Chichén Itzá: Tours, Excursions, and How to Get There

The Chichén Itzá ruins are part of one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Chichén Itzá: learn about the opening hours, how to get there, prices, tours, and excursions to this legendary Mayan city, which is now the most visited archaeological site in the Yucatán Peninsula.

The Chichén Itzá ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and are one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

How to Get to Chichén Itzá

The Chichén Itzá archaeological site is located in the municipality of Tinum, Yucatán. It is 120 km from Mérida, 190 km from Cancun, and 214 km from Playa del Carmen.

You can get to Chichén Itzá by excursions, taxi, car, or by regular bus service from Cancun.

Different tour operators from Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer day trips to the archaeological site.

Tourist Information

It is estimated that Chichén Itzá was founded around the year 535 and developed until around 1000 AD. During this period, it became the most important power center in the Yucatán Peninsula. Nearby cities included Ek Balam, Izamal, Motul, T'Hó, and Uxmal.

Chichén Itzá was dedicated to the great god Kukulcán (the feathered serpent). For this reason, the most prominent structure at Chichén Itzá is the great Kukulcán Pyramid.

During the equinoxes in March and September, thousands of visitors flock to Chichén Itzá to witness the light and shadow effects on the Kukulcán Pyramid, which represents the sacred serpent.

The Thousand Columns Building is named after the dozens of columns that supported the gallery above the Temple of the Warriors.

Chichén Itzá also had a large ball court where ceremonial ball games were played.

The Sacred Cenote has an opening of more than 50 meters in diameter, and religious rituals were performed in this cenote.

The Temple of the Warriors is another important construction, measuring 40 meters on each side and featuring four bodies with snake details. Inside was the temple dedicated to the Red Jaguar.

Excursions to Chichén Itzá

From major cities in the Yucatán Peninsula, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Mérida, you can visit the Chichén Itzá ruins through day tours organized by various travel agencies and hotels. These excursions are full-day trips, departing in the morning and returning in the late afternoon.

Chichén Itzá Map

1- Sacred Cenote, 2- Ceremonial Road, 3- Jaguar Temple, 4- Ball Court, 5- Tzompantli, 6- Venus Platform, 7- Temple of the Warriors, 8- El Castillo, 9- Group of 1000 Columns, 10- Market, 11- Xtoloc Cenote, 12- Ossuary, 13- Deer Temple, 14- Red House, 15- Observatory, 16- Church, 17- Nunnery Temple.