Mérida & the Northwest
Izamal Tours from Mérida
An Izamal tour from Mérida is one of the easiest day trips: about 70 km each way, roughly 1 hour, to the yellow colonial town. Izamal is the yellow town of the peninsula, a quiet colonial centre built around a large convent on top of an older Mayan pyramid base. Send a quote request with your hotel, dates and group size and we can arrange pickup in Mérida.
Izamal tour options from Mérida
From Mérida visitors choose a half day in Izamal, or combine it with a cenote or hacienda. A full day with Chichén Itzá is also possible, and we offer a combo for that. If you are weighing up a Izamal day trip from Mérida, the practical question is how much of the day you want to spend on the road versus at the town.
The Convent of San Antonio de Padua dominates the main square, and the streets around it are painted a uniform yellow. You can walk the arcades, visit the convent atrium, see the Kinich Kakmó pyramid and take a horse-drawn calesa around the town.
- Izamal on its own as a half-day or relaxed full-day trip
- Izamal with a hacienda or cenote stop
- Izamal paired with Chichén Itzá or Valladolid
Pickup times & drive from Mérida
From Mérida we leave via the Periférico and take highway 180 east toward Kantunil, then turn north to Izamal on a short paved road. The road is free of tolls, and the drive is straightforward. A Mérida to Izamal tour is mostly decided by the first hour, so we fix the pickup time around the opening time and the drive.
Izamal is often paired with a hacienda on the way, a cenote near Cuzamá or a visit to Chichén Itzá. On its own it makes a relaxed half day with lunch in town.
| Detail | From Mérida |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 70 km |
| Drive each way | About 1 hour |
| Typical pickup | 8:00–9:00 |
| Back in Mérida | About 14:00–17:00 |
Sample itinerary from Mérida
- 8:30 – Pickup in Mérida
- 9:30 – Arrive in Izamal and walk the yellow streets
- 10:00 – Visit the convent atrium and the market
- 11:00 – Calesa ride around the town
- 12:00 – Visit Kinich Kakmó pyramid
- 13:00 – Lunch in a local restaurant
- 14:30 – Drive back toward Mérida
- 15:30 – Drop-off in Mérida
Prices from Mérida
Izamal is close to Mérida, so prices are lower than for most day trips, and half-day private arrangements are common. For a Izamal tour from Mérida the biggest price drivers are the length of the drive, the number of people and whether entry fees and lunch are bundled.
| Format | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Shared small-group tour | USD 50–80 per person |
| Private vehicle with driver | USD 160–260 per vehicle (up to 4–6 people) |
| Typically extra | Calesa ride, entry to Kinich Kakmó, lunch, tips |
What's included
These are the items we can usually arrange on a Izamal tour from Mérida:
Wandering the town costs nothing; a calesa ride and some site entries are paid separately. Your quote says which extras are included.
- Pickup and drop-off in Mérida at your hotel or an agreed meeting point (where pickup can be arranged)
- Air-conditioned vehicle and a local driver
- A local driver, with a guide for the convent if you request it
- Bottled water on board
- Time to walk the town and have lunch at a local restaurant
Tour vs. going on your own from Mérida
Whether this is the best Izamal tour from Mérida for you depends on who is travelling and how much you value time. Izamal is easy to do on your own with the bus or a rental car, so a tour is mainly about the guide, lunch and combining it with a hacienda or Chichén Itzá.
| Option | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tour or private driver | USD 50–80 shared; USD 160–260 per vehicle | Door to door, with lunch planned |
| Bus | About MXN 80–150 each way | Direct buses from Mérida take about 1.5 hours; limited timetable |
| Rental car | About MXN 900–1,500 per day plus fuel | Easy road, with parking in town |
| Colectivo | Low cost, varies | Cheap, but irregular |
Other day trips from Mérida
FAQs
How early do we leave Mérida?
Pickup is typically 8:00–9:00, and you are back by about 14:00–17:00. Exact times depend on your hotel and the season.
How long should we spend in Izamal?
About 2 to 3 hours for the convent, a calesa ride and lunch, or longer if you add a cenote.
Can we combine Izamal with Chichén Itzá?
Yes, it is a good pairing. Our Izamal and Chichén Itzá trip shows a planned day.
Is Izamal worth a full day?
On its own it suits a half day to a relaxed day. Most visitors pair it with another stop such as Chichén Itzá, a cenote or a hacienda.
Want this trip planned for you?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We check availability with local guides and send back a price.