Chichen Itza Tour and Traditional Yucatecan Lunch from Cancun and Riviera Maya
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Chichen Itza Tour and Traditional Yucatecan Lunch from Cancun and Riviera Maya

By Cancun Adventures
Recommended by 95% of travelers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 6-99, max of 24 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Round-trip transportation from most hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya.
  • Professional bilingual guides.
  • Traditional lunch.
  • Light Snacks.
  • Bottled water.
  • Umbrella.
  • Entry/Admission - Chichen Itza
What's not included
  • Gratuity


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Round-trip transportation is included from most hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya. IMPORTANT: the Start Time is NOT your Pickup time. It depends on your hotel's location. Please be aware of your pickup details.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6200P10

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
        • Minimum age is 6
        • Not recommended for guests with limited mobility
        • The pickup time depends on your hotel's location
        • GoPro devices, tablets, and selfie sticks are subject to fees payable directly at the box office in the Chichen Itza Ruins. Professional photography equipment and drones are strictly prohibited
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6200P10

        From
        $189.00
        per adult (price varies by group size)
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • 1
          Embark on a journey of exploration at the awe-inspiring city that was once the center of the Mayan empire. The epic stories and the mysterious history will come to life as you listen to our bilingual guide weave an enticing narrative. Walk among the giant pyramids and ancient structures that dominate the grounds and uncover the secrets of the ancient Mayan people through a guided tour of the ruins. The stunning Mayan city of Chichen Itza is a Unesco World Heritage site and also named one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World". Take advantage of free time to stroll along the grounds to see the fascinating archeology. As you unravel the mysteries of this ancient city with our expert guides, indulge in the flavors of the Yucatan with a delectable traditional lunch. Chichen Itza is one of the most visited sites in Mexico and should not be missed when visiting the Yucatan!
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Cancun Adventures
          16,354
          Mexico
          Joined in April 2013
        • robdG5585UG
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cool Shoet day trip
          This was a great trip. The Cenote was very cool. JJ and Lalo took great care of our group. I would highly recommend this for anybody.
          Written February 15, 2025
        • jehnnap2020
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Snorkel tour
          Antonio was amazing! Captain Conan did wonderful job navigating the rough waves. Shoutout to Sebastian and Jorge and Sergio.
          Written February 14, 2025
        • R6190YXadamg
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Good overall
          Bus to location took around 2.5hrs. Wind was too strong so we did not get to do the second swim. Snorkeling was great for the first one - saw many fish! Antonio did a good job describing everything and warned us of what to watch for on the island.
          Written February 14, 2025
        • joshuaq680
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          #3/ boat 3
          It was amazing my guide Antonio, captain conan, jorge, Sebastian were fantastic and Sergio were amazing. Catered to my every need and made sure we not only felt safe but were safe. Would definitely recommend.
          Written February 14, 2025
        • 1971SJB
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Boat 3 - excellent adventure
          We had an excellent trip. tour guide Antonio, Captain Conan, sailors Jorge and Sebastian, and our camera man Sergio, took great care of us. Plenty of delicious food and drinks, they even took great care of one of our party whe was feeling a bit motion sick. Highly recommended the tour-great beaches and swimming!
          Written February 14, 2025
        • katietW1686XQ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Determined to see turtles
          The weather was not ideal the day of our original booking so we were given the option to reschedule in hopes the weather would be better another day. The day we ended up going the weather was better but not great and our guides J.J. and Ramon promised us they would still try to make sure we would see at least one turtle. We were able to see several and it was a very pleasant swim! The Cenote was beautiful and J.J. provided so much information about the Yucatan and cenotes and stelagtites. We learned a lot and laughed even more. Lunch was delicious! Thank you for the amazing experience!
          Written February 14, 2025
        • marksJ8612TI
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Go see JJ and swim in a cenote!
          Great adventure seeing the turtles and swimming in the cenote! The weather was a little uncooperative but it all worked out well. Our guide, JJ, was very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. He added so much to the trip and we couldn't have asked for a better person.
          Written February 14, 2025
        • 327gj
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cenote was great!
          Jesus Salas was a great guide! He and the driver Benjamin were amazing. I would highly recommend this tour!………………………….
          Written February 14, 2025
        • paulaandreaz2025
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Limestone caves and snorkeling
          Jesus Salas was our tour guide. The tour was informative, active, and a lot of fun. Bring extra shorts and trunks, you get wet twice :)
          Written February 14, 2025
        • Vacation21444489316
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience
          Interesting tour and snorkeling. Great guide Jesus salas and shared interesting facts and took good care of the group. Good driver
          Written February 14, 2025
        • 632sullivanf
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Lagoon & Cenote experience
          Jared was freaking awesome! The information given was great. The cenote, and the lagoon were incredible . I highly reccomend to all!
          Written February 13, 2025
        • mariaracquelm
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cozumel reefs are a must-visit!
          We had the best guides! They knew where the best spots were. The water was so clear and there are so many things to see! We were snorkelling for 30 minutes for each location. The trip included roundtrip from our hotel in Cancun which was pretty neat and the driver even offered us snacks and water in the morning when we were picked up at around 6:30AM. Make sure to get the photo package when you purchase online as well! Very worth it!!! The photographer took both underwater pictures with a gopro with special lens and then a DSLR on the last part of the tour. It saves you time so you can get to explore and not have to worry about taking pictures.
          Written February 12, 2025
        • anitacg27
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cenote experience was so memorable.
          Snorkling at the protected lagoon was lovely but the real amazing experience was swimming in the Cenote. Our guide Jesus Salas was so considerate and helpful and full of local knowledge. Highly recommend. But bring snacks because the food options were limited. They did offer ice cold water which was appreciated.
          Written February 12, 2025
        • 321ionelac
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          All it was the best!
          It was a beautiful experience...the staff was very attentive to everyone who was on board. It is was amazing! Recommend!!
          Written February 12, 2025
        • TrailBlazer686041
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Captivating Catamaran Excursion!
          The luxury sailing with Cancun Adventures was AMAZING! Not only did we get the chance to snorkel but we spent time relaxing on the catamaran as well! Plus, we had free time to swim in the ocean and to shop and explore in Cozumel!! Highly recommended!!!
          Written February 12, 2025
        See all 16,354 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        5.0
        5.0 of 5 bubbles369 reviews
        Excellent
        330
        Very good
        22
        Average
        8
        Poor
        2
        Terrible
        7

        These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
        This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

        Jordan D
        1 contribution
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2024 • Couples
        We booked the express trip, however most of the time was spent picking people up and driving to Chichen itza and Valladolid. Both the driver (Ruben) and guide (James) were very good, with a good sense of humour and knowledge of Mayan history.

        However I wouldn't recommend going to the ladies who do the Mayan calender reading. It's ÂŁ20 and all they do is go into the back, input your dob and return with a print out containing very limited information (around 2 short sentences). It almost felt like a bit of a scam so I really wouldn't recommend that.

        After returning we also found out that the Chichen itza that we see today is completely different to how it was when originally found. Extensive renovation work was done in the 1920s with the intention of turning it into a major tourist attraction, and they've clearly succeeded. A lot of what we see today is not original and is modern construction. So please don't think what you're seeing is original Mayan construction, it's not.

        Overall it was a well organised trip with competent driver and guide, bear in mind that if you're going from riviera Maya you're likely to spend 10 hours of the day away from your resort with only 2 hours at Chichen.
        Written October 4, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        HazelHampshireUK
        Phuket, Thailand81 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        We had an early pickup at 0645 and Eduardo and driver Alphonso were dead on time and cheerful. We had 3 more pickups to do on the way so the journey took 3 hours to Chichen Itza. On the way Eduardo gave us a very detailed history of the Mayan civilisation. Once there he accompanied us around explained things and answered questions. We were at the site for about 2.1/2 hours. We then went to Valladolid for lunch and then back to our van gor the journey back.
        Alphonso was an extremely good careful driver and when we go to Tulum ruins in 2 days time we hope he will be the driver.
        Eduardo is pationate about conveying his knowledge and clearly enjoys his job even after 7 years.
        I chose to take Cancun adventures from an online search as from the website they looked professional and I hoped reliable this certainly was the case and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
        Written December 9, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        ambermay97
        Bournemouth, UK65 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2022 • Couples
        We booked our excursions through Go majestic (at majestic elegance Costa mujeres). We were offered buy 2 get 1 free, which was great, seeing as they are pricey excursions.
        We highly recommend cancun adventures because they are an extremely safe, knowledgeable and experienced company. We felt very looked after and it was very organised.
        Be aware that if you’re up north near costa mujeres, you’ll be picked up at like 6am because you’ll be the first pick up. It was then about 3 and 1/2 hours to pick up other people, meet in cancun and pick up some more people, and then get to Chichen Itza! But all of the popular Mayan cities are just far away from Costa mujeres so that can’t be helped.
        Once at Chichen Itza, we got a very thorough tour! And then you get time to yourself to buy souvenirs and take pictures which was amazing. Our driver was Benji and our tour guide was Rafa. Rafa kept us informed the whole journey and was so lovely and so knowledgeable about the Mayan culture. I knew nothing about the mayans and learnt so much from Rafa.
        After, we got driven to a local restaurant down the road to have some local food (a like lemony chicken noodle soup, and then a paprika spiced chicken with refried beans, veg and rice). It was really great food! And the restaurant had some dancers doing a traditional dance which was lovely to see. There was then a gift shop.
        Then, being in Costa mujeres, we travelled back to cancun to switch vans (they want you to get back to your hotel as quick as possible so they put you in a different van depending on where your hotel is). We then were of course the last drop off back home.
        Overall, a really great trip (lasted from 6am till 4:30pm for us). We won’t return to Mexico so we wanted to see one of the seven wonders of the world - Chichen Itza - and we’re so glad that we did! Thank you Rafa and Benji!
        Written August 21, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hi Amber, Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us, we couldn't be happier to have you join us on this incredible adventure. Thank you for trusting us to deliver an amazing experience. We are looking forward to welcoming you back soon at Cancun Adventures! Warm regards.
        Written August 22, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        travelin.gal
        Cherry Hill33 contributions
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2024 • Family
        Before reading the review, please note the tour guide we had, Eduardo, was fantastic! He was friendly, knowledgeable, passionate about the subject, spoke very good English, and was the best part of the trip, aside from the pyramids themselves. He entertained us in the van, took us around the ruins at Chichen Itza, provided cold water, umbrellas for shade, and cold towels to wipe ourselves off after sweating in the heat. He and his driver were just all around the highlight of the day. He capped it off with the best part- as we entered our resort, he noticed monkeys in the trees and pulled over to make sure we saw them.

        We stayed at a luxury hotel in Riviera Maya. We are seasoned world travelers and seeing Chichen Itza was on our bucket list. Prior to arrival at our hotel, we purchased the "Express Chichen Itza" tour which included transportation there and back as well as lunch. It was advertised as a shorter excursion than the traditional one which included a swimming trip to a cenote.

        It was advertised that we would return around 4:00 pm. The excursion took almost 12 hours. It takes 2.5 hours to get there and 2.5 hours back, while the visit to Chichen Itza itself is about 2.5 hours, plus lunch for another hour or so, for a total of around 8-9 hours. As you can see, the tour above is advertised as 4 hours. This is false.

        We were picked up at our hotel at 6:30 am and we returned at 6:10 pm. It took over two hours to pick up other people from other hotels and the same dropping off- we were the first to pick up and the last to drop off. It literally added an additional two hours in a hot van to our "express" trip. The tour van had barely-working air conditioning and had to be replaced midway through the day. The new van had barely working air conditioning as well. In the beginning of the trip, a mysterious beeping noise occurred in which we had to pull over to figure out what needed fixed. Driving to Chichen Itza, the van was in a fender bender which took even more time away to resolve.

        It was advertised that we would receive lunch, which we did, but it was outside in the extreme heat in a courtyard at an old restaurant -maybe it was an old hotel, could not tell- in an old town somewhere in the middle of nowhere. The food was a buffet of rice, beans, chicken, lettuce, tortillas, warm orange juice or warm bottled water (and flies). An additional warm drink would cost extra money. We were also offered a tequila tasting but in the heat so we refused because we would just make us feel hotter.

        After lunch, we were told to explore the old town for 90 more minutes. There was nowhere to get out of the heat, so we just stayed in the courtyard, counting the minutes until we could leave.
        Written August 22, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Junior
        Mexico City, Mexico20 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        I booked the Chichén-Itza express tour + lunch in Valladolid (Yucatán). List below the pros and cons of the service provided by the company:

        Pros: they offer tours in English and Spanish (simultaneous translation), the van was new and clean, the guide was kind and snacks and non-alcoholic drinks were offered, as contracted.

        Cons: despite being new and clean, the van's internal space was optimized to accommodate as many tourists as possible, which makes the experience uncomfortable for a 3-hour trip. The food offered at lunch is not worth the price charged by the company. Food that has nothing traditional to Yucatan and has a terrible taste. It's an insult to the rich local cuisine. A simple self-service would not cost more than 50 Mexican pesos. The visit to Valladolid was simply for lunch, nothing more. If you are looking for a tour service that really explains, this should not be your option. The explanations offered by the guide are too basic and in many ways deficient (even incorrect).

        Summary: despite some pros, I would not hire this company's service again. In Mexico, for the same amount charged, I have already hired exclusive tour services (private car and guide), not including lunch, doing Teotihuacan + Tula on the same day (guide recognized by the Secretariat of Tourism). Because it is a group service and the quality of the knowledge and lunch offered, it is expensive!
        Google
        Written May 13, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Ken T
        7 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2024 • Family
        We took Chichen Itza Express tour from Hotel Zone in Cancun. Hotel pickup at 6:30am went smoothly, and we were on our way to the ruins by 7:15am after a couple more pickups - approximately 2.5hr ride to the ruins. You will be traveling in a mini-bus which holds approximately 15 passengers. Seating is tight, and somewhat crowded. No bathroom on board, but 45min enroute they stop for a bathroom break. They provided bananas and cookies as snack options each way. There is also a cooler with water, sodas and beer for each direction. Our guide, Gabi, was extremely knowledgeable about the history of all of the native cultures. She provided background information enroute to the ruins. We arrived around 9:45am. I think we got there before the majority of other mega-tour groups from Cancun and the ruins were less crowded than later in the day. Gabi provided an hour of narrated tour of the main features, then we had an hour to explore on our own. We met back at the van for ride to Valladolid lunch. Lunch was buffet style, filling, but nothing exceptional. About 40 minutes to explore the town square (nothing much to see), then return to hotel.

        Overall, great option to see Chichen Itza. I would have liked a little longer at the ruins. But it was still about a 9.5hr day, so that is pretty long. No cenote stop on this tour which would have made the trip even longer.

        The company is well organized, and reputable. I would be comfortable using them for other excursions. Again, Gabi, our guide was especially knowledgeable, friendly and professional.
        Written December 18, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Laura_Cariss
        London, UK117 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        We booked the early morning express trip which leaves at 7am (we were staying at Haven Riviera) and returned about 3:30pm. Nestor and the crew were fantastic and made the trip really fun and friendly. Nestor was a great tour guide and was so knowledgeable about Chichen Itza, Mayan and Mesoamerican culture, we learnt so much! They made sure you were as comfortable as possible in 41 degree heat and 85% jungle humidity with plenty of life cold water, beers, sodas, cold towels, umbrellas etc. we stopped in Valladolid for a traditional Yucatanean lunch which was great. Absolutely recommend booking this trip to see one of the amazing 7 new wonders of the world!
        Written July 26, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Wander45079533406
        2 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2025 • Couples
        Our tour guide, Lalo was so awesome. Fun, great personality, and so so smart. He was well informed, sharing so many details about the history and culture of the Mayans and Chichen Itza. He knows his stuff. We went on another tour later in our trip, and the tour guide was not as informed as Lalo in regard to the Mayan culture. No question went unanswered. Sexy Emma was our driver. These two are a dynamic duo! The restaurant for lunch offered a large quantity of food (buffet), however most of our party found the food to be lacking in flavor. The horchata was refreshing, though.
        Written January 23, 2025
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        James K
        19 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2024 • Couples
        We had a very enjoyable trip with our guide Erika and driver Manuel. Erika is a very knowledgeable and witty guide and gave a very enjoyable tour, explaining the buildings and Mayan culture. Snacks and drinks were provided.

        Chicken Itza is 160 km from Playa del Carmen so be prepared for a 3 hour journey each way. It’s well worth the journey.
        Written December 18, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Traveling504
        New Orleans, LA14 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        Pros:
        Our tour guide Freddy was cool AF.
        Cons:
        3 hr bus ride each way from Cancun
        Food sucked
        Chichen Itza has become just another peddler’s paradise just like your average run of the mill Mexican tourist town.
        That’s all fine and dandy if that’s what you’re looking, you can get great bargains on all types of merchandise. I just don’t understand why this seems to be the focal point at one of the 7 wonders of the world.
        The place lacked authenticity and I wanted it to be so much better than it was.
        How about a narrated video on the bus ride up there about Mayan history and culture and then the tour guide Freddy could’ve paused the video every 15-20 minutes, had a Q&A with the group to build up hype and raise curiosity? This could’ve been so much more!
        Written April 16, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Chichen Itza Tour and Traditional Yucatecan Lunch from Cancun and Riviera Maya provided by Cancun Adventures

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