Visit Chichen Itza From Valladolid: 3 Best Ways To Get There
Wondering how to get from Chichen Itza from Valladolid, Mexico? You’ve come to the right place where I’ll share the top 3 ways to get from Valladolid to Chichen Itza, making your travel planning much easier.
Each of the travel methods mentioned will range from taking a bus, a tour, or renting a car all while providing in-depth information, tips, and an estimated cost for each.
Plus, I’ve included the essential information for visitors once you arrive including park hours, cost, best times to visit, and tips you are sure to appreciate.
No matter how you get there, Chichen Itza is worth the visit for its wonderous beauty, history, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
And to top it off, Chichen Itza was added to the coveted list as one of the New Wonders of the World in 2007.
So, let’s get started and dive into the 3 most popular and easiest ways to tour Chichen Itza from Valladolid.
How To Visit Chichen Itza From Valladolid
1. Take A Cultural Chichen Itza Tour
If are looking to learn about the history of Chichen Itza, the Mayan culture, and sample Mayan cuisine then this tour is for you.
The Chichen Itza, Cenote, & Culinary Tour with Conciencia Tours is one that won’t disappoint!
Your guide and the owner of Conciencia Tours is Adrian Perez will take you on a journey to discover the Mayan history and culture from the past and present.
The tour combines an in-depth overview of the Mayan people, how the civilization came to be world famous and why it is such a fascinating culture.
Although I took this tour from Valladolid, Conciencia can make arrangements to pick you up in Tulum or Cancun.
Adrian provides lovely transport, local snacks, and shares an interesting background on the Mayans on the way to Chichen Itza.
That way once you arrive, you have a basic understanding of the magnificent wonder standing prominently in front of you.
Adrian will take you around the grounds of Chichen Itza explaining the symbolism and significance of what you are seeing that I fully appreciated.
After visiting Chichen Itza, the tour continues to a delicious lunch at the home of a local Mayan family.
There is nothing better than a homecooked meal, especially sampling Mayan dishes for the first time.
I won’t go into details but the highlight of the meal is Conchinita Pibil, the world famous pork dish of the Yucatan. Everything I ate was absolutely amazing!
After a world class meal, your next stop on the tour is swimming in a cenote with crystal clear water in the middle of a jungle.
There are several cenotes in the region so the cenote chosen for the tour may change.
Book A Chichen Itza & Culinary Tour Today
2. Visit Chichen Itza By ADO Bus
If you aren’t familiar with taking the bus in Mexico, it is really easy (once you know some basics), nice, and a great price.
The main bus company to get around the Yucatan and from Cancun is ADO (pronunciation sounds like AH-D-O).
I have taken ADO buses to and from several cities throughout Mexico and have never had any issues including the Yucatan.
The ADO bus station in Valladolid is just a few blocks from the central square and although it has 3 buses per day going to Chichen Itza, in reality only the first two times are feasible.
Bus schedules may change but as of this post there is a bus leaving Valladolid at 9:55 am (arriving at 10:35 am) and 10:32 am (arriving at 11:32 am).
The ADO bus to Chichen Itza will drop you off at the west entrance to the Chichen Itza archeological site.
When you are ready to return to Valladolid, you’ll catch the bus in the same place.
Currently, you can take the bus back to Valladolid leaving Chichen Itza at 1:10 pm and 4:00 pm.
The ADO bus rates from Valladolid to Chichen Itza will vary slightly depending on the day of the week, times of the day and whether it is a holiday or not.
But a bus ticket for one person (one way) will cost between 70 MXN (pesos) and 170 MXN or a US dollar range between $3.50 and $8.
The ADO buses from Valladolid to Chichen Itza have air conditioning, spacious seats, movie playing (in Spanish) and a toilet on board.
You can check the ADO bus schedule or buy your tickets via BusBud as you need a Mexican credit card in order to purchase on the ADO website.
Tip: I usually buy my ADO bus tickets at the station the day before or get there extra early the day of.
READ MORE: Guide & Tips For Bus Travel To Valladolid From Cancun
3. Rent A Car And Drive Yourself
Many might have fears or apprehension about driving in Mexico and I always say that you need to consider each state in Mexico separately.
Driving in the Yucatan isn’t much different than driving in the United States for a few reasons. First, it is safe, has good road conditions, and not a lot of traffic.
In fact, the Yucatan state is the safest state in Mexico!
Things can happen in any city or region in the world but driving within the Yucatan I felt safe and easy to navigate with my maps app.
I did not drive to Chichen Itza but I rented a car in nearby Merida and created my own day trip to a number of places without any issues.
There are no known brand car rental agencies in Valladolid so you would need to rent a car in Cancun or Merida.
Car rental prices can vary based on the type of car you rent and the number of days, but you can easily rent an average day price between $17 – $100 for a compact, standard, or full size vehicle.
Check Best Car Rental Rates Here!
Tip: Make sure you select an Automatic Car and not a Manual unless you know how to drive a stick!
Chichen Itza Opening Hours
The complex to Chichen Itza is open every day of the week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
You want to spend at least 2 hours but closer to 3 hours, so plan your arrival accordingly to have plenty of time to explore.
Experiencing Chichen Itza At Night
If you are staying longer in the area or want a different experience on your second visit, see the Chichen Itza Light and Sound Show as known as Kukulkan Nights.
Only offered on the evenings from Wednesday – Sunday, you can watch as Chichen Itza comes alive as lights, images, and sound invigorate the ancient Mayan history.
The show is approximately 30 minutes long and you can walk around capturing the show from different vantage points.
Depending on the time of year, the show begins anywhere between 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm.
Note: I don’t recommend driving in Mexico at night so if you want to see the Kukulkan Night Show you can stay nearby (see where to stay options further down this post).
What Time Of Day Is Best To Visit
If you want to take photos with no or minimal people in your shots, get there before 8:00 am to be first in line.
Personally, I think going first thing in the morning is the best time to visit or as an alternative, a few hours before closing.
That way you can skip the crowds and have the best lighting to photograph the remarkable Chichen Itza.
Note: On an average day, 5,000 to 10,000 people visit Chichen Itza but on the spring and fall Equinox days, the New Wonder of the World draws between 25,000 and 30,000 people.
Entrance Fee To Chichen Itza
How much are tickets to enter the grounds of Chichen Itza? Upon arriving at Chichen Itza, there are 2 separate tickets you need to purchase to get in.
General Admission
- Adults (not Mexican citizens): 624 MXN (pesos)
- Mexican Citizens: 172 MXN
- Yucatan Residents: Free entry on Sundays
As mentioned, you NEED 2 separate tickets to get in that total the amounts listed above. Here is the breakdown for each ticket:
INAH Fee (Mexican Federal Government): 100 MXN for ALL visitors
Cultur Fee (State of Yucatan): 524 MXN (foreigners) or 72 MXN (Mexican residents)
Note: If you take the tour I suggested at the top of the post, the guide will take care of purchasing the tickets for you.
How Much Time Do You Need At Chichen Itza?
Expect to spend between 2.5 and 3 hours exploring the magical Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.
If you are a photography buff, you could easily spend 4 hours or more.
As Chichen Itza is one of the top Wonders of the World, don’t rush your visit and take time to take in all the views.
Best Time To Visit Chichen Itza
As I mentioned above, visiting Chichen Itza is best during the early morning hours before the crowds come and for the best lighting.
Or as an alternative, go a few hours before closing for the same reasons.
If you are trying to determine the best time of the year to visit, you can go year-round but the optimal months are as follows.
November – April
These months will be the driest or least amount of rain and not too hot. During the period between November and April are considered the “cooler” months but they are still hot for many.
Locals will say there are two seasons in the Yucatan, hot and HOTTER!
I visited in January and it was around 84 F and sunny. I was sweating due to the humidity and intense sun and definitely not cold in the slightest.
May – June
At this time the temperatures will rise but still lower chances of rain and less tourists visiting overall.
July – October
From July through October, you’ll have a higher chance of rain especially in August and September during prime hurricane season. That said, most days will still be great to visit with fewer people visiting.
Spring & Autumn Equinox
If you plan to visit in March, consider coming on March 21st to see the spectacular effect on the Spring Equinox.
On this day, a natural phenomenon occurs where the light hits a specific point (bottom steps) on the Kukulcan pyramid to see the “Descent of the Serpent” or an image of a serpent appears.
The same can be seen during the Autumn Equinox around September 22nd. The dates can vary by a day depending on the year so check ahead to make sure you arrive at the right time.
Note: Keep in mind that the Equinox days are the most crowded days of the year to visit. So, if you don’t want insane crowds, maybe visit on an equinox on your second visit.
Make sure you have your tickets purchased way in advance and/or have your tour booked as they will sell out.
Additional Tips For Visiting
- Avoid going on a Sunday as it will likely be the busiest day since locals get in free. The same goes for Saturdays in general.
- Bring water as it is usually very hot and sunny so you want to make sure you are hydrated using a reusable water bottle.
- Wear biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and breathable clothing.
- For seniors or those that have trouble walking, consider bringing a pair of hiking poles to help balance.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet walking the grounds for a few hours.
- Mosquitos can be prevalent (I didn’t see any during my visit) especially after heavy rain so carry mosquito repellant spray or wipes.
- Although you can roam Chichen Itza on your own, I recommend getting a guide if you are not part of a tour. There is so much history and fascinating tidbits that will make the overall visit more memorable.
- Or you can access a free audio guide tour of Chichen Itza on the SmartGuide app.
- Have cash (pesos) on hand to provide a tip to your guide, get refreshments, buy a handicraft from vendors or anything else you might need.
Where To Stay In Valladolid
The closest city and the best place to base yourself for a visit to Chichen Itza is from Valladolid in my opinion.
From Valladolid, it only takes about 45 minutes to reach
Here are my favorite hotel picks for comfort and prime location next to the main town square and attractions.
Where To Stay Near Chichen Itza
If you are planning to see Chichen Itza by day and for the night show (Wed – Sun), there are a few places close to Chichen Itza that you can stay for quick access.
This is a great option if you are visiting the night show, otherwise I still think staying in Valladolid is the best choice.
From both of these hotels you can walk to Chichen Itza!
Map Of Yucatan, Mexico
FAQ About Visiting Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is located about 2 miles from the small town of Piste in the center of the Yucatan state.
The drive from Valladolid to Chichen Itza is approximately 30 miles and takes between 45 minutes to 55 minutes.
Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that dates back to the 5th century CE in the range of 1,500 to 1,600 years ago.
Valladolid is the closest city to Chichen Itza about 45 minutes to reach. The next closest cities are:
Merida: 2 hours away
Tulum: 2.25 hours away
Cancun: 3-4 hours away
No. Visitors have not been able to climb any of the structures at Chichen Itza since 2008 after there was a fatal accident prior to that.
On an average day, Chichen Itza sees between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors but on the Spring and Fall Equinox the numbers can exceed 25,000.
At the front entrance you can grab snacks and drinks or eat the restaurant. As with any tourist attraction food and drinks will be more expensive.
But keep in mind that you can only take water into the actual Chichen Itza archaeological zone.
No. You CANNOT take any kind of drone to the Chichen Itza archeological zone.
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Vanessa Shields
Vanessa Shields is the founder of Traveling Ness helping people with trip ideas, itineraries, travel planning, and boosting confidence for female travelers to take a solo trip. She has been a travel writer and content creator since 2019.