Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Chichén Itzá is one of Mexico’s most important cultural landmarks, famous for its treasure trove of pre-Columbian architecture and artifacts. Dating back nearly 1,500 years, the archaeological city was built with the iconic pyramid of Kukulcán at its center, the greatest symbol of Mayan society and an important astronomical and mathematical achievement. Book a day tour from the cities of Cancun or Mérida to be guided through the site while learning about the magnificence of Mayan culture. Alternatively, you can catch an early morning colectivo (minibus) from the town of Valladolid to self-tour and beat the heat and for fewer crowds. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from
₹6,710.50
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
24 within 5 kms
Attractions
13 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Juan MMadrid, Spain223 contributionstrue wonderThe site is spectacular, no wonder it has been named one of the new wonders of the world, it is incredible how this could have been built in the middle of the jungle with this precision, etc. Now they should take a little more care of the entire environment and let me explain, there are more street stalls than in the al halili market in Cairo, heavy, that don't let you even stop for a moment to observe the landscape because they are constantly overwhelming you with that you buy, buy and buy, for the rest, the guides who showed us the complex were super friendly and with all their energy they explained absolutely everything to us. On the other hand, the excursion from my point of view leaves you with little free time for later take a walk through the entire archaeological complex, which is incredible, wonderful.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 February 2024
- EllebeeSouthport, United Kingdom1,195 contributionsNo single use plastic or food allowed on siteWonderful magical place to visit and so very interesting. However it can be a crazy early start on a coach depending on where you are coming from. However the one thing I never knew was that quite rightly they don’t allow single use plastic or food in there. You will almost certainly need water but that has to be brought in with a reusable flask/cup. Fortunately I had mine with me. It’s quite a long walk around the place so wear comfy shoes and take sunscreen. If you make the decision to go it’s a great place to visit and there are a huge amount of souvenir sellers I in there too so haggle if your fridge magnet or carved piece seems expensive.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 11 February 2024
- zoeamillionLille, France71 contributionsUnforgettable experience !We visited Chichen Itza with the Secretoo agency and we loved it! Our guide, Jesus, is truly passionate and gave us a lot of information throughout the visit and he was able to answer all our questions. It’s a shame that it only lasts 2 hours because there is so much to learn about the Mayan Toltec culture that 2 hours more would be necessary. I highly recommend this agency which also offers decreasing prices depending on the total number of participants. Really great !Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 11 February 2024
- Nathalie P5 contributionsA very good memoryVisit to Chichén Itzà carried out through Secretoo. Very responsive to our requests. Very fair price compared to the service. Our guide Jesus took us on a journey through time and the Mayan civilization. He speaks French perfectly. This experience will remain a very good memory.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 13 February 2024
- BrandonSHPoulsbo, Washington5 contributionsGo earlyWe arrived at about 9:00 am CST. it opens at 8:00 am. The advice to arrive early is spot on. We were able to get parking at the park. Avoid all the locals waving their badges and trying to get to park in various spots before the park. We hired a guide service, which I would recommend. We paid 1200 pesos. His tour lasted about 2 hours and we skipped to the head of the line to enter the park. He had lots of great info and photos and videos on his iPad that highlighted many of his insights. There are many many vendors all inside the park and all trying to get your attention. If you decide to stop and buy, haggle, otherwise you will greatly over pay. We wanted an obsidian dolphin for our daughter and the price dropped 70% from initial asking price to what we paid and we likely still over paid. The site itself is incredible. The brilliance of the Maya is amazing. Definitely a must see. The only reason I gave 4 rather than 5 is the over commercialization of the park.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 February 2024
- Blero12155 contributionsImposingBeautiful in photos, impressive in person. Chichen Itza is one of the temples of the Mayan culture, the most representative, one of the seven wonders of the world. The structure is truly impressive but the most interesting thing is knowing its use in the past and all the secrets that our guide was able to describe in detail. It's a shame we couldn't go up there, but the thrill of seeing it live is indescribable. The temple is located in the center of the immense archaeological area where it is possible to see all the ruins brought to light by the work of archaeologists.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 February 2024
- GloryyRome, Italy464 contributionsMandatory stopTruly beautiful and evocative! I recommend going there in the early morning accompanied by a guide so you can better understand the symbolism and the play of sounds. The only negative note: the street vendors who (not all) tend to become annoying. I advise you to negotiate because with Italians they always say a higher price.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 February 2024
- BerthakiArequipa, Peru279 contributionsA real wonder, but be careful with false guidesMagnificent is the best word for this site. The great pyramid and the observatory (caracol) are simply awesome. But be careful with the false vendors before you arrive the site. Some of them offer to skip the line buying the tickets from them, but they double he price. You can hire a guide right before the entrance, but be sure that they are authorized by INAH. Our guide Lisandro was very good. He patiently explained and answered all our questions, helped us with the photos, and gave recommendations on what to buy. Some of the vendors are a bit annoying and chase you if you don't answer them, just ignore them or answer that you are not interested in order to get rid of them. The cenote is the only spot that was not worthy to me, it has nothing special and it's far from the rest of the ruins.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 20 February 2024
- Lisa MHuntington Beach, California68 contributionsChichen Itza…Chichen Itza is a marvel! What was accomplished and what it took to design and build is simply mind boggling. It was so much fun reading about the solstices and the images that appear on certain days. How in the world did they figure that out, much less build to such exact standards?! The difficulty in rating is due to the number of people visiting. The site itself gets a 5, but just be aware of the crowds, which for me knocked it down a notch. We didn’t find the vendors overwhelming or pushy. In fact, we found it rather fun to chat with them. And they are very helpful with directions… we did get turned around a few times. We used a self guided tour I found on the internet, I’ll not name, it was okay, but can’t recommend. We did use mayanpeninsula.com at Uxmal which I found after our Chichen Itza outing. It was quite good for Uxmal. The self guided tours give you much more flexibility, we have used local guides in the past, but find the self guided tours a bit more to our liking. Either way you go, Chichen Itza will wow you!Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 February 2024
- Joseph LeviSan Diego, California20 contributionsHistorical beauty and a journey into history!Chichen Itza is awe-inspiring. Walking through the ancient Mayan ruins, you can feel the weight of history and marvel at the architectural marvels like the iconic El Castillo pyramid. It's a humbling and unforgettable journey into the past.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 24 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
26,558 reviews
Excellent
18,543
Very good
5,796
Average
1,490
Poor
454
Terrible
275
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.
carmen p
Barcelona, Spain310 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The sensations when visiting these impressive ruins of the ancient city-state of the Mayans are intense. The buildings were mainly religious and administrative, since the Mayan houses were built with perishable materials. There we can imagine the ceremonies held on the dates indicated on their calendar, the shocking ball game and its consequences, the celebrations of the equinoxes. I highly recommend two things that made this experience memorable, finding a hotel near the monumental complex to be able to access it at 8 am (opening time), since it is a privilege to see it with a silence and solitude that disappears as soon as the tours arrive. the hotels in the Cancun area (we saw large groups arriving when we were leaving). The other recommendation is to hire a guide when you arrive, if he is good he will choose the best points of view, he will give you the key to the details of the constructions and he will make you relive scenes from the different periods and the one of maximum splendor (around the year 800 AD). At 8 in the morning it is less hot, but a hat or umbrella to protect yourself from the sun and a bottle of water are highly advisable.

Written 14 September 2023
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.
Henriette Swartjes
Biggekerke, The Netherlands290 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We had read that it was best to get there early. So after our overnight stay at Hacienda Chichen Resort (where, unlike other reviews, we could not book a guide and there is no back entrance to the Chichen Itza site) we went to the main entrance of Chichen Itza with our rental car.
We got there around 8.45 and there were already quite a few people. Even before the barrier, there were men on the road who stopped us. At first we didn't really know what that was for, but it turned out to be guides offering their services. For 1000 pesos, a young guide (a real Mayan, Luis Cahum C...), who spoke good English, could take us around for an hour and a half. We didn't really know if we were being ripped off or not, but we decided to do it at random, without haggling. The young man said: 'give me 1 minute', but after half a minute he had grabbed his backpack and sat on his motorcycle and led the way to the barrier. He directed us past the queue of cars in front of the barrier, showed us where we could best park in the large car park and waited for us at the steps to the cash registers. There he immediately explained the 2 rates we had to pay.
When we were through the checkouts, he gave a very interesting tour, took photos with us and provided a lot of information about the history of the Mayans. What he did very well was always asking questions, which challenged you to think along and secretly checked whether you had listened ;-). This guide was also open to questions from us and we found that it was advantageous that we had him to ourselves. Furthermore, he took all the time, so that we ended up spending more than 2 hours on the road with him. Only at the end did we pay him, after which he left and we could walk around ourselves.
When we left, there were all kinds of stalls with souvenirs towards the exit (fortunately they were not there yet when we arrived). At the exit you first go through a restaurant and a large shop with souvenirs before you are outside again. We were outside again around 11:30-12:00 and it had gotten really busy. Lots of large groups with guides and lots of buses. (and therefore very long lines at the checkout)
We thought it was really worth a visit!
We got there around 8.45 and there were already quite a few people. Even before the barrier, there were men on the road who stopped us. At first we didn't really know what that was for, but it turned out to be guides offering their services. For 1000 pesos, a young guide (a real Mayan, Luis Cahum C...), who spoke good English, could take us around for an hour and a half. We didn't really know if we were being ripped off or not, but we decided to do it at random, without haggling. The young man said: 'give me 1 minute', but after half a minute he had grabbed his backpack and sat on his motorcycle and led the way to the barrier. He directed us past the queue of cars in front of the barrier, showed us where we could best park in the large car park and waited for us at the steps to the cash registers. There he immediately explained the 2 rates we had to pay.
When we were through the checkouts, he gave a very interesting tour, took photos with us and provided a lot of information about the history of the Mayans. What he did very well was always asking questions, which challenged you to think along and secretly checked whether you had listened ;-). This guide was also open to questions from us and we found that it was advantageous that we had him to ourselves. Furthermore, he took all the time, so that we ended up spending more than 2 hours on the road with him. Only at the end did we pay him, after which he left and we could walk around ourselves.
When we left, there were all kinds of stalls with souvenirs towards the exit (fortunately they were not there yet when we arrived). At the exit you first go through a restaurant and a large shop with souvenirs before you are outside again. We were outside again around 11:30-12:00 and it had gotten really busy. Lots of large groups with guides and lots of buses. (and therefore very long lines at the checkout)
We thought it was really worth a visit!

Written 14 December 2023
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.
PNWVA
Washington DC, DC24 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
These Mayan ruins are truly breathtaking in their grandeur and beauty. I am giving it a four star review because of the vendors. There are way too many of them all over the grounds. They are also causing a bio-hazard/pollution nightmare with all of their makeshift open pit latrines in the woods behind their vendor stalls. I drove my rental car to the Mayan Train station in Cancun. Parking was free. The train to and from the Chichen Itza station was 2 hours each way. It was very comfortable and smooth. I highly recommend it over a 6 hour roundtrip bus ride. From the station to the ruins there is a public bus which costs just 52 Pesos each way. I arrived at the ruins at 11:30 am. I had plenty of time to see all of the ruins before the public bus returned to the train station at 3:15 pm to connect with the 4 pm train back to Cancun. I did not pay for a guide at the ruins. There was no waiting line to enter the park and there were not many visitors because of the rain showers. I came prepared with a rain jacket, backpack and three bottles of water.
Written 1 November 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.
Jason A
Edmonds, WA5 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
The site itself is incredible, other than the vendors who are obnoxious, but there are scams along the way if you drive there yourself. The one that nearly got us was shortly after exiting the toll road, but still 30 km (or so) before Chichén Itzá an official looking man dressed in a crisp white shirt with flag patches and embroidered Yucatán state insignia with a name badge told us to stop and explained the entrance to the site was changed due to the Tren Maya construction and to park near the site we would need a “parking sticker”, which was free of charge. He said his partner down the road would direct us to where we needed to get a sticker.
A few meters down the road his partner stopped us. They are very aggressive and essentially stand in front of the car with their hand held up. It really looks like you have to stop. He directed us toward a booth in front of a restaurant where another person dressed in the same uniform told us that lines to get in were two hours long, but for $70 USD each ($280 for the four of us) we could skip the line or offered a “package” for $1500 USD where we could skip the line, have lunch at their restaurant, have a guided tour, and swim in a cenote. This immediately raised our suspicions and there was no way we were even thinking about the expensive package, but a two-hour wait in the heat seemed awful. Still, we told her we’d risk it and she gave us the “parking sticker” without any money changing hands.
We got to the site 20-30 minutes later only to find the entrance had not been affected by Tren Maya construction, the main parking lot had many open spaces (no sticker required), and no line at the entrance - getting in took all of 60 seconds and cost around $80 USD total for the four of us (2 adults, 2 kids). We were lucky and didn’t take the bait, but be careful. I would highly suggest not buying a ticket anywhere but the actual front gate or taking a tour where arrangements are made for you.
A few meters down the road his partner stopped us. They are very aggressive and essentially stand in front of the car with their hand held up. It really looks like you have to stop. He directed us toward a booth in front of a restaurant where another person dressed in the same uniform told us that lines to get in were two hours long, but for $70 USD each ($280 for the four of us) we could skip the line or offered a “package” for $1500 USD where we could skip the line, have lunch at their restaurant, have a guided tour, and swim in a cenote. This immediately raised our suspicions and there was no way we were even thinking about the expensive package, but a two-hour wait in the heat seemed awful. Still, we told her we’d risk it and she gave us the “parking sticker” without any money changing hands.
We got to the site 20-30 minutes later only to find the entrance had not been affected by Tren Maya construction, the main parking lot had many open spaces (no sticker required), and no line at the entrance - getting in took all of 60 seconds and cost around $80 USD total for the four of us (2 adults, 2 kids). We were lucky and didn’t take the bait, but be careful. I would highly suggest not buying a ticket anywhere but the actual front gate or taking a tour where arrangements are made for you.
Written 10 July 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.
Ricardo Chaves Garita
San Ramon, Costa Rica157 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
It is an impressive archaeological area that you must visit at some point in your life. It is very large, but it has several limitations that must be taken into account for a successful experience. It has massive tourism, literally thousands of people visit it a day. I think that the public infrastructure for common use is not adequate for those numbers of tourists. An example of this is the toilets that are dirty, smelly, there is no soap or toilet paper. In addition, it has little safe space for vehicle parking. Lots of craft sales within the facilities. I recommend visiting it in the early hours of the morning so as not to coincide with the mass tourism that arrives later.

Written 7 April 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.
Tom&NikkiTravel
London, UK1,902 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
When we decided on a trip to Mexico and the Riviera Maya, there was little doubt that the ancient city of Chichen Itza would be a stop we would make being particularly interested in the culture and history.
Whilst we knew it was a world heritage sight and one of the wonders of the new world, these accolades really do not do the place justice. Having booked our trip with MyQuestConcierge we arrived before the opening time so that we were some of the first visitors in and I couldn’t recommend doing this enough!
The place was quiet, serene and peaceful. Being able to stand at the base of the Temple of Kukulkan aka El Castillo and just take a moment without being surrounded by hoards of tourists and get the photos you want is a moment to never forget!
The magnitude of advancement in architecture and mathematics that the Mayan civilisation had is something we struggle to comprehend today with many scientists being unable to explain the returning quetzal echo. It leaves you with nothing but amazement and bewilderment!
It is important to note that Chichen Itza is so much more than just the Temple of Kukulcan though, with the Jaguar temple, the temple of the warriors all being hugely impressive!
One of my most memorable moments was standing centre stage in the middle of the ancient mesoamerican ball game court. Huge walls adorning either side it left a commanding feeling under the hot morning sun!
All in all, it is a little further away from the Riviera Maya but the other historical sights are no replacement for this!
Whilst we knew it was a world heritage sight and one of the wonders of the new world, these accolades really do not do the place justice. Having booked our trip with MyQuestConcierge we arrived before the opening time so that we were some of the first visitors in and I couldn’t recommend doing this enough!
The place was quiet, serene and peaceful. Being able to stand at the base of the Temple of Kukulkan aka El Castillo and just take a moment without being surrounded by hoards of tourists and get the photos you want is a moment to never forget!
The magnitude of advancement in architecture and mathematics that the Mayan civilisation had is something we struggle to comprehend today with many scientists being unable to explain the returning quetzal echo. It leaves you with nothing but amazement and bewilderment!
It is important to note that Chichen Itza is so much more than just the Temple of Kukulcan though, with the Jaguar temple, the temple of the warriors all being hugely impressive!
One of my most memorable moments was standing centre stage in the middle of the ancient mesoamerican ball game court. Huge walls adorning either side it left a commanding feeling under the hot morning sun!
All in all, it is a little further away from the Riviera Maya but the other historical sights are no replacement for this!
Written 31 March 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.
sophie186402
Birmingham, UK124 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We booked the Chichen Itza deluxe tour through our hotel at Planet Hollywood Cancun. The company used was called Ekinox tours. This included coach travel, an English speaking guide, drinks through the day, tour of Chichen Itza and the ruins, lunch and visit to Mayan local town, trip to Il Kil cenote open air well and stop off in a final town for sightseeing in the evening and return to hotel.
We were picked up at 7am and our tour guide was Diego who was marvellous throughout the whole day given us local information and showing us artefacts whilst on the coach travelling to the different destinations and then also very knowledgeable and ensured our safety of the entire group whilst at the different sites. We were a group of about 36 people which they spilt into English/Spanish speaking. Whilst in the coach Diego would seamlessly explain everything in both languages.
Chichen Itza was amazing. We arrived there at about 11am ( due to hotel pick ups and crossing over states) we disembarked the coach and walked up to the entrance where we were given our tickets. Diego once again gave us the history of the place and gave plenty of time to look around ourselves. He did this at each place but would just tell us to be prompt back at the meeting places at a certain time else it was cause delays which was fair enough.
The lunch was fun at the Mayan settlement. It was local food and we got to explore the culture and also visit the shop. I would say don’t buy anything at Chichen Itza as it is all fake. Whereas at the Mayan village we went to you could pay in cash and card and were given receipts and authentication certificates.
We left and then went to Il kil cenote. This was extremely busy and the queues to go down and swim
In the well were over an hour long so be mindful of that. Our last stop in a town centre was lovely as it was all decorated for Xmas and was full of activities and entertainment. We finally got back to our hotel at about 9pm. So it was a very long day but worth it to see a wonderful of the world and experience many more things.
I would recommend you wear comfortable breathable clothing and shoes. As it is extremely humid. Definitely wear a hat and bring a fan.
We were picked up at 7am and our tour guide was Diego who was marvellous throughout the whole day given us local information and showing us artefacts whilst on the coach travelling to the different destinations and then also very knowledgeable and ensured our safety of the entire group whilst at the different sites. We were a group of about 36 people which they spilt into English/Spanish speaking. Whilst in the coach Diego would seamlessly explain everything in both languages.
Chichen Itza was amazing. We arrived there at about 11am ( due to hotel pick ups and crossing over states) we disembarked the coach and walked up to the entrance where we were given our tickets. Diego once again gave us the history of the place and gave plenty of time to look around ourselves. He did this at each place but would just tell us to be prompt back at the meeting places at a certain time else it was cause delays which was fair enough.
The lunch was fun at the Mayan settlement. It was local food and we got to explore the culture and also visit the shop. I would say don’t buy anything at Chichen Itza as it is all fake. Whereas at the Mayan village we went to you could pay in cash and card and were given receipts and authentication certificates.
We left and then went to Il kil cenote. This was extremely busy and the queues to go down and swim
In the well were over an hour long so be mindful of that. Our last stop in a town centre was lovely as it was all decorated for Xmas and was full of activities and entertainment. We finally got back to our hotel at about 9pm. So it was a very long day but worth it to see a wonderful of the world and experience many more things.
I would recommend you wear comfortable breathable clothing and shoes. As it is extremely humid. Definitely wear a hat and bring a fan.
Written 2 January 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.
Nancyaidee
Mexico City, Mexico16 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Terrible organization at the box office, huge lines under the sun, yes. They pay two tickets, one federal and one state, mandatory if you are a national to carry a voter ID or they charge you as if you were a foreigner, a driver's license or passport also works, students and teachers do not pay. Now at the box office it's a breeze because you pay at one and from there they move you to make another payment at another box office. Once you have purchased the tickets, they again ask you to identify yourself before entering, they check your tickets twice and that again makes a big mess. Inside it is a whole market wherever you go, you can also see garbage left by merchants in areas where tourism does not access. The costs of everything are really high, the area of old Chichen is very beautiful and is being restored, there are two cenotes to visit, they can be admired from afar, they are not for swimming... Around this area there are several private parking lots. But the parking lot of the archaeological zone had empty spaces, but since so many buses enter, the line is eternal to enter so everyone stays on the outskirts, also because the people in charge of these lands tell you that the Chichen parking lot is full, they lie to you. . The charge is 70 pesos. The food in the town is average, the price is expensive for the quality and poor quantity they give you, the three places in the portals are slow and dirty.

Written 30 December 2023
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.
Gus Woltmann
Paris, France74 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Visiting Chichen Itza with my family was a remarkable and enriching experience. Stepping into this ancient Mayan city, we were immediately awestruck by the scale and beauty of the ruins, and the entire site seemed to come alive with history.
Arrival and First Impressions
We arrived early in the morning to avoid the midday crowds and heat, and that turned out to be a great decision. As we walked through the entrance, the first sight of El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán) was breathtaking. Its towering presence was even more impressive in person, and the symmetry and precision of the pyramid were something to behold. We spent time walking around it, taking in every angle.
Exploring the Grounds
The site is vast, so we took our time moving from one structure to another. We visited the Great Ball Court, which was fascinating, especially for the kids, who loved imagining the ancient Mayan ball games played there. The acoustics of the court were also fun to test out — it's amazing how well sound travels across such a large area.
The Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns were also highlights. The sheer number of columns and their carvings really gave us a sense of how grand the city must have been in its prime.
Learning the History
We opted for a guided tour, which I highly recommend. Our guide was excellent, sharing stories and details about Mayan civilization that we would have missed otherwise. He explained the significance of the structures, the astronomical importance of El Castillo, and how it aligns with the equinox. The kids were particularly fascinated by the legend of the feathered serpent, Kukulcán, and how the pyramid creates a shadow of a serpent during the equinox.
Family-Friendly Experience
Chichen Itza is family-friendly, but it's important to be prepared. The site is open and can get very hot, so we made sure to pack hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There were plenty of shaded areas where we could rest and enjoy the scenery. The kids were engaged the whole time, especially with the help of the guide's storytelling and interactive explanations.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Chichen Itza with my family was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning architecture, rich history, and the sense of walking in the footsteps of the ancient Maya made it a memorable day. It’s an amazing educational trip for both kids and adults alike. If you're planning to visit, I’d recommend going early in the day, hiring a guide, and taking your time to really absorb the history and beauty of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
We left feeling inspired by the legacy of the Maya and full of stories to share long after our visit.
Arrival and First Impressions
We arrived early in the morning to avoid the midday crowds and heat, and that turned out to be a great decision. As we walked through the entrance, the first sight of El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán) was breathtaking. Its towering presence was even more impressive in person, and the symmetry and precision of the pyramid were something to behold. We spent time walking around it, taking in every angle.
Exploring the Grounds
The site is vast, so we took our time moving from one structure to another. We visited the Great Ball Court, which was fascinating, especially for the kids, who loved imagining the ancient Mayan ball games played there. The acoustics of the court were also fun to test out — it's amazing how well sound travels across such a large area.
The Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns were also highlights. The sheer number of columns and their carvings really gave us a sense of how grand the city must have been in its prime.
Learning the History
We opted for a guided tour, which I highly recommend. Our guide was excellent, sharing stories and details about Mayan civilization that we would have missed otherwise. He explained the significance of the structures, the astronomical importance of El Castillo, and how it aligns with the equinox. The kids were particularly fascinated by the legend of the feathered serpent, Kukulcán, and how the pyramid creates a shadow of a serpent during the equinox.
Family-Friendly Experience
Chichen Itza is family-friendly, but it's important to be prepared. The site is open and can get very hot, so we made sure to pack hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There were plenty of shaded areas where we could rest and enjoy the scenery. The kids were engaged the whole time, especially with the help of the guide's storytelling and interactive explanations.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Chichen Itza with my family was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning architecture, rich history, and the sense of walking in the footsteps of the ancient Maya made it a memorable day. It’s an amazing educational trip for both kids and adults alike. If you're planning to visit, I’d recommend going early in the day, hiring a guide, and taking your time to really absorb the history and beauty of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
We left feeling inspired by the legacy of the Maya and full of stories to share long after our visit.
Written 13 October 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.
Christian S
17 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
I liked seeing the stuff, but I would not drive 2.5 hours just to go to this. Also going to the nearby cenotes made the trip worth it though.
We came from Playa del Carmen, and used toll roads. We didn't know beforehand that they were toll roads. They were great because we were able to go fast and they were well maintained. One segment, about a 20-30 minute drive, was a crazy $17. Another segment that we drove for over an hour was only $4.
We arrived thirty minutes before it opened (7:30) and I'm so glad we did. We got a front row parking spot. By the time we left, probably 9:00, the lot was full and people were having to use the parking outside the park. There were already about 30 people in line. They wouldn't even sell tickets before they opened, which I thought was very inefficient. While we were waiting in line to buy tickets, about 50 people went right by us to get in line at the entrance (apparently people who already had tickets and what seemed like a tour group). If there is a way to buy your tickets in advance, I might recommend that, so you could skip the ticket line. It was $30 per ticket, plus $5 government fee. They took credit card or pesos, not USD.
If you get there early, I would suggest you go straight to the castle to take your picture. Everybody wants a picture there, and ideally with nobody else in the background. We were at the castle at probably 8:30 and were able to get a picture with nobody in the background with a little bit of waiting. We tried to do it again just a little later and it was much harder.
When we were leaving, about 9:30, all the tours were starting to come in. My whole family said they would not want to be there with all those people. So I couldn't more highly recommend going early.
Tips:
If you are coming from the coast, you cross a timezone, so you gain an hour on the way there.
I read that you should go Monday through Wednesday for less crowd.
Gas up before you leave. There are no gas stations along the toll roads.
If you are not going to buy a guided tour (which takes two hours, which is too much info and time for me) maybe take a map of the site. It is not a huge area and you basically walk in a circle, so it's not necessary, but you may like it. Even more, if you are not going to get a guided tour, you may want to watch videos on what the buildings are. There are signs at the site, but they more describe the design features than tell you how the buildings were used.
We came from Playa del Carmen, and used toll roads. We didn't know beforehand that they were toll roads. They were great because we were able to go fast and they were well maintained. One segment, about a 20-30 minute drive, was a crazy $17. Another segment that we drove for over an hour was only $4.
We arrived thirty minutes before it opened (7:30) and I'm so glad we did. We got a front row parking spot. By the time we left, probably 9:00, the lot was full and people were having to use the parking outside the park. There were already about 30 people in line. They wouldn't even sell tickets before they opened, which I thought was very inefficient. While we were waiting in line to buy tickets, about 50 people went right by us to get in line at the entrance (apparently people who already had tickets and what seemed like a tour group). If there is a way to buy your tickets in advance, I might recommend that, so you could skip the ticket line. It was $30 per ticket, plus $5 government fee. They took credit card or pesos, not USD.
If you get there early, I would suggest you go straight to the castle to take your picture. Everybody wants a picture there, and ideally with nobody else in the background. We were at the castle at probably 8:30 and were able to get a picture with nobody in the background with a little bit of waiting. We tried to do it again just a little later and it was much harder.
When we were leaving, about 9:30, all the tours were starting to come in. My whole family said they would not want to be there with all those people. So I couldn't more highly recommend going early.
Tips:
If you are coming from the coast, you cross a timezone, so you gain an hour on the way there.
I read that you should go Monday through Wednesday for less crowd.
Gas up before you leave. There are no gas stations along the toll roads.
If you are not going to buy a guided tour (which takes two hours, which is too much info and time for me) maybe take a map of the site. It is not a huge area and you basically walk in a circle, so it's not necessary, but you may like it. Even more, if you are not going to get a guided tour, you may want to watch videos on what the buildings are. There are signs at the site, but they more describe the design features than tell you how the buildings were used.
Written 1 August 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.
Erandi B
Guadalajara, Mexico
Hola, ¿me pueden compartir su experiencia viajando con niños de 3 años más o menos? Si llevaron carreola o no y qué tal la pasaron. Gracias.
Written 8 November 2024
Sin carriola. Es muy difícil moverse por las piedras con ella.
Written 27 December 2024
Is a trip to Chichen Itza an experience that teenagers would enjoy?
Written 4 November 2024
If they like culture and history is a wonderful experience
Written 27 December 2024
Knee replacement in August working hard 2 get back normalcy. Taking longer than you would think. How much walking is there for Mayan Eden & Zipline? 1 mile 2 miles 3 miles? That would really help me know how much A game I need 2 bring!
Written 3 November 2024
The walk around the Pyramid is mostly flat, the walk to the cenote not so much. The sun is a bit much at times so have sun block, a hat ect and water
Written 3 November 2024
Hola !!! Con mi paraje vamos a fin de mes desde chile a Cancún y nos gustaría ir a Chichén Itza, me gustaría saber si me recomiendan rentar un vehículo para ir de manera independiente.
Written 12 July 2024
Bom dia Suellen, tudo bem? Por acaso vc tem o contato desse guia que te acompanhou em Chichen itza?
Written 6 May 2024
Can anyone tell me if it’s save to drive a rental car? Any experience on the drive please
Written 6 May 2024
Hola, queremos ir a ver las ruinas y un cenote y las excursiones de hotel cuestan aprox 125usd.
Queremos saber sí se puede ir en auto y sí las rutas son seguras. También que cenote recomiendan después de las Ruinas!.
Gracias
Saludos
Juan
Written 10 January 2024
Hi, how can I buy the normal tickets online? On the website I only see the options for the skip the line tickets, and tour tickets. Is it possible to buy normal tickets online? We are planning on being there early, so skip the line is probably a waste of money for us. Thanks!
Written 7 December 2023
We arrived just after opening time and it was an absolute zoo. The line was already extensive. We hired a guide when we arrived who could buy tickets at a different window, so it took us about 10 minutes to get tickets and go through the bag check. As far as we could discover, there wasn’t a way to buy tickets in advance. Also, you have to buy two tickets from two different windows. One is for the entry and the other is for the tax. Two different people check the tickets, one for each kind.
Written 8 December 2023
Buenas a todos, he visto que se cobra una cuota por ingresar camara de video a chichen itza como de $50 MXN , mi pregunta es ¿cobran algo extra llevar un estabilizador (gimbal) para mi celular? o tambien un selfie stick?
Written 18 May 2023
Das kann ich leider nicht beantworten, da ich keine Filmkamera benutze. Für meine Spiegelreflex mußte ich nichts bezahlen.
Written 24 November 2023
Hola , ire pronto a visitar Chichen Itza y viajo sola , asi que compre un tripie que me cabe en la bolsa y es solo para usar con mi celular, puedo inresarlo a la zona arqueologica?
Written 15 May 2023
Hola Mayra, la recomendación es que no ingreses esté tipo de objetos porque es posible que te cobren extra.
Written 16 May 2023
…
Showing results 1-10 of 431
*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.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing