Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Tour, from Riviera Maya
Description
Explore Chichén Itzá, Swim in a Cenote & Discover Valladolid ️ Step out of the ordinary and into the soul of the Yucatán. Departing from the Riviera Maya, travel in comfort to Chichén Itzá, where expert guides bring ancient Mayan history to life. Then, enjoy free time to explore the site’s grandeur at your own pace. Cool off in the refreshing waters of a stunning cenote, a sacred natural pool hidden in lush surroundings. Afterward, savor a buffet lunch bursting with authentic local flavors and end your day strolling the colonial streets of Valladolid, rich in charm and tradition. Culture. Nature. Flavor. All in one unforgettable day. Book now and experience the heart of the Yucatán like never before.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The experience begins early in the day with the morning check-in and boarding process in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya. Our team will receive travelers, organize the group, and assist everyone as they get settled inside the transportation. After the departure process is complete, the route toward Chichen Itza begins. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, making this first part of the day a good moment to rest, enjoy the ride, and prepare for a full itinerary of Maya history, cenote waters, regional food, and Yucatan culture.
Before arriving at the archaeological zone, the route may include a brief stop near areas of interest close to Chichen Itza. Travelers will also enjoy a buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant, with 1 full hour assigned for the meal. During this time, guests can taste regional dishes and traditional Mexican flavors. Once the group reaches Chichen Itza, travelers will leave the vehicle and walk with the guides toward the main entrance. The guides will help coordinate the group and provide useful orientation before entering. Inside Chichen Itza, the visit includes approximately 1 hour with a guide. This part of the tour focuses on the history, architecture, cultural meaning, and stories connected to one of the most important ancient Maya cities. After the guided visit, travelers will have approximately 1 hour of free time to explore independently. Please listen carefully to the guide’s instructions, as the exact meeting point and return time will be confirmed before free time begins.
The journey continues with a visit to Cenote Saamal, a natural freshwater cenote connected to the landscapes and traditions of the Yucatan Peninsula. In ancient Maya culture, cenotes were considered sacred places and were often linked to spiritual beliefs and the underworld. The drive to the cenote takes approximately 45 minutes. Once there, guests will have around 1 hour to swim, refresh themselves, and enjoy the clear, cool water in a natural setting. Bring your swimsuit so you can fully enjoy this part of the experience.
The next stop brings travelers to Valladolid, a colonial city in Yucatan known for its colorful streets, calm atmosphere, traditional architecture, and local identity. This visit offers a short but meaningful look at the everyday charm of the region. During the stop, travelers will have approximately 30 to 45 minutes of free time. You may walk around the area, take photos, enjoy the surroundings, and experience the local atmosphere at your own pace.
After the visit to Valladolid, the guide will indicate when and where to meet for boarding. Once the group is back on the transportation, the return journey toward Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya will begin. The ride back takes approximately 3 hours. Travelers can use this time to rest after a day that included Chichen Itza, a sacred cenote, a regional buffet, and a colonial town visit. When the vehicle reaches your assigned drop-off location, our team will let you know so you can safely leave the transportation and finish the experience.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer roundtrip transportation (from hotel or meeting point, as applicable) for all travelers who book this tour. Areas to which the transportation service applies: CANCUN: • Downtown Cancun • Hotel zone • Puerto Juarez • Playa Mujeres • Costa Mujeres • Puerto Cancun PUERTO MORELOS: • Bus stop at Chedraui Puerto Morelos supermarket PLAYA DEL CARMEN: • Downtown Playa del Carmen (for hotels on the coast, due to the narrow streets, the closest meeting point applies) • Hotel zone • Playacar • Dorado Royale • Playa Paraiso • Punta Maroma • El Caracol • Paa Mul RIVIERA MAYA: • Puerto Aventuras • Xpu Ha • Akumal • Chemuyil TULUM: • Downtown Tulum, hotel zone and metropolitan area: Only one meeting point applies within the city, Super Akí Tulum supermarket. • Tulsayab • Jacinto Pat • Xcacel NOTE: Some hotels or hotel complexes on the list do not allow access to the facilities, so pick-up at the closest possible access or entrance applies. NOTE 2: Some hotels or lodging centers are located in areas with difficult access (very narrow streets, alleys, streets in poor condition, blockages, or for security reasons), so pick-up at the closest possible point applies. NOTE 3: The exact pick-up time varies by hotel. Some estimated times are: Cancun: 6:40 AM / 7:40 AM Puerto Morelos: 7:30 AM / 8:30 AM Playa del Carmen: 7:30 AM / 9:00 AM Riviera Maya: 9:30 AM / 10:30 AM Tulum: 9:30 AM / 10:30 AM The time that appears on your ticket (7:00 AM) is the general pick-up time in Cancun, where our buses depart and pick up. *** If your hotel is not listed, please ask us if we can pick you up there, or what would be the closest possible meeting point. *** *** You will receive a final confirmation message (one day before the scheduled date of your excursion) with the exact pick-up time and point, to your contact information. ***
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Luggage may only be brought on this experience if two conditions are met: there must be enough available space in the vehicle assigned to your booking, and our team must approve it before the tour date. If you need to travel with suitcases or larger bags, please contact us in advance so we can review your transportation assignment. Because vehicle space is limited, luggage approval is not automatic and cannot be guaranteed.
- Since April 21, 2026, archaeological sites in Mexico have applied security measures that restrict access with luggage, backpacks, and similar items. We recommend bringing only what is truly necessary for the visit. Ideally, travelers should carry small belongings that fit in pockets or in a compact personal bag. Certain exceptions, such as diaper bags, may be considered by site security staff. However, the final decision belongs exclusively to the personnel at the entrance. We are not responsible for any item that is denied access by the archaeological site. For this specific tour, travelers may leave belongings inside the transportation vehicle while visiting the scheduled stops.
- For safety and security reasons, guests may only return to the vehicle when the guide or staff announces the official boarding time. Travelers are not permitted to enter the bus or minibus early, or remain inside while the rest of the group is away. This rule is in place because personal items from other guests may be stored inside the vehicle, and access must be controlled to help protect everyone’s belongings.
- Buses, minibuses, vehicles, and seats are assigned by the operations team according to availability and the organization required for that day’s route. Guests cannot choose or request a specific vehicle or seat through the booking platform, directly with staff, or at the pickup location. Our team will always try to make the ride as comfortable as possible, but exact seats, spaces, or vehicles cannot be blocked, held, or guaranteed.
- If you are traveling with relatives, friends, or another group that made a separate reservation, please let us know before the tour date so we can check whether it may be possible for everyone to travel together. When all travelers are picked up from the same accommodation, we will make an effort to coordinate it, but it is still not guaranteed. If the pickups are in the same city but at different hotels, we may try to arrange it, although traveling together cannot be assured. If the reservations begin in different cities, this request cannot be coordinated.
- Pickup service is only available in the cities and zones listed in the Transportation section of this product. Travelers cannot meet the group directly at Chichen Itza, at another attraction included in the itinerary, or at any location outside the authorized pickup areas. For example, joining the tour at Chichen Itza after arriving in your own vehicle is not allowed. However, pickup from a hotel located within the approved service area, such as Moon Palace Resort, may be possible depending on the listed coverage. To keep the tour properly organized and ensure safe communication with all guests, every traveler must meet our team in the morning at the assigned pickup point, board our transportation, and complete the required check-in process before the experience starts.
- If your reservation does not yet show a confirmed hotel or meeting point, you must send this information to our team no later than the day before the tour. From Monday to Saturday, the deadline is 21:50 hrs, GMT-5. On Sundays, the deadline is 8:00 PM, GMT-5. You may provide the information through any available contact channel. After the deadline has passed, same-day or last-minute pickup arrangements can no longer be processed. If we do not receive the required hotel or meeting point information on time, the reservation will be automatically moved to the next available date. This automatic date change has no extra cost, fee, or penalty. However, once the booking has been rescheduled for this reason, it will no longer be eligible for a refund.
- The durations shown in the itinerary represent the complete time assigned to each section of the experience. These times may include driving between locations, the visit itself, activity time, boarding, organization, and the time required to continue the route or return. They should not be understood as the exact time spent only inside each attraction. Please refer to the itinerary for the approximate timing of the full experience.
- Our team works to keep the tour as close as possible to the planned schedule. However, the timing also depends on guests being ready at the assigned pickup time and returning promptly at each stop. Traffic, road conditions, and other route factors may also affect the day and are outside our control. Please follow the meeting times given by the guide and respect the time assigned at every location. Even a very short delay can accumulate during the day and affect the overall operation of the tour.
- The box lunch included with this experience is a fixed option served as part of the standard meal arrangement. It cannot be changed or adjusted for special diets, food restrictions, allergies, or personal preferences.
- The included lunch is served as a regional Mexican buffet. Travelers may choose from the food options available at the buffet. Vegetarian options are offered, but the buffet is not currently adaptable for other specific dietary requirements.
Reviews(10)
Marco was pleasant make you feel welcome. Joshua was very racist he would offer all the Spanish on the bus name tag and coming back soda, beer and Tequilla and would step pass my seat. When i address him about it he stated i should get a micro phone and announce it he's very rude and disrespectful.
This was an amazing tour and one of the highlights of our trip to Playa del Carmen! Manuel and Victor were outstanding guides, and Carlos was an excellent driver who got us safely and comfortably to each destination. Manuel and Victor brought the history of Chichen Itza to life with their knowledge, enthusiasm, and storytelling. They did a fantastic job explaining the significance of the Mayan civilization, the Pyramid of Kukulcán, the Great Ball Court, and many other fascinating aspects of the site. Their passion for the history and culture made the experience much more meaningful than simply walking through the ruins on our own. The entire day was well organized, from the visit to Chichen Itza to the refreshing swim in the cenote, the delicious buffet lunch, and the stop in beautiful Valladolid. We never felt rushed, and the guides kept the group informed and engaged throughout the day. A special thank you to Carlos for navigating a long day of travel with professionalism and care. The transportation was comfortable, and we felt safe the entire time. If you're looking for the perfect combination of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation, this tour is a must. Manuel, Victor, and Carlos made it an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
More time is wasted on the activities they promote for sales than actually visiting the places of interest. Delays of 35 minutes in pickup and a 2-hour delay in completion.
The company canceled this tour the morning of the excursion due to an issue with transportation. Shared that they will accommodate us for the 1pm excursion, which I agreed to, however, they then never responded to me to confirm, etc. Later shared that they would issue me a full refund and send a confirmation email. This was on 06.25.25, still no refund issued and they stopped responding to me on WhatsUp, where we were previously communicating. Very shady business practice! Now working with my credit card to get my money back however who wants this type of experience while on vacation. Note, I always book my excursions thru Viator and never had an issue until booking with this shady company. Do yourself a favor, I book with another trustworthy business. You’ve been warned…
Honestly—the excursion itself was incredible. The cenotes were breathtaking, zip lining and tequila tasting were a blast, and even though the ATVs were just okay (short and not super thrilling), the overall experience was fantastic. Adventurous Travel in Cancun was kind, responsive, and professional—everything Viator was NOT! They went above and beyond to make it right, offering us alternate excursions that did include Cancun resort pick-up. We had to pay a a bit extra due to pricing being different when you’re further from the tour, etc., which is absolutely expected to change, but it was worth it. ******Viator’s customer support is completely unhelpful and clearly not properly trained. We booked an excursion for 4 people while in Oklahoma before traveling to Cancun, and our travel agent confirmed that our resort was within the pick-up range. While in Cancun more of our group decided to come with. Since our travel agent made it a point to stress the importance of ensuring that transportation was provided from our resort when booking- I decided to call because my WiFi was slow and spotty, I called Viator bc I trusted them with all our information and I even double/triple-checked to make sure this excursion was out of Cancún. I asked several times, and every time I was reassured that pick-up from our resort was available. Even logging into my app in the notes/special requests gave our hotel location. Less than 24 hours before the excursion, I received an email saying our pick-up location was actually over an HOUR away in Playa del Carmen. The email suggested we “make arrangements” to get there ourselves or reschedule. I immediately called Viator customer service again and explained that I had confirmed multiple times that our resort was within the pickup area. Not only did the agent refuse to help, but she also refused to escalate me to a supervisor. She kept deflecting, claiming they couldn’t do anything more- she also tried to say I didn’t book with them directly via phone but 2 min before said she could see that I had called them to book —She offered zero solutions, other than find transportation (which cheapest I found was $250 US dollars) no refund, no credits, and didn’t even offer to contact the tour operator on my behalf. Basically, my only options were: lose the money or reschedule to a date that wouldn’t work. Thankfully, the actual tour operator (Adventours Travel) reached out to me directly that evening recognizing we were outside of the pick up locations by quite a distance.
It is the first time we visited these magical places and highly recommend the tour, the atmosphere here is magical and very nice, the people very nice.
The experience was amazing, our guide Julio brought us to the cenote . We highly recommend him he’s kind and know ecerything about his tour.
Misleading advertisement. This is a Adventure park which happens to have few cenotes. They only show two cenotes, one of which is small the other one is underground and it was nice but our visit to that cenote was rushed. The guide tried to convince us to do only one cenote and some other adventure in the park because we were the only ones booked cenotes tour. The company forgot to pick us up on time and we were stranded for about half an hour. Felt cheated because the ad makes it sound more nature related but it was adventure park called Maya adventures
Delighted to have gone on this tour, it is impressive to be down there in the cenotes and know that thousands of years ago they were places of sacrifice for the Mayans, and now they are natural beauties to visit and bathe, the water is very cold but you are impressed with the cenote formations and you forget that!! Without a doubt a good way to get out of the routine and learn the secrets of the Mayans
Swimming in the caves was a blast. We didn't visit 3 cenotes. The second one was small, more like sight seeing not swimming.The guide, Edie, was very good, highly recommended
