This guide, How to Make the Most Out of a Day Trip to Chichén-Itzá (Know Before You Go) covers all the tips and tricks I wish I had known before hand!

One of the New Seven Wonders of The World: Chichén Itzá!

Located inland Mexico, a little over two hours from Tulum Beach, is the most famous Mayan archaeological site on the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichén Itzá . This was a large Mayan city built by the Maya civilization, a very busy place a long long time ago and still is to this day.

The structures are SO big…It’s hard to believe back in the early 400s A.D. (when they think it was built) it was possible to construct structures like this without any machinery. The history here is just incredible…a lot to see and learn about.

While staying in Tulum, Mexico in late December/early January, my boyfriend and I drove out to see Chichén Itzá for a day. This ended up being one of my favorite days in Mexico. Check out my full Tulum Travel Guide!

If you are in Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum or anywhere else relatively nearby (3 hours) make it a point take a day trip and check out Chichén Itzá! Here, I’ll tell you everything you want to know before you go!

How to Make the Most Out of a Day Trip to Chichén-Itzá (Know Before You Go):

The Drive:

If you are coming from Tulum or from Cancun you will have roughly a two hour and twenty minute car ride. I recommend driving yourself if you have a rental car (it’s very safe) but if you don’t have one don’t worry, there are dozens of tours that you can go on with buses that will be your transportation roundtrip.

Wake up bright & early!! Chichén Itzá opens at 8am, you want to be there about 15-20 minutes before they open. The drive is easy, pretty much a straight shot inland majority of the way.

Put Chichén Itzá into your GPS when you have service because you will lose it further into the ride. If your GPS doesn’t work you will be fine there is a lot of signage for Chichén Itzá, especially when you get closer.

On the early morning ride, the roads are pretty quiet, you’ll see pretty much only locals who are up early commuting to work. It’s actually cool to see this, it feels like you are experiencing more of the culture.

Arrival:

When you arrive, workers will direct you where to go, and you’ll end up at a parking lot. You want to arrive early to get a good spot, if you get there late parking will be full and you’ll have to walk about a half hour.

If you arrive early, you will have no trouble to get right in, find parking, and then head to the ticket window. Parking is free. A line will form outside the entrance to Chichén Itzá a little bit before it opens at the ticket windows.

You’ll see a bunch of tour guides arriving to work and getting ready for the day. This is a good time to find one who speaks your language and get connected if you would like to have one for your visit. Get in line at the ticket window and have your money/credit card ready to go when it’s your turn.

There are places to grab coffee, breakfast and snacks while you wait.

Tickets:

The cost of entrance fee is 453.00 pesos ($22.75 USD) per person and this is the only fee you have to pay to visit (unless you hire a guide).

Go check it out!:

Once the doors open, get your ticket and go check it out!

You will be in shock how large the main structure El Castillo is. It’s hard to even wrap your head around how it was possible the Mayans built this so long ago.

Right away, go over to the main pyramid structure El Castillo and take photos! By doing this early you can avoid having anyone else in your pictures! We took some early when we first arrived and then more later on in the day and the ones from the morning are the best! Literally nobody else in the pictures with us.

The property where Chichén Itzá is located is huge; roughly four miles…a lot to see!

The pyramid El Castillo isn’t the only thing, there are so many other structures: a sacrificial cenote, temples, and so much more.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes to walk around all day. I wore Tevas which were so comfortable and great for the warm weather but I regretted wearing them because of all the dirt you walk through, closed toed shoes are best here.

Explore the grounds of Chichén Itzá:

Make it a point to check out all areas of Chichén Itzá.

There are little excerpts at each area explaining what you are looking at and what it once was. This is nice incase you don’t have a tour guide explaining everything to you.

After you check out the main pyramid head over to the Sacred Cenote. This is a little bit off the beaten path so just keep your eye out for signs as to where it’s located. The cenote is pretty cool to see. Hard to believe what it was once used for so many years ago. If you don’t have a guide to tell you about this area make sure to read up on it, it’s interesting.

After you see the Sacred Cenote try and do a big loop, stopping at each structure to check everything out.

Vendors (locals selling goods):

As you walk around you’ll notice local vendors set up everywhere.

When we arrived early we watched them all walk in carrying all their goods on their backs to sell for the day. They sell all kinds of things: jewelry, clothing, ceramics, noise makers, and so much more.

Some of them can be a little aggressive by trying to get your attention as you walk by to make a sale but others are so sweet and just smile at you.

How much time do you need?:

Overall roughly two hours at Chichén Itzá is a good amount of time to walk around, check everything out and get some good pictures.

Early morning is ideal!! I wouldn’t recommend visiting any later, especially if you don’t like big crowds. Seeing how crazy the traffic got late morning, we were so relieved we didn’t have to deal with that.

Come here on a weekday if you can, that will also make it a little less busy.

The drive home:

The ride back home is the same; easy, mostly a straight shot ride back. This drive was one of my favorite parts of Mexico.

When you drive to Chichén Itzá early in the morning you pass through quiet, little towns with cute local stores and restaurants. At this time of day most places aren’t open yet and it might still be dark out. On your way home though this is the perfect time to check it all out!

We made roughly half a dozen stops at different places on the ride back. This is so much fun because the shopping is much more quiet with a great local feel that you might not get at the more touristy beach areas.

Destilería Artesanal de Agave Mayapán:

Keep your eye out for a beautiful agave distillery not far outside Chichén Itzá: Destilería Artesanal de Agave Mayapán.

You can actually go inside and do some tasting, we just pulled over for some photos of the agave fields.

This was a quick stop, only five minutes or so but we just loved how the pictures came out!

Lunch:

Stop for lunch on your way back, make it a point to do this!

As you drive through the small towns you’ll pass authentic Mexican restaurants, small hole in the wall kinds of places. The owners/staff most likely won’t speak english and that makes the experience so cool. Try out their tacos, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

The place we ate at was one of my favorite restaurants on our trip. The food, staff and overall small town vibe was awesome.

Shop:

Another one of my favorite parts about the ride back was stopping at the coolest places to shop at.

On the drive home we found a huge store, just full of all locally made ceramics. We couldn’t believe how beautiful this store was, the quality was amazing and the people working were very nice.

We liked shopping out here so much because the staff don’t try and push you to buy anything and the things they were selling were beautifully handmade. They let you walk around and are there for any questions you have, a much more pleasant shopping experience.

There were a few more places we also stopped at; some stores with dozens of dream catchers of all sizes hanging outside.

Tips & Tricks for Chichén Itzá:

Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses! The sun is strong and you are in it most of the day here
Bring some cash if you think you will shop- the locals will give you a better deal
Wear closed toed shoes while walking around Chichén Itzá- there’s a lot of dirt/sand that gets all over your feet if you wear open toed shoes
Wear light & comfortable clothing
I wouldn’t have done the ride alone as a young woman just in case something happened with the car and being so far away from where we were staying. I had my boyfriend with me and recommend having a man with you or go as a group if you are with all women just to be safe.
When you are at the main pyramid, go to the base of the staircase and clap- you will hear an echo of a bird call effect from the Mexican quetzal bird, you will most likely see and hear tour guides doing this
Since 2008 people are no longer to climb on the pyramid to better preserve it
Bring a bathing suit and towel, you pass a few cenotes on the drive to and from Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá…

The day trip to Chichén Itzá was one of my favorite days during our time in Mexico.

I’m not sure why, but I didn’t expect this to be the case…maybe since we were driving away from the beach but was I wrong. This day was the most I felt like I experienced true Mexican culture and I fell in love with it.

The early morning drive out to Chichén Itzá with all the locals getting ready for their work day. Experiencing the beauty and history of the amazing Chichén Itzá. Seeing never ending fields of agave off the side of the road. Stopping for lunch and it ending up being one of my favorite Mexican meals. Shopping and taking in all the beauty of talented local artisans. Looking out the window the entire ride, I was so intrigued what I would see next.

This day was 10/10. I would totally do it again if I have the chance and it is something I would definitely recommend for someone visiting!!

Have you been to Chichén Itzá? Do you have any questions about it?

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How to Make the Most Out of a Day Trip to Chichén-Itzá (Know Before You Go)