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Cancún Archaeology

Our most recommended Cancún Archaeology

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour

1. Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour

Travel back in time as you explore the Mayan  archeological ruins of Chichén Itzá on a guided tour. Connect with nature as you swim in the azure waters of the cenote of Saamal. Eat a mouth-watering buffet lunch and take a guided walking tour of Valladolid. Benefit from pick-up at your hotel, or a nearby meeting point, and then journey to one of the most important monuments on the Yucatán Peninsula.   Upon arrival at Chichén Itzá, look at the step pyramid of Kukulcan (El Castillo), known for the play of light from the equinox that casts shadows on each step to create an image of a serpent descending.   Go to the ancient cenote of Saamal and experience one of the sinkholes that form part of a network of underground rivers sacred to the Maya people. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal and take a stroll around the colonial city of Valladolid to complete your experience.

Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote, Valladolid & Meal

2. Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote, Valladolid & Meal

Dive into Mayan culture on a guided day trip with optional hotel transfers from Cancún or Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World for being one of the world's best-preserved ancient cities. Enjoy a Mexican buffet and tequila tasting, and stop at Valladolid and a cenote. Your first stop will be at a Mayan community restaurant for breakfast with coffee and bread. Take this time to wake up and then go to stock up on souvenirs. Then, at Chichén Itzá, follow the guide while learning all about the most important buildings. From the awe-inspiring Pyramid of Kukulcan to the ruins that once housed tens of thousands of Mayans, the Pyramid of El Castillo or El Caracol, this visit is filled with rarely heard stories, incredible details, and stunning photo opportunities. Discover why the huge city played such an important role from the Late Classic period (600 AD) into the early part of the Post Classic period (1200 AD), and why it remained a huge center of pilgrimage. At this point, the fun is just getting started as no visit to the area would be complete without a stop by a cenote, a refreshing, enchanting underground sinkhole, sacred to the Mayan people. Then, enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch and a tequila-tasting experience. Before returning to your starting point, stop by the charming town of Valladolid, famed for the ornate, 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena and the baroque San Gervasio Cathedral. Enjoy a quick panoramic visit to this magical place.

Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid Tour

3. Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid Tour

Discover the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá on a guided tour from Playa del Carmen. Immerse yourself in the jungle at an eco-park, with some time for swimming in a cenote and a hearty buffet lunch. Start with pickup from Playa del Carmen and first travel to the jungle eco-park. Marvel at the sacred cenote as you refresh yourself with a purifying swim in crystalline waters. Dig into a delicious buffet lunch at the restaurant at the eco-park, and be ready for a flavor sensation. Try some of the famed Mexican cuisine with regional dishes from Yucatán. After your buffet, head to the world-famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá. Take a guided tour of the ceremonial site and listen to fascinating tales of the ancient Maya civilization. Learn more with your expert guides and hear entertaining stories of life at Chichen Itzá. Discover a culture that was way ahead of its time. Then, enjoy some free time to explore by yourself and walk in the footsteps of the Mayan people. Your final stop is in the colonial center of Valladolid for a quick visit to this charming “Magic Town” of Mexico. The imposing church and architecture of the town surrounding the “zocalo'' or town square are perfect photo ops and a chance to relax and enjoy the laid-back vibes of Yucatán, before heading back to Playa del Carmen.

Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch

4. Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch

Spend the day discovering ancient Mayan archaeological sites on this guided tour of Tulum and Coba. Swim in a sinkhole and enjoy free time for taking photos. After being picked up in the lobby of your hotel by a certified guide, start your tour and receive an introduction to Mayan culture on the way. Make your first stop at Coba, the tallest pyramid in México, where you can take in an incredible view of the area.  Swim in natural cenotes (sinkholes) and relax in the refreshing water. Finish the day at the Tulum Archaeological Zone, an impressive Mayan city built on the coastline. Enjoy a guided tour through the area and free time to explore and take pictures.

Cancun/Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins, Sea Turtle Swim & Cenotes

5. Cancun/Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins, Sea Turtle Swim & Cenotes

After pickup from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya, visit the Ruins of Tulum. Embark on a 45-minute tour with a professional archeologist guide and learn about Mayan history. Explore the site at your own pace.  Next, board your coach and travel to the Xtun Cenote. The drive includes off-roading since the cenote is located in the jungle. Once arriving, enjoy a Mexican buffet-style lunch including Cochinita Pibil ´the pulled pork of Mexico,´ chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, and tortilla chips. Vegetarian options are available upon advance notice. Visit two types of cenotes, stage 1 and stage 2. First, wander through the dry stage 2 cenote and admire the beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Following a swim in the wet stage 1 cenote, snorkel, and explore the colorful sea life. After your cenote adventure, enjoy a Mexican-style coffee called Café Olla. Next, head to Akumal Bay, a perfect place for swimming with sea turtles that feed on the seagrass in the bay near you. Put on your provided snorkeling gear — or your own, if you prefer — and enjoy a snorkeling tour of these amazing creatures. Your instructor will guide you through each step of the process to ensure a unique and fun-filled swim experience. A professional photographer will accompany you throughout the day and capture your beautiful moments. Look over the photos at the end and purchase your USB with the guide. Finally, return to the van for transportation back to your hotel.

Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group Tour

6. Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group Tour

Embark on a small group tour led by a knowledgeable guide and explore three of the Yucatan's most fascinating archaeological sites. Over the course of 12 hours, you'll discover the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza, immersing yourself in the region's rich history and culture. Start your day at Tulum, a stunning coastal site overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Admire the striking contrast between the ancient Maya ruins and the turquoise waters of the sea. Explore the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God, and learn about the city's role as a major port in the Maya world. Next, visit Coba, an impressive and less-visited site that boasts the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, where you will learn about the unique features of the city, such as the network of elevated stone roads called sacbeob. Finish the day at Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your guide will bring the ancient city to life as you explore the iconic pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ball Court, and the Observatory. Discover the incredible engineering feats of the Maya civilization and learn about the significance of the buildings and their connection to astronomy and religion. When touring these incredible sites, take a refreshing dip in a 'cenote', a natural underground pool, and indulge in a delicious buffet lunch to refuel. Throughout the day, you'll enjoy chauffeur-style transport exclusively for your small group, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience. This small group tour offers a personalized and immersive way to discover some of the most famous landmarks in the Yucatan. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you'll gain insight into the fascinating history and culture of the region, making for a truly unforgettable adventure. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see these remarkable sites up close and in the company of like-minded travelers.

Cancun/Riviera Maya: Early Chichen Itza and Ik Kil Cenote

7. Cancun/Riviera Maya: Early Chichen Itza and Ik Kil Cenote

Explore the ruins at Chichen Itza on a guided tour from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Choose between a private or small-group tour and beat the crowds and the heat with early morning access. Learn about the history of Mexico with insightful commentary on one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Start your adventure with an early pick-up from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Beat the crowds and the heat as you arrive at the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza. Follow your guide around the once-bustling complex, learning about the rich history, religion, culture, and daily life of the Maya. Wander around the Mexican pyramids, gaze at the spectacular stone carvings, and take photos by the glorious steps of the ruins. Board an air-conditioned vehicle and leave right before the morning gets too warm and the crowds increase. Head to the charming town of Piste for a quick look around before making your way to Cenote Ik Kil. Marvel at its stunning views, take photos of the turquoise waters and lush vegetation, and maybe squeeze in a quick dip before going for lunch. After filling your belly with some local food, board the vehicle once more and make your way back to Cancun and Riviera Maya with nothing but knowledge and memories to remember your adventure by.

Chichen Itza, Coba and Ik-Kil Cenote: Private Tour

8. Chichen Itza, Coba and Ik-Kil Cenote: Private Tour

Enjoy a private 11-hour trip to 3 top Yucatan attractions, arriving at Chichen Itza before the crowds. Chichen Itza was recently named one of the New7Wonders of the World. Walk along the columns in the Temple of 1,000 Warriors. Climb El Castillo, the 98-foot-tall pyramid that towers over the ancient grounds. Learn about Mayan culture and history. Continue to Ik-Kil Cenote, a fresh water swimming hole that the Mayans considered sacred. Climb down into the cenote for a dip in the mineral-rich turquoise waters, then refuel with a traditional Mexican buffet lunch. After lunch you’ll visit Coba, yet another ancient city, where you can climb the tallest pyramid on the Mayan peninsula.

From Cancún: Chichén Itzá & Yaxunah Early Access Tour

9. From Cancún: Chichén Itzá & Yaxunah Early Access Tour

Visit the protected archaeological site of Chichen Itza and Yaxunah on a guided tour. Support a local Mayan community that is in charge of protecting this piece of Mexico's Mayan heritage. At the end of your tour, enjoy a typical Mexican buffet lunch. Enjoy the tranquility of your early-morning visit to Chichen Itza before the crowds arrive. Learn how this large pre-Colombian city played an important role in Mayan civilization from around A.D. 600 to 1200, and remained a center of worship and pilgrimage until the arrival of the Spanish. Like many of ancient Mexico’s cities, the site was abandoned, and its ruins were hidden by jungle. Learn about how archaeologists discovered and unearthed the site, gaining UNESCO protection and considered today one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After Chichen Itza, head to Yaxunah, an unexplored exclusive archeological site just for the group. Meet a local guide from the Mayan community and see the secrets of Yaxunah. Recharge your energies with a typical Mexican buffet lunch before heading to the Cenote. Enjoy the experience of swimming in a Mayan Cenote and have the opportunity to do a Tequila Tasting in this magical environment.

From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Tour with Lunch & Transfer

10. From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Explore the archeological site with one of the largest buildings in Mesoamerica: Ek Balam. Explore, climb and take pictures at the top of the acropolis to admire its unique architecture and view to the mayan jungle. A guide will escort you to unveil the enigma of the Mayas that one inhabited the place. Feel free to ask as many questions since our guides are fully certified. Afterwards, swim in the refreshing waters of Chichikan cenote, a natural water formation. As pure as it can get; relax yourself surrounded by nature. After swimming, let us pamper you with the best of the local cuisine: Typical dishes with more than 20 options to choose from. To finish your trip, you will have free time to explore the magical town of Valladolid. We will stop at the main plaza where you will be able to take pictures and enjoy this pintoresque colonial town.

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Frequently asked questions about Cancún

What are the best day trips and excursions from Cancún?

The best day trips and excursions from Cancún are:

Tulum

Other Sightseeing Options in Cancún

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What people are saying about Cancún

Overall rating

4.1 / 5

based on 953 reviews

It's about 2hrs to Tulum from cancun it's an air conditioned coach with a toilet l, we had 10 people on the coach and when we got to Tulum we were then put into groups of english speaking so we did have quite a few people by the time we got into Tulum. Tulum itself is beautiful and it's quite small so it's easy to get around but you can't get to close to anything as it's all roped off. Our guide very knowledgeable and explained the history of tulum very well. you get to walk around the ruins for about half hour then you have to get back to the coach where you have lunch, aslong as you get your lunch ordered you can eat this on the coach to Coba. Coba is again stunning but it is a 2km walk from the entrance to get there there are bikes which you can hire and also locals will bike you up to the temple for a minimal fee. Unfortunately you cant climb the temple due to it needing restoring. The cenote is beautiful crystal clear waters there's 2 of them 1 is a cave the other is outside

A great experience. The drive to Ek Balam is about 2 hrs but our guide Jesus told us about the mayan histories how to pronounce the words and was very knowledgeable so the drive didn't feel like 2hrs. Ek Balam is unbelievable. With the restoration that's been happening you can really see the architecture in its full beauty it is a huge area with little shade and being in the jungle it's very humid even early in the day. The cenote is about half hour away buffet lunch and drinks was very good and then Jesus took us through the mayan village and you can try mayan chocolate and chewing gum. The drive to Valladolid is again about half hour, you spend about 45mins there which is enough time to see everything locally. I really would recommend this experience it is a long day alot of walking but being able to get up close and personal, climb the temple and with Jesus' knowledge it really is a must do

I was solo and mr apolina was pretty cool chill tour was an experience i recommend it just wear sun lotion lolol just a little the sun was out Def an experience of a like time all the explaining about civilization and everything was pretty cool something they will never show you in school or anywhere else def an awesome tour guide experience

The tour guide was great. Small tour group made up of fun people, 11 total. Loved the small bus pickup and tour. Take photos on swing cenote first then head to the cave one

Nice excursion. The visit to the two archaeological excavations was beautiful. You don't have to go all the way to Tulúm to see the Mayan influences.