Is Chichén Itzá Worth It & Why You May Want To Skip It 2024

Is Chichén Itzá Worth it?

It only takes a quick Google or scroll of social media to see that Chichén Itzá is beautiful. The perfectly geometric pyramid set against a backdrop of green grass and blue skies is swoon-worthy.

To hang in the ranks of the New 7 Wonders of the World alongside the likes of the Roman Colosseum and the Taj Mahal, Chichén Itzá must be worth visiting! Surely!… Right?

The answer to this question is yes… and no.

But we’ll start with the yes.

Why Chichén Itzá Is Worth Visiting

For a lot of people Chichén Itzá is worth visiting, especially if you’re already in the area. As a day trip, this is a great way to learn about the culture of the region (beyond tacos and tequila, folks) and switch things up from the pool bars and beaches.

So let’s get into the reasons why you should go to Chichén Itzá.

It’s Culturally Important

Mexico can get a bit of a reputation of being all tacos and tequila but in reality, it has a rich culture and long, interesting history.

There were actually several ancient civilizations in Mexico but in the southern part of the country the main one was the Maya.

This civilization is interesting because the ancient Maya seemed to be so ahead of their time. Feats of engineering and architecture have been causing head scratches for centuries as we try to understand how they knew what they knew.

Take the famous pyramid for example. The Temple of Kukulkan was built in honour of the chief god of the Maya by the same name, depicted as a feathered serpent.

The pyramid was built symmetrically with 91 steps on each of the four sides and one step on top, adding up to 365 steps (just like the number of days in the Mayan sun calendar).

Every year on the spring and autumn equinoxes a shadow is cast on the pyramid showing a serpent descending to the earth marking that it’s time to plant or harvest crops.

A feathered serpent, just like Kukulkan. 🐍

The pyramid also happens to be built on top of a cenote, a sacred water source for the Maya. And surrounding the pyramid, of equal distance to the north, south, east and west are four more cenotes.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, the Maya don’t exactly throw things together.

One of the highlights for me at Chichén Itzá was the Great Ball Court.

I first learned about the Maya ballgame at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and have seen a few ball courts since then, but none compare to the one at Chichén Itzá.

In addition to being huge (the largest in Mesoamerica) and in good shape, this ball court also has ancient carvings of the ballgame, what it looked like and what it meant.

Standing on the very spot it was played and looking at the pictures is a pretty surreal connection to a 3,000 year old game.

It’s the Best Site Near Cancún

If you just want to visit any ole ruins near Cancún then you can save yourself the journey and head to the Museo Maya de Cancún (Mayan Museum of Cancún) in the Hotel Zone. They have some small ruins on the museum grounds that can scratch that itch.

But if you want to visit somewhere much more impressive and interesting then Chichén Itzá is hands down the best archeological site near Cancún.

Chichén Itzá isn’t just a pyramid, the core site is 5 square kilometers/2 square miles and features a variety of structures and buildings, in various states of ruin dating back almost 1,000 years.

There are other ruins near Cancún such as Coba and Ek Balam but they don’t compare with the scale and quality of the experience at Chichén Itzá.

If you’re interested in Mayan culture and want a really great historical experience from Cancún or Playa del Carmen then Chichén Itzá really is the best choice.

If you’re staying in or near Tulum then the ruins there are a great alternative. The setting of the Tulum ruins is jaw-dropping, overlooking the ocean, but they don’t have a pyramid so that’s something to consider.

You Can Turn It Into a Mega Day Trip

If you’re heading out to Chichén Itzá from somewhere like Cancún, Tulum or anywhere else along the Riviera Maya then it’s really a long way to go just to do this one thing.

The good news is, there are other things to include in the area that can make for one big day trip of multiple experiences.

Most of the organized tours to Chichén Itzá include swimming in a cenote and a visit to the charming city of Valladolid.

This means you get to learn about the Maya and visit the ruins, then go swimming in one of their sacred underground swimming holes, and get a taste of authentic Mexico in a typical city.

Even if you rent a car to drive yourself you can recreate this itinerary.

By rolling three memorable experiences into one 11-12 hour day trip you maximize on time and value.

It’s a New Wonder of the World

In 2007, Chichén Itzá was voted onto the New 7 Wonders of the World list, which is a pretty cool designation to have!

The criteria for the candidates was pretty loose, but all were a UNESCO World Heritage Site, architecturally impressive, and people thought they were pretty cool to look at.

Regardless of how the vote was structured, there are only seven wonders on the list which makes them all special!

Some people have even made it a mission to visit all seven wonders – I’m about halfway there.

Chichén Itzá also happens to be the only New Wonder of the World in North America so it’s a great place to kick off the list if you’re already nearby.

Why Chichén Itzá Might Not Be Worth It For You

Did you know there are hundreds of ruins and archeological sites in Mexico that are open to visitors? Well there are. Hundreds.

If you’re visiting other parts of Mexico and you want to include some ruins in your trip, you may want to save yourself for another site. Let’s get into the reasons why you might want to skip Chichén Itzá.

It’s Expensive

The pyramid of Chichén Itzá is a major, major tourist attraction (2.5 million visitors a year) and one of the most expensive, most visited, and most touristy archeological sites in all of Mexico.

Let’s look at ticket prices alone.

One of my favourite archeological sites in Mexico is Monte Alban in Oaxaca. The current cost of entry to Monte Alban is $70MXN [$4.25USD/$5.50CAD]. The current cost of entry to Chichén Itzá is $614MXN [$37USD/$50CAD]. That’s almost 9x more expensive!

When you add on transportation and a tour guide, a visit to Chichén Itzá can be an expensive day out.

It’s Busy

Money isn’t everything. Chichén Itzá also happens to be really, really busy. Some people don’t mind crowds but I actively avoid them. I travel during off season, I find hidden gems, and I avoid places with English writing.

If you’re like me, you may enjoy your time more at a quieter or even larger site.

I went to Chichén Itzá early in the morning, which I highly recommend to avoid the crowds or taking a small group tour. When the tour buses of groups of 48 travellers start rolling in it can feel a little like you’re being herded.

Sites like Monte Alban in Oaxaca and Teotihuacan in Mexico City are larger and have fewer visitors which makes for an overall calmer experience.

It’s Inconvenient

If you’ve looked into visiting Chichén Itzá at all yet, you’ll see that it’s kind of a pain to get to! Even with the new highways it’s still a 3 hour drive from Cancún and a 2 hour drive from Mérida.

Unless you’re already driving between Cancún and Mérida, you’re looking at a 4-6 hour round trip just to visit this site which makes for a long day.

If you’re short on time with your trip you may want to consider if you’re willing to lose an entire day to visit Chichén Itzá.

Weigh up how important it is to you vs the time commitment before deciding to make the journey.

I’ve Seen Better

🚨Unpopular Opinion Alert!🚨

I see a lot of people raving about Chichén Itzá and how it’s amazing and how everyone should go and it always leads me to the same conclusion: They don’t have much to compare it to.

Don’t get me wrong, Chichén Itzá is an interesting and important historical site and I am glad I went.

There’s a lot to like about it, which is why I started with the reasons why you should go!

But as an expert who explores Mexico for a living, and also as a lover of the country, Chichén Itzá is not my favourite site.

The pyramid at Chichén Itzá is probably the most beautiful and in tact pyramid I’ve visited in Mexico but in terms of overall experience, I prefer some other sites.

The mountaintop setting of Monte Alban in Oaxaca was breathtaking, I loved the magical sense of history in Uxmal near Mérida, and the sheer scale of the enormous Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan outside Mexico City is something to behold.

Chichén Itzá is the most popular archeological site in Mexico but I think a lot of that has to do with geography.

If it wasn’t near the busiest tourist hub of the country I think it’d be a different story.

Should I Do a Tour of Chichén Itzá?

Whether you go to Chichén Itzá as part of a tour group or independently, I strongly recommend that you take a tour of the site.

In Mexico tour guiding is a career. To be a tour guide in sites like Chichén Itzá the guides must undergo training, pass licensing exams laid out by the Ministry of Tourism, and renew their license every five years.

The government takes this job very seriously which is great news for us visitors. This means we’re going to get an amazing experience with our guides!

Chichén Itzá is nice to look at but when you’re just walking around, you don’t really know what you’re seeing unless there’s someone there to tell you.

There are some self-guided audio guides out there but I don’t think anything beats the breadth of knowledge that a local expert guide can provide.

Hiring a local guide makes the whole experience of visiting Chichén Itzá worth it.

How To Visit Chichén Itzá

When it comes to visiting Chichén Itzá can either go independently or go as part of a tour. I’m going to cover both of these options to help you decide which one is right for you.

Taking a Tour to Chichén Itzá

Taking a tour to Chichén Itzá is definitely the easiest way to visit this archeological site. A guided tour removes the need for working our logistics and allows you to just sit back and enjoy the day. But not all tours are created equally!

The most important things you need to look for when choosing a tour to Chichén Itzá are:

Guided tours to Chichén Itzá aren’t the cheapest but they tend to include multiple activities and a buffet lunch. This means you have a good idea up front of exactly how much this day trip is going to cost.

When you consider all the inclusions and transportation the value for money is actually pretty good!

The Best Tour From Cancún & Playa del Carmen

The best Chichén Itzá tour from Cancún and Playa del Carmen is the Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Cenote Tour. This tour leaves early in the morning (5am-6am) which means beating the crowds to the sites.

This tour visits two major archeological sites, Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam, and an opportunity to cool off in a cenote swimming hole.

The tour is run by one of the most reputable tour companies in all of Mexico and is capped at 20 people which is less than half the size of most of the other tours! This will make a big difference to your overall experience (a lot less waiting around!).

Although it’s a long day, the day trip is packed full of amazing memory makers and includes the following:

**Note: The base ticket for Chichén Itzá is included but the foreign taxes are not. $54USD is due on the day in cash. This tax applies to all tours to Chichén Itzá. Some include it in the tour price, others collect it separately but you always pay it.

The Best Tour from Tulum

The Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid Small Group Day Trip is the best tour from Tulum with the best company from Tulum! This small group tour is all about eco friendliness and sustainable tourism.

Unlike the big coach tours, this small local company supports the local economy, operates under a zero waste recycling program and keeps groups small to improve experience and the impact on the sites. So you can feel good about your choice!

In addition to exploring Chichén Itzá, this tour includes a Yucateca lunch (regional meal) at a colonial restaurant in downtown Valladolid and some free time to explore this beautiful city.

Then you’ll round out the day by cooling off with a swim in a cenote run by a local Mayan community.

This tour includes:

The Best Tour From Mérida

The best tour from Mérida is the Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil and Izamal Tour. What makes this tour really special is the visit to Izamal, also known as the Yellow Town.

With an early start around 7am your group will beat the crowds to Chichén Itzá. After exploring the archeological site you’ll head for a dip in one of the lesser known cenotes in the area.

You’ll end the day at the bright yellow town of Izamal. This beautiful Pueblo Mágico is a sacred spot for both Mayans and Catholics and sees pilgrimages from both communities.

All the buildings in the town are painted the same shade of yellow and match the large yellow convent on a hill in the town centre. The town also has some free archeological ruins to visit and makes for an amazing photo op.

**Ticket to Chichén Itzá is to be paid upon entry to the site.

How to Visit Chichén Itzá By Bus

Visiting Chichén Itzá independently by bus is the cheapest way to get to the site at around $340MXN [$20USD/$27CAD] per ticket return. First class buses in Mexico are safe and comfortable but this route has some logistical challenges.

Sunday through Friday there is only one direct bus per day from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum to Chichén Itzá and only one return.

The ADO direct buses take 3-3.5 hours and depart in the morning between 8am – 9am depending on the city. The return departs around 4pm.

These buses can be very busy since there’s only one a day. I highly recommend booking your bus tickets in advance (especially the return). The ADO website is only available in Spanish but you can book bus tickets in English with BusBud.

While the downside to taking a bus from the Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá is that you are left for 5 hours waiting for the bus home. There really isn’t much of a town to explore so it’s not an ideal circumstance.

If you’re coming from Mérida things are a lot easier! There are a few buses going back and forth every day.

By Bus via Valladolid

If the One-Bus-a-Day thing doesn’t work for you the other option is to go to Chichén Itzá via Valladolid.

You’re going to want to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the good news is, there are more bus options to Valladolid which means you can arrive hours earlier the Chichén Itzá buses.

Once in Valladolid you can either take a taxi to Chichén Itzá or take the colectivo.

An authorized taxi can be taken outside the bus terminal and will cost about $600MXN [$36USD/$47CAD] each way.

A much cheaper method is the colectivo. The colectivo is not going to be a comfortable ride but at only $80MXN [$4.50USD/$6.50CAD] return they can be forgiven.

I’ve included walking directions and the exact location of the colectivo stop in the map below. The first colectivo leaves for Chichén Itzá at 7am and the last return is 5pm.

The colectivos are cash only and the journey takes about an hour each way.

How to Visit By Car

Thanks to the introduction of decent highways in the Yucatán visiting Chichén Itzá by car is pretty easy! Just pop it into Google Maps and you’re on your way.

Parking is available on site for $80MXN [$6.25USD/$4.75CAD] per vehicle or if you don’t mind walking you can try to find a spot on the road or in one of the cheaper local lots.

If you’re renting a car to visit Chichén Itzá I recommend making a day of it! The yellow town of Izamal is located just over an hour from Chichén Itzá heading toward Mérida.

This town is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics and Mayans and has an interesting storied history.

The town centres around a large yellow convent, which the Spanish built some 500 years ago. This convent is beautiful and boasts the second largest monastic courtyard in the world after the Vatican.

But as is to be expected, with colonialism it’s not all sunshine and yellow paint.

The San Antonio de Padua Convent was built on the site of the Mayan acropolis. The Spanish actually took the stones from the ancient Mayan temple on this site and used them to build the convent.

While the convent is an interesting visit it also has a gorgeous view over the town and surrounding area.

A few golden blocks away you can visit some more Mayan ruins which are free to enter or you can just wander the streets of bright yellow buildings.

Any time you choose to drive in Mexico just be sure to follow these tips:

What To Expect at Chichén Itzá

When you arrive at Chichén Itzá there is a large parking lot out front. When you approach the visitor centre you will find the ticket office outside.

Here you’ll see licensed guides in white shirts with guide IDs around their necks. If you don’t already have a guide, this is the place to get one!

The visitor centre consists of:

When it’s time to enter the archeological site you’ll scan your ticket at the turnstile to enter. A dirt path leads you up through the forest until you emerge into the open to find the main event, the pyramid.

Guided tours around Chichén Itzá take 2-2.5 hours in all and the pace is leisurely with lots of breaks. There are some seats sprinkled around the site or you can always do what I did and find a tree stump as needed.

The tour guides at Chichén Itzá speak excellent English and are very conscious of the heat. Where possible they will bring the group to the shade during the longer talks.

There are a total of 26 ruins for visitors to see and all these areas are well-maintained. The paths connecting different areas are dirt and uneven so keep an eye on where you’re putting your feet to avoid any accidents.

There are souvenir vendors inside the archeological site offering all sorts of Chichén Itzá themed kitsch and gifts. You can negotiate prices here as there are so many competing vendors, but do expect prices to be high.

The various ruins are spread out across quite a large area so expect to walk anywhere from 1-3 miles/1.5-5kms.

At the end of the tour you are free to continue exploring the grounds and taking photos.

When you’re ready to leave you can head back to the visitor centre to find the exit.

When you exit Chichén Itzá you will enter a large covered market area with an enormous amount of vendors selling everything from shot glasses to musical instruments to t-shirts. This is your last opportunity to make a souvenir purchase!

How Much Time Should You Spend at Chichén Itzá?

If you’re taking a guided tour, I recommend 3-4 hours at Chichén Itzá. This allowed 2-2.5 hours for a leisurely guided tour and time to explore and take pictures.

If you decide not to take a tour, 1-2 hours would be enough time to explore the site and take pictures.

Tips For Visiting Chichén Itzá

However you decide to visit Chichén Itzá there are a few tips you need to follow to have the best time. Here are my top tips and things I wish I knew before I went!

1. It’s The Hottest Place On Earth

Okay, this is a slight exaggeration but it’s not far off the truth. The Yucatán is unforgivably hot, especially in summer.

January is the coolest month of the year and it’s regularly around 86F/30C. In the summer you’re looking at humidity and temperatures around 104F/40C.

Unlike the coastal areas, there is no sea breeze cooling things down, it’s just pure heat and the hot sun beating down.

When you visit Chichén Itzá you’ll be walking a lot in wide open spaces in direct sunlight so prepare accordingly.

I visited Chichén Itzá in July and it was unbearably hot. I ended up with heat stroke at the end of the day and needed a recovery day. Please be careful and always have travel insurance.

2. Bring Cash

Cash is King in Mexico! You will need cash on your trip to Chichén Itzá.

Credit card is accepted at the ticket office however the machines are unreliable. Not all foreign credit cards are accepted. You may also be asked to produce photo ID that matches your credit card.

To be safe you’ll want to bring enough cash to cover the entry fee.

You will also need cash to pay and tip your guide, buy anything from the many souvenir vendors, and make purchases from the gift shop, café, or store. If you decide to drive you’ll also need cash for parking.

The bathrooms and toilet paper are free to use.

3. Beware the Time Zones

I’ve mentioned this already but I’m going to say it again. The state of Quintana Roo operates in the Eastern Time Zone. This means that anywhere in the Riviera Maya including Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal and Cozumel are all in the Eastern Time Zone.

Quintana Roo is the only part of Mexico that uses this time zone. The state made the choice in 2015 to switch to EST to make travel easier for US and Canadian visitors.

Once you leave Quintana Roo and enter the rest of southern Mexico you are in the Central Time Zone.

This is especially important when you’re booking transportation as transportation is always listed in the local time.

It’s also important when you’re heading back to the Riviera Maya after a day trip. If you leave Chichén Itzá at 5pm and it takes 3 hours to get back, you’ll actually arrive an hour later, at 9pm local time.

4. Your Camera May Not Be Allowed

Mexico has strict laws when it comes to the type of camera equipment they will allow into anthropological and historical sites.

Obviously taking pictures is allowed, that’s why my photos are in this post! But there are some restrictions.

Cell phones with cameras are permitted without issue and are free to be used for photo or video. This is your safest bet for following the rules.

If you want to bring a video camera or GoPro you’ll need to pay a fee of $50MXN [$3USD/$4CAD] in cash.

Professional camera gear is not permitted unless you apply for a permit at 10 business days before your visit.

Finally, tripods of any size are not permitted, including those for phones.

5. Avoid Sundays

On Sundays Chichén Itzá is free to Mexican nationals and foreigners with Mexican ID. These days can get very, very busy and might make you wish you skipped it!

If Sunday is the only day you have to visit Chichén Itzá then it’s still worth visiting, but if you have more time select another day for your trip.

Visiting Chichén Itzá FAQs

You’ve got questions about Chichén Itzá and I’ve got answers!

What Is So Special About Chichén Itzá?

Chichén Itzá is home to the world’s largest Mayan ball court, the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid which is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and is a prime example of Mayan ingenuity and architecture.

Is Chichén Itzá Safe?

Chichén Itzá is totally safe to visit. There isn’t much to do or see in the town other than eating at one of the buffet restaurants. The site itself is maintained and well staffed.

The main safety hazard at Chichén Itzá is the uneven ground. To avoid a rolled ankle, watch where you step especially on the dirt pathways.

Is Chichén Itzá a Wonder of the World?

Yes, Chichén Itzá is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It received this designation in 2007 after a worldwide popular vote.

Which Is Better to Visit Tulum or Chichén Itzá?

Tulum and Chichén Itzá are both impressive sites but offer different experiences. The ruins at Tulum are best known for their stunning backdrop of the turquoise Caribbean Sea, but Chichén Itzá has something Tulum doesn’t: a pyramid.

If you want to learn about Mayan culture and history then the city of Chichén Itzá is the better choice, but if you just want to explore some beautiful ruins in a gorgeous setting then Tulum is a great option.

Can You Still Climb to the Top of Chichén Itzá?

No, you cannot climb any of the ruins at Chichén Itzá and please, just don’t. Climbing ancient ruins compromises their structural integrity and can damage the structure. It’s also dangerous to climb steep, unstable structures.

Summary: Is Chichén Itzá Worth It?

So after all that, is Chichén Itzá really worth it?

There are a lot of things about Chichén Itzá that make it a special and historically significant place to visit but there are some drawbacks to visiting a place this popular.

If you’re visiting Cancún and the Riviera Maya and you want to have a cultural experience then a day trip to Chichén Itzá is worth it for you.

And if you’re going to be in the area already or will be passing by then you should definitely stop in!

But, if you’re not planning to be in the region or you’re heading to other parts of Mexico then Chichén Itzá may not be worth the trouble for you.

And you can click here to find out if Cancún is worth visiting for you.