
Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote worth booking?
Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote is a 13-hour experience in Cancun, Mexico, from $37 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $37 per person
Leave Riviera Maya behind for a full-day trip into the cultural heart of Yucatán, where ancient Maya history, regional food, sacred freshwater, and colonial charm come together in one complete experience. This shared tou
What you get
- Brief visit to the historic city of Valladolid, Yucatán
- Travel aboard panoramic buses or minibuses with air conditioning
- Certified guides specialized in archeology and Mayan culture who will accompany you
- Visit to the Cenote “Saamal”, Swimming is allowed
- Exquisite buffet with a wide variety of typical foods from the region
- Pick-up in shared transportation
About this experience
Leave Riviera Maya behind for a full-day trip into the cultural heart of Yucatán, where ancient Maya history, regional food, sacred freshwater, and colonial charm come together in one complete experience. This shared tour takes travelers to Chichen Itza, Cenote Saamal, and Valladolid, creating a balanced route for those who want to see more than just the beach side of Mexico. The day begins with pickup in Cancun before the road leads inland toward the Chichen Itza region. Along the way, the experience unfolds with local flavor through a buffet lunch near the archaeological area, followed by a guided visit inside one of the most important ancient Maya cities. After learning about its temples, architecture, and cultural meaning, travelers will have free time to explore. The route then changes from stone ruins to clear cenote waters at Cenote Saamal, a refreshing natural stop surrounded by Yucatán scenery. To finish, Valladolid adds a colorful colonial touch before the return journey.
What's included
Included
- Brief visit to the historic city of Valladolid, Yucatán
- Travel aboard panoramic buses or minibuses with air conditioning
- Certified guides specialized in archeology and Mayan culture who will accompany you
- Visit to the Cenote “Saamal”, Swimming is allowed
- Exquisite buffet with a wide variety of typical foods from the region
- Pick-up in shared transportation
- Guided tour (bilingual) to Chichen Itzá and free time to walk and take photos on site archaeological
Not included
- Drinks in the restaurant (This can be added with the pricing options)
- Archeological zone and cenotes entrance taxes (765 MXN per person)
What you'll see and do
Riviera Maya
The day starts in Riviera Maya, where travelers are picked up from their hotel or previously confirmed meeting location. After boarding the transportation and completing the initial organization, the route leaves the Caribbean side of Quintana Roo behind and continues toward the inland landscapes of Yucatan. This first stretch is the transition into a different side of the peninsula: ancient Maya heritage, traditional flavors, freshwater cenotes, and the colonial atmosphere that surrounds the Chichen Itza region.
180 minutes here
Chichen Itza
Before the main archaeological visit, the route includes a brief stop near areas of interest located close to Chichen Itza. Around this part of the day, travelers will also enjoy a buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant, with regional dishes and traditional Mexican flavors available. After the meal, the group will continue toward the entrance area of Chichen Itza with the guides. Once inside the archaeological site, travelers will take part in a guided visit of approximately 1 hour through one of the most important ancient Maya cities in Mexico. During this guided portion, the guide will share context about the site’s history, architecture, cultural value, and the role this city played in the Maya world. Afterward, travelers will have around 1 hour of free time to explore the area independently, take photos, walk through the site, and enjoy the atmosphere of this world-famous landmark at their own pace.
180 minutes here
The experience then shifts from archaeology to nature as the group continues toward Cenote Saamal. The drive to the cenote takes approximately 1 hour. Surrounded by the natural scenery of Yucatan, Cenote Saamal offers travelers a refreshing pause after the visit to Chichen Itza. Cenotes were deeply meaningful to the ancient Maya and were often associated with sacred beliefs, water, and the hidden world beneath the surface. During this stop, guests will have time to swim, cool off in the clear freshwater, and enjoy one of the peninsula’s most representative natural landscapes. After the cenote visit, transportation will continue toward Valladolid. The drive to the city takes approximately 1 hour.
180 minutes here
Valladolid
The final visit of the day takes place in Valladolid, a historic colonial city with colorful streets, traditional architecture, calm plazas, and a strong Yucatecan identity. Travelers will have approximately 30 to 45 minutes of free time to experience the area at their own rhythm. This time can be used to walk around, take photos, admire the surroundings, and enjoy the local character of one of Yucatan’s most charming towns. This stop adds a cultural closing moment before the return journey begins.
60 minutes here
Riviera Maya
After the time in Valladolid, travelers will board the transportation again and begin the return route toward Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The return drive takes approximately 2 hours. This final part of the tour gives guests time to rest after a full day that brought together Chichen Itza, regional food, Cenote Saamal, and the colonial charm of Valladolid.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Chichén Itzá Deluxe
Chichén Itzá Deluxe: With this option you add: Drinks on board the bus, 1 bottled water in archeological zones, Box lunch, 2 drinks in restaurant. Pickup included
Chichén Itzá Plus
Chichén Itzá Plus: With this option you add: Drinks on board the bus throughout the tour, 1 bottle of water per person in archaeological zone. Pickup included
Chichén Itzá Classic
Chichén Itzá Classic: Round trip by bus, guided tour and free time in Chichén Itzá, swim in a cenote, visit to valladolid, and mexican buffet. Pickup included
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
- Josmar Line
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Suitcases, large bags, or extra luggage are not automatically accepted on this experience. They may only be brought when our team has reviewed the request before the tour date and confirmed that the assigned vehicle has enough available space. If you need to travel with luggage, please contact us in advance. Our team will check the transportation assigned to your reservation and let you know whether it can be accommodated. Space is limited, and authorization is never guaranteed.
- Archaeological sites in Mexico have applied stricter entry controls since April 21, 2026. Under these measures, visitors are not allowed to enter with luggage, backpacks, or similar items. We recommend carrying only what you truly need for the visit, such as small personal belongings that fit in your pockets or in a compact personal bag. Some items, such as diaper bags, may be considered exceptions, but the decision is made only by the security team at the entrance of the site. We cannot be held responsible for belongings that site personnel refuse to allow inside. During this tour, guests may leave personal items inside the transportation vehicle while completing the scheduled visits.
- Once the group arrives at a stop, guests may not return to the transportation vehicle until the guide or staff announces the official boarding time. Entering the bus or minibus before the scheduled return time, or staying inside the vehicle while the rest of the group is away, is not permitted. Other travelers may have belongings stored inside, so vehicle access must remain controlled for security reasons.
- Vehicles and seats are organized by the operations team according to the day’s logistics, route, group size, and availability. Guests are not able to select, reserve, or request a specific bus, minibus, vehicle, row, or seat through the booking platform, during pickup, or directly with our staff. Our team will always try to make the ride comfortable, but specific seats or vehicle spaces cannot be guaranteed.
- If your friends, relatives, or travel companions booked separately and you would like to ride in the same vehicle, please notify our team before the tour date. We may try to coordinate this when all travelers are departing from the same accommodation, but it is not guaranteed. If the pickups are located in the same city but at different hotels, we can review the possibility, although traveling together still cannot be assured. When reservations depart from different cities, this type of coordination cannot be arranged.
- This experience only includes pickup from the cities and areas listed in the Transportation section of the product. Travelers may not join the tour directly at Chichen Itza, at any attraction included in the route, or at any place outside the authorized pickup zones. For example, arriving at Chichen Itza in your own car and joining the group there is not allowed. Pickup from a hotel located within the listed service area, such as Moon Palace Resort, may be possible depending on the coverage shown for the product. For safety, communication, and proper organization, every traveler must meet the team in the morning at the assigned pickup location, board the official tour transportation, and complete the required check-in process before the experience begins.
- If your reservation still does not include a confirmed hotel or meeting point, you must send this information to our team no later than the day before the tour. From Monday to Saturday, the cutoff time is 21:50 hrs, GMT-5. On Sundays, the cutoff time is 8:00 PM, GMT-5. You may provide the information through any available contact channel. After the cutoff time, last-minute pickup arrangements can no longer be processed. If the hotel or meeting point is not received before the deadline, the booking will be automatically rescheduled to the next available date. This change does not generate an extra fee, penalty, or additional charge. However, once the reservation has been rescheduled for this reason, it will no longer be refundable.
- The durations listed in the itinerary represent the complete time assigned to each part of the route. These times may include transfers between locations, time at the stop, activity time, boarding, group organization, and the time required to continue or return along the route. They should not be interpreted as the exact amount of time spent only inside each attraction. Please review the itinerary as an approximate guide to the flow of the day.
- Our team works to keep the tour as close as possible to the scheduled plan. However, the timing of the experience also depends on travelers being ready at the assigned pickup time and returning promptly at every stop. Traffic, road conditions, and route-related delays may also affect the schedule and are outside our control. Please respect the meeting times indicated by the guide and the time allowed at each location. Even a very short delay can accumulate during the day and affect a large part of the overall itinerary.
- The box lunch included with this tour is a fixed standard option. It cannot be changed, replaced, or adapted for special diets, allergies, food restrictions, or personal meal preferences.
- This experience includes extended walking during the day, especially during the visits and sightseeing portions of the itinerary. Comfortable footwear and light, practical clothing are recommended so travelers can move around more easily.
- Lunch is served buffet-style with regional Mexican dishes. Guests may choose from the food available at the restaurant, including vegetarian options. At this time, the buffet service cannot be customized for other specific diets, food restrictions, allergies, or personal meal preferences.
Photos






Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An Unforgettable Mayan Day with Jorge
We had an amazing experience on this full-day excursion with Jorge, our lead guide. He is a fantastic storyteller and a passionate advocate for Mayan and Mexican culture, while also remaining open-minded and respectful of other perspectives. It’s definitely a demanding tour at 13 to 14 hours, but the team was exceptionally professional throughout the day. Everything was very well organized, from transportation and site access to refreshments and meals, and they did a great job taking care of the whole group. The itinerary and sites were exactly as described, and we were lucky that it wasn’t too crowded in late July. Gracias, Jorge y todo el equipo. Andry (Canada)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $37 to $59
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cancun.
How much does Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote cost?
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Prices start at $37 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cancun 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 Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote take?
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Plan for about 13 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 Cancun is not rushed.
Is Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cancun, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote?
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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 Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote?
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Around 0 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 Cancun 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 Cancun and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chichen Itza Tour: Guided Trip, Mexican Buffet and Saamal Cenote 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 Cancun 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 Cancun?
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On Outty we rank every Cancun experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Early Access to Chichen Itza All Inclusive with Valladolid and Cenote Swim, Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya, Small-Group 3 Hidden Cenotes Adventure with Tequila Tasting. 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 Cancun?
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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 Cancun?
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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.
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