Chichén Itzá Early Access Guided Tour

Beat the crowds with early access to Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its iconic ruins with a guide.

Getting started

Your journey begins with a convenient pick-up from Cancun or Riviera Maya. Travel comfortably to Chichén Itzá, where you’ll enter before regular opening hours, ensuring a peaceful experience with minimal crowds.

What to expect

Chichén Itzá: Discover the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, one of the World's New Seven Wonders. This UNESCO-listed site showcases the Mayan civilization's architectural brilliance and astronomical knowledge.

Exploring with a guide: Your expert guide will bring the ruins to life and share fascinating stories about the city’s history, culture, and significance in Mayan society.

Features

El Castillo Pyramid (Temple of Kukulkan): A towering step pyramid demonstrating advanced Mayan engineering and astronomical precision.

The Great Ball Court: The largest in Mesoamerica, where Mayan athletes once played ritualistic ball games.

Temple of the Warriors: A complex adorned with intricate carvings and warrior statues.

Sacred Cenotes: Natural sinkholes believed to have been used for rituals and sacrifices.

Extras

Transfers: Round-trip transportation is provided, with options for hotel pick-up if selected.

Buffet lunch: You'll stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a buffet lunch with regional delicacies if you book the hotel pick-up option.

Wrapping up

After your guided exploration, you'll be transported back to your hotel or drop-off point, allowing you to relax and reflect on your journey into Mayan history.

Chichén Itzá Early Access Guided Tour

Discover Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, on this early access guided tour that includes exclusive pre-dawn entry to explore its ancient wonders peacefully before the crowds arrive. The tour covers key landmarks such as El Castillo Pyramid, the Great Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, and the Sacred Cenote. With a duration of 4 hours, it offers audio guides in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin), Portuguese, and Swedish. The tour departs from Cancun or Playa del Carmen with hotel pick-up options available. You will visit Chichén Itzá before sunrise to capture stunning photos of the El Castillo Pyramid at dawn, explore the Great Ball Court, which is the largest in Mesoamerica measuring 168 meters long and 70 meters wide, and delve into the history of the Temple of the Warriors with its intricate carvings and columns. The Sacred Cenote, a natural sinkhole used for sacrificial offerings by ancient Mayans, adds another layer of mystery to your visit. This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, archaeology buffs, and photography lovers who want to experience Chichén Itzá’s rich cultural heritage in peace.

Explore El Castillo Pyramid

Your tour stops at the iconic El Castillo Pyramid where you will uncover its architectural significance and astronomical importance. Built around 600 AD by the Maya civilization, this pyramid stands tall at 24 meters high with each side measuring approximately 55 meters long. The pyramid features four staircases leading to a temple on top, each containing 91 steps plus one for the platform at the summit, totaling 365 steps representing the days of the solar year. El Castillo is renowned for its alignment with celestial events such as the equinoxes and solstices when shadows form serpentine shapes along the staircases, symbolizing the descent of Kukulcan (the Feathered Serpent deity). Visitors spend about 30 minutes here taking in the grandeur and learning about the pyramid's historical significance. Unlike other Mayan pyramids that were primarily used as tombs or temples for rulers, El Castillo is unique due to its precise astronomical alignments and ceremonial purposes.

Discover the Great Ball Court

The tour continues at the Great Ball Court, Mesoamerica’s largest ball court measuring 168 meters long and 70 meters wide. This ancient venue was not only used for ritual games but also served as a place for political events and ceremonies. Constructed around the same time as El Castillo in the early Classic period (c. AD 250-900), it features two stone walls with rings at the top, which were integral to the game’s rules. The ball court holds historical significance due to its role in Mayan social and political life. Visitors spend about 45 minutes here learning about the ball game's importance and watching demonstrations of how it was played. Unlike other smaller ball courts scattered throughout Mesoamerica, the Great Ball Court at Chichén Itzá is unique because of its sheer size and intricate carvings depicting scenes from Mayan mythology.

Visit Temple of the Warriors

At the Temple of the Warriors, guests can explore one of the most impressive architectural complexes in Mesoamerica. Built around 1000 AD, this temple features a central pyramid surrounded by numerous columns arranged like a grid, symbolizing military strength and power. Each column is intricately carved with warriors, serpents, and other mythological figures. The temple complex covers an area of approximately 3 acres, making it one of the largest structures in Chichén Itzá. Visitors spend about 20 minutes here learning about the historical context of the structure, including its role as a ceremonial site for military leaders. Unlike other temples that focus solely on religious or astronomical purposes, the Temple of the Warriors is unique due to its dual purpose as both a sacred space and a symbol of power.

Witness the Sacred Cenote

The tour concludes at the Sacred Cenote, a natural sinkhole used for sacrificial offerings by ancient Mayans. Located near the center of Chichén Itzá’s ceremonial complex, this cenote measures about 60 meters in diameter and reaches depths of over 25 meters. Excavations have uncovered thousands of artifacts including gold, jade, pottery, and human remains dating back to the Late Classic period (c. AD 600-900). Visitors spend approximately 15 minutes here learning about the rituals and beliefs surrounding the cenote’s use in Mayan society. Unlike other cenotes that served primarily as water sources or natural swimming pools, the Sacred Cenote is unique due to its sacred significance and historical importance.

Tour Highlights

• Enjoy early access at Chichén Itzá before sunrise
• Explore El Castillo Pyramid with audio guide in 12 languages
• Visit the Great Ball Court, largest in Mesoamerica
• Discover Temple of the Warriors and its intricate carvings
• Witness Sacred Cenote, a natural sinkhole used for sacrifices
• Take stunning photos at sunrise before crowds arrive
• Hotel pick-up available from Cancun or Playa del Carmen
• Learn about Chichén Itzá’s astronomical significance and history

Perfect for history enthusiasts, archaeology buffs, and photography lovers, this early access guided tour provides a unique opportunity to explore Chichén Itzá’s rich cultural heritage in peace. The 4-hour format allows you to delve into the mysteries of El Castillo Pyramid, marvel at the Great Ball Court's grandeur, uncover the secrets of the Temple of the Warriors, and reflect on the sacred significance of the Sacred Cenote. This tour offers a comprehensive understanding of Chichén Itzá’s historical importance while providing ample time for photography and contemplation.