The 11 Best Merida to Chichen Itza Tours for a Stress-Free Visit

Ready to book your Chichen Itza tours from Merida?
You’re in the right place because the top Merida to Chichen Itza tours are featured here.
How do I know they’re the best? I lived in Merida for several years and visited Chichen Itza three times — so I know what makes a great Chichen Itza tour.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Book this Private Chichen Itza Ruins Tour & Cenote Ik-Kil Swim — which has a near-perfect 5-star ⭐️ rating and takes you to one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico.
If that one’s not for you, don’t worry!
Having been on a few Merida tours to Chichen Itza throughout the years, I vetted all the tours in this article to ensure they’re highly rated and well-reviewed — so all you have to do is book a tour, and enjoy.
There are ten other tours from Merida to Chichen Itza in this article, including private tours, group tours, tours that include visiting other places, like Valladolid, and tours that include swimming in cenotes.
Ready to see the full list of tours to Chichen Itza from Merida Mexico? Let’s dive in!
Top 3 Picks: Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
The 11 Best Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
The tours featured here combine a visit to Chichen Itza with other nearby places and/or a unique experience.
Each one is a great opportunity to discover Chichen Itza with a guide, plus another one of the best things to do in Yucatan, Mexico — for a day you won’t forget.
1. Private Chichen Itza Ruins Tour & Cenote Ik-Kil Swim

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8-10 hours | 🛖 BOOK NOW
No visit to the Yucatan is complete without experiencing the beauty and intrigue of the historic Chichen Itza. Look no further than this Private Cenote and Chichen Itza Tour.
Not only will you make your way to one of the most magnificent new world wonders, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore Ik-Kil, one of the most bucket-list-worthy cenotes in the area.
Absolutely wonderful experience. Alex is a top-tier driver and Vincente told a beautiful narrative around the Mayan culture and the history of the Yucatan.
craig (read more reviews)
Ik-Kil is also equally important to Mayan culture as the ruins.
This is a full day of learning and immersing yourself in the clear waters, unique cenote vegetation, and culture significance of the Mayans — the perfect Chichen Itza Cenote tour.
Merida to chichen itza tours
2. Chichen Itza, Izamal “The Yellow City,” Cenote Saamal & Lunch

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | 🪄 BOOK NOW
Tour Chichen Itza and discover the wonders of a site brimming with cultural history and architectural masterpieces.
This Chichen Itza guided tour will take you through the history of the Mayans as you learn about their traditions.
Along the way, you’ll also experience the natural beauty of cenotes and their role in Mayan practices, including sacrifices to their god of rain, Chaac.
Ask for Pablo he is the best guide you could ever have. He share his passion and he always do more than you ask. I got the chance to get him as a guide for 2 different tours.
agnes (read more reviews)
As you wrap up the tour, you’ll find yourself in the enchanting town of Izamal, a city bathed yellow.
With so much to explore, this tour Merida to Chichen Itza is a can’t-miss experience for anyone ready to dive deep into the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.
Merida to chichen itza tours
3. Chichen Itza Night Tour & Light Show, Plus Izamal Visit

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | 🌚 BOOK NOW
Experience Chichen Itza like no other — in the dark! But before that, you’ll get to enjoy a stop at the historical city of Izamal.
Izamal is a town so beautiful that you won’t be surprised to learn that its name means dew that falls from the heavens in Mayan.
The real journey begins when the sun goes down. This unique tour takes you to Chichen Itza for a 30 minute light and sound show over the Pyramid of Kukulkan—the most famous pyramid in Chichen Itza.
The nighttime is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the unique architectural history of the Mayans.
Merida to chichen itza tours
4. Chichen Itza Archeological Site Tour & Cenote Zazil Tunich Swim

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | 🛖 BOOK NOW
Uncover the world of the Mayans on this Chichen Itza Archaeological Site Tour, plus a refreshing dip in one of Tulum’s famous cenotes along the way!
Your guide will take you through all the different buildings and places to visit in Chichen Itza. For example, the Temple of the Thousand Columns in Chichen Itza is thought to have been built around 900 A.D. These massive columns give you a small peek into how the Mayans lived.
Just past the ancient city, you’ll make your last stop at Cenote Zacil Tunich. This cave cenote is truly magnificent. Jump in, admire the stalagmites, and take in the beauty of this natural attraction.
Merida to chichen itza tours
5. Luxury Private Tour from Merida to Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8-9 hours | 🛖 BOOK NOW
Why sit in a crowded tour van when you can travel in style on this luxury private tour from Merida to Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and a Cenote?
It’s about a two-hour ride from Merida to Chichen Itza, so you’ll want to get comfortable. This private tour doesn’t stop at luxury transportation.
Daniella is fantastic. She put together a great trip that hit the highlights of the Yucatan around Merida in the few days that I had — Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and the protected wetlands at Celestun.
george (see more reviews)
You’ll also have an expert guide show you around three of the Yucatan’s most coveted attractions.
Enjoy learning about the ruins, explore the colonial city of Valladolid, and take a dip in one of Mexico’s cenotes.
With personalized attention and luxury amenities, it doesn’t get much better than this Valladolid Cenote Chichen Itza experience.
Merida to chichen itza tours
6. Merida to Las Coloradas Pink Lakes Tour Plus Chichen Itza, Cenote Swim & More

⭐️ RATING: 4.85 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | 🦩 BOOK NOW
This all-encompassing tour takes you to many can’t-miss things to do in Yucatan Peninsula.
These include the Pink Lakes of Mexico, a boat ride in Rio Lagartos to see flamingos and alligators, a refreshing swim at Cenote San Loranzo Oxman, and the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins tour.
After some time at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins with tour guide Hernan, you’ll head to the Mexico pink lakes of Las Coloradas.
Located in the small town of Rio Lagartos, this is a true Yucatan bucket list trip.
The tour was very well organised and presented. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and happy to stop to have small breaks. We loved the fact that we had the cenote for ourselves and the entrance to the Chichen Itza was a magical experience.
barbara (see more reviews)
In Rio Lagartos, you’ll board a boat for a tour of the Ría Lagartos UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
In this protected area, you’ll boat through the mangroves to see alligators and several bird species, including flamingos 🦩
After that, you’ll stop for lunch in the small Yucatan pueblo of Temozon, and the last stop will be a swim at Cenote Oxman.
Known for its long-hanging vines and Tarzan rope swing, this is one of the best Yucatan cenotes.
Merida to chichen itza tours
7. Merida to Chichen Itza & Pueblos Mágicos Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.85 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | ⛪️ BOOK NOW
There’s nothing better than exploring a city with the locals themselves and on this Merida to Chichen Itza and Pueblos Magicos Tour, your local guide, will take you to two of the most magical cities in Mexico.
After an authentic breakfast and a chance to get to know your Jorge, you’ll head to Chichen Itza.
The tour is very complete and Roman is very helpful. The places where he took us to eat are very rich in both Motul and Izamal. I will definitely be looking for it for some future experience.
daniel (see more reviews)
This is your chance to uncover the secrets of one of the most well-preserved archeological sites in the world.
The real magic begins when you enter Valladolid and Izamal, two ancient cities bursting with history and architecture.
Food, history, and culture await you on this all-day tour from Merida, one of the best tours Merida offers for anyone looking to see it all.
Merida to chichen itza tours
8. Mayan World Tour: Chichen Itza Ruins, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW
Discover many Mayan wonders on this Complete Mayan World Tour, where you’ll visit the Chichen Itza Yucatan Archeological Site, dive into Cenote Yokdzonot, and take a cooking class with locals on the grounds of the cenote.
Note: A local co-op of women operates this cenote, and proceeds from the cenote entrance benefit this small community.
If you’re looking for a Merida to Chichen Itza Ruins tour that directly benefits the local community, this is it.
An amazing experience. The staff were exceptionally hospitable and resourceful, always eager to answer our questions and direct us to the best locations… Overall, I highly recommend this outstanding experience and the extraordinarily helpful staff.
Umar H., Tripadvisor review (see more reviews)
After touring Chichen Itza with your guide, you’ll visit the small pueblo of Yokdzonot, Yucatan.
Here, you’ll swim in the beautiful Cenote Yokdzonot, which has a zip line and rappelling for the adventurous.
After a refreshing swim in the blue waters of Cenote Yokdzonot, you’ll participate in a cooking lesson with the locals to make a traditional Yucatan food lunch.
In the class, you’ll prepare some of the most popular and delicious Yucatecan foods from scratch.
This includes salbutes (puffy, fried tortillas) and panuchos (tortillas stuffed with black bean paste), which you’ll then eat in the on-site restaurant.
Merida to chichen itza tours
9. Chichen Itza, Private Cenote, Gastronomy Experience & Izamal Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.93 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9.5 hours | 🗿 BOOK NOW
Go off the beaten path on this unique Chichen Itza Tour from Merida that includes highlights like Chichen Itza, Izamal, and a swim in a family-owned cenote.
After your tour of Chichen Itza with your guide, Hernan, you’ll visit a nearby, off-the-beaten-path cenote — which a Mayan family operates.
There, you’ll have plenty of time to swim in the crystal clear freshwaters of the cenote while the family cooks an authentic Yucatecan lunch for you.
We had a great time on our tour! Getting to be some of the first people to see Chichén Itzá was totally worth the early wake up. Hernan was super knowledgeable and professional as well as a pleasure to spend the day with.
scott (see more reviews)
After lunch, you’ll head to Izamal, Mexico, known as “The Yucatan Yellow City,” because it is, in fact, completely yellow!
After exploring all the best things to do in Izamal, you’ll head to the nearby Mayan temple at Kinich Kakmo Ruins.
For the adventurous, you can climb the 100-foot-tall (34 m) structure, one of the tallest Mayan pyramids you can climb.
Not all Merida to Chichen Itza tours packages are this all-inclusive, so take advantage of this experience while you can.
Merida to chichen itza tours
10. Chichen Itza, Cenote Yokdzonot & Izamal Tour

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | 🗿BOOK NOW
Who better to explore Mayan culture with than a Mayan archaeology expert?
Your host, Demetrio, studied Mayan archaeology at Yucatan University and has created this expert tour that will leave you speechless.
A certified bilingual guide will walk you through Chichen Izta and Izamal. These two attractions are packed with history you won’t want to miss.
Would highly recommend – we went for a private 2 person tour (for a very reasonable extra fee). The day was well organised, felt relaxed, and was good value for money.
jake (see more reviews)
It can get a bit hot mid-day in the Yucatan, so you’ll take a break at a cenote where you can jump in and refresh before continuing onto Izamal.
Tickets for Chichen Izta entry will be purchased on-site.
Merida to chichen itza tours
11. Chichen Itza, Buffet Lunch & Cenote Visit

⭐️ RATING: 4.93 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | 💧 BOOK NOW
Stroll through one of the most popular sites in Mexico as you immerse yourself in the rich history and architecture of Chichen Itza.
Learn about the Temple of the Warriors, get up close to the Pyramid of Kukulcan, and learn how each structure on-site impacted the Mayans’ daily lives.
This was a very informative trip. Olin, born in Chichen was a remarkable guide. His level of knowledge and his ability to switch seamlessly between Spanish and English was impressive.
pam (see more reviews)
Learning isn’t easy – recharge with a delicious meal before you go to a cenote to beat the heat. You’ll love hearing ancient stories and sightseeing on this Chichen Izta cenote tour.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
How do I get from Merida to Chichen Itza?
To answer the how to get from Merida to Chichen Itza question frankly: you have three good options (tour, rental car, and bus), and one bad option (taxi/Uber).
Here’s a rundown on the best way to get from Merida to Chichen Itza, and the worst way.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours (Easiest Option)
I believe the easiest, safest, most hassle-free, and best way to visit Chichen Itza is with a tour.
If you need a suggestion, this Private Chichen Itza Tour & Cenote Ik-Kil Swim is my pick for best Merida to Chichen Itza tour.
I’ve been on a tour and on my own, and the tour brought Chichen Itza to life because that’s exactly what an amazing guide does.
Also, if you think about it, you’re essentially just looking at big piles of rocks without an explanation of their significance, meaning, and symbolism (no offense to rocks 🗿 of course).
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
Merida to Chichen Iza Drive by Rental Car

This is the fastest and easiest way to get to Chichen Itza from Merida independently, so if you’re planning on renting a car in Merida — smart choice!
Merida day trips and Yucatan road trips are a great way to see a lot of sites in a short amount of time.
I’ve done several road trips in Yucatan Mexico, and can’t recommend this enough, especially if you enjoy off-the-beaten-track travel.
Once you get your rental car in Merida, just follow these directions to get from Merida to Chichen Itza.
It’s a safe and easy drive on a paved and well-maintained highway, but there is one toll, so make sure to have about $500 pesos on you to cover that cost.
Is there parking at Chichen Itza?
Yes — Once you arrive to Chichen Itza from Merida, there are a few parking lots you can use.
How much is parking at Chichen Itza?
Chichen Itza parking costs about $75-125 pesos ($5-7 USD), depending on which lot you use.
The closer you park to the entrance, the more it costs to park in that lot.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
Merida to Chichen Itza Bus

Want to take the bus from Merida to Chichen Itza? It’s totally do-able and only about a two-hour ride each way.
You can buy your tickets online here with BusBud, for the ADO bus. This is Mexico’s largest bus company, which operates a fleet of comfortable yet affordable buses.
The Merida Chichen Itza bus departs from the main terminal in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown Merida), which you’ll see abbreviated as CAME or TAME.
🚌 The Merida bus station address is Calle 70 #555, Centro, Mérida, Yucatan, 97000; 🗺 Head here for the Google Map.
If you’d prefer not to buy tickets in advance, just show up at the bus station about 30 minutes early to buy your ado Merida to Chichen Itza bus ticket at the ADO counter.
The advantage to buying in advance is being able to have more control over your seat selection. If you’re traveling with someone, this guarantees you site together.
How long is the bus from Mérida to Chichen Itza?
In normal traffic, the ADO bus Merida to Chichen Itza ride will takes about 2.5 hours.
Chichen Itza Facts & FAQ
Where is Chichen Itza?
Chichen Itza is located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, in Yucatan state. (Check the Chichen Itza map below for a visual.)
It is located near the center of the peninsula, making it accessible from all the other popular Yucatan destinations like Tulum, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, and of course, Merida.
It is closest to the city of Valladolid, Mexico.
What’s the Merida to Chichen Itza distance?
Wondering, How far is Chichen Itza from Merida? Merida is about 73 miles (119 km) from Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
What’s the Merida to Chichen Itza drive time?
The Merida to Chichen Itza drive takes about 1.5-2 hours in normal traffic by car, but the bus is closer to 2-2.5 hours.

Wondering, It it safe to drive from Merida to Chichen Itza? Yes! 🚘 The Merida to Chichen Itza drive is a popular one with visitors and locals alike.
You can use this Google Maps route to get a visual on the drive.
How do I get from Merida to Chichen Itza
If you’re not going with one of the best tours listed in this article, you’ll drive your rental car east on Highway 180 (Carretera Kantunil-Cancun).
This is an easy, straight shot right from Merida to Chichen Itza — but you can also take the ADO bus from Merida to Chichen Itza if you don’t want to drive to Chichen Itza.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
Can you visit Chichen Itza on your own?
Yes — You can visit Chichen Itza on your own, and don’t need a tour guide.

However, a qualified guide will bring this ancient Mayan site to life for you, making for an experience you won’t ever forget.
If you only plan to visit Chichen Itza once in your life, spring for this guide.
If you’re not taking a tour and decide to come by car or bus on your own, you can book an onsite guide when you arrive.
Make sure to only book a verified tour guide, which will be wearing a lanyard with the INAH seal.
When you arrive at the counters to buy your Chichen Itza admission tickets, you’ll be approached by local guides offering tours.
Depending on where you park, you might be approached in the parking lots before you get to the ticket counter.
The prices will vary, but expect to pay about $1,000 pesos ($55 USD) for groups of up to six. For larger groups, you should expect to pay more.
⚠️ Note: To hire an onsite guide, bring enough pesos in cash to pay them.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
Are Chichen Itza tours cheaper than taking a bus?
When you factor in transport costs, the guide, your Chichen Itza tickets, the other places you visit, and meals you’ll get — then YES, Merida to Chichen Itza tours price offers a great value.

In fact, they’re are often cheaper (or about the same) as going on your own Chichen Itza trips. Don’t believe me? Let’s do the math.
Merida to Chichen Itza bus ticket prices vary, but round trip tickets average about $25 USD.
When you then factor in the Chichen Itza admission cost of $648 MXN pesos (about $35 USD), an on-site guide at about $55 USD, plus the $25 USD you paid for the bus, you’re already at about most Merida to Chichen Itza tours cost.
Besides what’s listed above, you also get private transport and a qualified tour guide who handles all the planning.
In addition, all tours featured in this article also include a meal and a visit to other places besides Chichen Itza, which provide even more value.
These additional places include all the best experiences in Yucatan, like cenotes, the pink lakes, pueblos magicos (magic towns), cooking classes with local Maya chefs, and more.
MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA Tours
What are the best things to see at Chichen Itza?
El Castillo Chichen Itza (The Castle) is the largest structure at Chichen Itza.

It is also called the Temple of Kukulkan or Chichen Itza Pyramid, and one of the first things you will see when you enter the site.
Plan to spend at least 3 hours here because there are a lot of things to do at Chichen Itza Ruins.
The top sites include numerous structures located within 20 building groups, all connected by a series of 75 scabes (roadways).
Chichen Itza also has Mesoamerica’s largest Mayan ball court. If it sounds like a big site — it is — spanning about three-miles (4.5 km) from end to end.
When visiting, you won’t want to miss El Castillo Pyramid, as well as these prominent buildings at Chichen Itza.
- Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza: A large cenote (sinkhole) used to make offerings to the gods. Everything from gold, jade, pottery, and even human skeletons have been found in it.
- Nunnery Complex: There are three buildings here, all with intricate decorative stone carvings.
- Warrior’s Temple & Group of the Thousand Columns: Despite the name, there are really only about 200 columns at the large, impressive Temple of the Warriors.
- El Caracol (Chichen Itza Observatory): The astronomical observatory was used as a telescope to track the planet Venus and other celestial bodies.
- Wall of Skulls, or Platform of Skulls: A wall used to memorialize lost soldiers and display the heads of sacrificial prisoners or enemies who died in battle.
- Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza: A long stretch of space used to play pa ta pok, an ancient Mayan ball game.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
How much time do you need at Chichen Itza?
About 3 hours — With three hours, you can see all the Chichen Itza highlights at a leisurely pace, and stop along the way to take all the Chichen Itza photos you want.
Since you’ll be here a while, make sure to wear your most comfy shoes, a sun hat and insect-repellent sunscreen, and don’t forget your refillable water bottle.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
How much are Chichen Itza tickets?
Currently, the entrance to Chichen Itza costs $648 MXN pesos (about $35 USD) for foreigners, $272 MXN for Mexican citizens with an ID or INE, and $90 MXN for locals from Yucatan.
⚠️ Note: Mexican citizens get free entry to Chichen Itza on Sundays, so Sundays are always the most crowded day. As someone who’s been on a Sunday, I don’t recommend it.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
What’s the best time to visit Chichen Itza Ruins?
On a weekday, right when they open — Chichen Itza averages 2 million visitors per year, which is about 5,500 visitors each day.
To see this ancient site without the crowds and throngs of tourists, you’ll want to get there on a weekday morning by 9am.
🌡️ Chichen Itza Weather Temperatures

This is also the best time to get there because you should be done touring the site by 12pm when the midday sun starts beating down.
While there is some shade at Chichen Itza, you will be spending a lot of time in un-shaded areas, so don’t forget your sunscreen.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
What are the Chichen Itza opening hours?
Chichen Itza is open daily from 9am-5pm. They do not sell tickets past 4pm, so you must be entering Chichen Itza by that time or you won’t be allowed in.

While there are also specialized tours that take you to Chichen Itza at night to see this light and sound show, you need a second ticket for that.
The regular admission to Chichen Itza does not cover this show.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
Is Chichen Itza worth visiting?
Yes — It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most important Mayan archeological sites ever discovered, it’s absolutely worth seeing.

Now, it is also very popular, and very touristy.
To really enjoy this site, I recommend managing your expectations, like knowing it will be hot and crowded, and that the souvenir vendors can get annoying at times.
However, if you can take the good with the bad, you will enjoy visiting Chichen Itza, one of the most important ruins in Mexico.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
When was Chichen Itza Built?
Historians differ as to when they say Chichen Itza was built, though the consensus seems to be 400-500 AD.
It went on to become one of the most important Maya centers of economic and political power, before it was abandoned in about 1450 AD for unknown reasons.
After the 13th Century, historians say no additional major buildings were constructed. The Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins site was excavated in 1841.
In 1998, Chichen Itza was declared both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Merida to Chichen Itza Tours
What does Chichen Itza mean?
Chichen Itza is Maya for “at the edge of the well of the Itzas,” also translated as “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.”

This is in reference to two things: 1) the Itzá, a prominent and powerful ethnic group in the Yucatan Peninsula, and 2) the large, Chichen Itza Sacred Cenote, or “the well.”
Tours from MERIDA TO CHICHEN ITZA
My Final Thoughts on the Highest-Rated Merida to Chichen Itza Tour
We’ve reached the end, and I hope this article helped you find the best Chichen Itza tours from Merida Mexico. Still unsure which one to pick? I’m here to help!
I recommend this Private Chichen Itza Ruins Tour & Cenote Ik-Kil Swim — which has a near-perfect 5-Star ⭐️ rating and includes a swim in Cenote Ik-Kil (one of the best cenotes in Yucatan), lunch and round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van.
Going on a tour is a fun way to see this important site.
As much of what’s significant about Chichen Itza isn’t visible to the naked eye, your guide will give you fascinating insights into this New Wonder of the World.
Of course, Chichen Itza is just one of the top sites in this area, and there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Merida.
Besides what to do in Merida itself, there are many amazing days trips from Merida located 30 minutes to two hours away.
These include the gorgeous Merida cenotes, amazing beaches in Merida Mexico, and of course, your visit to Chichen Itza Ruins.
Loved this post? Share & Pin it for later





