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Chichen Itza Tour: Explore Mayan Ruins & Cenote
4.3
49 Ratings
Cancún
The Chichen Itza Cenote and Ek Balam tour departing from Cancun offers an exceptional adventure through history, culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. A knowledgeable guide will accompany participants as they discover two Mayan archaeological sites and enjoy a swim in a sacred cenote. The tour includes round-trip transportation and lunch.
The Chichen Itza Cenote and Ek Balam tour departing from Cancun offers an exceptional adventure through history, culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. A knowledgeable guide will accompany participants as they discover two Mayan archaeological sites and enjoy a swim in a sacred cenote. The tour includes round-trip transportation and lunch.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- CENOTE NOOLHA BY CHICHIKAN - Discover the unique cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, natural limestone sinkholes offering stunning beauty and a perfect spot for a refreshing swim in a jungle paradise. Dive into the clear waters and marvel at the breathtaking rock formations!
- Aldea Naayil Ku - Experience an authentic cultural journey at Naayil…
- CENOTE NOOLHA BY CHICHIKAN - Discover the unique cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, natural limestone sinkholes offering stunning beauty and a perfect spot for a refreshing swim in a jungle paradise. Dive into the clear waters and marvel at the breathtaking rock formations!
- Aldea Naayil Ku - Experience an authentic cultural journey at Naayil Kú Maya Village, guided by the Maya people. Be greeted by a Maya warrior and a shaman, then walk along a sacred jungle path rich with stories and symbolism. Participate in a traditional blessing and cleansing, and explore a small shop featuring locally crafted items. The highlight is a live demonstration of the Mayan Ball Game by genuine warriors, followed by a tequila tasting.
- Chichen Itza - Recognized as one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s a “must-see” when visiting Cancun. An expert guide will lead you through the site, sharing fascinating facts and legends about Chichen Itza and the Mayan civilization. Explore the ball court, the Temple of a Thousand Columns, and the majestic Kukulkan Pyramid.
- Zona Arqueológica de Ek Balam - While the Mayan ruins of Ek Balam may not be as renowned as Chichen Itza, they are equally impressive! Climb the remarkable Acropolis to admire the exquisite carvings and art of the ancient Maya, which have been beautifully preserved. Enjoy the stunning view from the top.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Chichen Itza, Ekbalam and Cenote Saamal Admission
- Guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Chichen Itza, Ekbalam and Cenote Saamal Admission
- Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Taxes (66 usd pp)
- Life jacket rental (4usd) in the cenote not included, payment at check in.
- Drinks are not included if you choose the basic option.
- Gratuities
- Taxes (66 usd pp)
- Life jacket rental (4usd) in the cenote not included, payment at check in.
- Drinks are not included if you choose the basic option.
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- It is recommended that you bring Sports shoes, Sandals or flip flops, Swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, Biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent, a Camera and Mexican Pesos in cash for expenses and tips
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- It is recommended that you bring Sports shoes, Sandals or flip flops, Swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, Biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent, a Camera and Mexican Pesos in cash for expenses and tips
Location
Smart Cancun by Oasis
Avenida Tulum
7:00 AM
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(49 Ratings)
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P827icjuliah
Feb 28, 2026
Beautiful excursion - Excellent experience. I recommend Xcaret premium service that gives you a parasol.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex0037
Feb 7, 2026
Excellent day - Our guide Antonio was excellent thanks to him we had a great day! He really takes the time to explain and in detail! We highly recommend this tour and Antonio!!👌🏼 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emanuela_c
Jan 17, 2026
Julio is a VERY... - Julio is a VERY PASSIONATE GUIDE an a good care taker too! Deep knowledge of the Mayan history! Both Sites are a MUST SEE!!!
Review provided by Viator
Monicamina10
Apr 27, 2025
Spectacular day - Great outing.
Very complete. Beautiful Ek Balam, spectacular Chichin Ithza and exciting bathing in the Samal cenote.
That's our guide. Precise and prepared. Lunch at the typical restaurant in the good Mayan village.
A day we will always remember. Super recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sondra_h
Nov 23, 2024
Highly recommended - This is such a great tour and experience. The whole day was filed with educational learning. The bus transportation was great. Thank you
Review provided by Viator
Lkdmd
Apr 13, 2025
Option for ek Balam and chitzen itza. - We really enjoyed seeing both Ek Balam and Chichen Itza on the same day. There are limited tours that offer this option which is why we chose this.
We were picked up at hotel (Cancun hotel zone) at 7:45 am. Picked up another group south of Cancun which significantly added to drive time.
Went to Ek Balam first & had time to walk around and climb to top and see the carvings.
Then we went to lunch at a tourist trap store and lunch. Lunch was buffet and good. Do not buy the added drink package as not worth it- 20$ for 2 drinks.
After lunch drove to chichen itza which was truly amazing! Our guide did discuss the Mayan calendar, showed us photos of the snake. Then we had 45 minutes to explore the site. We walked to the cenote and also viewed the ball court. We could have spent hours here which is the downside of this tour option.
The cenote was fun but a little chaotic to get the lockers, changed, into the cenote, changed and back to the van.
We made it back to our hotel at 9pm.
There were water bottles offered at the sites but no other drink options offered as advertised for your extra drink package.
This was a lot of drive time but we really enjoyed seeing Ek Balam and Chichen Itza in the same day. I would have preferred a picnic lunch and more time at the sites.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carterett_n
Dec 22, 2024
Biggest issue was late... - Biggest issue was late pickup, and surprise fees.
It took a few times reaching out to the tour operator or get a confirmed pickup location and time, and once it was confirmed, they were very nearly an hour late. Calling the three phone numbers provided got no answer, but after a while I did receive a text. We were told they'd be ten more minutes, but it was closer to 30, and the van arrived to pick us up at the hotel, where we waited close to five more while they called out the wrong name.
Read the fine print carefully to not be surprised by "taxes" that nearly double the cost of the tour, after you've already paid through Viator. And then, be prepared for a surprise charge of $4 USD per person for life vests which are mandatory to swim at the cenote. Add in fees for lockers at the cenote, and tips at lunch (which servers are somewhat aggressive in seeking), and you should be prepared to spend much more than you thought.
...but.
The tour itself was quite good. Knowledge guide, and incredible sites. It's a lot to do in one day, so you won't have enough time to really go in depth at either archaeological site, but that's the cost of hitting both in one go. Chichen Itza is a vast site, which goes WAY beyond the iconic pyramid temple. Take the opportunity to explore it. Ek Balam is less well known, but also less crowded and not at all overrun by Instagram tourists. It gives you the chance to feel more immersed in the historic experience. You can climb the main structure to see the incredible carvings and the view from the top, and enter smaller rooms in another structure. Parts of the site are unexcavated, with the jungle still covering the stone buildings. Highly recommend visiting either, or both ruins. I'd recommend shopping around before committing to this particular tour operator though.
Review provided by Viator
Logant531
Aug 20, 2024
Trip Cancelled without notice - We woke up the morning of the trip to find that, upon checking the website, our tour had been cancelled. I received no email or any type of message to alert me of the cancellation. We were not charged.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Connector03957538710
Jun 30, 2024
They cancelled without notice. - Might have been nice but they'll cancel on you without telling you. I had to reach out to them to confirm pickup since the tour was supposed to be tomorrow, they said they won't be doing the tour. They wouldn't cancel it, so Trip Advisor thought the tour was still going, which wouldn't let me cancel. I had to go through the headache of calling in just to get my money back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mike_w
May 4, 2024
Wouldn't do it again even if they paid me. - In my opinion we had the guide from hell. We received an email the day before our tour to bring mosquito repellent. I rushed out the morning of our tour and bought some. When the guide showed up he told us that they would prefer it if we didn't use mosquito repellant and that we wouldn't need it anyways.
Our tour van was an 11-passenger van that had been reconfigured into a 14-passenger van (translation - less legroom than in an airplane).
Our tour guide told us about all of the different governments, politicians and tourist groups that he hated. Then he told us about his medical problems.
The tour description advised that you should be in good physical shape and that there would be a lot of walking. Our guide was in such poor physical shape that he couldn't climb stairs and had to cut his walking short.
Our guide used a microphone and a chest mounted speaker. It was painfully loud and I asked him several times to turn it down. Personally, even if they paid my $500 I wouldn't go on this tour again. On the other hand, my wife really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
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