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Chichen Itza Tour From Merida – Private
Leave Merida at seven and you are standing under El Castillo before the first tour bus turns off the highway. A private Chichen Itza tour from Merida is an all-included day trip, 1.5 hours each way with only your group aboard. Xaman-Ha Connections® covers door-to-door pickup across Merida and Puerto Progreso, INAH site admission, the cenote entrance and a traditional Yucatecan lunch.
Lowest price: $159 USD per person. Price varies by group size. The more people, the less you pay.
An all-included private Chichen Itza day from Merida with Xaman-Ha Connections®
No hidden fees. Here's exactly what's included:
- Private roundtrip transportation from your hotel or condo in Merida (door-to-door, no meeting points, no shared pickup stops)
- On-board cooler with water, sodas, and snacks for the drive
- INAH-certified bilingual guide for the full day (English and Spanish)
- Entrance fee to Chichen Itza archaeological site (INAH admission included, no surprise charges at the gate)
- Entrance to a private cenote near Chichen Itza (Xux-Ha, Saamal, or Xkeken, assigned by availability), with life jackets provided
- Stop in Valladolid colonial town (free time to explore the historic center and local market)
- Traditional Yucatecan lunch included
- All taxes and fees included, no hidden charges on the day
What's not included:
- Gratuities for your guide and driver (optional, at your discretion)
- Souvenirs and personal purchases at the site, in Valladolid, or at the cenote
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Tour Information & FAQs
Your private Chichen Itza day from Merida runs 8 to 10 hours, door to door.
- 7:00 AM: We pick you up at your hotel or condo in Merida
- 1.5 hours: Drive to Chichen Itza on the toll highway
- Chichen Itza: 2.5 to 3 hours with our INAH-certified guide, plus free time at your own pace
- Cenote stop: swim at one of three private cenotes (Xux-Ha, Saamal, or Xkeken), life jackets provided
- Lunch: Traditional Yucatecan meal at a local restaurant
- Valladolid: Free time in the historic center and the local market
- 1.5 hours: Drive back to Merida
- 4:00 to 5:00 PM: Drop-off at your hotel or condo
At Xaman-Ha Connections® we put only your group in the vehicle, with no shared bus and no fixed timetable. Shared tours spend 60 to 90 minutes collecting guests from several hotels, reaching Chichen Itza once the crowds have built. On a tight budget, and if a fixed schedule suits you, a shared tour is still a fair choice.
Yes, if you want Chichen Itza before the crowds. We leave Merida at 7:00 AM, so your group walks the site while the commercial buses are still an hour or two out. Our guide sets the pace around the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court and the astronomical alignments.
Chichen Itza was a Maya city that peaked between 600 and 1200 AD, and it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Its Great Ball Court is the largest in Mesoamerica at 168 meters long. At each equinox, the afternoon sun casts a serpent-shaped shadow down the staircase of El Castillo.
Chichen Itza is open, flat and largely unshaded, so the heat builds fast after mid-morning. We walk the main causeway and the ball court at your pace, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours on uneven stone paths. Crowds thicken from 10:30 AM. Heavy rain between September and October can shorten the outdoor stops.
We come to your lobby door to door, with no bus stations and no meeting points in a parking lot.
- Hotels, condos and vacation rentals anywhere in Merida
- The Puerto Progreso area
- Confirm your full address when you book and we handle the rest
Chichen Itza is a protected INAH site, so a few rules apply once you are inside.
- Climbing El Castillo has been closed since 2006, to protect the structure
- Drones need a government permit and are generally not allowed inside the site
- No food or drinks in the main archaeological zone
- At the cenote, wear biodegradable sunscreen only, to keep the water clean
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip, the stone paths run uneven in several areas
Yes. Xaman-Ha Connections® is an official SECTUR-authorized tour operator, and our guides hold INAH certification in Mexican history and archaeology. Each has at least 10 years in high-end private tourism and works in English and Spanish. Forbes and Kayak have featured our tours. See our team and credentials on our About page.
Chichen Itza from Merida – Practical travel guide
Your day includes a swim at one of three private cenotes near Chichen Itza: Xux-Ha, Saamal, or Xkeken, assigned by availability. Saamal is open-air, while Xux-Ha and Xkeken are cave cenotes reached by a short stairway. All three offer crystal-clear water, and we provide life jackets for every swimmer.
With a 7:00 AM pickup, your group reaches Chichen Itza around 8:30 to 9:00 AM. The site opens at 8:00 AM. Commercial buses from Merida usually arrive between 10:30 and 11:00 AM, when it is hotter and the main structures are crowded. Early means cooler air and clear sightlines for photos.
Pack light. We cover every cost of the day, so cash is optional.
- Light, breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes with grip for the uneven stone paths
- A hat and UV-protective clothing, the site has very little shade
- A towel and swimsuit for the cenote stop
- Biodegradable sunscreen only, required at the cenote
- A little cash if you want souvenirs or a tip, nothing else is needed
Yes. Tell us when you book and we arrange a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free plate at the restaurant. The kitchen prepares it fresh, so we need the request in advance, not on the day.
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, whatever the reason, weather included. We only accept cancellation requests by email. See our Cancellation Policy for full details.
Often, yes. Contact us directly via WhatsApp for a quick response and we will check the next day. During peak season, December to March and Semana Santa, same-day and next-day spots fill early.
Chichen Itza Ruins Map
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