Afterward, youll have time to walk and explore the cute colonial streets before returning to Playa del Carmen. The staff will also get you into Chichen Itza without having to wait in line. 
You can then choose to visit some of the nearby cenotes or the city of Valladolid, as the driver will be at your disposal for the day. Talk about a memorable moment! Check our Mexico blog posts category!
Unfortunately, I dont remember the exact amount we paid for this road, however, it was something like 800 MXN both ways ($40). The worse part was the street vendors! Only guide dogs are allowed, and they must be kept on a leash. If you dont mind driving 40 minutes away from Chichen Itza, Suytun Cenote is a wonderful spot to visit. The Chichn Itz, Valladolid & Cenote Tour is a full-day tour that takes you to the Mayan ruins with a certified guide that will explain the history of what used to be the most populated city in the Yucatan Peninsula. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Our guide, David (a local of Mayan descent), was incredibly knowledgable and we learned so much more about the site, the Mayan people, their history and their culture than we ever could have on our own. Cancun is 197 kilometers from Chichen Itza. It is located on the property of a Hacienda, so it is well run and well kept. This three-star hotel was recently renovated. Its cheap, easy to set up, and it will keep you connected with your friends, family, and, more important, google Maps so you will never get lost! It seems odd but they can do that. And of course, if you have a rental car, you can visit as many as you like! 
There might be one next to Chichen Itza, however, thats 2.5 hours driving away from Playa del Carmen. A passionate traveler and photographer, in love with life and adventures, Isabella is the founder and editor of Letstraveltomexico where she shares her love for Mexico, a fascinating country that shes proud to call her second home. Unless you want a private tour, dont stop when people wave at you in the area just before Chichen Itza. Taking a tour is certainly much more straightforward and hassle-free. You can go on toll road 180D, and then return by road 180, or other even smaller back roads, to discover other nearby gems. Please see my disclaimer policyhere. 
They are everywhere and out of control! Check the cancellation allowances ahead. There arent any lockers, and you are supposed to wear a life vest (you get one for the price of your entrance). There are shopping opportunities as well as a quick bite to eat if you'd like. This could include going on a full-day tour of the ruins, swimming in multiple cenotes, and exploring the streets of Valladolid. They may also try to charge you for car damages or scratches that were already there when you rented it, so make sure you take pictures of the vehicle before using it to have proof and avoid unnecessary (and unfair) extra fees. Chichen Itza is considered one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, and its rich in history, culture and traditions, so its not a surprise that so many tourists visit the site every day! This sinkhole is very large and touristy, but that doesnt mean it isnt worth a visit. 
During this tour, youll visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, then jump into the San Lorenzo Oxman cenote to cool off. Credit cards or US dollars will not be accepted. We took the libre road back and stopped in Valladolid, which is an interesting Spanish colonial town. And if you hit one at full speed, you could do serious damage to the rental car!
A tzompantli is a structure common amongst the Maya. Lets travel to Mexico is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, PRIVACY POLICY | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Viator Exclusive: Chichen Itza Unique Entry, Buffet Lunch & Cenote English Tour, Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour, Chichn Itz Early Access, Ek Balam & Cenote Small Group Tour, BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TRANSFER TO CHICHEN-ITZA NOW, most-visited sites in the Yucatn Peninsula, entire pyramid will fall into the water below, Is There Uber in Cancun in 2022? All you need to know about Mexican cenotes. Much renovation going on with several buildings closed off including steam baths, Temple of the Warriors and other sites. If youd rather not pay the toll fees you can take the slow road to Chichen Itza, which is free but it will take you around 30 minutes more. On busy days, there is a large queue to buy tickets for Chichen Itza. depending on the policemen in charge, I guess). Many structures roped off, none climbable. I recommend booking your Car rental on Discovercars.com because it gives you the opportunity to compare prices between the different car rental companies and choose the most convenient for you. I will tell you more about why you should visit Chichen-Itza and all the practical tips further below. The fastest way to get from the Mayan Riviera to Chichen Itza is by taking two toll roads, which currently cost 344 pesos each way (around 17 dollars). It will be much more interesting to explore the site with a certified guide to tell you all about ancient Maya and the history of Mexico. If being on a time rush stresses you out (and you dont want to be stressed on your holidays, rather the other way around!) This lovely city is a great place to visit. When we were there there were people at multiple structures working on repairsI only wish that there were more signs arround explaining the culture, the people, and the ruins. Car Rentals from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza cost between $60 and $70 per day. Visiting Chichen Itza is definitely worth the heat, the high price, and the crowds you are going to face. This only gives you four hours to enjoy the archaeological site, but its an option if youre pressed for time. It includes audio stories about different sites and has gotten several 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor. Points of Interest & Landmarks, Historic Sites, Ancient Ruins. Very heavy tourist traffic after 10 AM. Avoid the lines and the hassle of carrying extra cash! If you choose this road, youll have to take the 307 Highway to Tulum, head to Valladolid and then take the 180 Highway from there to Chichen Itza.
Playa del Carmen is 180 kilometers (111 miles) from Chichen Itza. Although there arent actually one thousand columns in this part of the ruins (200 is the real number), it is inspiring and grand. Yokdzonot is only 24 minutes from the archaeological site. Want to get to Chichn Itz from a different city in Mexico? 
Back in January, it was still mandatory to wear masks even outside on the streets, however, probably only around 50% of people followed the rules. The drive takes around 2.5 hours. It's really hard to say how small is a small group really. The drive will take you 2 hours and 50 minutes. Bring cash for the toll road, souvenirs and sometimes even entry to Chichen Itza. It costs between 300 and 450 Mexican pesos one-way.
After 2 hours, we wrapped up our informative tour with David, took a few more pictures and headed back to the car by 12noon - just as about 10 tour buses full of people were pulling up!! Yes, there is a time difference between Playa del Carmen and Cancun and Chichen Itza Playa del Carmen and Cancun are 1 hour ahead of Chichen Itza. 
Yes, you do! Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Did you know that the Maya thought of sinkholes (cenotes) as portals to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld? Note: US car insurance will not cover you in Mexico. Read more on my guide on Renting a car in Mexico. Rental cars with special plates may be a target for "extortion" issues I've seen referenced in other reviews about driving to Chichen Itza. By starting out early, we arrived before the tour buses from Cancun and parked in the first row in front of the entrance. Archaeologists believe it was made as a lookout onto the four corners of the universe. I usually use Discover Cars because the site offers the options to compare prices among different car rentals and you can add their own full coverage. This boutique eco-hotel is also very close to Chichen Itza. 
There are two things to consider when it comes to figuring out when is the best time to visit Chichen Itza: crowds, and the weather. PRO-TIP Save money on food and buy your lunch at a restaurant in Pist instead of at the over-priced restaurants within the ruins complex. Take your Mexican pesos when you drive from Playa del Carmen! I use and recommend Rentalcars to compare prices, and to ensure a safer experience COMPARE PRICES HERE. Many tours allow a free cancellation if its over 24 hours before the tour starting time. They developed incredible calendar systems related to the movement of the stars and sun.
thank you so much liza for sharing valuable info ! skull engravings. 
You never know what can happen and knowing that no matter what, you will be covered with any expenses will give you peace of mind, and make your travel worry-free. Here are the main pros and cons of driving to Chichen Itza yourself, Flexibility you can decide when do you want to go there, when you want to have lunch and what do you want to see, Price: its certainly much cheaper to drive to Chichen Itza yourself even when taking into the account hiring a car, gas and tolls (unless youre hiring a 44, which you definitely dont need as the roads are great), Comfort its much more comfortable to be in your own car as opposed to a bus, Timing: you can arrive before the tourist buses and have Chichen Itza almost empty in all photos, Its around 5h driving to go to Chichen Itza from either Cancun, Tulum or Playa del Carmen both ways: its a lot of driving, -You need to hire a car and if you arent planning to go anywhere else in that car throughout your holiday, then it might not be worth it. Picture colonial-era buildings, palm trees swaying in the wind, bohemian shops, and cafes, and lots of places to eat. Driving from Cancun to Chichen Itza would take at least 2 hours 40 minutes each way & the entire road from Cancun to Chichen Itza is a toll road. 
There are a few cafes near the ticket office of Chichen Itza, but we only bought some snacks there, so can't comment on the quality of food there. 
No, you cant! As we generally love road trips, driving to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen was a no-brainer for us; however, I can that it might not be the case for a lot of people. However, there are parts of Mexico that are indeed troubled and you should avoid for now, and others that are super safe and easy to travel around. If you are a professional photographer and would like to take your equipment into Chichen Itza, you can apply for a permit through the INAH office. Youll visit the archaeological site with an expert guide, and afterward youll enjoy a dip in an ancient, sacred cenote before having lunch in a local establishment. i can see at least two: no. [Cancun to Anywhere Guide], Renting a Car in Cancun Mexico All You Need to Know [2022], How to Get From Valladolid to Chichen Itza: prices and info [2022], Visit Cancun in August Weather, Events & Things To Do, 5 ways to Get From Tulum to Chichen Itza Prices & Info + Top Rated Tours [2022], How to Get From Playa Del Carmen to Chichen-Itza: Prices and Info [2022], The Best Guide to Mexico Caves Diving + 15 Amazing Cenotes for Diving [2022], 19 Amazing Things to Do in Campeche Mexico In 2022 + Practical tips, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Scuba Diving in Cancun[2022]. We were never stopped by the police during the entire trip. Youll then travel to Chichen Itza, enjoy the archaeological site, swim in the spa-like Saamal Cenote, and then wander the streets of the Spanish colonial city of Valladolid. 
They can come up on you fast. Each side has 91 steps, with balustrades carved into the shape of a feathered serpent. 
We found it odd that they stop every car and ask for ID/driving licence, but its safer to have the ID (passport) on you. You cannot enter the site without a ticket from both kiosks. If youre staying at a large resort, Im sure that they can help you to arrange a car rental. If youre wondering where to rent a car in Cancun, Tulum or Playa del Carmen, its probably the easiest to rent a car when you arrive at the Cancun International airport.
There is one ADO bus to Chichen Itza in the morning. Absolutely! 
Driving in Mexico City: things you need to know, Coyoacan the best district in Mexico City, Life on a Minimum Wage in London: What Can You Afford? It is one of the most-visited sites in the Yucatn Peninsula. There is so much to see, not only within the grounds but in the surrounding areas as well. If you decided that self-driving to Chichen Itza is not for you, you can check out these lovely tours to Chichen Itza: However, if you decided to opt-in for driving to Chichen Itza, keep reading! At the border of Quintana Roo and Yucatan, there is a police checkpoint. Although I hope I never need it, it gives me peace of mind to know that whatever happens I am covered. Naturally, if you want to buy souvenirs, you also need to pay cash. A private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza costs $345 for one to three passengers. Distance from Playa Del Carmen to San Miguel De Cozumel, Distance from Playa Del Carmen to Ciudad Del Carmen, Distance from Playa Del Carmen to Palenque, Distance from Playa Del Carmen to Puerto Vallarta, Distance from Chichen Itza to Puerto Vallarta, Distance from Chichen Itza to Guadalajara. As you can imagine, there are limited shops and restaurants on the road and those that exist can be a bit underwhelming (depending on what youre used to). 
This iconic pyramid was built right over the top of a hidden cenote. I hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful.
We are a group of 4. Youll also get to tour around the colonial city of Valladolid, which is a fantastic plus. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Tulum to Chichen Itza and its the only town that has no toll road all the way to the pyramids it means that driving to the Chichen Itza yourself will cost you significantly less money (the toll road Cancun Tulum is the most expensive toll road in entire Mexico). Distance from Playa del Carmen to Chichn-Itz is 155 kilometers. So we purchased the Mexican insurance through National. Cancun vs Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen and Tulum): what are the differences? The Hacienda also has a tasty buffet for when you get hungry. This tour has all of the ingredients for an amazing Chichen Itza day trip! However, if you dont need a car for the entire duration of your trip to Mexico, then you can hire a car directly in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Its perfectly possible to drive to Chichen Itza, although if youre renting a car I highly suggest you book it online to avoid scams. I also recommend getting to Chichen Itza right when it opens at 8 am so you can beat some of the crowds. I wont spend long talking about this pyramid (also called El Castillo), because I dont want to steal the thunder from your certified guide! Enjoy visiting the sacred cenote, tour the pyramids before it gets too busy, and then spend a few hours cooling off back at your hotel. They are now accepting every form of payment, its hilarious, but paying in Mexican pesos is always more convenient. The cost is around 1000 MXN per group. Chichen Itza is a little closer to Playa del Carmen. Yes, you do! Venture on your own vs. a tour - it's safe and you will be much richer for the experience!! I think it would probably depend on the provider of the tour - in this case, it might be written somewhere in the tour description on Viator or Get Your Guide. and Uxmal which was far superior to this one and no vendors to be seen anywhere. I agree with them, The Thousand Columns sounds much better than the more accurate but rather dull Two Hundred Columns.. The people of Chichen would display the heads of their enemies on this structure. Less viewable each year. Next time I would take a tour bus there. A definite tourist trap. If its being one of the New 7 Wonders of the world and a UNESCO Heritage Site doesnt say much to you, consider that it was built around the 6th century AD, it was the most populated (and one of the most important) cities in the pre-Columbian times and its main pyramid, Kukulcan, inspired great legends. There is an underground cenote beneath the most famous structure in Chichen Itza: the Temple of Kukulcan. Parking fees at Chichen Itza is 22 pesos (about $2). After your visit to the ruins, youll also get to stroll around the city or visit some of the incredible cenotes in Valladolid. 
The VIP Chichn Itz Private Tour includes all entrance fees, an al-la-carte lunch, and private transportation. Carry a water bottle with you and fill it up where you find available potable water sources. If you dont have it you will pay a fine. This is a big cenote, so even when big tours come through, it wont feel cramped. It is only a 3-minute drive from the archaeological site and a 6-minute drive from the cenote Ik Kil. The stairs can be slippery, so hang on to the rail when youre going down. To avoid this, you could decide to spend one or more nights in the nearby colonial city of Valladolid. Expect to spend 25 to 40 USD for a full tank of gasoline.
Cost was 177 pesos plus 22 pesos parking. Look for my reviews of the many other Mayan sites we visited such as Dzibilchaltun, Kabah, etc. You can only pay in cash (at least that's what we were told by the cashier). If thats more your style, here are some accommodation options for you to consider. The time changes when you pass the border of 2 states: Quintana Roo and Yucatan. We skipped eating in Valladolid and continued on the libre road to Tulum. Up to 2,500,000 people visit the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza every year. Your blog is great. If you rent your car at the Cancun Airport, arrive with plenty of time to return it, as most scams occur when they know the tourists are rushing for their flights and dont have time to argue, ending up paying extra (could be hundreds of!) Heres what you can expect to find in this post: Most of the people who would like to visit Chichen Itza face a harsh dilemma: drive to Chichen Itza yourself or simply buy a tour? Be sure to take these essentials so you can fully enjoy the excursion! As you can imagine, that means it can get pretty crowded at the ruins. Sunny and hot. You can get in touch and ask her anything. However, no trip to Chichen Itza would be complete without seeing this incredible structure. If youre visiting Chichen Itza on your own, remember to get your tickets in advance to skip the lines and access the site faster. Insect repellant (remember to shower it off when you go visit a cenote, before getting in the water). The Thousand Columns Group is a very impressive sight! The actual cost of the park wasn't bad, but the tolls were really expensive.
Skip the Line: Entrance Ticket to Chichen Itza.
Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram you can find us at @lizatripsget! Pickup and drop-off from your hotel is included. Note: If you dont have a car, you can visit the Spanish colonial city of Valladolid by catching a local colectivo bus. But then it gets confusing. BOOK IT HERE, Choose the Chichen Itza Early Access, Tequila Tasting & Buffet Lunch tour to visit the ruins before anyone else, enjoying a tranquil exploration around the site and benefitting from the insights of your private archaeologist guide. Tulum is actually the closest town to Chichen Itza (compared to Cancun and Playa del Carmen) its located just 150 km away. This place very much deserves its place on the wonders of the world. They have a swimming pool and offer fresh delicious Maya cuisine in their restaurant. We had an amazing experience visiting Chichen Itza thanks to this article! Hi Wojtek! Souvenir vendors line every pathway to every site within the ruins but were not aggressive. Great! If you like cliff diving, you can jump off the sides. However, the weather is even hotter and more humid during the summer. Then you go to the "State" kiosk and pay a 57 pesos fee. These sacrifices included jewelry, gold, jade, and even human maidens, children, and warriors. If you invest in anything on your trip to Chichen Itza, invest in the guide! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The toll road that leads to Chichen Itza is known to be the most expensive toll road in Mexico! When archaeologists named the site, they wanted that grandness to come across. And you couldnt avoid either as it sits in the middle of the ancient Mayan city in all its splendor. 
The sacred cenotes on the site (as well as those in the surrounding area) are very beautiful and interesting. But it is an amazing experience to swim in that deep well and look up at a circular sky framed in rock walls and dangling vines. So make sure you dont lose your immigration card. Sometimes they even ask you to show your credit cards. Many ADO buses run from Playa del Carmen to Valladolid every day with different schedules, so you can choose the time that works best for you. This amazing archaeological site is rich in history and if you have never been there you should visit Chichen-Itza at least once in your life. Now that we know all the possible ways to get to Chichen-Itza from Playa del Carmen, in this section, Ill answer the frequently asked questions about transportation times and safety. Here are some of the things you need to know before driving to Chichen Itza. 
Here are the most important temples and buildings to visit in Chichen-Itza. This deep sinkhole is the closest one to Chichen Itza (only ten minutes away).
The weather is nicer with blue skies from November through April. At every turn there is a new structure with amazing cavings and remnants of coloring. Common scams include asking you to pay for insurance and insisting that its mandatory; it is not. However, on the way back when you have more time you can skip the toll roads and drive through the small villages and towns, admire the ancient churches, and maybe you can find a new hidden cenote and make the most out of your car rental. If you are going from Playa del Carmen on a bus, expect it to take about 3 hours. 
After that, youll head to Valladolid for lunch in the main square. Do you have any restaurant recommendations in the area of Chichen itza? She aims to help you plan your journey through fascinating Mexico and fall in love as well. The next day you could go visit the pink lakes of Las Coloradas before getting back to Playa del Carmen. There are amazing places near the ruins that you can visit on your day trip to Chichen Itza; however, I suggest heading first to the archaeological site so you can enjoy it before the big crowds arrive, and after your visit is done, you can then head to Cenote Ik Kil for a swim, or go to the colonial city of Valladolid and take a dip in Cenote Zaci. While you can choose your pickup time, consider that the journey takes over 2 hours, so its advisable to leave as soon as possible to avoid the crowds. There is also road 180D after Valladolid, but it's a paid one. You can rent a bicycle and sail down the Calzada de los Frailes, nab some tacos, sip a cappuccino, or enjoy gelato made from local ingredients. At the same border mentioned above, there is a stall that would ask you to pre-register to go to Chichen Itza and tell you that they queues are massive and you wont be able to get in unless you pre-register. Make sure to bring some snacks and water with you and dont forget to fill your tank with fuel before embarking on a trip to Chichen Itza! GET YOUR TICKETS HERE. Maybe you like to feast with your eyeballs.
Read more. Be sure to clean up after them if you have a guide dog. If you decide to visit Chichen Itza during the Equinox of Spring and Fall you will see an interesting event, when the sun of the late afternoon creates the illusion of a snake prowling down the northern staircase slowly.
We have some spectacular pictures of the Pyramid that when you really look at them, seeing all the workers and scaffolding ruins it. I have been using eitherWorld NomadsorSafety Wing. Youll get an English-speaking driver in a comfortable sedan car, and can take the day at your own pace. Make the most of your excursion by visiting the primary ruins that make Chichen Itza one of the 7 wonders of the world. Chichen Itza is 182 kilometers from Playa del Carmen. Youll also get to visit a cenote nearby, and finish your day with a buffet meal and a stroll around Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city in the area. So what is it? To get to Chichen Itza by car, take the 305 Highway that connects Playa del Carmen with the 180 Highway; this is the one that takes you to the ruins. They have regular Quintana Roo licenses and therefore do not stand out while on the highway or parking. The office is a bit off the beaten path, but the rate for 1 day (including all insurance and taxes) was reasonable. Lol-Hais another beautiful cenote. Look for packages flights+hotels on Expedia or Skyscanner as usually, thats where the best deals are. Many of these ruins have intricate bas-relief images on the outside, harking back to interesting periods in Yucatan history. This 5-star day tour only costs $69 per person, although you can pay more to have a beverage included. Finally, the last thing you need to know about driving to Chichen Itza is that you dont need to stop when people wearing special vests and showing their IDs to you are waiving at you. Theres only one ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza a day; it departs at 8.10 AM from the ADO station on 5th Avenue, and the ticket costs $33 at the time of writing. Chichen Itza ruins are just off the Cancun-Merida toll way in Piste. If youre new to this blog, hi, we are Liza and Jose, a millennial couple based in London, UK. 
Even though it may seem the most expensive way, renting a car gives you complete freedom to explore at will, choose your time schedule, and avoid crowds. Passport with immigration card nowadays immigration officers are doing random checks and stopping busses along the road checking if you are here with a valid permit whether its a tourist or resident.
We always hire cars throughRentalcars.comas they have great affordable insurance. In fact, they believed that their serpent god Kukulcan was born in the underworld. Still a lot of interesting things to see but not on my top 10 for Mayan ruins. Alright, if youre reading this, it means that you decided that youd like to drive to Chichen Itza. Jose (long for Pepe) was born and raised in Mexico; hence, as you can imagine, we travel to Mexico quite often. Its going to be a very tiring day, I warn you. It also makes the place seem a little less historical and more annoying. (more about it down below this post).
It was much stricter when visiting archaeological sites - masks were enforced.
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