Before I share my thoughts on group tour vs going on your own, let me tell you what makes this place so special. Chichén Itzá isn’t just an ancient ruin or a tourist stop. It’s a city built over 1,500 years ago by the Maya people, and it’s still teaching us things to this day.
The name Chichén Itzá means “at the mouth of the well of the Itzá.” The Itzá were a Maya group often called the “water sorcerers,” and they built the city near sacred wells called cenotes—deep, natural pools that gave the people fresh water and served as places for prayer, offerings, and even sacrifice. These cenotes were the heart of the city, both for survival and for spiritual connection.
By around 600 AD, Chichén Itzá had grown into one of the largest and most important cities in the Maya world. It had roads, observatories, temples, markets, and neighborhoods that stretched for miles. What’s even more amazing is that much of the city was planned and built with advanced math and astronomy, long before modern tools existed. One pyramid in particular, called El Castillo, is so carefully designed that during the spring and fall equinoxes, it casts shadows that look like a snake sliding down the side connecting to the Maya god Kukulcán, the feathered serpent. Chichén Itzá was a center of religion, science, and trade, and people came from all over to visit. By the 1200s, the city slowly lost power and influence. No one knows exactly why. Still, long after it was abandoned, it remained a sacred site for Maya pilgrims, and today, it’s protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After about an hour on the road, our first stop was a small Mayan cultural center. Here, they made personalized Mayan astrology calendars for $25 . I love astrology so of couse I had to get one.
Vendors were set up near the entrance offering crafts, souvenirs, and tequila samples. A quick note about the tequila: some people have reported that the bottle they purchased didn’t taste the same as the sample they were given. This isn’t unique to this location—it’s something to watch for with street vendors in general. If you decide to buy a bottle, it’s a good idea to taste what’s actually in it before finalizing your purchase.
After spending about 45 minutes at the cultural center, we headed to Chichén Itzá. It was great to go straight in without having to wait in the long line to buy tickets. We also enjoyed having a guide with us because he explained the meaning of the carvings and how the structures were arranged. It made the visit much more interesting.
This image is a close up of the Tzompantli at Chichén Itzá. It is one of the oldest skull platforms ever found and was used to display the heads of enemies on wooden beams. Archaeologists have discovered skull offerings, Chaac Mool statues, and a broken ball game ring buried at the site, showing its deep connection to rituals and sacrifice.
One spot you don’t want to miss at Chichén Itzá is the Great Ball Court. It’s the largest in the Americas, over 500 feet long. This is where the Maya played a sacred ball game called Pok Ta’ Pok. Teams of two to four tried to keep a heavy rubber ball off the ground and through a stone hoop using their hips, and sometimes their knees, elbows, or heads.
Some say team captains could use a stick to help score. The game was both a sport and a ritual. There are different stories about whether the winners or losers were sacrificed, but either way, it was seen as an honor. Standing in the court, you can feel how intense and important the game must have been.
After a few hours at the ruins, we loaded back on the bus and headed to Chichikan Cenote, where we had a buffet lunch and some time to explore. There are quite a few stairs to get down to the bottom of the cenote, so keep that in mind if you’re afraid of heights or have trouble with stairs. Even if you don’t go all the way down, it’s still really cool to see from the top.
As we headed back toward Tulum, we made a quick stop in Valladolid, a quiet colonial town with cobbled streets and colorful buildings. We had about 40 minutes to explore on our own, so we visited a local church and grabbed some fresh churros from a street vendor. It wasn’t a long visit, but it added a nice cultural touch to the day.
The whole day was full of adventure, and each stop brought something memorable.
We ended up paying around $80 per person for the excursion. While that may not be cheap, it wasn’t a bad price for what we got.
Round-trip transportation on an air-conditioned bus with bathrooms
A bilingual guide who explained the history in a really engaging way
A buffet lunch (drinks cost extra)
Entry to the Chichikan Cenote
A visit to a small Mayan cultural center
A quick stop in the town of Valladolid to explore on our own.
Going on your own without a tour will definitely give you more freedom to explore at your own pace and maybe save you some money. Admission to Chichén Itzá alone is around $30–$35 USD per person for adults (~$16 for Mexican Citizens) and ~$5 for children. Check their website here for current pricing.
Also, keep in mind there would be additional costs if you want to visit a cenote or stop somewhere for lunch.
Once you factor in the cost of renting a vehicle, paying for gas, buying food, and the admission fees, it can start to feel like going with a tour company isn’t much more expensive. Plus, on your own, you’ll have to deal with figuring out directions, finding parking, and waiting in long ticket lines. There’s also the concern of being pulled over by local police and being asked to pay questionable “fines” to get your ID back. (This is something we’ve experienced, so yes, it does happen.)
If you go—whether on a tour or on your own—here’s what I recommend packing:
Comfortable walking shoes
Reef-safe sunscreen (you must shower off before going into the cenote and may need to reapply afterwards)
Swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim in the cenote
Small bills in pesos or USD for tips and souvenirs
Water and snacks (especially if you’re going without a tour group)
Don’t be shy about bargaining at the markets. It’s completely normal, and no one will think twice about it. Most of the vendors are selling similar items, so there’s no need to take the first price they offer. If something catches your eye, take your time and look around a little more. You’ll likely see it again, and sometimes for less. Just showing interest and then walking away can bring the price down.
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If you’re curious and want to dig deeper into the history behind Chichén Itzá, here are some great resources:
“Chichén Itzá” by History.com Editors, History Channel. https://www.history.com/articles/chichen-itza
“The History of Chichen Itza,” ChichenItza.com. https://www.chichenitza.com/history
