Chichén Itzá, a cenote, and colonial Valladolid are the three things most travelers hope to see in the Yucatán, and this boutique day trip brings all three together in one unhurried outing from Playa del Carmen.
Your day starts at 7:30am at Lara&Luca, where you’ll meet your small group (up to 12 travelers) and your federally licensed, multilingual guide before heading inland in our own air-conditioned van. Along the way, your guide sets the stage with the history of the Maya civilization, so that by the time you reach Chichén Itzá, you’re ready to explore it, not just look at it.
Thanks to our early departure, we arrive well ahead of the large tour groups, while the site is still calm and the air is cooler. Inside the archaeological site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted one of the New7Wonders of the World, your visit begins at the Sacred Cenote; from there, your guide leads you to the great pyramid, the largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica and the Temple of the Warriors, bringing each one to life with real history along the way.
From there, it’s a short drive to Cenote Saamal, inside the Selva Maya hacienda near Valladolid, for a swim in clear, spring-fed water, followed by a hearty regional buffet lunch with a drink included, served right on the hacienda grounds.
The afternoon closes with a guided walk through Valladolid’s colorful colonial streets, past the Church of San Servacio and, more often than not, traditional dances in the main square, with time for photos or a taste of the city’s famous lime sorbet.
What sets this experience apart:
An early start that gets you to Chichén Itzá before the crowds.
A genuinely small group instead of a 40-seat bus, and zero souvenir-shop detours.
Everything included up front (entrance tickets, cenote access, lunch and a drink, transportation and guide), with no surprises added later.
Federally licensed guides, with a Maya-heritage guide available on request.
An eco-conscious operation throughout, with no single-use plastic allowed inside the archaeological site.
The full day runs about 10 hours, and bookings are available from 2 guests.
Prefer it just for your own group? The private-tour option, for up to 24 guests, includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb anywhere in Playa del Carmen.
*On shared tours, hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an additional fee, as can pickup for private tours outside Playa del Carmen.
Soul Experiences Mexico: authentic adventures with local soul.
Inclusions
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Parking fees
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Entry tax
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Food & drinks
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Entry or admission fee
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Round-trip transportation from Lara&Luca in Playa del Carmen in our own air-conditioned van
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Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb within Playa del Carmen (private tours)
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A federally licensed, multilingual guide for the entire day
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Chichén Itzá entrance ticket, including all federal and state government fees
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Entrance to Cenote Saamal, plus life vest and locker use
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A hearty regional buffet lunch with one drink included, served on the hacienda grounds
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A guided walking tour of Valladolid’s historic center
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Bottled water throughout the day
Exclusions
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Tip or gratuity
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Gratuities for your guide and driver (optional, but always appreciated)
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Personal expenses, such as souvenirs, snacks or Valladolid’s famous lime sorbet
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Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off for shared tours (available on request for an additional fee)
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Pickup and drop-off outside Playa del Carmen (available on request for an additional fee)
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A Maya-heritage guide, if requested in place of the standard federally licensed guide (available for an additional fee)
Please Note
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Yucatán runs one hour behind Quintana Roo; that’s why a 7:30 AM departure from Playa del Carmen still gets you to Chichén Itzá at a comfortably early hour; your guide keeps track of this all day.
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Shared departures are small groups of up to 12 guests, with bookings available from 2 guests; a private-tour option is available for up to 24 guests if you’d rather book the whole van for your own group.
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Private tours include pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb within Playa del Carmen; pickup from other areas is available at an extra charge. Shared tours meet at Lara&Luca in Playa del Carmen, with free and safe parking for those arriving by car; hotel pickup for shared tours is available at an extra charge.
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No shopping or souvenir-store stops; the day is spent at Chichén Itzá, the cenote and Valladolid, not in gift shops.
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This is an active, walking-intensive day on uneven, sun-exposed terrain, including ancient stone steps and pathways; comfortable footwear is essential, and it may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.
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Guides are federally licensed and multilingual (Spanish, English and Italian); other languages and a Maya-heritage guide can be arranged on request, subject to availability and an additional fee.
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Eco-conscious operation: single-use plastic bottles are not allowed inside the archaeological site, so please bring a reusable bottle. Eco-friendly insect repellent is recommended; sunscreen is not allowed in the cenote, to protect the water, so a rashguard or quick-dry T-shirt is the best sun protection.
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What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and a hat, a reusable water bottle, swimsuit, towel and a change of dry clothes, and cash for tips or personal purchases.
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Traveling solo? Please contact us on WhatsApp at +52 984 276 4051 before booking and we will check availability to join a group.
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Minimum age is 8 years, as this is a long and active day. Traveling with younger children? Please contact us on WhatsApp at +52 984 276 4051 before booking, and we can look at a private option for your family.
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What do I need to bring?
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Comfortable walking shoes (there’s a fair amount of walking on uneven, sun-exposed terrain)
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Light, comfortable clothing and a hat for sun protection
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A reusable water bottle (single-use plastic bottles aren’t allowed inside the archaeological site)
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Swimsuit, a towel, and a change of dry clothes for after the cenote
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Eco-friendly insect repellent; sunscreen is not allowed in the cenote, to protect the water, so a rashguard or quick-dry T-shirt works well instead
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Cash, for tips or any personal purchases along the way (souvenirs, Valladolid’s famous lime sorbet, etc.)
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Optional: a small backpack for your towel and change of clothes
Cancellation Policy
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Free cancellation up to 3 days in advance for a full refund on eligible bookings.
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