The Perfect Chichen Itza Itinerary: Tips, Cenotes & Valladolid Day Trip

So, you’re thinking about visiting Chichen Itza? Good call. It’s one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, dripping with history, and yes, it’s worth the hype. But here’s the thing nobody tells you: Google Maps might try to sabotage you, vendors will practically throw jaguar whistles at your face, and if you’re lucky, you’ll dodge a few tarantulas on the freeway.

If you’re stuck choosing between a Chichen Itza tour or hitting the road on your own, take it from us: the road trip wins. Our family of three (yes, even with a 6-year-old in tow) went in with high hopes and came out with even better memories. This is our perfect Chichen Itza itinerary, complete with the triumphs, the blunders, and the places you shouldn’t miss at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

First time in Mexico? Make sure you check out this page filled with all the important info you’ll need for your trip!

How to Get to Chichen Itza (Without Getting Sent Back to Cancun)

We made the Chichen Itza day trip from Playa del Carmen by rental car, which gave us way more freedom than being stuck on a tour bus. Driving from Playa del Carmen added some chaos, but it’s all part of the adventure. Honestly, renting a car was one of the best choices we made for our Chichen Itza itinerary.

Pro tip: stick to reputable companies (we used American Car Rental) unless you enjoy hidden fees and being totally ripped off. Always check reviews before booking.

There are a ton of really great Chichen Itza tours available for this, including ones that leave right from Tulum (check out our Tulum Guide if you’re planning time there), but keep reading and I’ll tell you why we decided to do a road trip instead. Psst…it involves saving money.

The drive is about 2 hours 10 minutes via the 305D to the 180D. Easy enough, right? Except… not. Google Maps told us to stay right at the toll booth, even though there was a big fat sign that said Chichen Itza. Being obedient little map-followers, we listened. Mistake. Be aware, there are other spots where Google Maps says to go one way while Apple Maps says something else. There were a couple times that we pulled into the shoulder at a junction and had to reverse on the freeway after looking at both maps, zooming out and then figuring out which one looks most accurate.

Turns out we were now on the one highway in Mexico with no exits, heading straight back toward Cancun. Apple Maps (the underdog) said turnaround in 45 minutes, while Google insisted it was 1 hour 15. Apple was right (this time). We lost about 45 minutes and some extra pesos in tolls, so learn from our pain: follow the actual signs, not just your phone. Or just ask the person at the toll booth for directions. Most importantly, download the maps offline in case you lose service en route.

If you are visiting in August or September, look out for tarantulas crossing the road. We came across dozens and they were massive. Like “you sure that’s not a small dog?” massive. We even turned around to get a closer look because when else do you get to see tarantulas outside of a zoo? It made the wrong turn almost worth it.

Be Sure to Stop for Breakfast

Before hitting the ruins, make sure you fuel up! You’ll want to be full so you aren’t forced to buy the overpriced food and drinks there. We stopped at Choko Coffee (right off the highway, so no detour stress). The coffee and smoothies were delicious, restaurant was clean, the menu was solid, and we were the only ones there. The only hiccup? The server accidentally charged us in USD instead of pesos and added a few mystery extras. Language barrier + not worth the fight = we let it slide. Still, decent stop if you need fuel, and honestly there’s not much more around.

Parking at Chichen Itza (Don’t Get Scammed)

As you approach the ruins, people will flag you down, wave you in, and even knock on your window trying to lure you into their “parking lots.” Ignore them. Politely shake your head and keep driving.

We were lucky enough to be stopped by an official Chichen Itza employee earlier who gave us the inside scoop:

• Official parking = 120 pesos for the day
  
• It’s the closest lot and secure
  
• The fee helps with upkeep of the ruins
  
• Other lots = shady, further away, and your pesos just go to whoever waved you in
  

Trust me, stick to the official lot. 

Also, when entering the location into your maps, make sure you type in El Castillo, and not Chichen Itza. The latter will take you to the town center.

Tickets, Entrance, and What to Expect

Tickets were 671 pesos per adult (about $35 USD), split into two transactions. Federal and state fees (571 Pesos + 100 Pesos). Our daughter got in free (we read online that kids still had to pay 100 pesos but that wasn’t the case on our visit). You can stay all day once you’re in.

Check out their official site here for pricing or current events.

👉 Important: You don’t need your passport or ID unless you’re a Mexican resident trying to get free Sunday entry.

Inside, there’s a bag check (more like a quick glance inside your backpack) and then you’re free to roam. Vendors line the paths selling souvenirs, jewelry, and those infamous jaguar whistles you’ll hear everywhere. Some claim to sell “real Mayan gemstones,” but spoiler alert: a lot of it is resin.

Food and drinks are available at the entrance, but they’re pricey. Bring your own water and snacks. You’ll need them.

Best Time to Visit Chichen Itza

The best time to visit Chichen Itza is painfully obvious once you’re there: early. Like, “is the sun even awake yet?” early. The gates open at 8 am, and if you roll in right when they do, you’ll thank yourself later. Not only do you beat the blazing heat, but you also get a head start on the tour buses barreling in from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. By 10 or 11 am, it’s like Disney World in August…sweaty, crowded, and slightly miserable.

If you are a resident of Mexico, you get free entry on Sundays! All you need is proof you live there. We happened to plan our trip on a Sunday, unaware of this fact, and were informed by the official park employee that stopped us that it would be extra busy due to this perk. To our surprise, it really didn’t feel that busy! I didn’t think we’d get a single picture without a group of people in the background, but we were actually able to get a ton of unobstructed pics.

As for the time of year, the sweet spot is November through March. You’ll still sweat (because hello, Yucatán), but it’s nothing compared to the face-melting summer months. April through June? Prepare to roast. September and October? Rainy season roulette. Basically, if you can swing it, stick to winter or early spring and always, always aim for that 8 am entry. Your body and your photos will thank you.

Exploring Chichen Itza: Our Itinerary

Now there are so many really great tours offered. Day trips from Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen with all the stops and a history lesson. There are also tour guides on site if you’re driving in yourself.

We debated doing this, but once we broke it down, our overnight road trip actually cost less than the tour. And that included our rental car, hotel, food, and cenote trip. By following our own Chichen Itza itinerary, we had the freedom to explore at our own pace and stay longer in some really awesome half way points. Choose whatever works best for you and your time frame.

We tried to get there right when the gates opened to beat the heat and the crowds, but because of our slight detour, we arrived around 9:00 am. It still wasn’t sweltering hot yet and even though the parking lot was totally full, it didn’t feel overcrowded. Here’s how we did it:

1. El Castillo (the pyramid): The star of the show. Yes, it’s as epic as the pictures. Don’t miss clapping to hear the sound echo back like a bird call. It’s trippy.
   
2. Temple of the Warriors & Group of a Thousand Columns: Impressive and fun for wandering.
   
3. The Great Ball Court: The largest in Mesoamerica where they played Pok-ta-Pok. The losers were sacrificed. Try explaining the “rules” of that game to a 6-year-old.
   
4. Other ruins & smaller temples: Plenty of signs give history if you’re not with a guide.
   

We spent about 2 hours exploring before calling it quits. You could easily stay longer if you’re loaded up with snacks and hydration.

Bonus: it rained lightly while we were there, which cooled things off. Otherwise, expect it to be HOT.

Chichen Itza Tips for Surviving the Day

These Chichen Itza tips will save you from rookie mistakes like falling for parking scams and more. We learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

• Arrive at opening (8 am) to beat the crowds and sun.
  
• Bring cash (pesos). Cards aren’t always accepted.
  
• Water, snacks, sunscreen, hats. Shade is limited.
  
• Ignore parking scammers. Go to the official lot.
  
• Don’t fall for fake gemstone souvenirs.
  
• Sunday = free entry for locals. Expect it to be packed.

Where to Eat & Stay Nearby: Chichen Itza to Valladolid

If you’re making it a full day or overnight trip, Valladolid is the perfect halfway stop between Chichen Itza and the Riviera Maya. It’s a cute colorful town that totally stole my heart.

We stayed at Meson del Marques Valladolid. A beautiful and historic hotel for under $100 a night, central location, amazing restaurant, and breakfast included. Totally worth booking this hotel. The restaurant included some regional specialities that grew my lil’chef heart.

Highlights in town:

• Mercado de Comida: Casual eats where we finally tried panuchos and salbutes (delicious + cheap).
  
• Parque Principal Francisco Canton Rosado: The lively main square with music, dancing, vendors, and churros stuffed with chocolate and cajeta.
  
• Catedral de San Gervasio: Gorgeous church across from the square.
  
• Shops & souvenirs: Macrame, clothing, a cute bookstore, and plenty of trinkets.

Cenotes to Include in Your Chichen Itza Itinerary

After baking in the sun at Chichen Itza, nothing feels better than jumping into cold, clear cenote water. And the good news? If you’re in Valladolid, you don’t have to trek far. Cenotes are everywhere. It’s basically the region’s way of saying, “Here, cool off before you melt.”

You’ve got options depending on your mood:

• Want something super convenient? Head to Cenote Zací, right in downtown Valladolid. It’s big, dramatic, and usually busy. There’s a restaurant directly next to it that gives you a discount on your ticket if you dine there.
  
• Want that iconic Instagram shot? Go to Cenote Suytun. That circular stone platform with a spotlight of sunshine? Yep, this is the one. Just know you’ll be sharing the moment with about 50 other people who also want the same photo.
  
• Traveling with kids or just want easy access? Try Cenote X’kekén and Cenote Samulá, two next-door neighbors. Both are underground caverns with glowing turquoise water and a family-friendly vibe. Bonus: you can knock out two cenotes in one stop.
  
• Feeling adventurous? Cenote Oxman is the one with Tarzan vines you can swing into the water from. It’s in a giant open cavern with jungle energy, and there’s even a hacienda nearby with a pool and restaurant if you want to linger longer.
  

The best part is you can mix and match. If you only have time for one, pick based on your style (photo op, family-friendly, or adventure vibes). All of them are close enough to Valladolid that you won’t feel like you’re spending your whole day in the car.

Cenote Stop: Choo Ha

We stopped at Cenote Zaci but it was incredibly crowded, so we decided to find one on our way back to Playa del Carmen. It’s a great way to break up the drive. We found ourselves at Cenote Choo Ha, about an hour outside of town. There are three cenotes on site, but Choo Ha is the most family-friendly with shallower waters.

• Entry was cheap.
  
• Life jackets available for rent.
  
• Steep stairs down into a cave filled with bats and black catfish.
  
• Freezing cold water (because no sunlight hits it).
  
• We had it all to ourselves until thunder rolled in.
  

It was the perfect way to end the trip.

Is Chichen Itza Worth It?

100% yes. Despite the wrong turns, parking scams, overpriced smoothies, and jaguar whistle sound effects, Chichen Itza is still one of the most incredible places you’ll ever visit.

Whether you’re doing a Chichen Itza day trip from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum (don’t miss our Tulum Guide if you’re visiting there), or part of a longer Yucatán adventure…this Chichen Itza itinerary will hopefully help you make it happen. It’s an easy bucket-list-worthy experience. If you’re visiting Chichen Itza anytime soon, remember to bring snacks, trust Apple Maps (for once), and try to squeeze in a stop in Valladolid or at a cenote.

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