Exclusive: Early Access to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen with Archaeologist

Nearby Activities

Highlights

Exclusive to
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Family friendly
Lunch included

Overview

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Chichen Itza, Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula

Start your day trip with an early morning departure, making sure you don’t miss the chance to be one of the first visitors of the day to explore the wonders of Chichen Itza, the ancient capital of the Mayan Empire. With essential background knowledge provided by a specialized archeologist guide just for you and your group, you’ll easily imagine how the Mayans once inhabited this city.
As you wander through the well-preserved ruins in relative peace and quiet, learn how Chichen Itza played a pivotal role in Mayan society from around 600 to 1200 AD and endured as a base of worship and pilgrimage until the Spanish landed. The Maya people of the Yucatan Peninsula today still regard Chichen Itza, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as a sacred place.
Listen to your guide about how archeologists unearthed the abandoned site, buried over time by the jungle, and how their discoveries provided Chichen Itza with UNESCO status. With your guide’s presentation of Mayan mythology, philosophy and cosmology, gain a deep understanding of the meaning behind the stone carvings, platforms, ball courts and staircases. Then see the famous ruins with a new perspective.
Make your way through the observatory and the Temple of the Warriors. You’ll of course visit the legendary Kukulcan Pyramid, also referred to as El Castillo, a four-sided structure constructed with a keen knowledge of astronomy. Your guide will explain that during equinox on a clear day, a snake slithers down the pyramid stairs, which is actually a shadow created by the setting sun.
Stand on one of the platforms at the colossal ball court where Mayans played sports, and have another person from your group whisper from 150 feet (46 meters) away. You’ll be surprised to hear every word. This acoustical engineering feat of the Mayans is not entirely understood even today.
After your tour, ride back to Playa del Carmen and return mid-afternoon. With this Exclusive, your early morning visit to Chichen Itza allows you to explore the site before the crowds so you can enjoy the rest of your day on the beach.

Duration: 2 hours

Information

Includes:

Round transportation
Bilingual guide
Box Lunch (includes a baguette, a boxed juice and a pack of cookies)
Entry/Admission - Chichen Itza

Excludes:

Optional gratuities
Souvenirs or pictures
Drinks
Your booking does not include a local tax ($23 USD) per person This tax must be paid in the ticket office, also the tour operator will sell these tickets prior arrival to expedite the entrance to the site. In case that you are Mexican you will have a discount in this tax if you present an official ID, if you do not carry this ID you will have to pay the tax.

Additional Info:

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
It is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes
Note: An additional fee is required for the use of video camera at the site. The fee is between $10USD to $25USD (depending on the device) and must be paid directly on site on the day of the tour
Please note that effective February 1st 2019 until December 31st 2019 all visitors to Chichen Itza will need to pay a local tax of $406 mxn. This amount is subject to change for bookings in 2020.