As one of the best bases for exploring all that the marvelous Yucatán has to offer, getting from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá is a breeze.
Whether you want to take a shared taxi (colectivo), private transfer, local bus, or book a tour, there is a convenient way for you to reach Chichén Itzá from Valladolid, Mexico.
Besides, I highly recommend SKIPPING the charter buses from Cancun or Tulum and opting for something a bit more authentic to beat the crowds and have a better travel experience.
Get ready for an exciting visit to one of the world’s top bucket list landmarks! Here’s everything you need to know about doing a day trip to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid during your vacation in Mexico.
Where is Chichén Itzá? + Why Visit Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is a 4-square mile ancient Maya city, found on the Yucatán Peninsula about 30 minutes outside of Valladolid.
Most estimates put Chichén Itzá at around 1,500 years old with settlers arriving around 550 AD. Later, Chichén Itzá became a regional capital, and is said to have had a population of roughly 35,000 by 900 AD.
The area around the (now) ruins is full of sinkholes and caves, known as cenotes, and it’s why many historians believe the ancient Maya were drawn to the location. The Maya were in the Yucatán long before Chichén Itzá was built. In fact, the Maya ancestry dates back some 4,000 years–around 2000 BC.
So, why visit Chichén Itzá during a trip to Valladolid? It’s true that there are numerous ancient ruins to see in the area, but none are as famous as El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcan) at Chichén Itzá.
This is a landmark and a bucket list attraction to see during your visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Valladolid to Chichén Itzá: Best Ways to Get to Chichén Itzá
First things first, you want to arrive at Chichén Itzá as early as you can! Swarms of massive tour buses from Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen will start to roll in around 10 a.m.
If you want to have a quieter experience, arrive between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. After 10 a.m., the main area surrounding El Castillo fills up and you’ll have less opportunities to get perfect, people-less photos. Just my personal tip!
And remember, you don’t want to be one of the groups of charter buses. The tours are packed and you’ll have a less enjoyable and authentic experience. You’ll be like a sheep in a herd, I’m telling ya.
Cheapest Way to Get to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid: Colectivo
Not only is this the cheapest way to get to the ruins, but it’s also very convenient (from my experience).
If you want to get to Chichén Itzá early and you’re on a budget and/or you don’t want to do a tour, then take a colectivo from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá.
This is essentially a shared taxi shuttle that gets you to the ruins in about 35 minutes. The cost is 50 MXN each way (100 pesos round-trip). So, roughly $5 USD. Bring pesos as you need to pay cash for the colectivo.
You will get two pink tickets. One is to Chichén Itzá and the other is to get you back to Valladolid.
Note! You do have the option of spending an extra 30 pesos to visit the cenote Ik Kil after the ruins. They will give you a cenote ticket for this one. You will then need an additional 220 pesos ($11 USD) to enter the cenote.
I think it’s awesome that they’ve added the optional cenote drop-off because it gives you a tour-like experience without having to shuttle around with dozens of other people.
The only catch with colectivos is that the taxi won’t leave until it’s full (around 12 people). However, this won’t be much of a problem as shuttles tend to fill up very quickly.
I got there around 7:30 a.m. and had to wait about 15 minutes before we could all leave.
Tips for Taking the Chichén Itzá Colectivo
- You can’t book in advance. Just show up at the colectivo point in Valladolid.
- Arrive early. The colectivo is located very centrally in Valladolid. Find it on Google Maps.
- Bring enough pesos for the round-trip, plus the optional cenote visit.
- Remember you will need to wait until there are roughly 12 people before the colectivo will depart.
- Return to the same spot the colectivo dropped you off when you are ready to return to Valladolid or visit the cenote. It’s the same spot for both.
- Don’t lose your return/cenote ticket!
Private Taxi to Chichén Itzá
Another option is to take a private taxi from Valladolid. This will give you a bit more flexibility with times, but taxi drivers will try to charge you more when you’re trying to reach tourist spots.
Nonetheless, this can be a good, and affordable, option for small groups of 3-4 people. Just agree on a rate before you get in the car. The rate tends to be around 600 MXN ($30 USD) each way.
Here are two numbers for Valladolid taxis +52 985 856 2046 and+52 985 856 2090. You can text or call on Whatsapp to book.
ADO Bus from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá
While this is an option to reach the ruins, I wouldn’t typically recommend it as the times aren’t ideal to arrive early.
ADO is one of the country’s largest bus companies, with routes all around the country. It’s one of the best ways to get around the Yucatan Peninsula, but it’s not the best way to get to Chichén Itzá because there is not an early morning arrival time.
Nonetheless, you can expect to spend anywhere from 74 MXN to 162 MXN each way.
The timetable, as of May 2025, is as follows from Valladolid:
- 9: 45 a.m. (10:25 arrival)
- 10:32 a.m. (11:22 arrival)
- 4:02 p.m. (5:52 arrival)
From Chichén Itzá:
- 8:40 a.m. (9:30 arrival)
- 11:10 a.m. (noon arrival)
- 1:10 p.m. (2:00 arrival)
- 4 p.m. (4:50 arrival)
You can book your tickets and check availability online at the ADO website.
Easiest Option: Private or Group Tour from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá, Mexico
For those who don’t want to stress about getting a colectivo or catching the bus, a tour might be your best option.
Besides, there are a lot of benefits to doing a small group tour–not the massive buses that are arriving from Cancun.
For example, you can still arrive early to Chichén Itzá if you choose the right tour. Plus, your guide will share loads of facts and historical details about the ancient Maya city, and you’ll be visiting 1-3 cenotes as well. Exactly what you’ll want to do after sweating at the ruins, trust me on that.
This small group tour to Chichén Itzá allows up to 8 participants, guides you through Chichén Itzá with free time, takes you to Cenote Ik Kil, Cenote Dzitnup closer to Valladolid as well as Samula and Xkeken, two cave-type cenotes.
Lunch is included, but you will need to buy your entry tickets to the Chichén Itzá and the various cenotes.
For something even cheaper that doesn’t include a local guide at Chichén Itzá, I recommend this small group Chichén Itzá shuttle that includes stops at two beautiful cenotes. You will visit Xcajum Cenote (a really popular cenote) and Cenote Uayma Ha (more of a hidden gem).
Visiting Chichén Itzá: Tips for Your Visit
Now that you have a better idea of how you’ll arrive, let’s get into some must-know information and tips for a wonderful time at this Wonder of the World.
Ticket Price for Chichén Itzá
Adults (13+): 648 MXN
Children (3-12 years of age): 100 MXN
Mexican Citizens: 290 MXN
Locals (Yucatan ID): 100 MXN
For the adult fare, you’ll pay 548 MXN for the foreign visitors fee and then immediately pay a separate 100 MXN fee for the actual ticket.
When you get off the bus/shuttle, you’ll see the entrance and ticket stands. You can pay by card or cash. If you have a Mexican ID, be sure to bring it for the reduced rate.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the last entry is at 4 p.m.
There is one exception to that and that’s if you’re visiting for the Kukulkan Nights, which occur Wednesday to Sunday at 7 p.m. These nights the ruins host a light and sound spectacle. However, do keep in mind the audio is in Spanish.
General admission is 755 MXN for the evening light show. Tickets for the event can be purchased from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Self-Guided Walking Tour
During my visit to the ruins, I downloaded a self-guided walking tour through my phone. I found it through a website/app called Action Tour Guide. It was $10 for the guide, and was super handy to have.
Besides, there is a lot more to Chichén Itzá than just the pyramid El Castillo
Just remember to bring some earbuds for convenience! The app works off GPS, but it’s also helpful to have an eSIM for data during your trip. I used this Ubigi eSIM during my trip to Mexico.
What to Wear to Chichén Itzá
- It’s hot and humid, so definitely wear lightweight airy clothing such as cotton or linen.
- As you’ll be in full sun with a high UV index for a couple of years, I would also wear something that covers your arms and shoulders.
- A good hat with a wide brim will also be in your favor.
- Practical shoes are a must, particularly closed-toed shoes as there is a lot of rocks and uneven terrain.
- Bring a reusable water bottle because you’re going to need to stay hydrated.
- Pack a lightweight towel, waterproof phone pouch, and swimsuit if you’re visiting a cenote afterwards.
Other Things to Keep in Mind Before Visiting
- They say tripods aren’t allowed. However, I brought my phone tripod stand and no one said a word to me about it. So, you might also get lucky!
- Mexican residents get free entry to Chichén Itzá on Sundays, so expect bigger crowds. Opt for a weekday if you can.
- Get off the beaten path. There are so many unique finds from a traditional Maya home to tucked-away cenote you spot from above.
- If you prefer to rent a car for your time in Mexico, you can park at Chichén Itzá for 60 pesos. Book a car for Mexico in advance here.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading this Mexico guide! I wish you an AMAZING time in the Yucatan. This state is an absolute gem, and I hope it treats you as well as it has me.
Which transportation option to Chichén Itzá did you choose? Let me know in the comments!
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