How Long To Travel From Cancun To Chichen Itza?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The direct drive from Cancun to Chichen Itza is 130 mi (209 km), and should have a drive time of

2 hrs 15 mins

in normal traffic.

Is it easy to drive to Chichen Itza from Cancun?

Distance-wise, Cancun is circa 200 km away from Chichen Itza.

Driving from Cancun to Chichen Itza would take at least 2 hours 40 minutes each way

& the entire road from Cancun to Chichen Itza is a toll road.

How much does it cost to go from Cancun to Chichen Itza?

Transport Mode Duration Costs
Bus


2.5 hours


490 MXN ($24)
Car Rental N/A 450 MXN ($22)/day Day Trip 12 hours 630 MXN ($30.50) Airplane Tour 6.5 hours 25,320 MXN ($1240)

Is Chichen Itza worth it?

Chichén Itzá is one of the new seven wonders of the world, and one of the most popular destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico.

The Mayan site is definitely worth a visit

, and although it can get horrendously busy, follow these tips and you’ll get the most out of your trip!

Which is better Tulum ruins or Chichen Itza?

By virtue of being a UNESCO site and a World Wonder, Chichen Itza is pretty crowded throughout the year. Especially more so during the equinoxes.

If you wish to explore Mayan ruins in some peace, then Tulum is a better option

. Even better, go to Ek Balam or Coba.

Can you go to Chichen Itza without a tour?

Can you visit Chichén Itzá on your own?

Yes, it’s not required to book a private tour or guide

. In fact, many travelers choose to rent a car and drive themselves to the various sightseeing locations around the Yucatan for a more flexible schedule.

Is it better to drive to Chichen Itza?


If you rent a car in Cancun, the drive to Chichen Itza is definitely worth the trip

. We chose to take the direct toll route 180 out and the local route 180 back. You’re going to want to leave the hotel zone early to get to CI when it opens. We left around 6am and its about a 2 hour drive to get there.

Which is closer to Cancun Tulum or Chichen Itza?

Is

Chichen Itza

closer to Cancun or Playa del Carmen? Chichen Itza is 40 minutes from Playa del Carmen and 90 minutes from Tulum.

Is Tulum close to Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza is a must-see for travelers visiting Mexico. It’s

about 3 hours from Tulum by car or tour bus

. The ruins are located in what is now the Mexican state of Yucatan. Chichen Itza was a major Mayan archaeological site in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and has some of the best archeological sites in the world.

How far are the ruins from Cancun?

Tulum ruins are located

130 km

south of Cancun and is considered by many as the most beautiful of the Mayan Ruins sites around Cancun, is small but exquisitely poised on the fifteen-meter-high cliffs above the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Can you still climb the pyramid at Chichen Itza?

Unfortunately for visitors,

no, Chichen Itza Pyramid is not allowed to climb

. Luckily for all the locals and culture lovers, the main Mayan Building of Chichen Itza can’t be climbed. In this way, we contribute to preserving this sacred site. Years ago, the Chichen Itza Pyramid used to be claimed by tourists.

Is Chichen Itza closer to Cancun or Playa del Carmen?

They are only

40 minutes away from Playa del Carmen

or around 1.5 hours from Cancun. Located on the coast they offer a beachside experience. I prefer the scenery at the Tulum ruins but in terms of the ruins themselves, Chichen Itza knocks it out the park for me.

Can you swim in the cenote at Chichen Itza?

Cenotes are among the biggest attractions on Yucatan, as there’re over 6.000 of them.

In most of them you can swim

, which is an unforgettable experience. This one in Chichen Itza differs from all others. You cannot dip there, and it had a special meaning for Maya.

Are there bathrooms at Chichen Itza?


There are several restrooms at the main entrance and several more behind El Castillo

.

What is Chichen Itza known for?

Via its port at Isla Cerritos on the northern coast, Chichen Itza became

an important commercial center, trading in goods—including gold and other treasures

—with other cities throughout the Americas. At its height, it is believed that as many as 50,000 people lived in the city.

How do you get to Chichen Itza from Cancun?

From Cancun to Chichen Itza

by Bus

The ADO bus company offers service from the ADO station in Cancun to Chichen Itza. The bus leaves daily at 8:45am and has a return bus departing Chichen Itza at 4:30pm. It’s about a three-hour journey on the bus, and costs about 50 MXN.

How far is Riviera Maya from Chichen Itza?

It is

140 km

from Riviera Maya to Chichén-Itzá. It is approximately 209.5 km to drive.

What is the closest city to Chichen Itza?


Valladolid

is a picturesque city in Yucatán, and is the closest tourist city to Chichen Itza. It takes 30-40 minutes to get to the Mayan city from Valladolid , you can drive by yourself taking the Costera del Golfo 180 highway that takes you straight to Chichen Itza.

Is Chichen Itza Open 2022?


Chichén Itzá to open new site, new experience in 2022

.

How far are the pyramids from Cancun?

These majestic Mayan ruins are

around five hours driving distance

from Cancun.

What is the best day of the week to visit Chichen Itza?

Most travelers recommend arriving right when the site opens, at 8 am, which will also help you avoid too much crowding. Avoiding

Sundays

is also favorable for a less crowded visit. Chichen Itza sees the most visitors on Sundays.

How much is parking at Chichen Itza?

The parking cost

80 pesos for a car

. Tolls range from about 300 pesos each way depending if you take the toll roads. Gas round trip cost about 400 pesos.

Can you do Chichen Itza in a day?

But with buses and group tours,

visiting Chichen Itza in one day is largely hassle-free if you don’t mind less flexibility

.

Are tours to Chichen Itza safe?

The place receives over a million tourists a year and approximately 70% of them are foreigners. You can imagine that this one of the most visited places in the world. So,

it’s totally safe to visit

. As in any crowded tourist spot in Chichen Itza, you need to be on the alert and keep an eye on your belongings.

Can you drive from Chichen Itza to Riviera Maya?

Is it safe to drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza? Driving around the Riviera Maya is

generally safe

, especially since it’s a highly touristic area in Mexico. The roads to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen are well maintained, and is will take you little over 2 hours to get there.

How far is Chichen Itza from Cancun hotel zone?

The distance between Hotel Zone, Cancun and Chichén-Itzá is

196 km

. The road distance is 211.9 km. How do I travel from Hotel Zone, Cancun to Chichén-Itzá without a car? The best way to get from Hotel Zone, Cancun to Chichén-Itzá without a car is to bus which takes 2h 59m and costs $140 – $270.

What is best ruins in Cancun?


Chichen Itza

is the best known, and therefore the most popular Mayan Ruins excursion from Cancun and Riviera Maya. However, as with most top tourist attractions, there is good reason for its popularity and therefore we consider it a must-see when you’re in Cancun.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.