Chichen Itza Tours from Playa del Carmen
Closer, Faster, Better — Only 2 Hours to the Ancient Wonder
Find Your Perfect Tour
✓ Free cancellation • ✓ Instant confirmation
Why Choose Chichen Itza Tours from Playa del Carmen?
Staying in Playa del Carmen gives you a significant advantage for visiting Chichen Itza—you're already 40 miles closer than tourists in Cancun! This means a shorter, more comfortable journey (just 2 hours vs 2.5-3 hours from Cancun), more time at the ruins, and less time on the road. Our Playa del Carmen tours offer the same world-class guides, skip-the-line access, and cenote experiences, but with the added bonus of convenient hotel pickup and a more relaxed pace.
Shorter Drive Time
2 hours vs 2.5-3 hours from Cancun
Less travel time means more energy for exploring the ruins and more time at Chichen Itza itself. Perfect for families with kids or anyone who prefers shorter drives.
Convenient Hotel Pickup
All Playa del Carmen hotels & Airbnbs
We pick you up directly from your accommodation—whether you're on 5th Avenue, Playacar, or anywhere in between. No need to find meeting points.
Competitive Pricing
From $85 per person
Same great prices as Cancun tours, but with added value of shorter travel time. Early bookings and group discounts available.
More Flexible Timing
Later pickups possible
Because you're closer, we can offer slightly later departure times (7:30-8:00 AM vs 7:00 AM from Cancun) while still arriving early at Chichen Itza.
Best Chichen Itza Tours from Playa del Carmen
All tours include hotel pickup in Playa del Carmen, expert guide, entrance fees, lunch & cenote visit
BESTSELLERChichen Itza Classic Day Tour from Playa del Carmen
Our most popular tour! Discover Chichen Itza with a small group (max 15 people), expert archaeologist guide, and plenty of time to explore. Shorter drive from Playa means you'll feel fresh and energized when you arrive at the ruins.
What's Included:
VIP EXPERIENCEPrivate Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Experience Chichen Itza your way with a private guide, luxury vehicle, and fully customizable itinerary. The shorter drive from Playa means more flexibility—depart later or return earlier as you prefer.
What's Included:
EARLY ACCESSChichen Itza Sunrise Tour from Playa del Carmen
Beat the crowds and heat with early access! The shorter drive from Playa means a more reasonable wake-up time (6:00 AM vs 5:00 AM from Cancun) while still arriving first at Chichen Itza for stunning sunrise photos.
What's Included:
ADVENTUREChichen Itza + Sacred Cenote Adventure from Playa
Combine ancient history with natural beauty! Explore Chichen Itza, then cool off in two different cenotes. The convenient Playa location means more time swimming and less time on the road.
What's Included:
LUXURYLuxury Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Premium small-group experience with luxury transportation, gourmet lunch, open bar, and VIP skip-the-line access.
What's Included:
BEST VALUEBudget Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Everything you need at the best price! Comfortable transport, professional guide, entrance fees, and lunch included.
What's Included:
FAMILYFamily-Friendly Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Perfect for families! Kid-friendly guide with engaging Mayan storytelling, flexible pace, child-safe cenote, and shorter drive from Playa. Car seats available for little ones.
What's Included:
SMALL GROUPSmall Group Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Max 10 guests for a more intimate experience! Premium minivan, deeper archaeological insights, and personal attention. The shorter drive from Playa maximizes your time at the ruins.
What's Included:
VIP ACCESSVIP Skip-the-Line Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen
Skip all lines with VIP fast-track entrance! Save 30-60 minutes during peak season. Shorter drive from Playa plus zero wait = maximum time exploring the ruins.
What's Included:
Playa del Carmen vs Cancun vs Tulum: Drive Time Comparison
| Departure City | Distance | Drive Time | Departure | Arrival | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancun | 120 miles (200 km) | 2.5-3 hours | 7:00 AM | 9:30-10:00 AM | 6:00-6:30 PM |
| Playa del Carmen ⭐ | 100 miles (160 km) | 2 hours | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | 5:30-6:00 PM |
| Tulum | 80 miles (130 km) | 1.5-2 hours | 8:00 AM | 9:30-10:00 AM | 5:00-5:30 PM |
Why Playa del Carmen is the Sweet Spot:
30 minutes shorter than Cancun — Less travel fatigue, more energy for exploring
Later departure possible — Sleep in a bit more compared to Cancun tours
Earlier return — Back in time for dinner on 5th Avenue
Better for kids — Shorter drives = happier children and less motion sickness
Planning Your Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen
Getting from Your Hotel to the Tour
We come to you! No need to find meeting points or take taxis. We pick up directly from all hotels on 5th Avenue, Playacar resorts, downtown boutique properties, and Airbnbs/condos.
Pickup Time: Between 7:15-7:40 AM depending on location. Confirmed 24 hours before.
Breakfast Before Your Tour
Recommended: Have breakfast before pickup (6:30-7:00 AM).
All-inclusive guests: Most Playacar resorts serve early breakfast from 6:00 AM.
5th Avenue: Starbucks, Ah Cacao, and cafes open from 6:30 AM.
Something light but filling—fruit, eggs, toast. Lunch at ~1:00 PM.
Money & Spending
Tour price includes: Transport, guide, entrance, lunch, cenote.
Bring cash for:
- • Guide tip: $5-10/person (optional)
- • Driver tip: $3-5/person (optional)
- • Souvenirs: $10-50
- • Extra drinks/snacks: $5-15
Total: 500-1000 MXN or $30-60 USD
What to Pack
- ✓ Comfortable walking shoes (NOT flip-flops)
- ✓ Sunscreen SPF 50+ (reef-safe for cenote)
- ✓ Hat and sunglasses
- ✓ Reusable water bottle
- ✓ Swimwear & towel (for cenote)
- ✓ Light jacket (bus AC can be cold)
- ✓ Camera with charged battery
- ✗ Don't bring: Drones, large bags, valuables
Your Day Timeline
- 6:30 AM — Wake up, have breakfast
- 7:15-7:40 AM — Pickup from your Playa hotel
- 9:30 AM — Arrive at Chichen Itza
- 9:45 AM-12:15 PM — Guided tour + free time
- 12:30-1:30 PM — Buffet lunch
- 1:45-2:45 PM — Cenote swim
- 3:00-3:30 PM — Valladolid visit
- 5:30-6:00 PM — Back at your Playa hotel
- 7:00 PM+ — Dinner on 5th Avenue!
Weather Considerations
Year-round warm: 80-95°F (27-35°C)
Dry season (Nov-Apr): Less rain, more crowds. Book 7-14 days ahead.
Rainy season (May-Oct): Brief afternoon showers, fewer tourists.
Rain policy: Tours operate rain or shine. Ponchos provided.
Dining After Your Tour
Back by 5:30-6:00 PM = plenty of time for dinner!
Popular spots near drop-off:
- • La Cueva del Chango (Mexican)
- • Alux Restaurant (cave dining)
- • El Fogon (best tacos)
- • Carboncitos (steaks)
- • 100% Natural (healthy)
Playacar guests: Resort dinners start ~6 PM.
Traveling with Kids from Playa
Why Playa is better for families:
- ✓ 30-60 min shorter drive = less antsy children
- ✓ Later pickup (7:30 AM) = kids sleep more
- ✓ Earlier return = kids aren't over-tired
- ✓ Shorter drives reduce motion sickness
Ages 4-12: Discounted. Ages 0-3: Free. Bring snacks & tablets!
Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza: Your Scenic Route
See the journey from Playa del Carmen to the ancient Mayan wonder
Playa del Carmen
5th Avenue & Playacar
Chichén Itzá
Ancient Mayan Wonder
100 Miles
Total Distance
2 Hours
Drive Time
Highway 180D
Modern Toll Road
1 Rest Stop
Midway (Valladolid)
What to Expect on the Drive:
Convenient Pickup from All Playa del Carmen Hotels
We Pick Up From:
5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida)
All hotels and Airbnbs on or near 5th Avenue from Calle 1 to Calle 40
Pickup Time: 7:25-7:35 AM
Playacar Resort Area
All-inclusive resorts: Sandos, Riu, Iberostar, Occidental, etc.
Pickup Time: 7:15-7:25 AM
North Playa (Calle 40-100)
Hotels and condos in the northern area of Playa del Carmen
Pickup Time: 7:30-7:40 AM
Playa del Carmen Downtown
Downtown hotels, boutique properties, vacation rentals
Pickup Time: 7:25-7:35 AM
Important Pickup Information:
- Exact time confirmed 24 hours before: We'll call or email with your precise pickup time
- Hotel lobby pickup: Wait in your hotel lobby. Driver will have your name on the list
- Airbnb/condo guests: Provide full address. We'll meet at main entrance
- Running late? Call our emergency line immediately
- Not in Playa? We also pick up from Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, and nearby areas
Why Book Your Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza Tour With Us?
Certified Expert Guides
All our guides are licensed archaeologists and historians with 5+ years experience. They bring ancient Mayan civilization to life with verified historical facts, fascinating stories, and answers to all your questions.
Door-to-Door Playa Pickup
We pick you up directly from your Playa del Carmen hotel, Playacar resort, or Airbnb. No need to find meeting points or arrange taxis. Just be ready at your lobby and we'll handle the rest.
Skip-the-Line Access
Save 30-60 minutes waiting in entrance queues under the hot sun. We pre-arrange priority access so you spend more time exploring and less time standing in lines.
Best Price Guarantee
Found a lower price for the same tour elsewhere? We'll match it and give you an extra 5% discount. No hidden fees, no surprise charges—what you see is exactly what you pay.
Free Cancellation Policy
Life happens. Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund—no questions asked, no penalties. We understand plans change, especially on vacation.
4.9/5 Star Rating
Join over 1,800 satisfied Playa del Carmen travelers who've explored Chichen Itza with us. Check our verified reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, and Viator.
What Playa del Carmen Travelers Say
★★★★★ Rated 4.9/5 from 1,834 Playa del Carmen guests
Jennifer L.
Austin, Texas • Stayed in Playacar
✓ Verified Traveler"Shorter Drive Was a Game-Changer!"
We were staying at the Riu Playacar and chose this tour specifically because the drive was shorter than from Cancun. So glad we did! The 2-hour drive was totally manageable—our kids (ages 6 and 9) did great. We were picked up right at our resort at 7:15 AM and arrived at Chichen Itza by 9:30 AM feeling fresh. Our guide Maria was fantastic with the kids, making history fun through games and stories. The cenote swim was the highlight for them. We were back at our resort by 5:45 PM, which gave us time to swim in the pool before dinner. Perfect day!
Michael & Sarah T.
Vancouver, Canada • 5th Avenue Hotel
✓ Verified Traveler"Perfect from Our 5th Avenue Hotel"
Staying right on 5th Avenue made this tour super convenient. Pickup was at 7:30 AM from our hotel lobby—we literally walked downstairs and the van was waiting. The 2-hour drive to Chichen Itza went by quickly with our guide sharing interesting stories about Mayan culture. Chichen Itza itself was mind-blowing! Our guide Carlos knew every detail and answered all our history-nerd questions. The cenote swim was incredible. We were back to our hotel by 6:00 PM, showered, and walked to dinner on 5th Avenue by 7:30 PM.
Patricia R.
Miami, Florida • Airbnb in Playa
✓ Verified Traveler"Airbnb Pickup Was Seamless"
We were staying in an Airbnb condo north of downtown Playa and were worried about pickup logistics. No problem at all! We provided our address when booking, and they told us exactly where to meet the van. Driver arrived exactly on time at 7:35 AM. The tour exceeded expectations—Chichen Itza is even more impressive in person, and our guide Roberto made it come alive with historical details and fun facts. The lunch buffet was delicious (way better than expected!), and the cenote was breathtaking. Best $85 I spent on the entire trip.
David K.
London, UK • Puerto Aventuras Resort
✓ Verified Traveler"Even Closer from Puerto Aventuras!"
We were staying in Puerto Aventuras (between Playa and Tulum) and this tour was perfect for us. The drive was only about 1.5 hours—even shorter than from Playa! Pickup was at 7:45 AM, and we arrived at Chichen Itza by 9:15 AM before it got crowded. The site is absolutely stunning—one of the most impressive archaeological sites I've ever visited. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate, and the small group size (only 12 of us) made it feel personalized. We were back to Puerto Aventuras by 5:15 PM.
Playa del Carmen Travelers Loved:
Said shorter drive made the day more enjoyable
Appreciated earlier return time to Playa
Would recommend booking from Playa vs going to Cancun
Praised convenient hotel/Airbnb pickup service
Frequently Asked Questions: Tours from Playa del Carmen
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