From Cancun to Chichen Itza
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From Cancun to Chichen Itza by Car
From Cancun to Chichen Itza by Air
1. From Cancun to Chichen Itza by Tour
One of the most convenient and hands-free options for getting to Chichen Itza from Cancun is to take an organized tour. You'll have your pick of options, and your hotel can help you organize them, as well. We like this Chichen Itza Day Trip from Cancun option.
The full-day tour packages together a variety of activities to make sure you're getting a well-rounded experience. In addition to visiting the Chichen Itza archaeological site, the tour includes a stop in colonial Valladolid, as well as a swim in a nearby cenote (Ik Kil), lunch, and complimentary round-trip hotel transfers.
Departure times are around 8am, depending on your hotel location. Admission to Chichen Itza is not included, however admission to the cenote is included.
The entire experience is about 12 hours.
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Aerial view of the Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza
And then, of course, there's the option to completely splurge and visit Chichen Itza in true rockstar style – by plane, of course. The benefit to taking a private or shared plane to Chichen Itza is the sheer exclusivity of it all, not to mention the unforgettable experience and the incredible time saver.
Fly Tours Cancun, for example, offers a shared flight to Chichen Itza every Wednesday. Travelers are taken by plane to the archaeological site in less than an hour. The price includes round-trip flight, a visit to the archaeological site, hotel transfers, soft drinks, and the entrance fee to Chichen Itza. Flights depart at 9am, and travelers are given 2.5 hours to explore the site before returning back to the Cancun airport.
Along the way, be prepared for some truly unique and mesmerizing views. The company has other tours, as well, which include other archaeological sites in the region, if you haven't had your fill with just Chichen Itza.
Cancun to Chichen Itza by AirFrom Cancun to Chichen Itza by Car
Driving in this part of Mexico, between the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan, is incredibly easy. The land is flat, the highways are relatively straight, and it's a tourist-heavy section, meaning it is safe and protected.
The drive is about two hours each way, with ample opportunity to stop and take in extra sights along the way. For example, pass through the lovely colonial town of Valladolid to take in the pastel-colored buildings and Spanish architecture. Valladolid is one of Mexico's famed "Magic Towns," and was founded in the mid-16th century.
Another option might be to stop at one of the gorgeous cenotes along the way. Cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose an entire network of underground rivers across the Yucatan Peninsula.
The number one advantage of the self-drive option is that you make your own schedule. Organized tours, while convenient and seamless, can often take significantly longer simply because of the number of people.
To get to Chichen Itza from Cancun, drivers will be taking highway 180. There is the local 180 and the toll 180. The local road has many speed bumps and is much, much slower. The toll roads are much more efficient, and in much better condition. Tolls can only be paid in pesos and in cash so be sure to carry cash with you.
Of course, when renting a car anywhere, it is important to note a few things. Mexico has many affordable rental car options, but when booking a rental car, often fees are hidden, so that it looks like cars can be rented for less than $5 a day. Once the insurance is added on, the price goes up significantly. Expect to pay around $30 to $50 a day, depending on the season.
It's also important to note the highways.
