Mexican Chichen Itza — one of the modern wonders of the world and a must-see when visiting resorts on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. The archaeological site of Chichen Itza is the second most visited place in Mexico after Tefromihuacan (Mexico City). In 2018, 2.74 million travelers visited here, of which 68.2% were foreigners.
Getting to Chichen Itza from Cancúna or the Mayan Riviera is not difficult at all. But you need to understand that the distance from Cancúna to Chichen Itza — more than 200 km, and from Playa del Carmen — 185 km. Therefore, the trip to Chichen Itza will take at least 2 hours each way.
By ADO bus
The only bus company that provides direct transportation from Cancúna or Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza, — ADO. ADO buses — first class. ADO bus stations are located in the central parts of both cities.
Schedule and tariff
- Cancún— Chichen Itza:
- daily 08:45, travel time 3:15
- standard fare: 330 MXN each way or 660 MXN ($35) round trip
- sometimes ADO offers tickets for 210 MXN one way, especially if you buy in advance or on promotions
- Chichen Itza — Cancún:
- daily 16:30, travel time 3:20
- tariff — see above
- Playa del Carmen — Chichen Itza:
- daily 08:00, travel time 3:40
- standard price: MXN 362 each way or 724 MXN ($38) round trip
- sometimes ADO offers tickets for 260 MXN one way, especially if you buy in advance or on promotions
- Chichen Itza — Playa del Carmen:
- daily 16:30, travel time 3:40
- price — see above
Tickets
You can check the schedule, price and difference of seats on the bus company’s website ADO. You can also buy tickets there, but only if you have a Mexican bank card. In addition, it is possible to buy tickets in advance or before departure (subject to availability) directly at the ADO bus station.
If you have a foreign bank card, you can buy tickets for ADO buses on the website ClickBus, but you will have to pay an additional commission.
ADO bus station in Cancún
ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen
By bus + team
You can save money if you take the bus to Valladolid, and then change to minibuses — Collectivo going to Chichen Itza.
From Cancúna or Playa del Carmen you can travel to Valladolid by ADO buses (first class) or buses of other companies (second class). All of them depart from the same ADO bus station in Cancúne or from the ADO Alterna terminal in Playa del Carmen.
Valladolid itself is a highlight of the Yucatan, and you can enrich your trip to Chichen Itza by taking a stroll through the city center. All transport to Chichen Itza departs from Valladolid and from the city center.
Schedule and cost
- Cancún— Valladolid:
- daily from 04:00 to 21:30 every hour or more often, travel time 2:00-2:20
- fare: from 120 MXN one way, from 315 MXN round trip
- standard price for ADO buses — 248 MXN each way
- Valladolid — Cancún:
- daily from 06:30 to 00:20 every hour or more often, travel time 2:00-2:20
- price — see above
- Playa del Carmen — Valladolid:
- daily from 04:00 to 21:30 every two hours or more often, travel time 2:20-2:40
- rate: from 120 MXN one way, from 315 MXN round trip
- standard price for ADO buses — 248 MXN each way
- Valladolid — Playa del Carmen:
- daily from 08:00 to 23:25 every two hours or more often, travel time 2:20-2:4
- tariff — see above
There are regular buses or colectivos from Valladolid to Chichen Itza:
- buses — daily from 06:00 to 22:00 (conditionally) every 30 minutes; collective — as it fills
- fare: 26-35 MXN each way, 70 MXN round trip
Total cost for a trip from Cancúna or Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza and back with a transfer in Valladolid is from 385 MXN($21).
Tickets
Tickets for ADO to Valladolid can be purchased using the links above.
Bus tickets or colectivo Valladolid — Chichen Itza can only be purchased with cash at the landing site.
Valladolid 2nd class bus station — Chichen Itza
Colectivo Valladolid — Chichen Itza
Other colectivo boarding sites at Chichen Itza are nearby. Locals on question «Chicen Itza colectivo» will tell you where they are located.
By car
Travel by rented car — the most practical way to get to Chichen Itza. Firstly, you will share the cost with other travel participants, secondly, you plan your time yourself, and thirdly, along the way you will be able to visit other attractions: Valladolid, numerous saints and restaurants.
Car rental price — US$12-25 per day. Add here the cost of insurance (if you don’t have your own) and a refundable deposit. If you don’t want to leave a deposit, you can rent a car from private owners, however, the rental rate increases three times.
The estimated gasoline tariff will be approx. 600 MXN ($32) (14 liters in each direction, if you take the minimum; 20.6 MXN per liter).
On the way from Cancúna or Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza there are roads with toll (180D, 305D) and free (libre) sections. They run almost parallel, so you have a choice. Driving on toll roads will shorten the travel time to Chichen Itza, but the route on free roads passes through very authentic and picturesque places.
Price for travel on toll sections:
- Cancún— Chichen Itza — 380 MXN (305 + 75) or 760 MXN ($40) back and forth
- Playa del Carmen — Chichen Itza — 329 MXN (254 + 75) or 658 MXN ($35) back and forth
Parking in Chichen Itza for the day is 35 MXN ($2).
Route Cancún — Chichen Itza by car
Route Playa del Carmen — Chichen Itza by car
Buy a tour
Buy a tour to Chichen Itza — often the easiest and most comfortable way to visit one of Mexico's top archaeological sites.
The price of tours is from US$45 to US$150 depending on the place of purchase, the season and the options included in the tour, in particular whether the price of entry to the archaeological zone, a visit to the Saints or lunch is included. Many tours include a buffet visit to Valladolid and Senfromos on the way back from Chichen Itza.
Xfrom the cheapest tour — just leave fromel and buy a tour on the street. The tour may not include the services of a Russian-speaking guide, but almost always the guide conducts excursions in both Spanish and English. In addition, when purchasing a tour, you are able to bargain.
In most cases, you will either be assigned a meeting point in Cancún or Playa del Carmen, or be picked up from your hotel and brought back at the end of the tour. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage: travel time can be longer, and individual attention — less. In addition, you need to take into account the strict timing of the tour schedule.
How much does it cost to visit Chichen Itza?
The archaeological site of Chichen Itza is closed to guest powers from 08:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. Monday — day off. The ticket office closes at 16:00.
An hour and a half is enough to visit Chichen Itza.
Entrance fee to Chichen Itza for 2020:
- for Mexicans — 80 MXN (fee of the National Institute of Anthropology and History INAH) + 210 MXN (fee of the State of Yucatan) = 290 MXN
- For foreigners — 80 MXN + 417 MXN = 497 MXN ($27)
On Sundays, admission is free for Mexican citizens.
At the entrance to the archaeological zone, many guides offer their services. You can hire an English-speaking guide for 600 MXN ($32) and higher per visit.