These are the best day trips from Tulum theyll definitely keep you busy for a while! Look closely around Chichen Itza as Garth did and you will find some of the original paint on the walls clues to the past thatwalls were covered in plaster and painted red and turquoise. Looking up, its easy to imagine a Maya priest standing at the top, arms elevated to the heavens, thousands of people celebrating the shadow of a serpent descending the staircase on the autumnal equinox. We also learn about their customs and regional culture. and reflection. Click the icons to share or Pin this post 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Should Visit, 20 Ways to Collect and Display Travel Souvenirs, Best Small Group Tour Companies & Touring FAQ, South Africa 2 Week Itinerary & Explore Tour Review, Chichen Itza Facts, Information & Useful Advice, We paid foran all-inclusive beach holiday with. Nearby, you should also check out the town of Rio Lagartos. Rich in stone architecture Chichen Itzacomprises pyramids, temples, palaces, a ball court and cenotes (natural sinkholes) Its arguably Mexicos best known Mayan site and easily the best restored site of Mexicos Mayan ruins where feathered serpents and skulls are arunning theme. Let a driver take charge of the long journey from Tulum and see the impressive Chichen Itza ruins with a guide. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Alondra was such an amazing tour guide. 3. There are many police controls on the road (yes, they can bring a lot of trouble if you are a tourist) and you will have to pay attention. It fascinates me how advanced the Mayan were with their engineering and how they were able to move all of the stone into place with such precision! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A New Yorker aspiring to become a world traveler. Hurry spots are filling up fast! Welcome! If you prefer to chill at the beach in Tulum and go to Playa to spend an afternoon/night of shopping, thats a good option too. Chichen Itza Tours 315 Tours & Activities Cultural Tours 497 Tours & Activities Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises 2,127 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Reserve Now & Pay Later Day Trip to Chichen Itza and Valladolid from Cancun with Cenote Swim and Lunch 1,482 Reviews Cancn, Mexico Share If all you want is palms, white beaches, and playful cabanas, keep reading. . Then, go to a sacred cenote and end with a buffet meal in the restaurant. Dont miss the breathtaking light and sound show at Chichen Itza, a mesmerizing evening experience that brings the sites history to life! Learn more Full-day combo tour of the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum Visit the renowned archeological site of Chichen Itz Enjoy lunch in downtown Valladolid Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, stands as a testament to the ancient Mayan civilization's grandeur and architectural brilliance. friendly and interesting dude he made the tour much nicer. On each side areangled benches thatrun the length of the court, they are richly decorated with carvings Mayan hieroglyphics depicting various scenes of the games. There are so many possibilities, ranging from backpacker cheap, to mid-range and ultra luxury. I teach ancient civilizations, so I would love to see this in person. And if you were wondering what happened to all the trees at Chichen Itza? If youre planning a trip from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza, you have two transportation options. How do I get from Tulum to Chichen Itza - SAT Mexico Tours Chichen Itza, Cenote And Valladolid Small Group Day Trip, Informative, friendly and professional guide. For those coming from Tulum, Chichen Itza is approximately a 2-hour drive away. The easiest ways to get there if youre not driving are by taxi or colectivo (shared shuttle). Chichen Itza is open from Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm. Buildings are really nice and you can also visit some great churches. Located at the very tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, Las Coloradas dates back to the Mayan era, when the local people would use these tidal lagoons as a way of producing salt. You can also take the ADO bus from the Merida CAME station. Chichen Itza Are you interested in? You could easily spend more than one day exploring the island, as Cozumel offers beautiful remote beaches, lighthouses, lagoons, and what more, but its also easy to organize a Tulum to Cozumel day trip if you prefer to go back at night. It was actually3 calendars that worked together to keep track of time, the moon and the sun. Its a dream-like eerie wonderland. With him we had a great tour of Chichen Itza, moved on to an excellent lunch in Valladolid . Since we arrived in Tulum 2 years ago, many adventures wouldnt have been possible without their help - they know literally everybody in Tulum and can perfectly organize every moment of your stay. Understandably, Chichen Itza is a popular day trip from Tulum and is often included in any standard Tulum itinerary. Savor a delicious continental breakfast and buffet lunch that are included in the tour. Travel length and distance will vary based on where youre coming from and how you choose to travel. This hotel is really affordable, clean and it has a nice style. Read on to discover 15 unmissable excursions from Tulum! Just stand on the side of the 307 highway going north and signal the driver when you see a shuttle bus approaching. This charming city is rich in history, culture, and beauty that will leave you mesmerized. READ ALSO: A Complete Guide to Chichen Itza Ruins. I dont know why I waited 28 years of my life before trying ziplining. We thought it wasinterestinghow the circular design looks pretty similarto amodern observatory. Embrace the freedom of flowy dresses, ignite the beach with vibrant colors, and adorn yourself with the most stylish beach accessories. trip! In the 1930s archeologists found another smaller pyramid withinEl Castillocontaining a chamber with a throne in the shape of jaguar, painted in red, andspots made of jade, wewondered what it was used for? Chichen Itza vs Tulum Ruins: Which Should You Visit? - Layer Culture The weather will be sunny and dry with comfortable temperatures. Colectivos (public shuttles) stop at most of them. Tulum is a beautiful destination in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. This tour was awesome! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Our guide told us distinguished people were also sacrificed so thepopulationdidnt rebel. Youll speed along at almost 20mph, making ziplining here a truly hair-raising experience. Night tour. With so much history, culture, and beauty to explore, having a guide will enhance your experience. It will prove to be quite a contrast to Tulums more laid-back atmosphere, so it makes one of the best excursions in Tulum if youre looking for a change of scene and some city vibes and bustle. You cannot swim in the cenotes within Chichen Itza. If you dont want to travel there alone and you search for a more complete experience, you will find plenty of guides and tours that will organize a day or more in Chichen Itza and a visit to the cenote close by. I havent gone swimming with turtles in Akumal since the new regulations took place, so I cant tell you how it is from my own experience, but swimming with turtles is a truly magical experience, and this is one of the best places to go snorkeling near Tulum. The city dates back to 400s A.D and its name, Chichen Itza, is a Mayan term for at the mouth of the well of the Itza. The Itza were Mayans who had the power in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula, where the pyramid is located. Falling asleep with the sweet rolling sound of the waves and getting up and being 10 steps from the ocean was a dream come true, especially after months of traveling around at a fast speed. Now, Im adding this to our must-see places, especially the Cenotes! Look no further than this awesome excursion! However, the nearby cenote, Ik Kil, is a popular swimming spot for visitors to the area and is definitely worth a visit! what an incredible illusion and a feat of precision engineering, testament to the Mayans astronomy skill, even Phil being an engineer was impressed! You can also take the ADO bus that runs once a day at 10:27 am and arrives at 11:17 am. Known as El Caracol, this is an observatory tower that was used by the Mayan astronomers to study the movements of the stars and planets. There are also other cenotes which are mostly above ground, but which still offer a welcome respite from the Mexican heat as you plunge into the water. These tours let you visit multiple cenotes in a single day, and are a great way to spend a day relaxing and swimming with friends and family. Tulum to Chichen Itza by car rental 2. The Luxury Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres includes transportation from Tulum, as well as lunch and alcoholic drinks, snorkeling and spinnaker experiences, beach club access, and free time on the island. If you want to avoid the crowd, we found these two secret cenotes close to Chichen Itza, 13th July - VAGALUME SESSIONS IVORY @VAGALUME, 14th July - GUSTAVO IBARRA @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 16th July - VAGALUME SUNDAZE HYDE EDDIE DEVILLE @VAGALUME, 16th July - ANCESTRAL SOUL @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 20st July - VAGALUME SESSIONS NEVERSEEN @VAGALUME, 21st July - FRANCISCO ALLENDES @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 22nd July - TONY GUERRA @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 23rd July - VAGALUME SUNDAZE GUY MANTZUR @VAGALUME, 27th July - VAGALUME SESSIONS JONAS SAALBACH @VAGALUME, 29th July - THE CUBEGUYS @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 3rd August - VAGALUME SESSIONS DEATH ON THE BALCONY @VAGALUME, 4th August - TECHNASIA @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 10th August - VAGALUME SESSIONS VCIII @VAGALUME, 13th August - VAGALUME SUNDAZE NOTRE DAME @VAGALUME, 17th August - SASHA [Last Night on Earth] @MIA TULUM, 22nd September - TONY ROMERA @BONBONNIERE TULUM, 4th November - HOT SINCE 82 @BONBONNIERE TULUM. Theres no need to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads or getting lost. Whether you choose a day trip or an overnight stay, the opportunity to immerse yourself in Mayan history and culture awaits. It was a great Its slow going but doable in most cars. This phenomenon is proof of the Mayan civilizations exceptional acoustics. 8. | Travel Guide How to Get To Cozumel (from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen), Guide to Visiting Uxmal Ruins: How to Get to Uxmal From Merida, Visiting Tulum Ruins: Travel Tips to Mexicos Cliffside Ruins, 30+ Essential Safety Tips When Traveling Alone, 20+ Eco-Friendly Products You Need for Sustainable Travel, Travel Guide to Playa del Carmen in Mexico [2022]. This phenomenon draws visitors from all over the world, making it one of the busiest days to go visit. As the water evaporated, the sea salt would be left behind to collect- and over the centuries, that process has caused the water here to turn a brilliant pink. Our Chichn Itz tour guide Tzamn was absolutely amazing! [save this to your, The last one lol if I kept track well, my, Thank goodness for a little thing called the inter, How to Visit Muyil and Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, Cozumel, Mexico: The Complete Travel Guide, Top 5 Things to Do in Valladolid (Best Cenotes & Activities), 15 Unique Things to Do in Cancun (+ 5 Day Itinerary), Chichn Itz: 10 Things to Do and Know Before You Go, How to Visit Bacalar & Kayak in the Lagoon of 7 Colors, The Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary. Our guide Iber did a Be sure to visit them if you are a cenote lover like us! The price of the food is really expensive and we cant guarantee the quality. From Tulum: 3 Cenotes Adventure with Lunch. Learn more :). Just wander the town and enjoy the slower pace of life here, or explore the cenotes in Valladolid (Cenote Zaci is right in the middle of Valladolid). time in Tulum. Prices will also be cheaper for staying in the region too. Moreover they say that this cenote was the place for human sacrifice and sacred rituals by Mayan. Pedaling under the forest canopy, listening to the sound of song birds and stopping to explore long abandoned Maya palaces and ball courts is nothing short of sublime. activities under sun. The main attraction of Chichen Itza is the magnificent El Castillo also known asThe Pyramid of Kukulkn, it was a religioustemple dedicated to the Mayan feathered serpentgod Kukulkn. Awesome post! +$45USD per person extra for pick-ups between Cancun Airport Area and Cancun Downtown. As we said for the transportation, be sure to bring with you some cash, in pesos not usd, to pay the entrance. Its easy to spend day after day chilling out the beach, but if you have some extra days, then its definitely worth it to go and explore the other attractions near Tulum, Mexico, and some gorgeous locations in Quintana Roo. BOOK IT HERE, Punta Laguna and Coba Day Trip: on this tour youll visit Coba and thenatural reserve and monkey sanctuary of Punta Laguna, where youll hike or zip line through the jungle, swim at a cenote, and attend a Mayan ceremony. The drive takes 2.5 hours by car, making a day trip to Chichen Itza still feasible if you plan accordingly. The site is majestic and ornate, every structure oozing brilliance and power, a reminder of the people who once lived here. 9. flawlessly organized, allowing ample time for exploration The price is 232 pesos for adults, about $13 usd, which is pretty cheap if you think you are gonna visit ancient Mayan ruins. Embark on an unforgettable adventure with an all-inclusive full-day tour to Chichen Itza, Coba, and the Ik Kil cenote! Public buses also make the trip from Tulum twice a day. This is your invitation to an epic beach party adventure. US$ 153. per person. Round-trip transfer in an air-conditioned van or bus. Just, please do me a favor and go: this is one of the best Tulum day trips you can take definitely in my top 3! Looking for a unique way to experience the majesty of Chichen Itza? Colorful colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and delicious cuisine. I do have my picture at the top of the pyramid but unfortunately the camera technology was not so good back then so its not a clear image. Chichen Itza Cultural Tours in Chichen Itza Private Tours in Chichen Itza Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Chichen Itza Multi-day Tours in Chichen Itza . Archaeologists believe that Coba would have been an important trade hub back in the day, but this Mayan city now lies mostly forgotten in the midst of the surrounding forests.