Chichen Itza from Tulum
Feb 27th, 2010, 06:21 AM
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Chichen Itza from Tulum
My H & I will be spending a week in the Maya Riviera and would like to see the ruins of Chichen Itza as they look considerably larger than Tulum's. Since we'll have a rental car we're wondering if we could do a day trip to Chichen Itza from Tulum? It looks like there is a road that goes to Coba and we could take it from there. Is this road safe - & does anyone know how long it would take to get there? We don't mind a really long day. Otherwise we were thinking of driving directly to Chichen Itza after landing in Cancun, spend one night, and then head down to Tulum. Thanks!
Feb 27th, 2010, 06:33 AM
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I really love visiting Maya ruins and look forward to adding 5 or 6 more to my life list this summer, including Tulum, Cobá, and Chichen Itzá, and Palenque. Every ruin I've visited (Tikal, Iximché, Copán, Xunantunich, Lamanai, Caha Pech - some more than once) I've enjoyed most 1st thing in the morning. The idea of a long drive, a quick visit during the hottest and busiest time of the day, and another long drive is unappealing to me.
We've decided to start our stay with about a week in Tulum, then head to Valladolid for a couple of nights and visit Chichén Itzá from there before continuing our trip. In other words, I'd vote for your land, head to Valladolid or Piste, visit the ruins, then head to Tulum plan.
We're traveling in June and I'll post a travelogue. Whether you beat us there or not, please let us know how it goes!
We've decided to start our stay with about a week in Tulum, then head to Valladolid for a couple of nights and visit Chichén Itzá from there before continuing our trip. In other words, I'd vote for your land, head to Valladolid or Piste, visit the ruins, then head to Tulum plan.
We're traveling in June and I'll post a travelogue. Whether you beat us there or not, please let us know how it goes!
Feb 27th, 2010, 07:15 AM
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Thanks hopeful. We are leaning towards doing a long day trip since it looks like there is a road towards Coba that heads to Chichen Itza. We'll be going in about 3 weeks so I'll post afterwards with details! Can't wait!
Feb 27th, 2010, 09:15 AM
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That is a road that needs some work; it's long, lots of potholes and topes. I would go with taking the terrific toll highway (turnoff very close to the airport)to Chichen, staying at the ruins that night, then drive back to Tulum in the p.m. the next day via the Coba road.
However, a day trip is also doable, just a lot of time on the road each way.
However, a day trip is also doable, just a lot of time on the road each way.
Feb 27th, 2010, 09:17 AM
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Feb 27th, 2010, 07:27 PM
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We've done both. On one trip, we drove straight from Cancun to Chichen Itza and stayed two nights at the Hacienda Chichen so that we could visit the ruins at night. Although a bit hokey, the laser show was fun. We did take the toll road.
The road from Tulum to Coba is completely passable and was fine. It was much like most country roads in the US. Paved all the way, except for an odd dirt traffic circle. We did this in a daytrip from Tulum and were back by about 5:30pm. While there is not much along this road, and we did take our lunch with us, it's not bad. Signs point your way. There are several cenotes that are privately owned by local families, so take your suits and towels.
In Tulum, there is a grocery at the corner where you take the Coba road. You'l notice it easily because it is the closest thing to a grocery store from home that you will see. Also, it has an enormous statue of the Virgin Mary on top of it. No, I don't know why. They also have quite a few traveler - friendly products and even some US cereal brands (and Oreos?)for the kids. We stocked up and off we went.
Also - along this road are several local artists who sell their pottery and tiles for signficantly less than in Tulum or PDC. Negotiate!!
Enjoy!
The road from Tulum to Coba is completely passable and was fine. It was much like most country roads in the US. Paved all the way, except for an odd dirt traffic circle. We did this in a daytrip from Tulum and were back by about 5:30pm. While there is not much along this road, and we did take our lunch with us, it's not bad. Signs point your way. There are several cenotes that are privately owned by local families, so take your suits and towels.
In Tulum, there is a grocery at the corner where you take the Coba road. You'l notice it easily because it is the closest thing to a grocery store from home that you will see. Also, it has an enormous statue of the Virgin Mary on top of it. No, I don't know why. They also have quite a few traveler - friendly products and even some US cereal brands (and Oreos?)for the kids. We stocked up and off we went.
Also - along this road are several local artists who sell their pottery and tiles for signficantly less than in Tulum or PDC. Negotiate!!
Enjoy!
Feb 27th, 2010, 09:17 PM
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The traffic circle (near Coba, right?) is paved, with lines and everything (the lines on 307 are kind of iffy). Overall, the roads from Cancun to Chichen Itza to Tulum were better than ours here in Michigan. Yes, they do have topes, but that's just par for the course down there (and I have to say, we got pretty fond of them!). It was about 2 1/2 hours.
We don't remember the Virgin Mary statue on the grocery store. The sunblock there (and they only had one, an aerosol) was over $20US, so do not buy it there. Their pastries are excellent- be sure to try the savory stuffed ones!
The first several days of my trip report is under my "Riviera Maya Itinerary Check Please" post.
If you're the type that can leave at 6 or 7am on vacation, then I would definitely do that rather than staying near Chichen Itza, but definitely get there early. It's amazing enough on its own, but to have it to yourself- wow. You can get a guide for $600 pesos- it's so worth it!
We don't remember the Virgin Mary statue on the grocery store. The sunblock there (and they only had one, an aerosol) was over $20US, so do not buy it there. Their pastries are excellent- be sure to try the savory stuffed ones!
The first several days of my trip report is under my "Riviera Maya Itinerary Check Please" post.
If you're the type that can leave at 6 or 7am on vacation, then I would definitely do that rather than staying near Chichen Itza, but definitely get there early. It's amazing enough on its own, but to have it to yourself- wow. You can get a guide for $600 pesos- it's so worth it!
Feb 28th, 2010, 04:58 AM
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Hi, Coco! When did you guys go? We were there in 2008, so I'm glad to hear that the traffic circle is paved. It's a little progress... and you're right about the lines on 307.
As to the topes - the kids thought they were great fun and yelled "tope" at each one. Some of elderly Mexican women sell fruit and embroidery along the topes since they know you have to slow down.
Somewhere on here I've talked about our stay at Hacienda Chichen. Look it up online for some lovely photos. The hacienda has separate cabinas that were built as the original camp for the archeologist who discovered Chichen Itza. It was great to come back to their pool after visiting the ruins in the morning. Dinner was expertly served and was one of the best meals we've ever had in Mexico. The chef went out of his way to provide a traditional arroz con pollo off menu for the kids. The fruit plate served as a starter was a work of art.
As to the topes - the kids thought they were great fun and yelled "tope" at each one. Some of elderly Mexican women sell fruit and embroidery along the topes since they know you have to slow down.
Somewhere on here I've talked about our stay at Hacienda Chichen. Look it up online for some lovely photos. The hacienda has separate cabinas that were built as the original camp for the archeologist who discovered Chichen Itza. It was great to come back to their pool after visiting the ruins in the morning. Dinner was expertly served and was one of the best meals we've ever had in Mexico. The chef went out of his way to provide a traditional arroz con pollo off menu for the kids. The fruit plate served as a starter was a work of art.
Feb 28th, 2010, 05:10 AM
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Thanks for all the input. We really would like to do Chichen as a day trip since we found a great condo/apt in Tulum & would just like to 'stay put' for a week - instead of staying at different hotels, draggin suitcases, etc. We definitely are early risers when there's something good to see & we plan to get there by 8am or so.
Feb 28th, 2010, 07:22 AM
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Another voice for getting there early in the morning.
I went there via a day tour in December. By the afternoon, it was fairly busy but the main problem was that there were so many vendors trying to sell trinkets. I realize that they're trying to make a living but, seriously, about every minute or two when I was walking around on my own I was approached by someone trying to sell me something. It took away a lot from the experience.
I went there via a day tour in December. By the afternoon, it was fairly busy but the main problem was that there were so many vendors trying to sell trinkets. I realize that they're trying to make a living but, seriously, about every minute or two when I was walking around on my own I was approached by someone trying to sell me something. It took away a lot from the experience.
Feb 28th, 2010, 08:08 AM
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We were there earlier this month. They did have guys working on the lines on 307 (at least, I think that was what they were doing).
Yes, there were an absolute ton of vendors selling Chinese knock off Mayan masks. We just said no.
AngelaS, if you can be there that early, then by all means, do that.
Where are you staying in Tulum?
Yes, there were an absolute ton of vendors selling Chinese knock off Mayan masks. We just said no.
AngelaS, if you can be there that early, then by all means, do that.
Where are you staying in Tulum?
Feb 28th, 2010, 07:35 PM
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Ooh, you'll be by Michelle's dad's tamale cart (Michelle helped out at the hotel we stayed in)! Around 7:30 or 8pm, there will be tamale cart on the corner of 307 and Gemini. They are out of this world. The whole family does speak perfect English, if you don't speak Spanish. We spent $6 and it was one of the best meals we had there (the others were Lucy's Too in Akumal, B. Arborito's for breakfast and El Pollo Bronco).
I don't remember seeing that one, but we didn't go down Gemini. It should be a pretty quiet area (everything off 307 is pretty quiet, but 307 itself is just busy enough for traffic to wake you).
I don't remember seeing that one, but we didn't go down Gemini. It should be a pretty quiet area (everything off 307 is pretty quiet, but 307 itself is just busy enough for traffic to wake you).
Mar 2nd, 2010, 04:18 PM
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mom22rugrats, ha, my kids did that to. To-pe as we went over each one. Last summer they were repaving the entire road and it's really nice and smooth where they were finished. They were moving fast too, miles and miles in a day, Caltrans over here could learn a thing or two from them. So my guess is the road will be just fine from Tulum to Chichen Itza. Although I do have to say we liked the Coba ruins more than Chichen Itza anyway.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 07:13 PM
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Ok guys, I think I can answer some of your questions. I visit Chichen Itza (and the rest of the ruins) about 4 to 6 times per month.
The road from Tulum to Coba to Valladolid is completely finished. QRoo had finished its part long ago, but Yucatan hadn't. Last year Yucatan finished their part, and recently Qroo repaved their end, and covered some pot holes. The road from end to end is in pristine conditions right now.
A day trip from Tulum is very easy and manageable.
This is a day trip you could do:
Start early, around 6am, and arrive to Chichen Itza around 8am, when they open. At this time there are usually not as many people there, it is much cooler, plus you take advantage of as much day light as possible.
After Chichen Itza you can drive to Balam Kanche caves, which is on your way back towards Valladolid. If you are not able to make it there by 11am, then skip it. They let people in once an hour on the hour. So if you miss the 11am, you would have to wait for the 12pm run, which wouldn't give you enough time to do the other stops.
From Balam Kanche caves, you would want to visit the cenotes in Dzitnup, which are right on the outskirts of Valladolid. There are two cenotes there, Xkeken and Sambula. They cost 25 pesos each to get in, so I recommend both. If you only have time to do one, Xkeken is the one you should visit
After The cenotes in Dzitnup, you would want to have lunch. There is a place called Oasis Familiar in Valladolid. I have taken over 100 people here to eat, and each and every single one of them has been pleased. It is not too far away from the main plaza.
You would want to leave Valladolid by 3:30pm the latest, to arrive to Ek Balam ruins by 4:00pm. Ek Balam is a site that not many people know about, but is growing in popularity. The majority of the people I take to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, end up liking Ek Balam better. The main pyramid in Ek Balam is taller than the one at Chichen Itza, and you can still climb to the top of this one. The site is much smaller. They stop letting people in at 4:30pm, and start kicking people out at 5pm. However an hour is more than enough time to visit this site.
After Ek Balam, you could head back to valladolid to walk around the main plaza, do some shopping, enjoy the neat colonial architecture of the area, etc or you could head back to Tulum.
I would gladly forward you some maps, and directions on how to get from spot to spot.
Manny
The road from Tulum to Coba to Valladolid is completely finished. QRoo had finished its part long ago, but Yucatan hadn't. Last year Yucatan finished their part, and recently Qroo repaved their end, and covered some pot holes. The road from end to end is in pristine conditions right now.
A day trip from Tulum is very easy and manageable.
This is a day trip you could do:
Start early, around 6am, and arrive to Chichen Itza around 8am, when they open. At this time there are usually not as many people there, it is much cooler, plus you take advantage of as much day light as possible.
After Chichen Itza you can drive to Balam Kanche caves, which is on your way back towards Valladolid. If you are not able to make it there by 11am, then skip it. They let people in once an hour on the hour. So if you miss the 11am, you would have to wait for the 12pm run, which wouldn't give you enough time to do the other stops.
From Balam Kanche caves, you would want to visit the cenotes in Dzitnup, which are right on the outskirts of Valladolid. There are two cenotes there, Xkeken and Sambula. They cost 25 pesos each to get in, so I recommend both. If you only have time to do one, Xkeken is the one you should visit
After The cenotes in Dzitnup, you would want to have lunch. There is a place called Oasis Familiar in Valladolid. I have taken over 100 people here to eat, and each and every single one of them has been pleased. It is not too far away from the main plaza.
You would want to leave Valladolid by 3:30pm the latest, to arrive to Ek Balam ruins by 4:00pm. Ek Balam is a site that not many people know about, but is growing in popularity. The majority of the people I take to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, end up liking Ek Balam better. The main pyramid in Ek Balam is taller than the one at Chichen Itza, and you can still climb to the top of this one. The site is much smaller. They stop letting people in at 4:30pm, and start kicking people out at 5pm. However an hour is more than enough time to visit this site.
After Ek Balam, you could head back to valladolid to walk around the main plaza, do some shopping, enjoy the neat colonial architecture of the area, etc or you could head back to Tulum.
I would gladly forward you some maps, and directions on how to get from spot to spot.
Manny
Dec 14th, 2011, 12:56 PM
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Hi Manny, I was just wondering if it was possible to get the map of the places in chichen itza? I know this was posted forever ago and I don't even know if you will get this but I am planning a trip to tulum and would love to make this day trip it sounds amazing thanks!
