How to Get to Chichen Itza from Merida: Three Ways

Posted 02/04/2024 | 2nd April, 2024

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Chichen Itza is not only one of the best things to do in Merida, but also one of the must-see attractions in Mexico.

I loved my day trip to Chichen Itza and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to access without a tour! This guide will cover three different ways to access the fantastic site:

🚎 The Merida to Chichen Itza bus is an excellent budget-friendly DIY option.

🚍 Taking a Chichen Itza Tour is ideal for those who don’t enjoy organisation and have a bigger budget.

🚗Driving to Chichen Itza is another budget-friendly option for those who like to explore at their own pace.

If you’re looking for other cool things to do in Merida, be sure to check out my guide to the Homun Cenotes and, in particular, the Santa Barbara Cenotes.

Note: I met many other travellers who had avoided Chichen Itza due to its price tag (expensive in comparison to other Mexican attractions) and the large crowds. However, the site certainly didn’t disappoint, and I would not miss it from your Mexican itinerary.

Table of Contents

What is Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza is a famous archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

It was one of the largest cities in ancient Mayan civilisation and is now recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Chichen Itza was a major political, economic, and cultural centre during the height of the Mayan civilisation, flourishing between the 7th and 10th centuries AD.

The site is renowned for its impressive architectural structures, including the iconic El Castillo (also known as the Temple of Kukulcan), a step pyramid that served as a temple to the Mayan feathered serpent god Kukulcan.

El Castillo is known for its unique design, which aligns with the movements of the sun during the spring and fall equinoxes, creating the illusion of a serpent descending down the pyramid’s staircase.

Other notable structures at Chichen Itza include the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, the Group of the Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote (a natural sinkhole used for ceremonial purposes).

The Sacred Cenote is very interesting as it is unlike any other cenotes you will find in the peninsular, much more untouched and darker in colour – certainly not appropriate for swimming!

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts thousands of visitors each year who marvel at its ancient ruins and learn about the rich history and culture of the Mayan civilisation.

Where is Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Specifically, it is situated in the eastern part of Yucatan, near Piste.

The site is approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Merida, the capital of Yucatan.

Chichen Itza’s central location on the Yucatan Peninsula makes it easily accessible for visitors coming from various parts of Mexico.

Option 1: Merida to Chichen Itza: DIY Style

If you’re not into tours, fear not; you can easily access Chichen Itza from Merida.

You can simply take the ADO or the Oriente bus from the central station in Merida.

If you’re unfamiliar with the companies, ADO is a reliable ‘first class’ bus service running throughout Mexico.

Oriente is a second-class service that runs along many similar routes. ADO services are undeniably more luxurious, but the Oriente buses are comfortable and pleasant enough for the short journey.

Note: The ADO bus takes around two hours to reach Chichen Itza from Merida, the Oriente bus takes around one hour longer.

Bus From Merida to Chicken Itza

The ADO bus that works this route is not the regular large coach but a smaller minibus that fits around 16 people. Because of this, these buses book up very quickly. If this is the route you would like to take, I recommend booking at least one week in advance.

You can do so through the ADO website. I have had many difficulties with this website (it often crashes or refuses to load), so allow a little time to do so.

The Oriente bus tickets can be purchased at the counter on the day. There are often long queues, so I recommend getting there early to ensure you can get on time for the bus.

Return Journey from Chichen Itza to Merida

You can then pre-book your ADO ticket for the return journey. Again, I recommend doing this well in advance as the tickets book up quickly.

Alternatively, you can buy your return Oriente ticket at the bus ticket office inside the Chichen Itza main building. However, please beware of the times, as on the day I visited, this only ran three times per day.

For reference, we arrived around 9.15 am and left around 12.30 pm, which felt like enough time to enjoy the site.

However, I thoroughly recommend visiting Valladolid as part of your Chichen Itza day trip, which is very easily accessible. (More on that further down).

Option 2: Chichen Itza Tours From Merida

The easiest (but most expensive) way to see Chichen Itza is through a tour. These are a fun, stress-free way to meet people and are a great option if you want to see multiple things in one day.

Here are some great options:

Guided tour to Chichen Itza, Izamal & Cenote

Private tour of Chichén Itzá, Valladolid & Spa Cave

Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil, and Izamal Tour

Option 3: Driving From Merida to Chichen Itza

Driving from Merida to Chichen Itza is extremely popular, with many tourists taking this route daily. Depending on traffic, it takes around two hours, and once out of Merida city, visitors simply need to take Highway 180.

There are several small parking lots along the road into Merida, with staff members waving flags to signify space.

The biggest benefit to driving from Merida to Chichen Itza is that you can work exactly to your own schedule. Therefore, I recommend getting there for the 8am opening time to avoid the crowds!

Entrance Fee to Chichen Itza

As you can see from the image below, the total cost for foreigners to enter Chichen Itza is $643 MXN.

This is separated into two payments: the state payment of $548 MXN, and the federal payment of $95 MXN.

Strangely, these have to be paid separately at two different windows. The first payment can be made via card, but the federal payment must be made in cash.

Note: On Sunday, Chichen Itza is free for Mexicans and residents. Therefore, expect substantially busier crowds.

Visiting Valladolid From Chichen Itza

I thoroughly recommend visiting Valladolid on the same day. Valladolid is a beautiful small town with gorgeous colonial architecture.

There isn’t a huge amount going on here, but there are beautiful buildings and a spectacular church in the main square. Importantly, there are also some fantastic ice cream shops (vital in the hot Yucatan climate!).

Getting between Chichen Itza and Valladolid couldn’t be easier, with two main options.

The first option is to take the colectivo. This departs from the top of the bus car park and costs $40 MXN per person. The colectivos arrive roughly every twenty minutes and depart once full.

The second option is to take the Oriente bus. Again, this costs $40 MXN but isn’t as frequent. You should check at the ticket office for the next departure, then choose the option that best suits your needs.

The drive between Chichen Itza takes around 45 minutes.

The journey from Valladolid to Merida takes around two and a half hours, with busses running frequently throughout the day.