Visit Chichén Itzá from Cancun for cenotes and amazing archaeological wonders
Chichén Itzá is a must-see archaeological wonder. If you are planning to stay in Cancun and wondering what expeditions you should do, Chichén Itzá should definitely top your list. This is a summary of the all-day tour to Chichén Itzá from Cancun.
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Stop off at Cenote Hubiku or another cenote on the way to Chichén Itzá or afterwards
Depending on your tour, you might stop off at Cenote Hubiku or another cenote before or after visiting Chichén Itzá. This particular cenote is really amazing and the visit to this sacred site is quite special. The waters of the cenote are so clear, that you can see deep within the depts of the cenote. The cenote is also located deep below ground level, but the surface layer has dropped off due to a sink hole, so you are still able to see the surface from the cenote.
Prior to entering the cenote, you can get a ritual cleansing from a Mayan healer to rid yourself of bad spirits before entering the sacred waters. Once at the cenote, you can rent a mask and snorkel if you would like to peer into the depths of the cenote. You can also jump from a platform above the cenote if you are looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush. If you have some dead skin on your feet, be ready for the fish inside the cenote to provide you with a spa quality fish foot bath. Please remember that this site is a sacred Mayan site and conduct yourself appropriately and with respect. After swimming in the cenote, you are treated to a buffet style lunch before resuming your tour.
Do note, that the exact cenote these tours got to can vary based on availability. I got to visit Cenote Hubiku, which was amazing, but the cenote your tour visits, might be different. You can book your tour through Expedia here.
Looking down at Cenote Hubiku from the stairway that leads to the cenote
Getting a ritual cleansing prior to entering the sacred waters of the cenote
Be sure you can swim before entering the cenote, it is incredibly deep
Visit the archaeological ruins of Chichén Itzá
The entire complex of Chichén Itzá is breathtakingly beautiful. From the Pyramid of Kukulkán, to the Great Ball Court, the ruins are in remarkable shape and absolutely worth visiting. The guide for my tour was incredible knowledgeable about the ruins. He did a wonderful job of explaining the significance of many of the structures within the complex. The acoustics from the stairs leading up to the Pyramid of Kukulkán are pretty incredible. If you have a good tour guide, they will demonstrate the reverberations and echos that come off the steps when you are positioned just right and clap your hands in front of the stairs.
If you visit, be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water. This might be the most I have ever sweat while just standing in place listening to a tour guide speak. The heat within the site is impressive, so be prepared to hydrate often and find shade as often as needed. There are also numerous vendors around the complex grounds selling souvenirs and keepsakes to remember your visit to Chichén Itzá. For the classic tour of Chichén Itzá, including lunch and a cenote visit, you can check rates and availability on Viator here or on Expedia here. Do note that these tours are approximately 12-hours and make for a very long day. The tour is absolutely worth it but do prepare for a long day in a bus and visiting multiple sites.
One of the photos of me before I became a sweaty mess. Be prepared for very high heat on your visit to Chichén Itzá
The other ruins around the Chichén Itzá grounds are also very impressive
Looking down the field where the Mayan ball game was played
Listening to the guide talk about how the Pyramid of Kukulkán is perfectly laid out geographically and how there is another pyramid within this pyramid was fascinating
Spend some time at the Spanish colonial town of Valladolid
One of the stops you make along the tour is at the Spanish colonial town of Valladolid. This is a cool stop where you get to experience a town established during the Spanish colonial era. You do not spend a lot of time at this town, but you can purchase Myan silver from the jewelry stores, do a local tequila and mezcal tasting, or just walk around the town for a little while taking in the sites.
There are also numerous street vendors selling things like ice cream, churros, and street tacos. When I was there, there was also traditional Spanish dancing taking place in the town square. This is a very picturesque little town that is a great addition to the Chichén Itzá tour. If you would like to return to the town of Valladolid at another time and stay there, you can find room rates and availability here.
