What is the difference between visiting the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza?

On both tours you visit Mayan ruins and we would say that both are a must on your trip to Mexico. Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and if you miss it, you will end up regretting it. Tulum, on the other hand, is located next to the crystal clear sea and combining a visit to the ruins with a dip is also a great experience. Our advice is to try to make time to visit both archaeological sites, how many times are you going to go to Mexico in your life? You have to make the most of it!

I am still not sure which meeting point I want to go to, can I call later?

No problem! If you are sure about it, please indicate it in the notes section when you make the reservation. If you are still not sure, don't worry. When you decide, contact us.

travelers jumping in the pyramid of chichen itza

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Chichen Itza at sunrise + Cenote

Visit the Mayan ruins before anyone else

(4 reviews)

💡 We recommend booking in advance ▷ This tour has very low availability.

Riviera Maya

1 day

Spanish and English

Starts: From your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya or from the meeting point in Cancun between 4:30 and 5:40 am. [See all the meeting points and schedules in the Important Information section below].

Ends: To the same meeting point in Cancun or Riviera Maya

Free cancellation!

Briefing

Chichen Itza is a must-see for anyone traveling to Mexico. With this tour of Chichen Itza at sunrise, you will arrive before anyone else and avoid the crowds. This will allow you to enjoy the visit in peace and quiet, and you will also be able to contemplate the beautiful sight of the first rays of sunlight over the pyramid of Kukulkan.

You will discover the legends that this place hides thanks to an expert guide in archeology. In Chichen Itza itself, you will find a sacred cenote where the Mayas performed sacrifices and where human skeletons were found. Dive into this magical cenote and refresh yourself!

Want to know more? This will be your day:

Tour details

Included

Transfer to and from meeting points
Professional bilingual guide
Entrance to the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá
Buffet Meal
Entrance to the cenote

Not included

Government tax of 643 MXN per person ($39 USD approximately). Only credit card payment accepted.
Locker rental and vest (mandatory) in the cenote
Beverages

Important information

Pick up will take place at the indicated times at the following meeting points:

CANCUN

4:30 A.M. Bus stop at the Go Mart Villas del Rey supermarket, in front of the Crown Paradise Club Cancun Hotel.

4:50 A.M. Bus stop at Beach Palace ® All Inclusive Resort Hotel.

5:10 A.M. Bus stop at Presidente Intercontinental Hotel.

5:20 A.M. Bus stop at Holiday Inn Las Perlas Hotel.

5:40 A.M. Oasis Smart Hotel bus stop.

⚠️ There are no meeting points in RIVIERA MAYA, only hotel pick up.

Remember to indicate the meeting point you have chosen in the Notes section of the reservation form.

If you want to enter the archaeological site with mobile devices (such as GoPro, professional cameras, selfie sticks and drones), you will have to pay an additional fee for each device at the ticket office, according to the government order.

🚌 Please note that if you select the "with pick up" option, you will go through the different hotels picking up the rest of the passengers until you reach the meeting point where the activity starts. That is why the pick up time at your hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya will be early and you will be notified 12 hours before departure.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, in case of no-show, no refunds will be made.

Tour itinerary

Chichén Itzá at Sunrise

Departure: Every day

Total duration: 10 hours

Group size: maximum 9 travelers in the visit to Chichen Itza.

Pick up at the meeting points

You have to get up early! If you have selected the option with pick up, you will be picked up at your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya early in the morning. If you have selected the option without pick up, you will have to indicate the meeting point in Cancun to be picked up. The day before departure you will be informed of the exact pick up time.

Be at your chosen pick-up point 10 minutes before your departure. When the whole group is together, we will depart to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, starting one of the best days of your vacation!

Arrival at Chichén Itzá

After a 200 km drive, we will arrive at Chichén Itzá. Don't worry, the drive is entertaining and will fly by. You won't regret the early start when you see the pyramid of Chichén Itzá, known as the pyramid of Kukulkán or El Castillo, illuminated by the first rays of sunlight.

The area will be clear of other travelers who visit much later and the tour of the Mayan culture will be more peaceful.

chichen itza sunrise over the kukulkan pyramid

Discovering the archaeological zone

Together with an expert guide in archaeology, you will visit the ruins of Chichen Itza. He will reveal the great secrets hidden in this place and tell you about the Mayan history and culture. You will discover unimaginable curiosities.

Observatory, Temple of the Warriors and Wall of Skulls

Did you know that the Mayas played ball games that sometimes included human sacrifices? Yes, they were competitive in the game! During this first part of 90 minutes, the guide will take you through the observatory, the Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of Skulls among other places of this Mayan city.

Free time in Chichen Itza

After the guide's explanations, you will be able to enjoy the entire area on your own and take pictures.

Chichikan Restaurant

After visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is time to eat. You will have the opportunity to taste the rich traditional Mexican flavors and a tasting of its famous drink, tequila.

Magic Cenote Chichikan

Fancy a swim? Dive into the crystal clear fresh water Cenote Chichikan. You can swim and relax in this semi-open cenote and connect with nature. Don't forget your life jacket, which you can rent the same day as it is mandatory.

After refreshing yourself, it's time to return to Cancun and end this incredible day at Chichen Itza tour at sunrise. You will still have free time in the afternoon, as you will arrive between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. You have to make the most of your time on vacation!

What to bring to Chichen Itza at sunrise + Cenote

Sunglasses
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen and lipstick
Cash for possible additional expenses (Mexican pesos or U.S. dollars)
Camera
Mosquito repellent

Where does the tour Chichen Itza at sunrise + Cenote start

Choose the pick up in the city of your choice and don't forget to tell us the bus stop as well. We pick you up and bring you back so you don't have to worry about anything.

Questions & Answers

What is the difference between visiting the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza?
On both tours you visit Mayan ruins and we would say that both are a must on your trip to Mexico. Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and if you miss it, you will end up regretting it. Tulum, on the other hand, is located next to the crystal clear sea and combining a visit to the ruins with a dip is also a great experience. Our advice is to try to make time to visit both archaeological sites, how many times are you going to go to Mexico in your life? You have to make the most of it!
I am still not sure which meeting point I want to go to, can I call later?
No problem! If you are sure about it, please indicate it in the notes section when you make the reservation. If you are still not sure, don't worry. When you decide, contact us.

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Chichen Itza at sunrise + Cenote

Riviera Maya, 1 day