CHICHEN ITZA PRIVATE TOURS

Your English-speaking local expert will be waiting for you at your hotel or Airbnb lobby from Playa Mujeres, Cancún or Puerto Morelos with a great smile at 7:00 a.m. We can change the pickup time if you wish, but we recommend these times because we want to arrive early, avoid the crowds and the midday heat while you are inside Chichen Itza.

We take the toll highway to Chichen Itza — this route saves an hour and guarantees the safest and shortest travel time. We'll arrive at 9:15 a.m. Since this is your private tour, we won't make any additional stops unless you want us to.

On the way, your local expert will share stories about Mexico, the Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya, Mexican traditions and local life, plus a broad explanation of Mayan culture, so once you're at the ruins you can focus on the architecture and specific facts of the ancient city. He'll answer all your questions and also give you space to relax — or sleep — during the 2 hour 15 minute ride. The van carries plenty of cold water for you.

This private tour normally uses a Volkswagen Transporter; upgrades to SUVs and luxury cars (Mercedes-Benz) are available for an extra fee — just ask your local expert.

Once at Chichen Itza, we take advantage of being among the first to arrive, so the first stop inside the site is the Kukulkán Castle. You'll get an intimate encounter with the pyramid and be able to take incredible pictures without crowds — it will feel like the site was opened exclusively for you.

Everything is done at your pace and you can stay as long as you want. Your guide, fluent in English and certified by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History), gives an extensive narrative about the site and Mayan culture and loves answering questions.

Chichen Itza has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World since 2007. Highlights include the Temple of Kukulkán, the Temple of the Warriors, the Temple of the Skulls, the Sacred Cenote, the main Ball Court, the Observatory and La Iglesia. It starts getting hot around 10:30 a.m., so bring water and stay hydrated.

After all the walking, it's time to relax and cool down in a wonderful cenote near Chichen Itza. The Maya believed cenotes were sacred places with magical powers, and the cold, crystal-clear water feels like a spa. Cenotes are unique to the Yucatán Peninsula, formed roughly 55 million years ago.

The cenote we currently visit is Hacienda Oxman, a deep cylinder sinkhole known for its blue water when sunlight enters, and for being less crowded — ideal for great photos if we arrive early.

The Hacienda has changing rooms, so bring your swimsuit and a towel. To reach the water you'll go down about 90 steps; you can walk in calmly or, if you're adventurous, jump in Tarzan-style from a rope (ask your guide for a slow-motion video!). Life jackets are provided, cleaned and disinfected daily. You stay in the cenote as long as you like — you decide when to leave.

Hacienda Oxman is 25 minutes from Chichen Itza, along a regular road through small villages and communities that show the rural side of Yucatán.

Five minutes from Hacienda Oxman is the colonial town of Valladolid, founded in 1543 and one of the oldest cities in Yucatán. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in the main square — just let us know if you're vegetarian and we'll take you somewhere with good options. Only beverages during lunch are not included.

Afterward, wander the zócalo, have an ice cream, visit the main cathedral, and browse nearby streets full of Mexican colors and local handcrafts. If you're up for it, walk Calzada de los Frailes to the Ex Convento de San Bernardino de Siena. If you're tired, your local expert can drive you through town instead.

When you're ready, we head back via the toll highway — about 1 hour 45 minutes to Playa Mujeres, Cancún or Puerto Morelos. The tour is planned to be back around 5:45 p.m., but since everything runs at your pace, the exact return time is up to you. You're free to head back early or skip any activity you don't want to do.