- Ethan Doyle White
- Last Checked and/or Updated 26 January 2024
- No Comments
- Mexico
Chichén Itzá Entry Tickets & Guided Tours
Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
- Entry ticket only
- No transport to the site
- No audio/live guide
- 1.5 hr Guided tour only
More information and/or book online, or select your visit date on the calendar below.
Guided Group Walking Tour
- Entry ticket/tax included
- No transport to the site
- Live guide – English/Spanish
- Max. 15 people/1.5 hours
More information and/or book online, or select your visit date on the calendar below.
Day Trip from Cancun/Riviera
- Optional hotel pickup from from Hotel Zone Cancun and Riviera Maya
- All-inclusive option
- 12-hour day trip
More information and/or book online, or select your date and options on the calendar below
Our most recommended activities for Chichén Itzá as listed above are supplied by GetYourGuide. More activities and guided tours to the archaeological Site of Chichén Itzá can also be found on GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Civitatis and Viator.
Archaeology Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you decide to purchase them.
What is Chichén Itzá?
Chichen Itza is a ruined, pre-Columbian city. It was built and inhabited by historical Mayan people, descendants of whom still live in this part of Mexico. The city developed in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican archaeology, around the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Over time, the city became a major economic powerhouse in the region, with much fabulous architecture built here to demonstrate the power and influence of its elite. Chichen Itza reached its apogee in the subsequent Terminal Classic and Postclassical periods although by the 13th century had entered a decline, with many of its elite buildings falling into disuse. The exact reasons for this fall are still the subject of archaeological debate and enquiry.
Although Spanish invaders tried to establish their own base at Chichen Itza in the 16th century, their plans were scuppered by violent opposition from the local Maya population. By the 19th century, jungle had overgrown much of the ancient city, creating a romantic ruin that helped fire the imagination of explorers and antiquarians alike. Archaeological excavation helped reveal more of the site in the 19th and early 20th centuries, after which several of the buildings were partly reconstructed to help capture their former splendour.
Although climbing the steps of el Castillo pyramid, or the temple of Kukulcán – one of the site’s most monumental stone structures, a walk around Chichén Itzá remains a treat for anyone with the slightest interest in Mesoamerica’s past. It really is little surprise that when a major international poll was undertaken in the early 21st century, Chichén Itzá was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, having already been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Where is Chichén Itzá?
The archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, officially the Zona Arqueológica de Chichén Itzá, is on the Yucatán peninsular, in the Mexican state of Yucatán. Pisté, the nearest town, is just 2.5 km away. The site is just off the main highway that runs between the city of Mérida (115 km away) and the seaside resort of Cancun (200 km away).
Buying Tickets for Chichén Itzá
There are two sums that make up the entry fee for Chichen Itza: one to the Institute of History and Anthropology of Mexico (the custodians of the site) and the other to the Ministry of Culture of Yucatán, the local government tax. When visiting Chichen Itza, if you have not bought tickets online in advance, you will be required to queue twice to pay these two parts at two different ticket booths. Both are located near the main entrance.
It is advisable to bring sufficient cash (with Mexican pesos) as the card machines can be unreliable.
The cost of entry varies depending on who you are. As of early 2022, the price for non-citizens is 533 Pesos (80 to the site custodians and 453 Pesos in taxes to the state), which is approximately US$26 for an adult. Mexican citizens are charged 157 Pesos on top of the 80 Pesos general entry fee, but not on Sundays.
Chichen Itza is currently operating with certain restrictions. Only 3000 visitors are allowed entry per day to prevent excessive crowding inside the site. This makes it a good time to see the site without having to compete with the sheer number of visitors one usually finds here.
Buying a Ticket Online, in Advance
You can buy Chichen Itza tickets in advance, online. Benefits include not being disappointed on the day when all the tickets have sold out, avoiding the hassle of needing cash and/or hoping the card facilities will be working at the ticket booth.
Entry only, skip-the-line tickets for Chichen Itza can be purchased online on GetYourGuide or Tiqets, they are currently the same price, with the same benefits. Both tickets can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.Â
With tickets from both suppliers all government taxes are included and you are able to skip-the-line – both queues in fact – the site entry fee and the local tax levied on top. The number of people allowed into the site each day is limited, with these tickets your entry is guaranteed.Â
When is the Best Time to Visit Chichén Itzá?
First of all, the best time of the year to visit this part of Mexico is the period from November to April. By choosing these months you will avoid the rainy season and the colder months of the year. Not surprising then it is the most popular time of the year to visit the Yucatan and Chichén Itzá.Â
The earlier you get to Chichen Itza, the better. The doors open at 8am, by which point a small queue has often already formed. Things get busier from around 10am onward, at which point the site can usually get quite crowded, although current restrictions mean that it will not be as congested as in previous years. Going early in the morning also means you can get a good look around the site before the heat of the midday sun hits.
For this reason, if you really want to avoid the crowds of day-trippers you are well advised to stay in a hotel near the site, or the nearby town of Piste. There are hotel recommendations further down this page.Â
As locals get free entry on Sundays, this is often a day when crowds grow larger and should be avoided if possible.
Plan to spend at least two to three hours inside the site. Keen archaeological explorers could conceivably spend far longer, especially if you stay for a meal at the on-site restaurant.
What Should I Take?
Chichen Itza is an outdoor experience and you can expect to be exposed to the elements – whether that be baking sun or pelting rain. For this reason, it is important to come prepared. Although slightly cooler between November and January, the weather in this area is fairly constant throughout the year, meaning that there are plenty of hot, sunny days. A sun hat, sun cream, and plenty of drinking water is a must. If rain is forecast, an umbrella or poncho will be very handy.
As you will be on your feet most of the time, wear appropriate footwear. Under the heat of the Mexican sun, some visitors decide to wear flip-flops, but these probably won’t give your feet the needed support for the day. You are better off with comfortable trainers.
If it is great photo opportunities you are after, you are advised to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Those with camera tripods or video recorders may be charged for an extra permit so it is best to check ahead of time if you are planning on bringing professional-level photographic equipment.
On-site explanations are comparatively limited, so keen archaeological explorers might want to bring along a specialist book purchased beforehand. Alternatively, there are many professional guides available for hire at the entrance to the site itself. Those visiting as part of a pre-arranged guided tour can sometimes rely on their guide to provide them with an overview of the site and its history.
What Can I Expect to Find at the Site?
There is an air-conditioned restaurant, Oxtun, located inside the archaeological site. The menu is based largely on traditional Mexican cuisine, although has been adapted to international tourist tastes. Vegetarian options are available. There are other cafes and restaurants within a short drive of the Chichen Itza site itself.
Those wanting a souvenir of their visit will find sellers competing to provide you with a range of standard tourist memorabilia. Many of these sellers blow whistles and cause quite an annoying racket, much to the chagrin of visitors. Be prepared for some sellers to behave in a particularly pushy manner; it is not unknown for sellers to hand you one of their wares unrequested and then demand payment.
Although Chichen Itza is a largely safe place for tourists, like many popular attractions it can attract pickpockets so visitors should be careful with their belongings. Lockers for suitcases and bags are available near the entrance.
How to Get to Chichén Itzá?
Many visitors choose to visit Chichen Itza as a daytrip from Cancun, the coastal city popular with tourists. With about 120 miles between them, the archaeological site is roughly two hours away from the city by car. One option, particularly suited for visitors who like their independence, is to rent a car in Cancun and drive to Chichen Itza themselves. A car park is available near the archaeological site.
An alternative option is to join an organised tour from Cancun. These will usually mean less hassle but also less freedom to plan your visit as you please. These groups usually arrive at Chichen Itza in the middle of the day, when the crowds peak, and often include a scheduled lunch stop on the itinerary.
From Cancun there are a number of different options for day-trips to Chichen Itza. One has an early start that allows you to miss the midday crowds.
It is also possible to take a day-trip to Chichen Itza from Mérida, the capital of the Yucatan state which is located 76 miles away.
For those not wanting to visit Chichen Itza on a daytrip, there is the option of staying overnight at one of the hotels close to the archaeological site itself. Staying at one of these locations will make it easier to get to the ruined city early in the morning, before the crowds.
See our Choice of the 10 Best Day Trips to Chichen Itza, from Cancun, Riviera Maya and Merida, for sunrise tours, and day-trips including more Mayan sites.
Where to Stay When Visiting Chichén Itzá
Hotels Near Chichén Itzá
There are also a number of very good hotels closer to Chichén Itzá. The nearby town of Piste itself has a good choice; one that gets repeatedly mentioned and is very favourably reviewed is La Casa de las Lunas. And even closer to the archaeological site there are more highly rated hotels, a 5 star hotel (Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows) and one 3 star hotel (Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza). Find more accommodation near Chichén Itzá on Booking.com.
Add Chichén Itzá to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to Mexico you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your trip. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
For more sites and museums in Mexico, see our Mexico Travel Guide.
Chichén Itzá
Attracting over 2 million tourists each year, Chichén Itzá is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Once a great centre of Maya civilisation that at its peak housed 35,000 people, it now survives as a series of monumental platforms, temples and a grand ballcourt. It was conquered by the Spanish in 1534 AD, but resistance from Mayan peoples prevented a Spanish settlement being established here. By the 19th century it was taken over by forest. Since 1988, Chichén Itzá has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Archaeology Travel Writer
