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Viator Exclusive:Early Access to Chichen Itza with Archaeologist

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Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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10 hours  (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 1 more

Overview

Escape multitudes of tourists on a tranquil full-day tour of Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmel. Experience one of the world’s wonders without the noise and hassle of crowds on this early access Viator Exclusive tour. Follow a certified archeological guide on an ancient adventure to sacred cenotes, colossal pyramids and a vast ball court. Visualize the prosperous Mayan empire as you gain insight into one of the ancient world’s most powerful civilizations with captivating commentary from your knowledgeable guide.
  • Enjoy early access to Chichen Itza with an expert archeologist guide
  • Skip the crowds at this World Heritage site, and visit parts of the ruins that other tours don't include
  • See the Kukulkan Pyramid, ball court and sacred cenote
  • Learn about the mysteries surrounding the site and experience its majesty with your specialized guide
  • This Viator Exclusive can't be booked anywhere else, so don't miss out!

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This Viator exclusive tour allows you to visit Chichen Itza before the hordes of tourists pour in.
Rise early and depart from your Playa del Carmen hotel in a comfortable and air-conditioned minivan. Arrive at the colossal Chichen Itza, the ancient capital of the Mayan empire, and follow your guide as you begin your archeological adventure through the atmospheric ruins.

Wander through the perfectly preserved ruins in relative solitude, listening to the insightful background information provided by your expert guide. Learn of Chichen Itza’s pivotal role in Mayan society, and why it is still considered a scared place of worship today.

Discover the intricate processes undergone to unearth and excavate the magnificent monuments of the site, learning about how archeological discoveries provided Chichen Itza with UNESCO World Heritage status. In the context of history, philosophy and cosmology, the symmetrical staircases and intricate carvings of the ruins will suddenly become clear.

Gaze upwards at the legendary Kulkulcan Pyramid, or El Castillo, a sight you’re sure to recognize as one of Mexico’s most famous. Gain insight into the astronomical knowledge that influenced the construction of the temple. 

Venture to the sacred cenote, passing lush jungle and awakening your senses to the call of exotic birds and the eerie resonance of jaguar whistles. Peer down at the natural sinkhole, listening as your guide explains that the pool was used as a sacrificial site in the past. Archeologists recently unearthed human skeletons and jewelry to confirm the gruesome purpose of this natural wonder.

Conclude your tour by visiting the enigmatic ball court, whose acoustics continue to mystify scientific experts. Stand 150 feet (46 meters) from someone on the opposite side of the ball court and hear their whispers loud and clear.

After your enlightening experience, start your journey back to Playa del Carmen. Conclude your early access tour way before the day is out so you can spend the afternoon relaxing on the blissful beach.

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Reviews

4.5
372 Reviews
5 Star
238
4 Star
74
3 Star
28
2 Star
15
1 Star
17
Reviews by Viator travelers
Early morning start is recommended
Sherpa298007
, Oct 2019
We arrived to Chichen Itzhak at 8 AM just when it opened. It allowed us to visit the sites almost alone and having the time and quite to really enjoy it. Marco, the guide from Amigo, was excellent. We’ll spoken in English and Spanish, patients, with sense of humor and attentive to the group.
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Response from Host , Oct 2019
Hello, Thank you for your comments, it is great for us to know you had a wonderful time with us. We work every day to provide the best service to all our clients because we love what we do. We hope you to come back soon. Best regards, Amigo Group
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Early access is the way to go
colingfranks
, Sep 2019
Early access is definitely the way to go, it's still hot, but somewhat more bearable and with far fewer people.  Our guide Marco was fantastic, he engaged the whole group, was informative, had a good sense of humour and you can tell he enjoys what he does.  Raphael kept the rubber on the road and allowed us to sleep away the 2 1/2 hour trip there which was much needed after waking up at 4 a.m. ( I also slept the way back, cause I was up at 4 a.m.).  This was my second visit to Chichen Itza and like many people I wanted more time, there is so much to see and after the two hour guided tour and one hour of exploration you still haven't seen it all.  First timers should definitely take the tour, but I would suggest a second visit (early access) where you leave the tour and wander around on your own, then meet up again for departure. Gracias!
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Response from Host , Sep 2019
Hello, Thank you for your comments, it is great for us to know you had a wonderful time with us. We work every day to provide the best service to all our clients because we love what we do. We hope you to come back soon. Best regards, Amigo Group
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Early but worth it!
Mjreis2019
, Sep 2019
I was picked up at my hotel at 4:40am. Which for me does not exist as a time. But the nice thing is I slept on the bus the whole way there. We met our guide, Marco, who was a Spanish/English guide. You could tell right away he loved his job and was excited to be giving this tour and every tour he does. We got there before any other tour company which is a huge blessing. When we left at 11 there was already an enormous line to get in as the site itself was filling up as was the temperature.
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Response from Host , Sep 2019
Hello, Thank you for your comments, it is great for us to know you had a wonderful time with us. We work every day to provide the best service to all our clients because we love what we do. We hope you to come back soon. Best regards, Amigo Group
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Another awful tour with Amigo Tours
Seaside783396
, Sep 2019
Only benefit from going with this tour is that you have an early pick-up and you're early at the Chichen Itza. We doubt the guide was an archeologist. He wouldn't stop talking about the vendors at the site, that in his opinion sold cheap souvenirs. No, we would go to a real authentic Mayan village and he said we had the oppurtunity you give something back to the community. It wasn't mentioned in the tour description, but it sounded promising. Had to pay 46 dollars for a so called tax, didn't get a receipt. Actually, we think it was the entrance fee. We payed him 60 dollars since we didn't had any change. He said he would give us back the change , but only did this when I asked him to give our change back. At the site, we were taking pictures when all of the sudden we didn't see the guide anymore. He lost us! We've made our own walk at the site, but had no apologies. On our way back to Playa del Carmen we had the stop at the "Mayan Village". Not a Mayan Village at all, but a souvenir shop from the tour operator with the same non-authentic souvenirs as were sold on the site. We had to wait here for 40 minutes and got our lunch box. Then we were taken back to Playa Del Carmen: the tour guide was sleeping all the way back. We thought we would be dropped off safely in front of the lobby of the hotel. Instead of that, we were dropped off before the security gates and..the guide in the bus didn't even looked up from his phone to say goodbye to us. He was too busy texting. When we got out of the bus, we almost got hit by another bus, because it's a busy road heading up to the hotel. Security guard luckily told us too be careful. Day after this we did another tour with Amigos Tours, and we were treated the same awfull way. Don't go with Amigo Tours. We've did another tour to Sian Kaan with another tour operator and they were amazing!
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Great experience!
WilkoT1
, Aug 2019
Easily booked online, positive experience. Good communication through e-mail. On time pick-up at Playa del Carmen, comfortable bus. Bus change near Cancún, which could have offered more spacious for the legs. Good and enthusiastic explanation from guide Marco (but quality of microphone/audio should be improved). Gathering and instruction at entrance were good and clear. Quick access. The next 3 hours were great, thanks to guide Marco. He already does this tour 26 years, but he told this stories and information with such passion and enthusiasm, it might as well have been his first day at work. Marco's information and stories made our day. He creates, inspires and involves. He tells it in a way that, when you close your eyes, you could see all ancient characters right in front of you. On the way back to Playa del Carmen we passed a Mayan village (with large souvenir shop), which is not a direct extra value to the tour, but understandable for the local people's income. In short: do this early tour and make sure your group is guided by Marco, he will not dissapoint! @Marco (if you read this), Muchissimas gracias from Greta and Wilko from the Netherlands (tour 01/08).
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Amazing Experience!
lauralopez2019
, Aug 2019
This experience was amazing and 10 out of 10! Out tour/archeologist was Marco and he was superb! Loved how he gave us tips when it came to souvenirs and his recommendations in regards to supporting the Mayan communities. When I’m on vacation it’s important for me to purchase authentic goods made locally. Overall visiting Chichén Itzá was something fenomenal!!! I highly HIGHLY recommend doing the early tour, it’s worth getting up at the crack of dawn as you avoid the heat and the crowds!
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Great Tour
Asif A
, Aug 2019
This tour was a great experience. Going early is well worth it to beat the rush and heat. Our guide Frank was very informative and passionate about Mayan history and culture and added a lot to the experience. Would recommend highly.
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Early access was the best way to see this site
ALorains
, Jul 2019
It was an early start from Playa del Carmen but so worth it!! We were in before the crowds and had plenty of time to explore before it got too busy. Leo was a great driver Frank was a wonderful guide who explained things clearly and was so knowledgable. Really the best way to see this site. Would highly recommend to anybody wanting to see this wonder of the world!
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Early morning worth it
J2498DAthomasw
, Jul 2019
Best Excursion with Frank, Go early as you need to beat the queue and midday heat. Found the tour full of true facts as my partner and I love to hear about the true way of life not the sugar coated false images. Frank would openly tell you, and made it so interesting. If you want to understand the true Mayan culture, it’s the best tour for it. Also we got taken to a little stop after the tour where they give you a blessing and take you to a small family shop where there was so many beautiful crafts at cheap prices that we was in our element. I would recommend this tour to everyone and well worth the early morning alarm clock.
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Great day, early access is the way to go
Kathrynv181
, Jul 2019
I took this tour in late April, Frank was our guide and did a great job. He provided a great deal of historical info, and was pleasant throughout. It gets hot at Chichen Itza, it was great to get there early and beat the heat and crowds. Kudos to the driver too, he picked everyone up from multiple locations for the long drive from the coast. We saw everything listed and never felt rushed. Great tour.
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