Chichén Itzá. One of the new 7 Wonders of the World. A complex of Mayan ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico that will leave you astonished. How did they build it? Why did they put so much effort into every detail? These questions may never be answered. But one answer The Bros can give you: How to get from Mérida to Chichén Itzá.
What is Chichén Itzá?
Chichén Itzá is an archaeological site built by the Mayans during the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The main tourist draw is the impressive El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan. Of course, this incredible pyramid isn’t the only structure to marvel at. Be sure to take your time surveying the unbelievable architecture and artwork on the sprawling site.
Try to fathom how the Mayan people could have accomplished this over 1,000 years ago. If you are visiting a wonder of the world you should try to see it all, including the structures hidden in the back of the site like Akab Dzib. However, if for some reason you are in a rush, see The Grand Ballcourt (Gran juego de pelota), The Observatory (El Caracol), The Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns.
🌎 Bros Tip: Try to spend at least 3-4 hours there to get a good sense of the magnitude of the site.
How to Get from Merida to Chichen Itza
When figuring out how to get from Mérida to Chichén Itzá you basically have 3 options.
Rent a car and drive
There are rental car offices all around the center of the city. You can also pick up a car at the airport. You can book online or in person. Be aware that even if prices are listed as super cheap ($20 USD/day), there are mandatory insurance packages that must be purchased and costs can begin to add up. You also will be responsible for gas. This can be a solid option for those who are ready for the adventure but is not the most cost-effective way to get to Chichén Itzá. The drive from Merida to Chichen Itza takes about 1h 30m.
Take a tour
There is an abundance of tour options departing from Mérida, as Chichén Itzá is the main tourist attraction in the state of Yucatán. You can find a local tour office in the city center, or you can even book one on AirBnB, under their “Experiences.” This again isn’t the most budget-friendly way to get from Mérida to Chichén Itzá, but for the person that doesn’t want to worry about the logistics, this could be the way to go. Tours can cost $70-$100+ and most don’t include the entrance fees to the site.
🌎 Bros Tip: Watch a YouTube video or do some research on your own before visiting and skip the tour guide to save some cash. Talk to the private security working on the site. One of the workers was glad to show us around for 20 minutes and taught us a lot about Chichén Viejo, the red jaguar, and Chacmool statues found in the throne room of the Temple of Kukulcán and the Mayan tree of life.
Take the bus
Finally, for the budget-conscious backpacker, this is a no-brainer. This is the way the Bros found their way from Mérida to Chichén Itzá. The ADO Centro Histórico TAME Bus Station has multiple time slots each day to choose from, although we recommend grabbing one of the earlier buses to avoid the crowds.
- The buses leave roughly every hour starting at 6 am.
- 1st class ADO bus (1h 40m drive each way; 115 pesos/$5.75 USD one way)
- 2nd class Oriente bus (2h 45m drive each way; 58 pesos/$2.90 USD one way)
- Buses on the way back run about once every hour, ending at approx. 5 pm
We took the 2nd class bus and we would recommend it. Sure, it’s an extra hour on the bus, but this is the local bus. It will drive through the small Mayan villages on the way. You will see the locals commuting to work and to visit their families. A man will hop on the bus just to sell a few snacks and get off as soon as he makes his rounds down the aisle.
We were literally the only tourists on this bus and it’s possible you might be too. The driver asked if we were sure we wanted to get on, thinking we made a mistake. This is when you know you’re doing it right!
How much does Chichén Itzá cost?
Tickets to Chichén Itzá as a foreigner cost 533 pesos ($26.65 USD) as of February 2021. The actual ticket costs 453 pesos and there is a federal tax of 80 pesos to bring the total to 533.
What should you bring to Chichén Itzá?
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Food
- Comfortable shoes
- Camera (no tripod unless you have a permit in advance)
- Cash if you want to indulge in the countless souvenir stands
- Don’t be put off by the locals asking you relentlessly to buy something. No it’s not really $1 as they all say, but they are just trying to make a buck. If you aren’t interested, just smile, laugh and give them a “no gracias.” They are selling some pretty sweet stuff!
Traveling to Mexico or Latin America? Check out our posts on:
- 5 Reasons Mérida, Mexico Is A Great Digital Nomad Destination
- The Best Tacos in Mérida
- What You Should Know Before Visiting the Tulum Ruins
- How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal for $5
- An Unexpected Mayan Spiritual Experience in Uxmal
- Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Dzibilchaltún
- What You Can Get for $10 in Mercado Lucas de Galvez
READY TO VISIT CHICHEN ITZA?
**Please note, this post contains affiliate links to products and services. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, which helps us keep the blog up and running.**
14 Comments Add yours