Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chichen Itza Mexico
Experience the convenience of hotel pick-up in Cancún or the Riviera Maya before embarking on a journey to one of the Yucatán Peninsula's most iconic destinations.
Upon your arrival at Chichén Itzá, be mesmerized by the majestic step pyramid of Kukulcan (El Castillo). This renowned monument is famous for its captivating display of light during the equinox, creating the illusion of a descending serpent. Explore the rich history and symbolism of Chichén Itzá as you stand in awe of this ancient marvel.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: CENOTE CHICHIKAN, KM 7 CDDTZM CHAN SACABA CARRETERA, 97784 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico
Cenote is a captivating natural sinkhole, distinguished by the presence of a graceful waterfall that gently pours into its crystal-clear depths. As you make your way down a series of stone steps, you'll be drawn into the serene ambiance of this untouched wonder of nature. The experience is further enhanced by the availability of several elevated viewing platforms, strategically positioned to offer you the perfect vantage points for capturing stunning photographs of this truly picturesque location.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Merida - Valladolid, Centro, 97780 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico
Undoubtedly, Valladolid is one of the most enchanting colonial cities in Yucatan and a must-visit destination for tourists coming from the vibrant Quintana Roo region. Known for the grandeur of its temples and the rich heritage of its historic neighborhoods, Valladolid holds the distinction of being the second most significant city in Yucatan, following Mérida, and stands as its oldest. Its winding streets and well-preserved buildings serve as living witnesses to its illustrious past, having borne witness to various indigenous uprisings, including the historic 'War of Castes.'
Today, Valladolid exudes a tranquil charm, inviting visitors to admire its captivating array of old houses. The city pulsates with commercial vitality and plays a pivotal role in the state's development due to its strategically advantageous location.
Duration: 30 minutes
See Availability.
1: Ultramar, Av. José López Portillo Calle 49, Puerto Juarez, Juárez, 77525 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
2: Smart Cancun The Urban Oasis, Av Tulum 4, capilla ecumenica, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
3: Hampton Inn by Hilton Cancun Cumbres, Luis Donaldo Colosio Supermanzana 310 Manzana 1, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
4: Aquaworld, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico
5: Forever 21, 5ta. Avenida Norte Mz 35 L. B21, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
6: Starbucks Playacar, Paseo XamanHa Lot 19, Manzana 25 Local 401, Plaza, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
7: SUPER CHEDRAUI PUERTO AVENTURAS, Km. 270 Carretera Federal 307 Mz 012.002 Lt 001.060 Fraccionamiento, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico
8: Súper Akí Tulum, Carretera Federal Tulum Ruinas s/n, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
9: GOmart Agua verde, KM 2695 MZA 29 LTE 2, México 307, 77780 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico
10: 7-Eleven Pentenpich, CARRETERA FEDERAL CHETUMAL-PUERTO JUAREZ. SUPER MANZANA 30 MANZANA 01 LOTE 01-02, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico
11: 7-Eleven Regatta, 77586 Joaquín Zetina Gasca, Q.R., Mexico
12: Motel Sensaciones, Benito Juárez Sm 38, M 41, L35, Carr. Cancún - Tulum, 77507 Puerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico
Traveler pickup is offered
We can provide you pick up at most hotels located in the hotel zone of Cancun and Riviera Maya or a meeting point near your hotel at Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen & Tulum.
If you are staying in a Boutique Hotel, Hostel or Condominium, we will look for a nearby location as a meeting point.
Most Frequent Meeting Points:
Cancun Downtown: Hotel Oasis Smart 7:10 AM
Playa del Carmen: Forever 21 Quinta Alegria 6:30 AM
Tulum: Super Aki Tulum 7:10 AM
The pickup time will be between 6:30 AM - and 7:30 AM; you will get exact details via email 2 days before your activity date.
Note: Please be advised that certain hotels with challenging access may entail an additional fee of $20 USD. This is to cover the extra expenses associated with reaching these locations. Thank you for your understanding
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Private Chichen Itza
6/15/2021 - 6/3/2025
| Monday - Sunday : | 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM |
| Monday - Sunday : | 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM |
| Monday - Sunday : | 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM |
| Monday - Sunday : | 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM |
12 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
The use of a life jacket is mandatory in the cenote
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : Anna_K
Viator offered three options (with increasing price each). The "meeting point" option (MX$1,180.95 per person) the "Hotel pick-up" option (MX$1,352.10 per person) and the "All inclusive option"(MX$2,892.46 per person).
We booked the "All inclusive" tour with SAT Tours via Viator for two persons.
Based on Viator website, all sorts of options included the bus ride, the guided tour to Chichen Itza, the visit to a cenote (buffet lunch included in price) and lastly a stop in Valladolid.
The "All inclusive" option included the above plus the hotel pick-up (aka $1,352.10 per person), the entrance to Chichen Itza (which based on Viator was 43 USD per person = MX$ 715) and free life jacket and lockers in the cenote area which based on Viator was 4 USD = MX$ 65 each, aka MX$ 130 for both a locker and life jacket).
Let's do some math and sum up the breakdown of what's included in the "All-inclusive": 1,352.10 + 715 + 130 = MX$ 2.197.10. As we paid MX$2,892.46 per person, could someone explain the ADDED VALUE of the difference amounting to MX$ 695.36 (aka USD 41.76)??? Did we pay this extra amount for what? For a lemonade that was offered during lunch? LOL. For assuming the burden to prove to the tour guide that we had actually paid for this in advance?? This is offensive to trick people into a so-called "all inclusive" option where you end up paying way more than others that also get the same service on-site.
Fun fact, the actually entrance fee for Chichen Itza costs SAT tours MX$ 548 (see photo attached), I assume the get a discount for buying tickets in bulks, still they present it in their website as if the price were MX$ 715ish.
The tour guide, Alfredo Ariola, was by far the worst experience we have ever faced in terms of tour guides for the reasons explained below:
1. He asked us to pay for the entrance at Chichen Itza. We explained several times that we had an "all inclusive ticket" but he insisted that based on his notes we had to pay. After I showed him the Viator email reservation he was still not convinced and took a picture of my email and showed to someone else and waited for confirmation.
2. Inapropriate jokes throughout the trip. Prior to arriving to Chichen Itza, the bus made a stop to a "souvenir" shop where they strongly recommended we bought souvenirs (normally souvenirs should be sold and bought AFTER visiting an archaeological site, at least that's my understanding). Before arriving to that souvenir shop, Mr. Alfredo Ariola said that he would take the women to practice their favorite sport which would help them release stress. Guess what!? The sport he referred to was "shopping". He also said we should keep women happy with shopping as "happy wife happy life".
3. Poor translation. While booking the tour we had to choose whether we preferred to have it in English or Spanish. We chose Spanish. However, both Spanish and English speakers we were put in one big bus (we were around 60 persons, as the bus was almost full and mentioned maximum capacity was 61 persons - despite the fact that they said on the description maximum 40 people). During the bus ride (which lasted approx. 3 hrs), the tour guide tried to give some background on the Mayan culture, Chichen Itza site etc. Despite the fact that the tour guide appeared knowleadgable and pasionate about the subject. The information shared was interesting. However, the tour guide was struggling to translate similtaneously in both languages and instead of saying one phrase in english and then in spanish (so they context made sense) he said one WORD in english, one WORD translated to spanish and so on. This was quite exhausting for the audience as we were not able to follow when the language was switching (luckily - or not- I speak both languages so I tried to make a sense out of the non-sense on-off spanglish).
4. No microphones, no audiophones. When we arrived at the Chichen Itza archaelogical site, the tour guide said that we would split in two groups, the english speaking one and the spanish speaking one. Amongst a complete chaos of people flooding the site, our tour guide said that the english speaking ones should follow him and stick with him and the rest go with another speaking spanish guide that was waiting there. Guess what. Only 2 people went to the spanish speaking tour of the site (lucky them as the tour turned out to be private for them) and the rest (50ish persons) we followed our tour guide Alfredo. Anyone that has visited Chichen Itza should know that this is a fully packed crowded place, with dozens of groups of tourists and it was scorching hot. Sadly, we noticed other groups using audiophones and the tour guide a microphone which allowed for a smooth and organised tour where everyone could listen and learn while strolling around the site. Not our case though. No microphones, no audiophones. Mr. Alfredo was doing his speech without really making sure everyone from his group was able to listen what he was saying. That's so poor organizations, truly unfortunate.
5. Buffet lunch in Cenote. The restaurant in the cenote was beautiful and very spacious. The ones from the tour we had a bracelet on us that showed we were coming from a guided tour with access to buffet. When we entered the restaurant we asked to be seated in one of the nice tables of the main area of the restaurant. However, the waiters said that the ones of the group would be seated elsewhere. They sat us in a corner far away from the buffet which was currently under construction (see attached picture) so we eventually ended up having lunch under the sound of drilling and escavating.
6. Valladolid visit. Based on their website, "Valladolid is one of the most enchanting colonial cities in Yucatan" and for that they stop over for 30 mins so that we could see the town. Our tour guide dropped us off at busy street in Valladolid full of tourist trap stores for 30 mins. The meeting point was supposed to be the drop off point which was a no-parking zone as there was a policeman constantly kicking out buses and cars. The result? We were waiting for 15-20 mins for our bus to be able to approach the street in order for us to board and start our way back to Cancun.
All in all, this is not ok to trick people into paying "all-inclusive" options with 0 added value. Customers should be respected and receive services they paid for. Most importanly, the time we dispose for the tour is even more important and precious than money and for that reason it should be respected and spent in quality.
P.S. The driver was good and drove safely.
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Group Tour with Lunch 2024 - Cancun (viator.com)
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-17
Posted By : Laura_L
Seeing Chichen Itza was absolutely amazing! The history that the guides knew was great. We learned a lot about the Mayan civilization.
The cenote was even cooler than I expected! Totally worth the trip! Bring TONS of water though. It is HOT!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-17
Posted By : B4785XTanthonyj
This was one of the Best Tours/ Excursions that I’ve ever done, all of the host were totally great, it was better than I could ever imagine. And Ceaser our host was funny and informative which made it an amazing experience
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-17
Posted By : deborahlT9540WQ
The tour was wonderful. Very interesting and informative. The tour guides, Rey and Victor did a fantastic job making it fun and were attentive to the guest. I definitely recommend.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : carol_b
Great time but expensive! I would give it an 8/10. I would probably do it again now that I know what to expect.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : 41manikandanm
The driver daniello, Rey and Victor did a great job in coordinating and made us have a great trip. They were very polite and helpful. I enjoyed the trip.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : hlingr
Rey and Vincent were great tour guides and were very knowledgeable about the tour topics. Danilo was our driver and provided us a very comfortable passage to and from Cancun.
Affordable, comfortable, informative, and overall very affordable tour. A must do if you’re visiting
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : oliviarY9231BR
This tour was so amazing! Our tour guides Rey and Victor were so knowledgeable about Mayan culture and educated us while still making it fun. Chichén Itzá was truly magnificent and the Cenote was magical. The food at the buffet was some of the best food I’ve ever had in my LIFE, including all my trips to México. I recommend the tacos pibil with the habanero salsa:) and pray you get lucky enough to have a driver as amazing as Danilo! The bus was so nice, new, and the air conditioning was a lifesaver.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : jetm762
Shout out to driver- Danilo and guides Rey and Victor. Excellent tour, would recommend to everybody. Don't forget to bring extra cash
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : breth2019
Chichen Itza was fabulous but the cenote stole the show on this hot day. Definitely dip in the cool waters! Rey and Victor were great. Excellent tour guides. Danilo's driving was smooth as can be.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-16
