How We Beat the Crowds at Chichén Itzá

One of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, the ancient Mayan city is known for its architecture, historical significance, and unfortunately, huge crowds. You need to witness this wonder, though, so how can you skip the lines? Luckily, we were able to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá in the most adventurous way possible. And you can too.

After being greeted with a friendly, “buenos días” at the ticket gate, we made our way down a winding gravel path passing a sea of vendors setting up for the day’s action. The anticipation was building up. I’ve only ever seen Chichén Itzá in photos, magazines and all those nifty blogs I dreamed of starting one day.

Down the path and through the palm trees it finally came into view: the Pyramid of Kukulcán! Or also known as El Castillo. Or also known as “that cool pyramid thing in Mexico”. We made it!

Chichén Itzá wasn’t anointed as a Modern Wonder of the World for no reason, either. It is as beautifully striking as you’d imagine – one of those shock and awe scenes that the pictures never do justice.

All the while, you wonder how did the Mayans build this expansive piece of art? And how did they engineer this massive block of stone to operate as calendar? I mean, the thing literally has 365 steps!

Nonetheless, we snapped our Instagram worthy pictures in an empty green lawn and moved along to explore the rest of the massive grounds (Chichén Itzá is far more than just a pyramid, after all).

By the time we left 3 hours later it was a different scene than when we arrived. El Castillo was literally swarmed by people in the thousands. The once open field at the steps of the pyramid were now littered with visitors holding umbrellas to blot out the blazing Yucatán sun. I guess what they said was true. It does pay to beat the crowds.

How to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá in the most adventurous way possible

“It’s going to be busy”, they said. “Better get there early”, they said. Well, we listened. And boy, were they right.

Tours to the ancient ruins are usually operated by major travel companies based in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. Buses load up visitors in the these popular tourist destinations in the early AM to depart for the 2-3 hour trip to Chichén Itzá. Around 10 AM, be on the lookout. Literal busloads of people will flood into the once sparsely filled grounds.

By all means, this is not to knock those tour companies. If you’re on vacation in the Riviera Maya, take these tours. Chichén Itzá is a once in a lifetime experience that should be lived by everyone.

However, if you have the capabilities, we do recommend a different itinerary – one that will allow you to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá!

By happenstance, our decision making on what to do and where to go while on the Yucatán Peninsula led us on an exhilarating adventure away from the coast. We made it to the popular Mayan ruin. But did it in an unconventional, yet reliable, and much more fun way.

My main piece of advice: get there early. Like way early. Before the gates open kind of early. Now, how to achieve that is a different story…

Step 1: Leave the coastal cities Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum behind

As fun as the Riviera Maya is, it’s time to leave if you want to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá. It’s utterly impossible to reach the ruins by 8 AM via tour buses. Rather, head into the interior of the Yucatán Peninsula; either Mérida or Valladolid work well for travelers.

We ended up in Valladolid. The Spanish colonial town is smaller than it’s neighbor, Mérida, offering an authentic, yet backpacker friendly vibe. It’s the perfect launching point to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá. Yet, there’s a lot of other reasons to visit Valladolid too.

How to get to Mérida or Valladolid from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum

Doesn’t matter which city you’re staying in, the distance to Valladolid or Mérida is similar from each one and doesn’t take more than a few hours.

Buses are regularly scheduled from the major central stations for around $12 USD (as of this writing). The ADO really does a good job and it’s honestly not a bad ride with nice roads and a halfway decent bus. Check bus schedules and buy your tickets on BusBud.

If buses aren’t your thing, head to Discover Cars to find the cheapest car rental on the Yucatán. They compare prices both locally and internationally. Finding a bus ticket is much cheaper, though. And much more adventurous.

Step 2: Find accommodation in Mérida or Valladolid.

Regardless of which city you end up in, they both offer plenty of budget accommodation options. We love staying in hostels and found a few in Valladolid right near the city center for around $8 USD per night. The options are even more plentiful in the larger town of Mérida.

Links are to Hostelworld – it’s our favorite search engine to find budget accommodation abroad.

Step 3: Transportation to Chichén Itzá.

You’ve left the coast and your holed up in the perfect hostel in Valladolid or Mérida. Now what? Time to find your transportation!

Take the ADO bus to the ruins.

Valladolid and Mérida have early buses leaving for Chichén Itzá that will certainly beat the crowds from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Looking on Busbud, this is likely your cheapest option, too. But is it your best?

Take a rental car.

The most expensive option but you’ll definitely beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá. Again, find the cheapest rental car on Discover Cars.

Rent a moped!

This was our mode of travel and, boy, did it not disappoint!

I can’t speak exactly of Mérida, but we rented from Scooter Valladolid just east of the downtown square in Valladolid. The owner was so friendly and trustworthy – don’t hesitate renting from these guys.

Having a motor bike opens up a new side of Mexico you won’t normally see. Whiz around the colonial streets of quaint Mexican towns, self guided tours to nearby cenotes, and of course, beating the crowds at Chichén Itzá.

Step 4: Wake up early to get to Chichén Itzá.

Call back to my main piece of advice: arrive early. The gates typically open at 8 AM but it’s best to arrive earlier as the line to enter will even fill up.

The moped ride is about an hour so an early alarm clock is essential. Pack snacks and ensure you have enough gas in your scooter! (seriously, we ran out on our return trip. My ultimate face-palm Gringo moment)

Step 5: Park for free and walk in.

We didn’t realize this as we entered the facilities: you don’t need to pay to park. The roadway leading to the entrance has an ample amount of free parking.

Once you get to the gate though, you’ll have the option to pay for parking. It’s only $2 USD so the extra piece of mind may be worth the cost. Entirely up to you.

Step 6: Enjoy Chichén Itzá while avoiding the large crowds.

A line at the ticket gate may be present but if you arrive on time it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Just be prepared to be bombarded with vendors trying to sell you everything under the sun while you wait.

Entering the grounds you’ll find El Castillo straight ahead along the path. You can’t miss it. And the best part? Look at that HUGE field of empty green grass! Plenty of room for activities! Or that ideal Instagram picture you’ve always dreamed of.

You’ve arrived. And you took the road less traveled to get there. Enjoy a less crowded Chichén Itzá for 2 – 3 hours before the lines of tour buses show up!

Bonus Tips When Visiting Chichén Itzá

The adventures to beat the crowds at Chichén Itzá will be for naught if you ignore these additional tips:

Dress for Success

Shade is limited and the Yucatán sun is hot. Hats, a good pair shades, and copious amounts of sunscreen are a must.

Additionally, the grounds surrounding the pyramid are huge – 740 acres to be exact. Wear good shoes! Your feet will be happy you did.

Bring Cash

In typical fashion in Mexico, much like the McDonalds ice cream machine, the credit card reader will surely “be down”. Bring cash to ensure you’ll be able to enter the ancient Mayan ruins you’ve been wanting to visit for so long!

Prepare to fend through a sea of vendors

Is it really all that surprising? Chichén Itzá is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Vendors are everywhere. Literally, everywhere.

Booking a local guide can be beneficial

As you walk into the grounds you’ll have the opportunity to book a local tour guide. They all speak English well and provide valuable insight into the history of Chichén Itzá you’d otherwise miss out on.

Self guided tours are feasible, as each structure has a nearby plaque explaining what it is. However, the information presented on these are very limited. If you want any semblance of knowing what you’re seeing, book a guide.

Pack snacks and a water bottle

I can’t go a few hours without some sort of nourishment – snacks are always essential for me! Walking and traveling in the hot sun amplifies this. Snacks are available at food stands within the park, but they’re expensive. Best pack your own.

If you’re not traveling with a water bottle I’m assuming you’re dehydrated 100% of the time. Get a HydroFlask, they’re eco-friendly and you’ll end up saving money on NOT buying so many plastic bottles. Not to mention, the positive, plastic free impact you’ll be making on our oceans.

Grab lunch outside of the archeological site

It’s like Disneyland. Everything inside costs more. Since you arrived early, by the time you leave it’ll be lunch time. Head to the nearby town of Pisté to eat lunch at a local taqueria! It’s easy to keep a lunch for two under $10 USD.

And lastly, don’t forget to fully gas up

I made the HUGE mistake of not having a full tank in my scooter before leaving. Yikes!

As I was chugging along back to Valladolid, the scooter suddenly sputtered to a stop. Not good.

Sweating on the side of the smoldering roadway, we were rescued. Thankfully, the Mexican people are kind as can be and I was able to wave down a motorcyclist passing by. And in very Gringo fashion, asked him if he had any extra “gasolina” to spare.

Don’t be like me. Make sure you’re gas tank is full before leaving.

Enjoy Your Trip to Chichén Itzá

The Mayan Ruin is truly a sight to behold, if done correctly. If you go in the middle of the day, you’ll certainly be swarmed by crowds and not to mention, insane heat and sun.

Follow the tips in this post and you’ll for sure have a great time at the Mayan Ruins! Happy traveling, explorers!