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CONTENTS
THE HISTORY OF CHICHÉN ITZÁ 🇲🇽
We’ve all seen Mexico’s iconic pyramid, “Chichén Itzá,” on social media, travel blogs, YouTube… Who hasn’t dreamed of visiting Chichén Itzá? This wonder of the world is an ancient Mayan city in Mexico, between Mérida and Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula. It was one of the largest centers of Mayan civilization, with a history spanning nearly a thousand years. Chichén Itzá is one of the best-preserved sites in Mexico 👊.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, this Mayan city draws between 4,000 and 10,000 visitors a day 😱. It was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Chichén Itzá is divided into 2 parts:
- In the south, you’ll find Old Chichén, in a typically Mayan style.
- In the north, the famous sacred monuments (the Cenote, El Caracol, El Castillo).
There’s no set route for your visit, but you’re encouraged to start with the main pyramid, “El Castillo,” to take your best Instagram photos 📸 (You can no longer climb to the top). Then you can follow the ancient Mayan sacred road to see:
- The Temple of the Warriors.
- The Thousand Columns plaza.
- The Ball Court.
- El Caracol (the observatory).
- The Platform of Venus.
- The Tzompantli (Wall of Skulls).
👉 If you’re in Mexico, it’s a must-do on your trip!
👉 Planning your trip? Also read our 10 things to know before visiting Mexico.
THE MAP OF OUR MEXICO ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 30-day road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽 on an interactive map: cenotes, Mayan sites, beaches and stopover towns, from Yucatán to Quintana Roo. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Mexico
1 month8 stops2 states: Yucatán & Quintana RooCar + ferry to the islands
The stops, in order
- 1
Cancún
1 night
Arrival by plane, then last night before the flight home
- 2
Holbox
3 nights
Beaches, sunsets and a timeless vibe
- 3
Valladolid
5 nights
Suytun, Oxman, Ik Kil, Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam
- 4
Mérida
3 nights
Uxmal and the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá
- 5
Bacalar
5 nights
The lagoon of seven colors and its cenotes
- 6
Tulum
4 nights
Ruins, Coba, Sian Ka'an, Cenote Azul and Calavera
- 7
Cozumel
4 nights
Scuba diving and snorkeling
- 8
Isla Mujeres
3 nights
Jet skiing, beaches and the end of the road trip
OUR VISIT TO CHICHÉN ITZÁ: ROUTE AND MONUMENTS TO SEE 🥾
THE EL CASTILLO PYRAMID
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be standing in front of the El Castillo Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the World 😍! If you plan well and want to enjoy the site to yourself (or almost), I recommend starting your visit with this famous pyramid that you can’t miss 😂, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcán.
It’s truly the postcard image of the Yucatán 📸! If you visit during the right season, note that at the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun creates the illusion of a serpent 🐍 that seems to slither up or down the pyramid. That’s no surprise when you consider that this pyramid served as a Mayan calendar. The skills of this civilization are fascinating 👏.
THE SACBÉ AND THE SACRED CENOTE
Bring plenty of water, because it’s going to be very hot 🥵. Next, head to the Sacbé, the ancient Mayan road leading to the old cenote. Although Chichén Itzá has several cenotes (the city was built on top of several of these natural sinkholes, which were used back then for various rituals), this one is particularly impressive 😱! If you’ve done some research beforehand or if your guide explains it, you’ll learn that hundreds of bones were discovered at the bottom of the crater during archaeological digs and removed for analysis. So human offerings were common at Chichén Itzá 👀.
While you’re in Mexico, you’ll notice that the path to this cenote is often lined with pretty pushy vendors (from 11 a.m. on). In my opinion, it’s one of the biggest downsides of Chichén Itzá, with lots of street vendors inside the site, even though you pay to get in! Not everything is perfect in Mexico, and it’s important to point that out 😉.
BALL COURT, THOUSAND COLUMNS AND EL CARACOL
For the rest of the visit, take your time and enjoy this unique moment 🙂! At Chichén Itzá, unlike other Mayan sites, you can see a strong influence of the Toltec civilization blending with Mayan culture. You’ll find often well-preserved depictions of the Chac Mool figure linked to the Mayan rain god, as well as Quetzalcóatl, the Toltec feathered serpent god (Kukulcán in Maya).
And above all, don’t miss the huge Ball Court near the entrance (the largest in Mexico), the Group of the Thousand Columns, and the area around the observatory (El Caracol). Some buildings in this area are hard to reach ⚠️.
HOW TO GET TO CHICHÉN ITZÁ: CAR, BUS OR TREN MAYA ⏳
To get to Chichén Itzá, you can go:
- By car 🚗: allow about 40 minutes from Valladolid, 1.5 hours from Mérida and 2.5 hours from Cancún or Playa del Carmen (on the toll highway). We were staying in Valladolid with our rental car. Don’t forget that Mexico is big: if you want to be free and independent in getting around, a car is a great compromise. Feel free to check out my article on renting a car in Mexico.
- By bus 🚌: ADO and Oriente buses run to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid (about 40 to 50 minutes), Mérida and Cancún. Departures aren’t frequent: check them on the ADO website.
- By Tren Maya 🚆: a “Chichén Itzá” station is served from Cancún, Valladolid and Mérida, with a shuttle to the site entrance. Fares for foreign tourists are higher and change over time: check the official Tren Maya website.
- By taxi 🚕: there are plenty of taxis in Mexico, and you can arrange a round trip with them. Of course, it can get very expensive 💰 depending on where you’re coming from.
👉 For us, the car was essential during our trip: it let us be 100% independent and visit Chichén Itzá and other places without relying on public transportation.
RENTING A CAR IN MEXICO 🚗
To explore Yucatán and Quintana Roo, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together cenotes, Mayan sites and beaches at your own pace, without depending on bus schedules or organized tours 🌴.
We did our whole one-month road trip by car, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Mexico
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
TouraCancun
Car rental in Mexico
We rented with them for our whole road trip: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€95028 days, insurance included · ~€34/day
- Tested for 1 month
- Pick-up in Cancún
- Our go-to in Mexico
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatoryIn Mexico, it's often not included in the price shown online: check before you pay.
- A deposit on a credit cardAn amount is held on your card for the whole rental. Bring a card with a high enough limit.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted for tourists. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Filling up at the gas stationCheck that the pump meter is at zero before the attendant starts.
- Watch out for “topes”These speed bumps are everywhere, sometimes without a sign: slow down as you enter villages.
DISCOVER THE NEARBY MAYAN SITES 🦎
Explore the Mayan sites near here through nearly 40 articles about the Yucatán and Quintana Roo 🌍. Discover our best tips, itineraries, history, reviews and much more to make the most of your travel experience and dive 100% into discovering Mexico! It’s the perfect time to carefully plan your vacation ✈️.
DISCOVER THE NEARBY CENOTES 🧐
Now’s the time to explore the cenotes near here on my Mexico travel blog to make the most of your stay 🌟! You’ll find details on the history of these cenotes, our honest review, and captivating photos of your future discoveries 🌍. These articles will be essential resources for planning your trip to Mexico! 🗺️📸
CHICHÉN ITZÁ ENTRANCE FEE AND OPENING HOURS ⏰
OPENING HOURS
🕰️ The site is open every day from 8 a.m., with last entry around 4 p.m. The hours changed in 2026 after the site temporarily closed (from May 19 to June 1, 2026, due to a dispute with the vendors): check them the day before your visit.
🌙 A sound and light show, “Noches de Kukulkán,” is normally held in the evening. We didn’t do it, and it was reported as suspended in 2026: check online whether it’s running before planning your evening.
PRICES
💸 During our visit in October 2021, we paid about €23 per person (around 440 pesos). The price has gone up a lot since: today, count on about 676 to 697 pesos for a foreign visitor (about €30), including both the federal part (INAH) and the Yucatán state part. Since March 2026, you pay all at once with a single ticket (before, you had to stand in two lines). This price goes up almost every year, so check it before you go.
On Sundays, admission is free only for Mexicans and residents of Mexico, not for foreign tourists.
The ticket price is still sky-high compared with the cost of living in Mexico! I still have a hard time understanding the prices charged to tourists, which in no way reflect the cost of living for Mexicans. Even if it’s to preserve the site, I think it’s important not to confuse “sharing a place” with “making a profit.”
💵 Bring pesos in cash for parking and small purchases. To get organized, read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico.
WHEN TO VISIT CHICHÉN ITZÁ AND RULES TO KNOW 🐍
⏰ The best time is right at opening, at 8 a.m.: before the tour groups from Cancún arrive, before the intense heat, and before the vendors, who were setting up around 11 a.m. during our visit. That’s what we did, and we had the site almost to ourselves.
🐍 The equinoxes: around March 20-21 and September 22, between about 3 and 5 p.m., the shadow forms a serpent of light that seems to slither down the north staircase of El Castillo. An incredible sight, but expect tens of thousands of visitors and tighter security.
- 🚫 Climbing the monuments on the site is not allowed, including El Castillo.
- 🚁 Drones and professional photo gear (tripods) are banned without INAH authorization.
- 🎒 Bags may be searched at the entrance. Bring water: it’s very hot and there’s little shade.
THINGS TO KNOW 🥰
As in all our articles, here are a few tips and tricks for visiting Chichén Itzá:
- No lines, and no set route to follow.
- Parking isn’t free: we paid 80 pesos (€3.50), and today it costs about 124 pesos.
- Lots of snack bars and refreshment stands with free restrooms.
- Go early in the morning to get your best photos and avoid the crowds that often show up around 11 a.m.
- No need to book online (If you want to be sure to get your ticket, it’s an option, but it’s not necessary at all.).
- For accommodation, try to stay in Valladolid, it’ll mean less driving and you can visit Cenote Ik Kil right next to Chichén Itzá.
- There are lots of street vendors selling anything and everything at sky-high prices; you’ll find better elsewhere.
- If you want to understand the history of this Mayan city, hire a guide. We didn’t, but it’s really helpful for understanding the history.
- Bring water, it’s very hot 🥵
DISCOVER CHICHÉN ITZÁ ON A TOUR
A lot of you aren’t sure whether to book ahead or on the day. For 90% of our outings, we didn’t book online because we had our rental car, which let us be 100% independent. For the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, you don’t need to book ahead, but depending on what you want, and I get it, you can also book a tour. If you’d rather keep things simple (you’ve got plenty of choice) 👇
OUR REVIEW OF THIS WONDER OF THE WORLD 💭
As I explained just above, visiting this wonder of the world was a must. When you arrive in front of this huge Mayan temple, you’re left speechless 😍. It’s beautiful, and since we came early, there were very few people. We took our best Instagram photos 📷 while visiting this simply incredible city. It’s really a place to visit, especially since it’s so well preserved. The downside, as in Mexico in general, is the street vendors, who were very pushy with us. Apart from that, everything is perfect for spending two or three hours in this fantastic place 😇.
While we were there, I even ran into a very famous American YouTuber, “Logan Paul,” and we got a photo together. The logical next step after Chichén Itzá is to visit Cenote Ik Kil, right next door.
👉 What about you? What did you think of Chichén Itzá?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICHÉN ITZÁ ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting Chichén Itzá. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
For a foreign visitor, count on about 676 to 697 pesos (about €30), including the INAH part and the Yucatán state part, with a single ticket since March 2026. In 2021, we paid about €23. This price goes up almost every year: check it before you go.
The site opens every day at 8 a.m., with last entry around 4 p.m. The hours changed after the May 2026 closure: check them the day before your visit.
Yes, but only for Mexicans and residents of Mexico. Foreign tourists pay full price every day, and Sundays are often busier.
Right at opening at 8 a.m., before the tour groups from Cancún and the intense heat. During our visit, the vendors set up around 11 a.m.: arriving early lets you enjoy the site in peace.
By car, allow about 40 minutes: that’s what we did while staying in Valladolid. You can also take the ADO bus or the Tren Maya to Chichén Itzá station, then a shuttle.
Yes, a station serves the site from Cancún, Valladolid and Mérida, with a shuttle to the entrance. Fares for foreign tourists change over time: check the official Tren Maya website.
No, count on about 124 pesos per vehicle (we paid 80 pesos in 2021). Bring pesos in cash.
No, climbing has been banned for several years, as on all the monuments on the site. During our trip, you could still climb at Ek Balam: check on site.
No, not without INAH authorization. Phones and regular cameras are fine, and bags may be searched at the entrance.
Around the equinoxes, about March 20-21 and September 22, between roughly 3 and 5 p.m., on the north staircase of El Castillo. Expect big crowds: get there very early.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO 🏨
During our one-month road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽, we stayed in 8 different towns, alternating between Airbnbs and hotels. And we were always very happy with where we stayed 😇.
We deliberately avoided “All Inclusive” packages. It’s not our idea of travel: we’d rather be in the heart of towns and villages, eat local and discover the country at our own pace 🌮.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead in high season: the best places go fast and prices climb.
- 🚗 Private or secure parking if you’re traveling with a rental car. You’ll see, it’s not always available, but depending on the town it can be really worth having.
- ❄️ Air conditioning: essential in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, where it’s hot all year round.
- 🏊 A pool: up to you whether you want one at some of your stays, because it can quickly push the price up.
- 📍 A place close to the center: so you can do everything on foot in the evening. That said, if you like places outside town and you have the car, nothing forces you to stay near the center
- ✅ Free cancellation, to keep your itinerary flexible.
AIRBNB OR HOTEL IN MEXICO?
Both have their advantages. An Airbnb is ideal for more space, a kitchen and living like a local. A hotel is more convenient for one or two nights passing through, with a reception desk and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, whether you’re with family, solo or as a couple, and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN MEXICO?
There’s something for every taste and every budget. We paid between €40 and €100 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,800 for 29 nights, or about €62 a night on average (that was in 2021, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip, with our review of each one.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Mexico
AirbnbHotel
-
AirbnbHolbox
An incredible room, with the pool right next door to cool off. Just perfect!
- Room
- Pool right next door
- Incredible room
- Hotel
Valladolid
A stunning setting and a super spacious room, ideal for catching your breath between two cenotes.
- Very spacious room
- Pool
- On-site massages
- Airbnb
Mérida
A whole house just for us, with a small pool to relax.
- Whole house
- Small pool
- A bit out of the way
- Hotel
Bacalar
A gorgeous place right in the town center, with a superb pool.
- Hotel
- Superb pool
- Town center, far from the lagoon
- Airbnb
Tulum
A whole place with a pool, but very far out: you'll need the car.
- Whole place
- Pool
- Far out, car essential
- Airbnb
Cozumel
A clean, well-located studio, so you can do everything on foot from the town center.
- Studio
- Clean and well designed
- Close to the center
- Hotel
Isla Mujeres
A beautiful seafront hotel with a magnificent pool.
- Hotel
- Magnificent pool
- Seafront, a bit out of the way
- Hotel
Cancún
Right next to the airport: perfect for the first or last night of the trip.
- Hotel
- Close to the airport
- Ideal for the 1st or last night
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” That’s why you’ll find below some essential travel accessories to set off on vacation with peace of mind (your documents kept safe) 🛡️ . Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where they’ll cost you much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Mexico and still use for every destination we travel to 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Mexico?
Most of these items came with us throughout our 30-day road trip.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
ElectronicsUniversal travel adapter
In Mexico, outlets are the American type: French chargers won't fit.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
Long days between ruins and cenotes: your phone lasts until evening.
- Essential
Health & protectionBiodegradable sunscreen
Mineral and biodegradable, kinder to cenotes and reefs.
- Essential
Health & protectionMosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are everywhere, especially in the evening and near the jungle.
- Essential
Cenotes & beachWaterproof phone pouch
To film in cenotes and at the beach without any risk.
- Recommended
Health & protectionFilter water bottle
Tap water isn't drinkable in Mexico: filter it and avoid plastic.
- Recommended
Health & protectionTravel first-aid kit
Band-aids, painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds: enough to handle small issues.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWaterproof bag
Papers and keys kept dry on boats, at the beach or by the cenotes.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWater shoes
For slippery cenote steps and rocky seabeds.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: perfect for swim after swim.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN MEXICO 
During our 30-day road trip in Mexico 
, we filmed everything! From Holbox to Cancún, by way of Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, we take you along with us step by step in our vlogs.
You’ll discover the cenotes we swam in, the Mayan sites we explored, the beaches that made us dream, our places to stay, our favorite spots to eat… and above all our honest take on each place: what amazed us, and what disappointed us a little 
.
If you’re planning your trip, or simply dreaming of getting away, these videos will give you a real glimpse of Mexico, far from the tourist brochures.
Our road trip on video
Our YouTube videos in Mexico
Now watching: Episode 1 · Discovering Mexico & Holbox
21 minEpisode 1Discovering Mexico & Holbox- 17 minEpisode 2Cenotes & Mayan cities
- 9 minEpisode 3Mérida, Uxmal, Cuzamá & the bats
- 13 minEpisode 4Bacalar, a hidden paradise
- 12 minEpisode 5Tulum, Coba, Sian Ka'an & Cenote Azul
- 12 minEpisode 6Cozumel, diving & snorkeling
- 17 minEpisode 7Isla Mujeres, jet skiing & the end of the road trip
21 min
17 min
9 min
13 min
12 min
12 min
17 minTHANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
Thanks for reading this article all the way to the end 🙏! We hope it helps you plan your trip.
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