Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 25,644 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour worth booking?
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour is a 12-hour experience in Tulum, Mexico, from $49 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 25,644 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 88 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (25,644)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $49 per person
Explore Chichen Itza, an impressive Mayan archaeological complex. Visit a sacred sinkhole and enjoy a buffet meal. Get picked up from your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, or choose a convenient meeting point. Journey to one of the Yucatan Peninsula's most important monuments. Upon arrival, marvel at the step pyramid of Kukulcan, renowned for its shadowy serpent image created by equinox light. Experience an ancient cenote, part of a sacred underground river network to the Maya people. Indulge in a tasty buffet and take a leisurely stroll in Valladolid.
What you get
About this experience
Explore Chichen Itza, an impressive Mayan archaeological complex. Visit a sacred sinkhole and enjoy a buffet meal. Get picked up from your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, or choose a convenient meeting point. Journey to one of the Yucatan Peninsula's most important monuments. Upon arrival, marvel at the step pyramid of Kukulcan, renowned for its shadowy serpent image created by equinox light. Experience an ancient cenote, part of a sacred underground river network to the Maya people. Indulge in a tasty buffet and take a leisurely stroll in Valladolid.
What's included
Included
- Visit to Cenote Saamal with access to swimming area and facilities
- Lunch
- Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Guided visit to Chichén Itzá with free time to explore
- Certified bilingual tour guide throughout the experience
- Free time in Valladolid’s historic main square
Not included
- Beverages in the Buffet (Included in All Inclusive option)
- Rent lockers and lifejackets (included in All-Inclusive option)
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Chichen Itza
Explore the Wonder Before the Crowds One of the biggest advantages of this tour is our early arrival to Chichén Itzá, before most large tour buses reach the site. This allows you to explore the ancient city during the cooler morning hours, avoiding the intense heat and large crowds that arrive later in the day. Your certified bilingual guide will lead you through the most important areas of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), the Great Ball Court, and the Temple of the Warriors, while sharing fascinating stories about Maya astronomy, architecture, and culture. The guided portion lasts about 1 hour, followed by 1 hour of free time to walk around, take photos, and experience the magic of this New Seven Wonder of the World at your own pace. Total time at Chichén Itzá: approximately 2 hours.
120 minutes here
Cenote Saamal
Discover the stunning Cenote Saamal, a massive open-air cenote located inside the historic Hacienda Selva Maya. Surrounded by towering limestone walls, lush vegetation, and a small natural waterfall, its crystal-clear waters create one of the most breathtaking swimming spots in the Yucatán. Here you can swim, relax, or simply enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace. You’ll also have time to enjoy a buffet of traditional Yucatecan cuisine served inside the beautiful hacienda, offering a more authentic and comfortable experience than the typical roadside restaurant stops.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Valladolid
Our final stop is the beautiful town of Valladolid, one of the most charming colonial cities in the Yucatán Peninsula. Here you’ll enjoy free time to walk through the historic center, admire the colorful colonial buildings, and experience the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional Mexican town. The main square is surrounded by lively streets, local shops, and the iconic San Servacio Church, located right in the heart of the city. Valladolid is known for its vibrant colors, authentic culture, and laid-back charm, making it the perfect place to take photos, grab a coffee, or simply enjoy a pleasant stroll before returning.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tulum
For those who are in the town of Akumal
Meeting point
Tulum
If you're staying at Moon Palace Grand or Nizuc (Palapa de Tours), Haven Riviera, Royalton Riviera, Hilton Cancun All-Inclusive, or Dreams Natura, your meeting point will be at Hotel Tequila Cancun (next to Motel Sensaciones).
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
We see you at Go Mart Petempich (next to main entrance Gulf Jazmin)
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
On the avenue
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
If you stay at Ocean Coral & Turquesa, Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa, Excellence Riviera Cancun, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa the meeting point will be at 7-Eleven Regatta.
Meeting point
Tulum
All our travelers stay in Puerto Aventuras hotels, the meeting point will be outside Go Mart Agua Verde. The Go-Mart is located next to the booth of the Puerto Aventuras complex.
Meeting point
Tulum
For coordination purposes, travelers staying in Tulum will meet at Super Aki Tulum.
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
For coordination purposes, travelers staying in Playacar hotels will meet at 7-ELEVEN AT ARIA PLAYACAR.
Meeting point
Tulum
All our travelers stay in Playa del Carmen downtown hotels, the meeting point will be Shasa Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall (Is located outside La Quinta Alegría Mall).
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
Meeting point
Tulum
If you're staying in downtown Cancún or Isla Mujeres, this is the meeting point for your pick-up.
Meeting point
Tulum
If you're staying at a hotel in Costa Mujeres or Playa Mujeres, this is the closest meeting point for your pick-up.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 40 minutes before departure.
Ends at
For those who are in the town of Akumal
Ends at
If you're staying at Moon Palace Grand or Nizuc (Palapa de Tours), Haven Riviera, Royalton Riviera, Hilton Cancun All-Inclusive, or Dreams Natura, your meeting point will be at Hotel Tequila Cancun (next to Motel Sensaciones).
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
We see you at Go Mart Petempich (next to main entrance Gulf Jazmin)
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
On the avenue
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
If you stay at Ocean Coral & Turquesa, Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa, Excellence Riviera Cancun, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa the meeting point will be at 7-Eleven Regatta.
Ends at
All our travelers stay in Puerto Aventuras hotels, the meeting point will be outside Go Mart Agua Verde. The Go-Mart is located next to the booth of the Puerto Aventuras complex.
Ends at
For coordination purposes, travelers staying in Tulum will meet at Super Aki Tulum.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
For coordination purposes, travelers staying in Playacar hotels will meet at 7-ELEVEN AT ARIA PLAYACAR.
Ends at
All our travelers stay in Playa del Carmen downtown hotels, the meeting point will be Shasa Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall (Is located outside La Quinta Alegría Mall).
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
If you're staying in downtown Cancún or Isla Mujeres, this is the meeting point for your pick-up.
Ends at
If you're staying at a hotel in Costa Mujeres or Playa Mujeres, this is the closest meeting point for your pick-up.
Options you can book
Chichen All inclusive option
All Inclusive: Includes Chichen Itza Entry fees with Skip-the-line service, locker and lifejacket and 1 drink included with lunch. Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Pickup included
Private Chichen Itza
Cenote access: Entry to a cenote for swimming and exploration. Driver and certified guide: Professional driver and licensed guide for comfort and cultural insights. Duration: 12 hours: Relaxed timing Regional buffet lunch: Traditional buffet with regional flavours. Private round transportation: Round-trip from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Additional inclusions: Courtesy stops. Pickup included
Hotel pick-up option
Lunch at a Beautiful Hacienda: Enjoy a gourmet lunch at a stunning Hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula Hotel Pick up: We will pick you up at your hotel lobby or at the nearest walking-access point when vehicle access is not available. Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Pickup included
Meeting point option
Lunch at a Beautiful Hacienda: Enjoy a gourmet lunch at a stunning Hacienda in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico: Ranked #1 Tour in Mexico and #7 Worldwide in 2025 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best. Starting points: ARIA Playacar, Av.10 lote 1 local 46, Playa del Carmen Quintana Roo Fraccionamiento, Fase II, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico GOmart Agua verde, KM 2695 MZA 29 LTE 2, México 307, 77780 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico Hotel Smart Cancun, Av. Tulúm 4, capilla ecumenica, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Hotel Tequila Cancun, Carretera Federal Cancún - Puerto Morelos, 77560 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Shasa Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall, Av. Constituyentes 269, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Starbucks Centro Maya, Carr. Cancún - Tulum 2100, Ejidal, 77702 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Súper Akí Tulum, Carretera Federal Tulum Ruinas s/n, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sat Mexico Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The use of a life jacket is mandatory in the cenote
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25,609 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
25,609 verified traveler reviews for Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A whole lotta fub
It was an excellent tour. Our tour guide, Rafa, was very kind, informative and kept things entertaining the whole time. I definitely recommend.
via Tripadvisor
A great informative Tour
This was an excellent tour. Caesar, the tour guide provided us with history of the Mayan culture. We made various stops along the way which was interesting. The bus driver was excellent! All in all an excellent very long day!
via Viator
The guide was excellent, the beginning of the tour felt like a scam
The tour was good overall, and the guide was really good, knowledgeable, and helpful. However, there is one major issue with the organization of the trip. Before visiting Chichén Itzá, we had to spend around 45 minutes at a market where the goal seemed to be getting tourists to buy things. This felt like a waste of valuable time, especially when we only had two hours to visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. Two hours was simply not enough, and I would have much rather spent that extra 45 minutes exploring Chichén Itzá. I understand that these stops may be part of the business model, but forcing tourists to spend time at a market instead of the main attraction feels like a scam. If the tour costs more without the shopping stop, then charge more upfront and let people enjoy the destination they actually paid to visit. The guide was excellent, but the itinerary needs to change. More time at Chichén Itzá and no forced shopping stops would make this a much better experience.
via Viator
Terrible tour…
They left us stranded in a place without waiting for us or anything — we had to take an Uber and we didn't even know where to go. The itinerary said 3 activities, but we only did 2, and everything was super rushed, like 1 hour each. Honestly, we had expectations, but this tour was really bad. I don't recommend it.
via Viator
Great Experience, Terrible Company
This trip was a marketing scheme between viator/sat mexico and all the fake artisan market destinations. Notice how you have more stops in specific markets than actual marketplaces. Cesar leads everyone to believe all the goods are handmade and authentic when in reality, theyre all machine made and distributed elsewhere. For your own sake, be extremely skeptical of everything you hear from someone who might be financially motivated. Run all decisions through AI, it has no reason to deceive or benefit from your cost, but these runners do. If you need to book a trip, just go to costco or world2meet. You get better prices, and no scammy trips. Best of luck on your trip and be vigilant of anyone who tries to influence your thoughts.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $49 to $1,848
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 8,975
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Sat Mexico Tours, who run 13 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.2 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Sat Mexico Tours runsWhy this scores 88
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tulum.
How much does Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour cost?
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Prices start at $49 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tulum usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tulum is not rushed.
Is Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 25,644 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Tulum, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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Around 8,975 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tulum can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tulum and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tulum within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tulum?
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On Outty we rank every Tulum experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Chichen Itza from Cancun : Cenote, Valladolid and Mayan Cuisine, Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour, Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tulum?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tulum?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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Included: Visit to Cenote Saamal with access to swimming area and facilities; Lunch; Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle; Guided visit to Chichén Itzá with free time to explore; and Certified bilingual tour guide throughout the experience. Not included: Beverages in the Buffet (Included in All Inclusive option); Rent lockers and lifejackets (included in All-Inclusive option); and Admission fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 222 listed pickup locations in and around Tulum. Be ready about 40 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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Across 25,644 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including Chichen All inclusive option, Private Chichen Itza, Hotel pick-up option, Meeting point option. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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