Calakmul Tours & Day Trips

Calakmul tour options

Calakmul is not a day trip from Mérida. Most itineraries overnight in or near Xpujil, which lets you reach the site at opening. Private tours with a driver are usually the practical choice.

If you are weighing a calakmul day trip against a longer itinerary, the main decision is shared versus private. Small groups cost less per person; a private calakmul tour costs more but allows a flexible start, stops of your choosing and a guide who can focus on what interests you. Searching for Calakmul tours?

• Shared small-group day trip from Mérida
• Private tour with your own driver and guide
• Two-day trip with an overnight near Xpujil and ruins on the way

What's included on a Calakmul tour

Every quote states what is covered.

• Bottled water on board
• Overnight planning near Xpujil
• Entrance fee: shown in your quote as either included or paid on arrival
• Usually not included: meals, tips and souvenirs
• Return transport from Mérida in an air-conditioned van or car
• A local guide for the visit

Sample Calakmul tour itinerary

• Day 1 6:30 Leave Mérida, with a stop at Edzná or Becán
• 15:00 Arrive near Xpujil and check in
• Day 2 6:00 Drive into the reserve
• 8:00 Climb Structure II and walk the plazas
• 11:30 Return to Xpujil for lunch
• 14:00 Drive back to Mérida

Calakmul tour prices

What should you budget? Shared departures to Calakmul typically fall around US$220–320 per person. A private car and guide for two is usually about US$650–900 per day plus lodging, and larger private groups often pay less per head.

Ask for pricing on Calakmul tours for your exact dates.

What you'll see at Calakmul

Structure II is a pyramid about 45 m tall, among the highest in the Maya world, with a stairway up to a platform above the canopy. From the top you see an unbroken green forest, with other temple summits poking through. Structure I and the Great Plaza are close behind.

The site stands inside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, home to spider and howler monkeys, toucans, ocellated turkeys and, if you are lucky, a jaguar. Dozens of carved stelae, many weathered, record the city's rulers and its rivalry with Tikal.

• Structure II
• Structure I and the Great Plaza
• Carved stelae
• Howler and spider monkeys, toucans

Best time to visit Calakmul

Arrive at opening, when wildlife is most active. The dry months from November to April are easiest; the rainy season can make the access road muddy.

Bring repellent, plenty of water and snacks. Services are extremely limited and mobile signal is patchy. Keep these points in mind when you plan Calakmul tours.

Combine Calakmul with nearby sites

Calakmul tour FAQs