At Chichen Itza, our guide, Marco Antonio, was absolutely phenomenal, and kept everyone entertained for 2 hours. The best attention and recomendations from real local experts. Aim to arrive early in the morning to swerve the midday heat its hot here all year round. The ruins themselves are amazing, it is truly a magical place. I would actually recommend requesting him as a tour guide when booking this tour! Dear Paul_B, it was a pleasure to share this experience with you! Early access to Chichen Itza, when the site is less crowded, and learn everything about the Great Ball Court, the Temple of Kukulkan and the Temple of the Warriors, the Temple of the Jaguars , etc during a 90 minutes guided tour. We were given the excuse that the archaeological society decided to close the site early, but clearly it was poor time management on the guide's part that caused us to be so late. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews, Terribly managed trip; would not recommend, The tour guides were great but let down by Amigo Tours, Small van tour of Ek Balam and Chichen Itza, Nice trip to the Maya Pyramid and other buildings. Worthwhile to enjoy some culture during your beach vacation. This small-group tour offers hotel pick-ups for your convenience. You choosed the best option "Early Access to Chichen Itza" because avoid the crowds, heat and the site is completely for our Group and is perfect due the customers return to the Hotel in the afternoon to keep enjoying the time at the resort or another personal activities. There were some bees at Chichen Itza, if you avoid wearing bright, flower colored garments (yellows, pinks, reds, etc) you will dramatically reduce these inquisitive fellows, who just think they have hit the mother lode of nectar by mistaking you for a giant flower.One important note. So, now we are on the way to our van that I expected to get at the hotel. Thank you Daniel and team. Our tour was cancelled on the Monday but rearranged for the following day. 3) The trip advertises 1.5 hours at Ek Balam. Timing was perfect as we seemed to be leaving each spot as the big crowds arrived. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You can see the outlines of skulls, eagles, and snakes carved into this eerie monument. II'm really glad we did the early entry to miss some of the crowds. You have to get up early, but the buses are very comfortable and you can catch up on a little sleep in transit.If you plan on video taping with a hand held personal video camera, please note that you are supposed to get a ticket at the entrance that costs 45 pesos (around $2.50 US). It seemed quite poor and I was glad we could contribute to the local economy with our visit. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experiences start time will not be accepted. Main objective | Strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises Even though the language was a barrier, she was great and I have only nice things to say about her. The lunch was lovely and Reuben was very informative and friendly! It was absolute chaos and we were told that this transport was not for us and we would have to wait until 7am ( I assume we were forgotten about). In other words, the only ticket that's included is to the cenote (but it's a grand total of $80 pesos, and you still have to pay $50 pesos for a mandatory life jacket). Note that I booked the Playa del Carmen meeting point tour. Then you'll have free time to explore on your own. Playa del Carmen? We did eat around noon local time, which was 1pm our time, so we were very hungry. Well worth beating the crowds! I am not big on group tours, I prefer to do my own thing, but I strongly recommend this tour with an archaeologist, you will get much more out of the site than you would by just wandering around. But this trip was so horribly managed that I had to write something. 1.5 free time to explore Chichen Itza on your own. The visit to Chicken Itza covered a few highlights. Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world. Prices for entry to the Chichen Itza archaeological site are as follows: Entrance is free on Sundays for residents and ex-pats living in Mexico on the production of valid ID. The transportation to and from was great and the tour guide, Marcos, was fantastic. The pick up went smoothly enough, but they drive you like 85% of the way to Cancun to meet up with the rest of the tour bus. December and January are the peak months so avoid traveling at this time if you want to miss the crowds. Took about 2 hours each way. Our Chichen Itza Sunrise Tour can be considered a Chichen Itza express tour from Playa del Carmen since there's no time wasted. Follow a certified archeological guide on an ancient adventure to sacred cenotes, colossal pyramids and a vast ball court. But nice place to see and a good guide. Buffet lunch was underwhelming and the signs outside the location said that the buffet cost 120 pesos (about $6 USD). If they'd have taken us to a cenote that was closer, it would've been nice to spend less time in the car. Chichen Itza was a bucket list item for the adults and the kids wanted to be able to touch some ruins, which isn't possible at Chichen Itza. Stroll aroundthe site with no rush. Book your Chichen Itza day trip online ahead of your visit to compare prices and find the cheapest deals. Also, the bus was not comfortable nor was water provided which we were led to believe would be provided. Apparently no professional gear is allowed, so leave the tripod, etc at home.We went on both tours with permethrin sprayed clothes and deet on exposed skin, and did not get one bite between us at both places. In the beginning I was having trouble arranging the pick up at my hotel because the phone number did not work. When we got to where lunch is, we had to wait around 30 minutes to eat and were given time for shopping. Please come back soon!! Transport was terrible. Arrive back at your hotel at approximately 4pm. After Chichen Itza we went to lunch and were given time to look at the wares being sold in a building attached to the restaurant. If it weren't for her wonderful attitude, we would be much more disappointed. From online research and from looking at the prices listed at the point of entry, this is wrong. Beat themultitudes and conquer one ofthe New Seven Wonders of the world with our Chichen Itza early accesstour from Playa del Carmen or Cancun! He kept us well advised of what to expect at each stage of the trip. Good morning Torben! Entrance fees, pick-ups, lunch, and a guide are provided. Heres what you shouldnt miss: Also known as El Castillo, this towering pyramid is the most dramatic structure youll see at the archaeological site. We're glad to know you had a wonderful time with Super Frank in Chichen Itza. The ride usually takes 2.5 hours. Early birds get the worm, everybody knows it! But we never made it to Ek Balam. Our meeting time was changed from 6am to 625am. We only have time for the tour (and even that felt rushed). The Cenote was magical and so refreshing Please show on time with printed voucher: Tips for the guide and crew (optional). Then it was off to the cenote. Visualize the prosperous Mayan empire as you gain insight into one of the ancient worlds most powerful civilizations with captivating commentary from your knowledgeable guide. Intervention region | Lisbon Mariana, Amigo tours. Definitely worth following him around for 2 hours. But I hope this will be considered constructive criticism and not simple complaining. Theres a lot to see on your Chichen Itza day trip, with enough pyramids to keep you amused for hours. After that was lunch. Frank will be happy to receive your comment. Be prepared for a long day and lots of driving. Wear comfortable footwear for wandering around the archaeological site trails Chichen Itza is three square miles! Cenote visit was at Selva Maya, a site also used by many tour groups. On the bus we had to pay around $50 more person for the Chichen Itza taxes and tickets. So, with my wife and four teenage boys, we are in the lobby at 5:20am. I was worried it would be so hot but there was lots of shade. Would not recommend at all. The guide Marco was very informative. They were very knowledgeable about the pyramids. Hello :) You will have an exclusive vehicle, so itinerary timings can be tailored to your requirements. josearo, Director de Relaciones Pblicas at Amigo Tours, responded to this review. The Mayans used to display the severed heads of sacrificial victims and enemies on wooden spikes. Its probably the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, with a whopping 26 buildings to discover. She was very nice and clearly trying very hard to accommodate us. Rest of the world:+52 998 234 0878, Overall rating: I don't think walking to the cenote was worth the time it took as you can barely see into it. What a joke! Only let down was that it was 11 hours from start to end but only 3 hours on site. You will be traveling with like-minded participants to keep costs down, with plenty of free time to explore. Greetings, Amigo Group. Yep. There are lots of different Chichen Itza tours to choose from these are some of the best: This is one of the most popular Chichen Itza excursions, with direct transfers making for an easy day out. Attending your comments. Lunch buffet was good quality. Skip the lines to get accessto ChcihenItza mayan ruins, and enjoy a 1.5 hour guided tour, plus 1.5 hours free time toexplore by yourself and get amazing pictures (while avoiding vendors and regularly scheduled groups). My only issue with the cenote was that it was quite far from our route to Ek Balam. Overall, I was happy with the tour. There was no communication about what had happened and it was lucky for us that we were with another couple who spoke Spanish otherwise we would have not have had a clue about what was happening and would have returned to out hotel thinking that it was all cancelled again. The mathematics and science were honey to needs like us. 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, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, It is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes, Taxes of Archeological Sites are not included (48USD), This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers. Keep that in mind when you jump in - keep track of the time somehow. You haveother90 minutes to spend on your own. We all loved every bit of Franks Amigo tour. Drinks are not included. Some tours include a swimming stop at a nearby cenote. When the van arrived to pick us up at our hotel in Cancun, our tour guide let us know that her English is limited, even though we had booked an English tour. The van dropped us at a gas station and the bus arrived 10-15 minutes later. Keep this in mind if you arrive and they say they're closed - I almost think they were angling for a bribe and we, with a new tour guide who didn't know, coupled with a bunch of American naivet, didn't figure it out. Our guide Daniel was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Mayans. Amigo Group, Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Rio Secreto Nature Reserve Tours & Tickets, Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo) Tours & Tickets, CoCo Bongo Playa del Carmen Tours & Tickets, Private and Luxury - Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Archaeology Tours - Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Historical Tours - Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Full-day Tours - Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Viator Exclusive Tours - Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Tours & Tickets, Fundadores Park (El Zcalo) Tours & Tickets, Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) Tours & Tickets, Face masks required for travelers in public areas, Face masks required for guides in public areas, Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff, Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized, Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons. Hello, Steve.Thank you very much for your comments, it's good to know you had a good time. Thanks for all your nice comments. You are the only ones on the trip he tells me. Knowing so helps us to improve in what we do, we work everyday to provide the best service to all our friends. Super impressed with Franks knowledge. Depart from your Playa del Carmen or Playacar hotel in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide will show you around and point out the best photo spots as you learn about the history of these ancient marvels. The tour guy doesn't have us on his list. Photography is OK and does not require any ticket. Lunch was fabulous and the gift shop was fun. That said, there were no clocks anywhere and we were on a tight schedule. Regards. Normally I prefer just wandering around myself and taking pictures etc but our tour guide Marco Antonio's knowledge of Chichen Itza was outstanding, he was extremely engaging and made the whole trip a fantastic experience. Unfortunately if you are coming from Playa del Carmen on this tour, the van takes you all the way up to Cancun to meet the tour bus so a lot of time is wasted in the car. Three hours was not enough!!! The tour took the entire 2 hours we were at Chichen Itza and included explanations and photos of the way the Mayans used the calendar to build, and he did keep us mostly in the shade. Like many other reviews have said, this was a long day in the car. In hindsight, we're kicking ourselves because we should've just pitched in some American money and bribed the gatekeeper to let us in. Super frank was our guide and extremely knowledgeable about the site. Mask use was not enforced and in a passenger van it should be enforced. I'm generally a laid back person, and don't write reviews because, "hey, sometimes things happen and we just go with the flow." For $49 you can enjoy early access to the site, a tour with an expert archaeological guide, and lunch. 5:20am he tells me. Ek Balam is definitely a must-do as you can climb the stairs and get up close and personal to everything! 1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included, DetailsHave a guided visit to Ek Balam. Up the luxury with a private day trip from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza. Oh, you will get in your van in Playa del Carmen. Get on this bus. We loves the different sites and the unique stops along the way. We hope you come back soon and we will follow up your opinion to improve our services. You must present printed voucher or show it on your phone. The company cancelled on me once and never showed up when they rescheduled. We are happy that you enjoyed this experience since in amigo Group we strive to offer the best to our customers as we love what we do. Was meant to be early access but the bus was so late we werent there with early access. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Keep an eye out for the hoops which have remained intact over the centuries. Best Regards, The Chichen Itza archaeological site is open 365 days a year, seven days a week. We were picked up promptly by a very nice bus, had to transfer to another very nice bus at a meeting point as the original was headed to Tulum, and arrived before 9am. Built at the heart of the city, the 100-foot temple was dedicated to the serpent god, Kukulcan. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. After lots of internet research, we settled on this tour that included Ek Balam. My kids practiced climbing 106 steps for weeks before we left and were determined to get to the top of the pyramid. Daniel is Mayan and his insights into Chichen Itza were fascinating! There is a bar and places for people to hang out who don't want to swim. We did not get back to Playa del Carmen until 8:30, so a 14 hour day! I'm not sure if it was worth it. The Mayan sites are worthwhile and I always recommend them. We've been making people happy for more than 20 years offering proven tours in Cancun and Riviera Maya. We booked the early access tour so we could avoid the crowds. 2) We were told by our guide that lunch was at a "Maya community," but it's really just a big shopping point. Make any change to your reservation with no extra cost until 24 before your activity, no questions asked! A few operators also stop at a tequila distillery and a local cenote. You need 40 pesos to rent a life jacket. If you have a rental car you can journey to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen on major highways. It was fun though, and the van was comfortable enough to nap in. Playa del Carmen is only112.7 miles (181.4 km) from Chichen Itza.The ride to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen is about 2.5 hours. Visit Chichn Itz, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Ek Balam ad swim in a cenote in one day. I decided to splurge on this trip for two reasons: (1) it advertises 3 hours at Chitzen Itza and (2) it includes a visit to Ek Balam. At Ek Balam I felt the guide could have been more engaging in his description of the site. Best Regards, And that's from the van parking in the lot to the time we have to be back, so realistically about 1.5 hours at the archaeological site itself. The access to the site is "Early Access" because from Playa Del Carmen 06:00 am to Chichen Itza are 2 hours on the way and the site is open 08:00 am. They were notified two hours after their pick up was supposed to happen that their trip had been cancelled. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. Plus the driver was texting while she drove. At the end of the day, you will be driven back to Playa del Carmen. It takes 3 hours 45 minutes, which still gives you several hours at the site before the return journey. Once at Chichen Itza you will enjoy free time to explore at leisure or take a guided tour. Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in Mexico: Project title | TourScanner Digital Internationalization Most people prefer to visit during the dry season between November and April. Spend a little more money and book a private tour. Anyway, they provided a box lunch and the tour was facinating! We got picked up promptly at 5:30 am from a small van where we got transfered to a tour bus. This cost around 500 pesos ($25) per person and was not included. Everything went better afterward. Additional meeting points for Airbnb, hostels, etc. We hope you come back soon.Best regards,Amigo Group, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There is plenty of very interesting stuff for sale, and the prices are better than you will find in your resort lobby. Ek Balam is small but underrated. We drove all the way there, arrived at 4:20. Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Chichn Itz Early Access, Ek Balam & Cenote Small Group Tour? Private tours with lunch and an exclusive vehicle are $170. Good morning! Perfect time to enjoy another activity or dress up for dinner. That said, when we got to Chichen Itza at around 9:30am, she didn't have the credentials to enter the park so a different tour guide was hired. Amigo Group. (yes, you could easily spend an entire day at Chitzen Itza, but from research I did online 3 hours is usually how long it takes to tour the site, hence the appeal of a trip that stayed that long at the site). The food was great and we bought a souvenir. We did this tour as part of a two day early access w/archaeologist package that also included Tulum. Best Regards. Total eligible cost | EUR 383,452.75 Transport was very long due to various pickups and bus changes. Beneficiary entity | Nomad Celebration - Software, Unipessoal Lda. You can enjoy a Chichen Itza day tour from Playa del Carmen at any time of year. Our tour guide was very, very nice and tried very hard to give us a great time. We offer a 2048-bit SSL encrypted payment platform and easy booking process. We were told to arrive at our pick up point at 5.40 am and told to arrive early as the driver would only wait five minutes. What? Then onto Ek Balam, the part we were most excited about. The positive stars are for the guides only - I cant give five stars because of the poor customer service of Amigo tours themselves. Take some water and a sunhat as there isnt much shade and it does get hot. Usually 60 to 70% of the asking price was enough to close the deal. Amigo Group. We hope you to come back soon :) You choosed the best option "Early Access to Chichen Itza" because avoid the crowds and the site is completely for our group. Then we went to Cenote Saamal. A quicker way of reaching Chichen Itza is on an organized tour. Chichen Itza Early Access with Archaeologist- Phenomenal. 1) When we arrive to Chitzen Itza, were informed we have 2 hours. The only cons: there were only 2 families on our transport coming from playacar but instead of coming to pick us up (our resorts were literally right next to each other) they had us meet at a sketchy hotel downtown that made us wait on the sidewalk AND transport showed up 40 minutes later than what all of our communication said (especially rough at 5am) By creating an account you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Visiting times are between 8 AM and 5 PM, with the last entry at 4 PM. No BS just good archaeological and historical facts and when something wasnt backed up by facts he said so! Raymnd got us to the destination safely. Someone said it was 110 degrees and also very humid . Forget about commissions and hidden fees. And the ceynote was so refreshing! Chichen Itza was every bit memorable as it is said to be. Dating to 600 A. D., this ancient pre-Hispanic settlement is enshrouded in mystery, with pyramid temples protruding majestically from the surrounding rainforest. Not sure why other tours overlook it. I filed for a partial refund from Amigo and am told I should have it in a few days, though I'd much rather have visited Ek Balam. I recommend this tour . Best value for your money. A shared Chichen Itza day trip from Playa del Carmen starts at $27 per person, with pick-ups included. Getting to Chichen Itza early is highly recommended to not only beat the heat but also the crowds. Be prepared with frozen water bottles and towels to cover your head. You can easily visit the ruins from Playa del Carmen. Objectives, activities and expected/achieved results: Most operators will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you directly to the ruins, making for a smooth day out. Amigo Tours did an excellent job, everything was extremely well run, and while the box lunch is not much to write home about, we were able to do both tours for under a hundred dollars US a person.As many have stated, the morning tours are the best---beat the heat and the crowds. Buffet lunch was fine and was served in an outdoor setting used by all tour groups. DetailsWith this Viator Exclusive, your early morning visit to Chichen Itza allows you to explore the site before the crowds so you can enjoy the rest of your day on the beach. Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Chichn Itz Early Access, Ek Balam & Cenote Small Group Tour? European Union financial support | FEDER - EUR 153,381.10 Seems early to me, but OK. There are no price tags to be found, prepare to haggle and you will get some really great deals on handcrafted merchandise. The van driver was right on time. Round-trip transport keeps travel logistics simple on this full-day adventure. 5) I came from Playa del Carmen and it was the most inefficient pick up/drop off. You can climb on the ruins and there is a really steep and scary set of stairs you can climb to the top of the main structure. I agree to sign up to the newsletter and receive occasional emails from TourScanner. Bottom lineAmigo is not the way to go. We were told the tour would be about 40 minutes and we'd have an hour or so to wander around. Find amazing things to do at the best price, Adults (12 years and above): 533 MXN ($26). Daniel was a wonderful guide to teach us about the Mayan culture. It was a huge disappointment. If I had one suggestion it would be if you are six ft tall sit in a space where you can stretch your legs. 4.8 / 5. But still bring lots of water! After another phone call to Amigo and 45 mins later, a huge tour bus pulls up. We didn't visit several of the sites the guide pointed out at the beginning of the tour, and so only saw a fraction of the complex. Free USA and Canada:1 800 247 1641 The tour van driver was personable but was driving somewhat recklessly as we approached and entered Cancun. You'll have early entry to the ruins he tells me. BUT, it was spa-like and clearly a higher end cenote. You cant climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza, but if you do want to bag a temple, opt for the tour that includes a visit to the Coba ruins. Learn more about how we use cookies and how to change your cookie settings | Close message, Chichen Itza earlyaccess from Playa del Carmen. You could try to game the system and hide your camera until you are in the park, but we just went ahead and paid the fee. We enjoyed stopping at the shop run by local Mayans as well. The ticket office closes at 4pm (and last entry is at 4pm) and the site closes at 5pm. Amigo Group. Details: Come back soon! However, it was quiet during my visit. The ride back seemed really long and we were exhausted. Roundtrip air-conditioned transportation service from major hotels in Playa del Carmen and Playacar. I checked my email and saw that amigos tour inquired about the hotel pick up. When it did, it was clearly someone's personal car, which would be fine, except that it was dirty (full of the person's personal items, used maskes on the floor), and the window on the passenger's seat was missing (instead the open window was covered in layers of plastic wrap). The visit to Chichen Itza, El Bakam and the cenotes was excellent. Youll then travel in an air-conditioned minivan or coach into the heart of the Yucatn Peninsula. Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Chichn Itz Early Access, Ek Balam & Cenote Small Group Tour? He was fantastic and the stories and insights enriched the experience of being in a place with such a rich history. He is very professional and loves that the customers enjoy the experience. Beating the crowds to the grounds of Chichen Itza is worth getting up early for. Completion date | 2022-12-31 Like, a whole level of hot that I've never experienced before. We booked the early morning tour of Chichen Itza via Viator and it was fantastic! After exploring the archaeological site, youll swim in a cenote and have a short stop in the colonial city of Valladolid.
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