamal with access to swimming area and facilities
Traditional Yucatecan buffet lunch at Hacienda Selva Maya (included in all tour options)
Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Guided visit to Chichén Itzá with free time to explore
Certified bilingual tour guide throughout the experience
Free time in Valladolid’s historic main square
Beverages in the Buffet (Included in All Inclusive option)
Rent lockers and lifejackets (included in All-Inclusive option)
Chichén Itzá (included in the All-Inclusive option; includes skip-the-line access)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
25,101 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
While in Yucatán Mexico!
448luceroc,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion honestly saved our trip! We booked it the day before, and I’m so glad we did. While our pickup wasn’t exactly on time, the driver was incredibly kind and professional. We were picked up in a smaller white van that took us to the main tour bus, which was only a short drive from our resort. Our guide, Luis, was the highlight of the day. He was charismatic, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable about Mayan history and culture. Throughout the tour, he shared fascinating stories and historical insights that made each stop even more meaningful. Our first stop was a charming town near Chichén Itzá, where we had time to enjoy a light breakfast and browse local souvenirs. From there, we visited Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Seeing it in person was unforgettable. Next, we stopped at a beautiful cenote where we enjoyed an authentic Yucatán-style lunch that was included with the tour. It wasn’t just delicious—it felt like a true cultural experience. Our final stop was the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid. I only wish we had a little more time there, but the schedule was thoughtfully planned and gave us enough time to appreciate each destination without feeling rushed. From start to finish, the excursion was well organized, informative, and enjoyable. Most importantly, I felt safe throughout the entire experience while getting to experience the history, food, and culture of the Yucatán in an authentic way. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was most likely one of the only highlights of our vacation!
Amazing tour!!!
Justin N,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing experience with a great tour guide, Louis! He has a ton of experience and knowledge and really makes the tour one of the best!
Book it friends!
aileenmS1575JJ,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great experience! Highly recommend booking with them. Our tour guide Alfredo was awesome. He made this experience so unique and special. Be prepared for a long day!
Could have been so much better
Corey B,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00hichen itza is definitely worth a visit - majestic and awe-inspiring example of early human engineering. However, I don’t recommend going on this trip for a number of reasons as follows: 1) Luis was engaging but he spewed so much bs that my partner and I felt like we were fed misinformation rather than historical facts and had to google everything we were told to see what was true. I mean…. Luis had us pull out calculators and multiply the number of orifices in our head times the number of digits in our fingers and then claimed that has something to do with the number of planets orbiting the sun. He also said that hospitals are busy on Sundays because humans are 74% water so we experience the gravitational pull of the moon as tides in our bodies especially on Sundays. We felt like we were on the QAnon/ conspiracy theory version of the tour and learned nothing of actual historical significance. 2) No respect for our time. This was billed as an 11 hour tour but took 14 hours and should have taken 9 or 10. We first stopped at a tourist trap that wasn’t on the itinerary for 2 hours so people could buy a blessing from a shaman. Shameless commercialism. Then, we left each stop about 20-30 minutes later than they said we would go. My partner and I, who were on time everywhere, spent at least 2 hours sitting on a motionless bus waiting for others - sometimes just waiting for Luis. Not even other guests. We felt super bummed that we had missed a whole day of our vacation for this.
Could have been so much better
357cb,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Chichen itza is definitely worth a visit - majestic and awe-inspiring example of early human engineering. However, I don’t recommend going on this trip for a number of reasons as follows: 1) Luis was engaging but he spewed so much bs that my partner and I felt like we were fed misinformation rather than historical facts and had to google everything we were told to see what was true. I mean…. Luis had us pull out calculators and multiply the number of orifices in our head times the number of digits in our fingers and then claimed that has something to do with the number of planets orbiting the sun. He also said that hospitals are busy on Sundays because humans are 74% water so we experience the gravitational pull of the moon as tides in our bodies especially on Sundays. We felt like we were on the QAnon/ conspiracy theory version of the tour and learned nothing of actual historical significance. 2) No respect for our time. This was billed as an 11 hour tour but took 14 hours and should have taken 9 or 10. We first stopped at a tourist trap that wasn’t on the itinerary for 2 hours so people could buy a blessing from a shaman. Shameless commercialism. Then, we left each stop about 20-30 minutes later than they said we would go. My partner and I, who were on time everywhere, spent at least 2 hours sitting on a motionless bus waiting for others - sometimes just waiting for Luis. Not even other guests. We felt super bummed that we had missed a whole day of our vacation for this.
It is a long day but...
Penny E,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a long day but packed full of activity. The tour arrangements and tour guide were excellent, really enjoyable day
I love this
muhammedawwals,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I love this and I would love to visit some day thanks
Excellent
J9738ZNjennyc,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was very informative and helpful
Great day!
melissahS5977ZU,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was so fun! Very hot, make sure you have lots of water. But so cool! Our favorite part was swimming at Cenote. It makes for a very long day, so prepare for that. But the entire experience was lovely.
Great to do experience in Cancun
hectorrJ6872XT,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The overall experience was great. Kudos to the people in the office as they communicated with me often and in a timely fashion. The pick up was on time, Luis, our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. I liked the fact that they were not pushing you to buy wherever we went. The time to swim was combined with the time to eat was a bit short, as you don’t get to fully enjoy both calmly. The only”issue” I would say I had was the pick up point as we were staying at an Airbnb instead of a major hotel, so we had to take an uber to the meeting point. Other than that I would give them 10/10. Thank you as it was a fantastic experience.
Related Experiences
Operated by Sat Mexico Tours