Chichen Itza and Ek Balam Tour, Private Day
From $243 per person · Private · 12 to 14 hours
At 10 guests; $2,429 per group. Two guests: $1,119 for the group. Published group tiers; confirm pickup availability.
Premium vehicle from $282 per person · $2,819 per group at 10 guests
Included: Private transport, guides, both ruins, cenote and buffet lunch with one drink.
Not included: Tips, alcoholic drinks and souvenirs; ask about cenote lockers.
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Our Chichen Itza and Ek Balam tour is a private day for 2 to 10 guests. You see Chichen Itza in the morning, swim in a cenote, enjoy a buffet lunch and explore Ek Balam in the afternoon. Two guests pay $1,119 for the group.
Both entrances, transport and lunch with one drink are covered. Gratuities and alcoholic drinks are extra.
- Price
- From $243 per person; $1,119 for two guests
- Day length
- About 12 to 14 hours door to door from Cancun
- Group
- Private, up to 10 guests
- Pickup
- Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or the Riviera Maya; Merida on request
- Guide
- Certified bilingual guiding; English or Spanish
Chichen Itza is one hour behind Cancun; times below say which clock they use.
By Maya Explorer Tours editorial team · Last updated
Chichen Itza and Ek Balam tour prices
The standard vehicle costs $1,119 for two guests and $2,429 for ten, from $243 per person. The premium vehicle costs $1,759 for two and $2,819 for ten.
Find your number of travelers below. About per person is the group total divided by your travelers, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Standard private vehicle
| Travelers | Total for group | About per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1,119 | $560 |
| 3 | $1,639 | $546 |
| 4 | $1,639 | $410 |
| 5 | $1,869 | $374 |
| 6 | $1,869 | $312 |
| 7 | $2,139 | $306 |
| 8 | $2,139 | $267 |
| 9 | $2,429 | $270 |
| 10 | $2,429 | $243 |
Premium vehicle upgrade
| Travelers | Total for group | About per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1,759 | $880 |
| 3 | $1,979 | $660 |
| 4 | $1,979 | $495 |
| 5 | $2,249 | $450 |
| 6 | $2,249 | $375 |
| 7 | $2,549 | $364 |
| 8 | $2,549 | $319 |
| 9 | $2,819 | $313 |
| 10 | $2,819 | $282 |
Both vehicles follow the same two-site day. These prices apply from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya. Merida and groups larger than ten need their own quote.
Why visit both Chichen Itza and Ek Balam
Two Maya cities in one day show you two very different sides of Maya art and building.
- Chichen Itza: the famous pyramid, the Great Plaza and the Great Ball Court.
- Ek Balam: a smaller city known for the carved stucco figures on its Acropolis.
- A cenote swim and a Yucatecan buffet lunch between the two.
We visit Chichen Itza first, near opening, so the longer walk happens before the afternoon drive. Choose this day if seeing both sites matters more than a short day.
Day plan: two ruins, a cenote and lunch
The two-site day starts with hotel pickup at 6:30 a.m. (Cancun time). Traffic can change these times, and queues can delay entry.
6:30 a.m. (Cancun time): Early hotel pickup
An early start fits two sites into one day. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Pickup is later from Merida.
8:00 to 10:30 a.m. (Chichen Itza time): Guided visit of Chichen Itza
You arrive around the normal 8:00 a.m. opening. Your guide leads you through the Great Plaza, El Castillo and the Great Ball Court.
11:00 a.m. (Chichen Itza time): Cenote swim
Swim at the cenote confirmed in your booking. Life jackets are provided.
12:15 p.m. (Chichen Itza time): Yucatecan buffet lunch
Refuel with regional dishes and one drink before the afternoon stop.
2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (Chichen Itza time): Ek Balam
Drive about an hour, past Valladolid, to Ek Balam. Explore the Acropolis and its carved stucco figures.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Cancun time): Back at your hotel
Ek Balam is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Cancun. Your return depends on your hotel.
Allow about 12 to 14 hours door to door from Cancun. Return times are estimates.
Private and luxury tours are customizable. Your itinerary, pickup time and schedule can be adjusted to your group's pace.
The Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza
What's included in the two-site day
Your price covers both ruins, the cenote, lunch and your private transport.
- Private vehicle with driver, fuel, tolls and parking
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Certified bilingual guiding
- Chichen Itza entrance tickets, state and federal
- Ek Balam entrance tickets
- Cenote entrance and swim with life jackets
- Yucatecan buffet lunch with one drink
- Bottled water and snacks are included in all private vehicles.
- All applicable taxes
On private tours, your driver is also a guide. A separate local guide leads your visit at each archaeological site, including Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and Tulum.
No hidden costs on private tours. You don't need separate entrance tickets. For site hours, see our entrance fees and opening hours guide.
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Souvenirs
- Lockers at the cenote (not listed; ask if you need one)
Gratuities are not included on the luxury and Ek Balam tours.
Walking and climbing rules
Expect more walking than on a single-site tour, across two archaeological sites.
You can climb Ek Balam's main pyramid, the Acropolis. The stone steps are steep, with a rope down the middle to hold. INAH sets the rules and can close the climb for weather, maintenance or safety, so we confirm on the day. Wear shoes with grip and take the steps slowly, especially on the way down.
Private pacing lets you shorten stops and take breaks. Tell us about walking limits, and we check whether the full route suits your group.
Kids, strollers and safety
Private tours use insured vehicles, a licensed guide and driver, seat belts and child seats.
Travelling with a stroller or wheelchair? Tell us your requirements when you book and we arrange the tour around them. Tell us at booking about children's ages, mobility needs, dietary needs or a preferred pickup time, and we arrange the tour around your group.
What to bring
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat or cap, long sleeves, water shoes, dry clothes for after the cenote, cash for drinks, insect repellent, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen only; follow each cenote's rules.
Add swimwear for the cenote and cash for tips. Ask about ID requirements when you book.
Rules at the site
Not allowed at Chichen Itza: cigarettes and vapes, drones, country or team flags and company signs, toys, drugs, speakers, glass bottles, backpacks, and laser pointers. Climbing the temples is not allowed. Pets are not allowed; medical or emotional-support animals need arrangements days before the tour. Site rules can change; confirm on the day.
Is the Chichen Itza and Ek Balam tour worth it?
The two-site tour is worth it if you enjoy ruins and can handle a long day.
It suits active travelers, history lovers and families with older children. Want a shorter day, less walking or more downtime for young kids? Choose a single-site tour instead.
Planning Ek Balam on its own? Read our Ek Balam guide.
Private: your own vehicle, guide and pace. Shared bus: the lowest price and a Valladolid stop. Small group: up to 12 guests and a morning visit, without Valladolid.
Compare other private tours
Couples, families and friends who want their own vehicle and guide, with time for questions and agreed breaks. Choose this day for flexibility rather than premium hospitality. A shared departure may suit you better if keeping the per-person price down matters more than a private pace.
Couples, honeymooners, families and celebration trips who want comfort, fine dining and a private pace. Choose the standard private tour if a hacienda lunch and premium vehicle are not priorities.
Pickup from Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Merida
We pick you up at your hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or the Riviera Maya.
Merida is on request. Allow roughly 1.5 hours for the first drive, and we confirm the Merida price and schedule separately.
Pickup guides by area
About 2.5 hours direct each way.
Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen
Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours direct each way.
Hotel and route-specific estimate each way.
Chichen Itza from Riviera Maya
Depends on the resort and collection route each way.
About 1.5 hours is a planning estimate; confirm route each way.
How to book and pay
Send us your date and hotel on WhatsApp, and we confirm your price before you pay.
- Send your date, exact hotel and the number of adults and children, with children's ages.
- Tell us standard or premium vehicle, your guide language and any food, swimming or walking needs.
- We check availability, your pickup time, the cenote and the full price. Your inquiry does not reserve the tour.
- Pay in 2 steps: a deposit before the tour to confirm, then the balance on the tour day. Reconfirm pickup the day before.
A souvenir stop is optional, with no pressure to buy. Have a flight afterward? Share the time, since this is a long day.
Read the full cancellation policy before you pay.
Why book Chichen Itza and Ek Balam with us
Tolls, entrance and snacks in the price
Your private price covers tolls, parking, fuel, taxes, Chichen Itza and cenote entrance, bottled water and snacks.
Your route, pickup time and pace
Set them with us when you book, so the day fits your group.
A driver-guide plus a site guide
Your driver also guides you on the road, and a local guide leads each archaeological site.
Insured transport
Local certified guides, archaeologist expertise and insured vehicles on every private tour.
Clear cancellation rules
Cancel 48 hours or more before your tour date for a full refund.
Full quote before you book
Your WhatsApp quote shows the total, pickup time and inclusions before you book.
Chichen Itza and Ek Balam tour FAQ
How much does the two-site private day cost?
The standard vehicle costs $1,119 for two guests and $2,429 for nine or ten. The premium vehicle starts at $1,759 for two. About per person is the total divided by your travelers. These prices apply from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya; Merida needs a separate quote.
How far is Ek Balam from Chichen Itza?
Ek Balam is roughly one hour from Chichen Itza by road, and you pass Valladolid on the way. We visit Chichen Itza first, then the cenote and lunch, and reach Ek Balam in the afternoon. The drive is a good chance to rest between the two sites.
Can you still climb at Ek Balam?
Yes, you can climb the Acropolis, Ek Balam's main pyramid. Its stone steps are steep, with a rope down the middle to hold. INAH sets the rules and can close the climb for weather, maintenance or safety, so we confirm on the day. Wear shoes with grip and take the steps slowly on the way down.
Is it too long a day?
The two-site tour takes about 12 to 14 hours from Cancun, with more walking than a single-site tour. Private pacing lets you shorten stops and take breaks when your group needs them. If you want a shorter day, choose a single-site private tour.
Can I book this tour from Merida?
Yes, the two-site tour is available from Merida on request. Send your hotel and preferred vehicle, and we confirm the itinerary, pickup and full price for your group. Allow roughly 1.5 hours for the first drive. Merida prices and times are set apart from the coastal ones.
Can children join the two-site tour?
Children are welcome on the two-site private tour. Infants aged 1 to 3 years are free. Send your children's ages with your hotel, and we confirm your quote before you book. The longer day and extra walking make it better suited to older children.
Is there a minimum group size?
Private tours require a minimum of 2 people, and the price per person generally goes down as your group gets bigger. On this tour, two guests pay $1,119 and ten pay $2,429 in the standard vehicle. Larger groups can ask for a quote.
I am traveling alone. What are my options?
A private tour is priced per group with a minimum of 2 people, so a solo traveller pays the 2-person group total. If the budget is tight, a solo traveller can book our small group tour or shared bus tour instead.
Which vehicle will I get?
Private tours use a new-model car for smaller groups and a new-model van for larger groups. The exact make and model depend on availability. The premium upgrade is the same day in a premium vehicle, from $1,759 for two guests.
How do I pay?
An advance deposit is required to confirm your booking, and the balance is paid on the day of the tour. We confirm the deposit amount and payment method when you book. Keep your confirmation and reconfirm your pickup the day before.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your tour date for a 100% refund. Cancelling from 24 to under 48 hours before departure gives a 50% refund, and cancelling less than 24 hours before your tour date has no refund. Read our policy.
Ask about your two-site day
Send your date, hotel and group size. We check availability and send your full price for both sites.