Across Belize and Mexico are plenty of Mayan ruins, but Chichen Itza is easily the most impressive. It’s possible to spend the entire morning exploring this massive archaeological site!!
The Chichen Itza archeological site has so many different sections to it, including walled fortresses, cenotes (no swimming here), a ball court, and signs of civilian life from over a thousand years ago.
I loved how peaceful the Chichen Itza complex was right when it opened, because it was possible to walk to sections where no other tourists were. As the hours tick by, the tour groups arrive as well as street vendors who set up their souvenir shops along the large roads.
The vendors are a bit annoying at first because someone is always offering to sell you something. However, you get some great deals shopping here! If you start walking away from an item you’re interested in, the vendors will drop the price ridiculously low as they’re yelling after you.
When you exit the site, there are many busses and minibuses that are ready to take people back to Valladolid. Just look for where other people are hovering, and hover with them until someone comes who’s selling tickets.
Getting from Valladolid to Cancun
When you return to the Valladolid bus station, get tickets for the next bus to Cancun. From Valladolid the busses can cost from $7-$12 and it takes 2-3 hours to reach Cancun.
The ADO bus station in Cancun is in the local part of town and not in the Hotel Zone, so it’ll cost another $3-$5 taxi to reach the Hotel Zone and the tourist center of town. Another option to Cancun’s hotel zone is to take the local bus for pennies, but you’ll need to find the separate bus stop first.
You’ll likely arrive in the evening, so find a nice restaurant or bar to hang out at and enjoy the nightlife coming alive around you – there’s always a party in Cancun!