Valladolid to Chichen Itza: How to Get There and Tips for Visiting

Visiting Chichen Itza, one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’, has been on our bucket list for a long time. Last time we were in Mexico back in 2022, we got quite sick in Chiapas, and had to postpone the Yucatan Peninsula part of our trip, including a visit to Chichen Itza. As you can imagine then, we were more than ready to finally see this World Wonder after returning to Mexico in 2024. In this guide, we’ll tell you about all the different ways you can travel from Valladolid to Chichen Itza depending on your budget and travel style. In addition, we’ve also included many useful tips for your visit such as why you have to pay two separate entry fees, what to bring and what not to bring, extra fees you may have to pay and attractions you shouldn’t miss whilst inside Chichen Itza.

If you’d like to see our trip to Chichen Itza then make sure to watch our dedicated Valladolid video, which also includes additional things to do around the town itself. If you’re interested in more Mexico content, check out the Mexico Playlist on our YouTube Channel.

Valladolid to Chichen Itza: 5 Ways to Get There

Below we’ll discuss all the different methods of transport you can use to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid. We’ll also mention the pros and cons of each, so you can pick the most suitable based on your personal travel style.

1. Colectivo – Most Affordable Way to Get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid

If you’ve been to Mexico before, or Latin America in general, you know that one of the most affordable and authentic ways to get around is by colectivo. Unless we’re on a long haul bus, you’ll almost exclusively find us on a colectivo. They are essentially shared minivans used mainly by locals, but also by tourists, to reach places. Colectivos usually have a certain route they take, however there normally aren’t designated stops or rigid timetables of service.

Since Chichen Itza is only about a 40-minute drive away from Valladolid, getting a colectivo is actually a fast and easy option to get there. Colectivos depart from along Highway 180 between Calle 48 and 46 (here on Google Maps).

Cost of Colectivo to Chichen Itza from Valladolid. A one way ticket is 50MXN pesos, however we suggest buying a return ticket for 100MXN pesos. If you also want to visit the nearby cenote, then you can buy a ‘Combo ticket’ for 350MXN pesos. This actually includes the entry fee to the cenote.

The first colectivo leaves around 7AM, and we recommend getting this to avoid the crowds and the heat later on. Now the downside of taking the colectivo is that you’ll probably have to wait for it to fill up. This wait time can vary depending on the season and how many people intend to use the colectivo that day. We were there in September, which is the low season, so waited around 30 minutes before leaving. In the end we travelled mainly with workers and only about 3 other tourists. The journey took about 40-45 minutes.

On your way back, just wait for the collectivo where it dropped you off in the morning. The last colectivo from Chichen Itza departs around 4:30PM.

2. ADO Bus

Another public transport option to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid is by bus. ADO is one of Mexico’s largest bus companies, operating mainly in the southern states. We used ADO buses during our time in the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as in Chiapas and Oaxaca states. There are a few ADO buses that run between Valladolid and Chichen Itza, although the frequency isn’t very regular. The first bus doesn’t leave until 9:45 AM which means that you’ll get to the site quite late.

You can book your tickets and check the current timetable online.

Whilst ADO is a great option for long-haul trips, it may not be the best way to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid due to the low frequency. We would personally stick to the colectivos.

3. Hire Car

The quickest way to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid is by hire car. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to set off as early as you wish to beat the heat and the crowds. It’s also easy to visit Cenote Ik Kil near the site or go on other day trips from Valladolid. The downside of a rental car is probably the cost of hire, fuel and parking fees.

There are many car rental places in town, including both well-known international agencies and smaller local ones. If you wish to secure a vehicle before your trip, check out DiscoverCars where you can find the best rates because they compare local, national, and international companies.

Note. Parking at Chichen Itza is 120 MXN pesos for the day and is cash only.

4. Private Taxi

If you want to visit Chichen Itza independently but don’t want to rent a car, then you can opt to hire a taxi driver for the day. Now, this option will probably be just as pricey as hiring a car, so we would only recommend it if you have the chance to split the cost with other travelers.

Of course, please always use official taxis and agree on the price before the journey. Scamming is not unheard of, so perhaps arrange a driver through your hotel / hostel reception.

5. Organised Group Tour

Lastly, if you don’t want to be thinking about any of the logistics of visiting Chichen Itza, then there’s always the option to visit with an organised tour. This way you’ll get picked up and dropped off in Valladolid, be able to learn more about the site with a guide, and also visit other places nearby.

Obviously, the downside of a tour is that you can easily end up in a massive group, which in our opinion would make your experience less enjoyable. For this reason, we suggest really looking into the tour description and opting for ones with smaller group sizes.

• Chichen Itza and 3 Cenotes Tour. This is a small group tour that also visits 3 cenotes including Ik Kil, Samula, and Xkeken.
• Tour to Chichen Itza & 2 Cenotes. This is also a small group tour that visits 2 cenotes: Xcajum and Uayma Ha.

Note that most tours probably won’t include your entry fee to Chichen Itza or the cenotes. Always read what is and isn’t included in the tour so you’re prepared and avoid any surprises.

If you want to learn more about the site without committing to an organised tour, you can always just hire a guide either at the entrance or book one online. This will give you some freedom to do other activities in your own time.

Our Top Tips for Visiting Chichen Itza

Entry Fee to Chichen Itza

Purchasing the entry ticket to Chichen Itza can be slightly confusing, so let’s break it down.

Essentially, we had to purchase two separate entry tickets, one for the federal government and one for the state government. We were required to pay this at two different ticket booths, got separate tickets, and then had to show them at two separate gates before we were finally allowed to enter the archeological site.

The federal government entry is 100 MXN pesos and the state government entry is 571 MXN pesos. Mexican citizens and foreign residents can visit at a discounted state government price.

Luckily, they accept card payments, so we could use our Wise travel card that had Mexican Pesos loaded on it.

Best Time to Visit Chichen Itza

The dry season is between December and April which is also the peak tourist season. Whilst the temperatures are much more pleasant, the site will be more crowded. The rainy season is from May to October, when the crowds thin out but it also gets hotter and more humid. If you want smaller crowds and generally good weather, then try to visit Chichen Itza either in May or November.

Best day to visit Chichen Itza. We suggest visiting on a weekday rather than the weekend. On Sundays Mexican citizens can enter the site for free, so it’s always much busier. Of course, it’ll also be busy during holidays such as Christmas and Semana Santa (Easter Week).

Best time of the day to visit Chichen Itza. The site is open between 8AM and 5PM. We highly recommend getting there before opening time. Queues were already quite long when we got there just after 8AM. Normally, massive tour buses arrive around 10AM from places like Cancun, Merida and Tulum. However, there will be other smaller tour groups there at opening time.

Items You CANNOT Take to Chichen Itza

Before you enter the archeological site, your bags will be searched. There are a few items you cannot take inside unless you have special permission.

For example, you can’t take drones, tripods or telephoto lenses in. Luckily, there are lockers where you can store these things if you have brought them with you.

Whilst I could bring in my professional camera body with my 28-75mm lens, we actually had to pay an extra 60MXN pesos to bring in the GoPro. The same rule applies for similar equipment such as the Insta360 or the DJI Osmo Pocket camera.

Chichen Itza isn’t just El Castillo Pyramid

The ancient Maya site is way bigger than you think. I bet if you search for Chichen Itza online most results will only show a photo of the main temple: El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcan. Don’t get me wrong, El Castillo is a pretty impressive pyramid (even if it doesn’t look that old because of the extensive reconstruction work that’s been undertaken on it over the years). However, there are MANY just as, if not more, impressive structures scattered around the archeological site.

Our suggestion is to get to Chichen Itza early and go straight to El Castillo, so you can appreciate the scale of the temple without massive tour groups and selfie sticks blocking your view. Then spend the majority of your time walking around the site and seeing all the other structures. (Of course, if you’re here with a tour, then you won’t have much choice in the order that you’ll see the site).

Note. You cannot climb El Castillo, or any of the other structures!

Structures Not to Miss When Visiting Chichen Itza

Here is a list of our favourite attractions in Chichen Itza that we think you shouldn’t miss:

• The Temple of Warriors. This huge complex was one of our favourite structures in Chichen Itza. It consists of a large stepped pyramid with rows of carved columns depicting warriors in front of it.
• Square of the Thousand Columns is another impressive structure that blew us away.
• The Sacred Cenote. It’s definitely not a cenote for swimming in! This cenote used to be a place of sacrifice, which is supported by the human remains and objects that have been recovered from the cenote by researchers.
• El Caracol, or the Observatory, is a round building standing on a huge square platform. It was an ancient observatory used to study celestial events. 
• Casa Colorada is one of the best preserved buildings at the site.
• El Osario Temple. This pyramid is very similar to El Castillo but much smaller.
• Las Monjas was another stunning building. It’s tucked away at the southern part of Chichen Itza, but well worth the walk to get to it.
• The Great Ball Court. Although there are about 13 ball courts within the site, the Great Ball Court is actually the largest and best preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. We were blown away by the scale of it!
• Tzompantli, or Wall of Skulls. This interesting structure is made up of rows of skull carvings.

What to Wear in Chichen Itza, and What Not to

No matter what time of the year you’re visiting Chichen Itza, one thing is guaranteed: it’ll be hot and humid. Now, the temperatures and level of humidity can vary a bit throughout the year as we discussed above. When we visited in the hurricane season at the end of September, we even got a massive rain storm whilst we were there, which wasn’t followed by cooler temperatures but quite unbearable humidity instead.

For this reason, we highly recommend wearing something easy-breezy, that will keep you cool whilst walking around. Try not to wear long jeans or any other heavy material. Although there are some trees, we suggest having a hat or an umbrella to avoid sunstroke. Other sun protection, such as sunglasses and sun cream, are also a must.

As mentioned above, the site is quite large, so expect to get your step goals in during your visit. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes that are suitable for uneven surfaces. Avoid flip-flops and heels.

Make sure to bring plenty of water with you and some snacks to stay hydrated and energised. The heat and humidity can really suck your energy levels, not to mention all the walking you’ll be doing. There are some food vendors scattered around the site, but we always like to be prepared.

Souvenir Stands Inside Chichen Itza

Probably the most surprising part of our visit was the crazy amount of souvenir stands inside the site. After visiting many Maya Ruins in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, Chichen Itza was a bit of a shock to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, I love browsing local markets and souvenir shops. However, vendors filling up every inch of free space around the ruins lowered the mystical atmosphere of this ancient Maya site for us.

Whilst some of them were quite funny, we just couldn’t admire the different temples and structures for long before getting interrupted by sellers shouting things like ‘it’s almost free’ and ‘cheaper than Target’ to sell their products.

On the other hand, if you’re after some souvenirs, then you won’t have trouble finding a keepsake here. Just make sure to ask around for the prices before buying something. Whilst they shout that everything is about 1 USD, most items aren’t.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Chichen Itza from Valladolid

Visiting Chichen Itza from Valladolid was very simple and quick with a colectivo. Reaching the World Wonder from places like Cancun, Tulum or Merida isn’t impossible, but we definitely would’ve had to hire a car if we wanted to avoid being on a massive tour bus. Getting there for opening time also allowed us to appreciate the main pyramid temple and take some beautiful pictures before the place was overrun with tourists.

Overall, Chichen Itza is definitely not our favourite Maya site we’ve ever visited. Personally, we preferred Palenque Ruins in Chiapas, or Tikal in Guatemala. It was also only our third New Wonder of the World after the Colosseum in Italy and Machu Picchu in Peru, and so far Machu Picchu is still easily at the top of our list.

As always, if you used our guide to plan your visit, please help us by leaving a comment about your experience and mention anything that may have changed since our visit, so we can keep this article up-to-date.