Chichen Itza ,Cenote Chichikan & Valladolid from Playa del Carmen

Good value for money trip

The tour went well, took us to amazing places such as Cenote for a swim, Chitchen Itza and Valladolid, with a Mayan village. As we were not travelling by car it was a well worth trip and not too expensive, and we got the value for money. Lunch was nice as well. However, the tour was always a little rushed, and apart from Cenote swim, we barely had time for strolling. Also, be prepared for a long time of picking up all tour participants. Our pickup was one hour in of the official pickup time, and it took another two hrs. And the same for drop offs again

via Viator

Overpaid massively, 15 hours in total - too long! Tourist trap in parts

We booked a tour from Playa del Carmen to Ek Balam and Valladolid, which was unavailable (we booked it late) so we were offered the chichen itza tour instead. Firstly to mention, we paid £170 ($229 USD) for both of us (for Ek Balam) - I now realise this tour to Chichen Itza should have been no more than £86 ($116 USD) as per the tour price advertised so we overpaid massively, and were not eligible for a bottle of water as apparently water was only for the ‘premium’ customers… The tour guides were good - funny, and we appreciated their knowledge and looking out for the group, so this is no shade on them particularly. The bad part was that, as others have said on here, on top of having paid £170 for the tour, it felt like we were taken to tourist traps along the way that we had not expected and everyone was trying to squeeze us for what cash they could.. it’s frustrating to be made to feel guilty for not paying everyone that crosses your path (woman on bus selling liqueur, calendars, objects, tipping for various things, etc.. it felt a little relentless and exhausting) we hadn’t signed up for that nor are we in a position to be throwing money around like crazy in that way.. The other issue was time.. we went to the meeting point at 6:30am, and didn’t get back until past 9pm. This could have been shortened if better organised, we were on the bus for over 2 hours before we even left playa del Carmen - No idea what was taking so long or why thy wouldn’t just get us to meet at 9am instead if they weren’t heading off till then.. which was very frustrating. One of the main highlights for me was meant to be the visit to Valladolid, which was advertised as part of the tour (Chirchen Itza - Cenote - Valladolid), but after so much waiting around, and going to the tourist trap village that we didn’t sign up for (we were there a long time!), meant we only had 30 mins to hop off the bus and have a quick look (and of course we were advised to take cash out to spend more money 😅) at which point it was getting dark anyway and not enough time to see or do anything. We got back VERY late and missed dinner plans we had with friends.. incredibly disappointing on our last night in Mexico. Oh and another thing, we got to chichen itza late in the day and it was VERY hot.. my partner asked if he could have a bottle of water before going in, but they said we cannot have water as that’s only for the ‘premium’ passengers 🤣🤣🤣 seems like that should be a basic level of service for a £170 ($229 USD) tour? All in all, the cenote was nice, Chitchen itza was obviously nice although we got there late in the afternoon after the tourist trap and waiting around for ages, so it was absolutely boiling! Valladolid looked beautiful but we didn’t get to see any of it due to only having 30 mins there, and the sun was setting when we were there lol, not sure why they bothered advertising it in the tour. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a tour if you value your time and your cash.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We regret that the experience did not meet your expectations and would like to clarify a few important points for greater transparency. First, the total amount paid was $110 USD per person, not the higher amount mentioned. Furthermore, the original Ek Balam tour reservation was not completed because the remaining balance was not paid. Therefore, the alternative Chichen Itza tour was offered. Regarding the price, our Chichen Itza tour is advertised at $58 USD plus the official conservation tax required to enter the archaeological site. This government fee applies to all visitors and is clearly specified in the exclusions at the time of booking. In your case, this tax was waived as a courtesy, since you also did not pay the conservation tax for the Mayan ruins. As for optional purchases during the tour (souvenirs, local products, etc.), these are entirely voluntary. Visitors are always informed that they are under no obligation to buy anything. Regarding the trip duration, this is a group tour covering a long distance between Playa del Carmen and Yucatán. Travel times may be affected by traffic and operational logistics, which could cause delays beyond our control. A brief stop in Valladolid is included; however, the main objective of the tour is Chichén Itzá. The time allotted for this visit is standard for group itineraries. We would also like to clarify that some included services, such as beverages, depend on the selected package. These differences are detailed at the time of booking. We appreciate your positive feedback about our guides; they strive to provide an informative and enjoyable experience for all participants. We always recommend that our clients carefully review the details, including what is and is not included in the tour, before booking to ensure the experience meets their expectations. Best Regards

via Tripadvisor

Just too long!

We were picked up at 7 am & didn't get back until 10 pm, so it was a very long & tiring day. After pick up, we then sat on a petrol forecourt for an hour waiting for a larger coach to arrive to take us on for the rest of the day. Rather frustrating after the early start.....and subsequent late finish. The day was done in a different order than advertised and we had 2 stops before finally reaching Chichen Itza at around 3 pm. By this time we were all past our best and would have much preferred this being the first activity, with lunch and the cenote visit afterwards. The trip was good value for money & the guides worked hard, with good knowledge & great language skills. The trip was good value for money but

Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify a few important points regarding your experience. All the details about the tour — including pickup instructions, meeting point, schedule, required identification, additional conservation fees, and recommendations — were clearly provided in the product description prior to purchase, as well as in your booking confirmation. Regarding the meeting arrangements, you were informed in advance that the pickup would take place at the central lobby of The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Riviera Maya at 7:00 a.m., and that arriving a few minutes early was necessary to ensure a smooth departure. Our team also remained in contact with you on the morning of the tour to assist and confirm your arrival at the meeting point. Concerning identification, for operational and safety reasons, it is mandatory that passengers present a valid ID that matches the booking information in order to board the tour. This policy is standard and was communicated beforehand. Additionally, the conservation fee required for entry to Chichén Itzá is a government-imposed charge and is not controlled by the tour operator. This information was also disclosed prior to the tour. We always strive to provide clear communication and support to ensure a smooth experience for all travelers, and our records show that assistance was provided throughout your pre-tour and pickup process. We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us continue improving our service. Warm Regards

via Tripadvisor

🔥🔥

Gonzalo and Rodolfo were the best! It was a fantastic tour that I’d definitely recommend. I learned so much about Mayan culture and loved the cenote. It was so refreshing and they had a zip line you can ride into the water. Chichen Itza was so beautiful and a must see if in Playa or the surrounding areas.

via Tripadvisor

Ernesto and victor were...

Ernesto and victor were amazing, so very friendly and knowledgeable of the area and Mayan culture. We appreciated them letting us know ahead of time of the sketchy vendors and what not at Chichén Itzá well before we got there and just prior to the arrival. What a wonderful team and amazing stops.

via Viator