Cenote Ring & Izamal
Izamal & Chichén Itzá Tour
An Izamal and Chichén Itzá tour combines the yellow colonial town with the best-known Mayan ruins in one day. They sit on the same highway corridor east of Mérida, so the route is efficient. Request a quote and we can arrange pickup in Mérida.
Izamal & Chichén Itzá Tour: options & departures
This is a good combination for visitors who want culture and ruins on one day, and an Izamal and Chichén Itzá tour covers both. The order matters: we usually do Chichén Itzá first, to beat the midday crowds, and Izamal in the late afternoon.
An Izamal and Chichén Itzá day trip can be shared or private. A private vehicle lets you choose the order, linger in Izamal and avoid the busiest hours at the ruins.
- Shared small-group day with guide and lunch
- Private vehicle with driver and a guide at Chichén Itzá
- Version with Izamal in the morning and Chichén Itzá after lunch
- Version with a cenote swim between the two
Full-day itinerary
A typical day from Mérida looks like this; we can reverse the order on request.
- 7:00 – Hotel pickup in Mérida
- 7:15 – Drive on toll highway 180D
- 9:00 – Arrive at Chichén Itzá and walk the site with your guide
- 11:30 – Swim at a cenote near the ruins
- 12:45 – Lunch near Pisté
- 14:00 – Drive to Izamal
- 15:15 – Walk the town, the convent and the market
- 16:15 – Optional calesa ride
- 16:45 – Drive back to Mérida
- 18:00 – Drop-off in Mérida
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or an agreed meeting point (where pickup can be arranged) in Mérida
- Air-conditioned vehicle and a local driver
- A local guide where the format includes one (language to be confirmed in your quote)
- Bottled water on board
- Time at Chichén Itzá and in Izamal
- A lunch stop
Prices
Prices for an Izamal and Chichén Itzá tour are slightly above a plain Chichén Itzá day, because the route has an extra leg. A private vehicle often costs about the same per person as a shared group for four people.
| Format | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Shared small-group tour | USD 80–125 per person |
| Private vehicle with driver | USD 340–520 per vehicle (up to 4–6 people) |
| Typically extra | Entry fees, calesa ride, lunch and tips |
Why combine these stops
Izamal lies north of Kantunil, only about 75 km from Chichén Itzá, so the two fit one route from Mérida. Going to Chichén Itzá first and Izamal last also suits the light: ruins in the morning, town in the afternoon.
The pairing also contrasts well. Chichén Itzá is the big, famous site, and Izamal is quiet, colonial and walkable. The day ends gently, with a convent and a calesa ride after the heat of the ruins.
What to bring
Bring the basics for a long day:
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (biodegradable if you will swim)
- Cash in pesos for entry fees, snacks and tips
- A refillable water bottle
- Light layers for air-conditioned transport
Related tours
FAQs
How long is the day?
About 11 to 12 hours from Mérida.
Can we do Izamal first?
Yes, but Chichén Itzá gets crowded from late morning, so we usually recommend the ruins first.
Is swimming included?
A cenote stop is optional and is shown in your quote if you choose it.
Is Izamal worth the extra time?
Visitors who like colonial towns and quiet streets usually say yes, and it makes the day more varied.
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.