Wondering if any of you have been to Chichen Itza? I will be in port for approx 7-8 hours. Is this enough time to get to the ruins and adequately see everything or will I be rushed? I am planning on doing the tour through my cruise line. Also are there any good books on Chichen Itza that would help prepare my before I go . .any suggestions?

Deb, Are you going to be in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel? I do not think you will have time unless you fly over, and even then you would be rushed. By the time the ship docks, you get to the bus terminal or the airport, there and back, I think you would not have the time to relax and enjot it.<BR>It is a must-see, but it takes an entire day to do it right. <BR>We flew from Cozumel, and it was an all day affair (8 am to 4 pm).<BR>I would save it for a time you will be in the area longer. (Just my opinion.)<BR>To me, it was worth the extra $$$ to fly instead of take the bus as we had much more time to explore and seeing El Castillo from the air was just awesome.<BR>

I agree with Nancy, I don't think you'll have enough time. It's an all day affair to go there, but there are other ruins closer that you can visit. They might not be as spectacular, but hey....

If you are getting off in Playa del Carmen, then you can arrange to do Chichen Itza thru the cruise line. What time of year are you going? Chichen Itza is inland quite a bit, and it can be EXTREMELY hot! I would recommend going to Tulum. It is in the Mayan Riviera, about 45 min south of Playa del Carmen. I would arrange that thru the cruise line as well. If the ship stops in Playa, then you can do either and ferry over to Cozumel to catch the ship.<BR><BR>If you are stopping in Costa Maya, you can see either as well. The main difference between Tulum and Chichen, is Tulum is on the Caribbean coast, whereas Chichen is in the jungle. Tulum is absolutely beautiful and you can swim there as well, providing the current is not too strong the day you port.<BR><BR>One more thing...unless you do plan for doing your trip thru the cruise, you will not be able to disembark in Playa del Carmen. Only people with scheduled tours can get off there. The rest head over to Cozumel for the day. Check your itinerary. FYI, whatever you do, do not forget bug spray. They sell it at both ruin areas if you forget. Use it, you will need to.

Deb, you didn't mention which cruise line--I was on the Carnival Pride, stopped at Progresso. They had a tour to Chichen Itza which we took. Best I remember it was a little under 2 hr. each way. The bus was modern, a/c and w/a bathroom.<BR> We enjoyed the tour. There are shops, restrooms, bar, etc. outside the site.<BR>We really enjoyed it. If you go on a ships tour, they won't leave you if you are a little late getting back.<BR>Hope you go and enjoy.

Foghat-<BR> I'll be on the Pride as well - at the end of this month. Did you have enough time to see ALL of Chichen Itza? The person I am going with is quite insistent that we do it ALL at Chichen Itza! AH!

Hi Deb,<BR>I have been there 2 times and it is spectacular. The night show is awesome. If you are lucky enough to get a true Myan tour guide it will be an event you will never forget. 8 hours would be sufficient if you are in Playa, But Tulum would be less rushed and is truely a sight to behold as you walk through the entry gate.. Soak up the locals, they are a blast...Enjoy !!!

Deb--Given your time factor, either TULUM or COBA would be easier. Tulum gets tourist-bus full very fast.The ruins are interesting but not spectacular. Swimming from the beach in front of the seaside temple is great.The tourist markets outside full of amusing tat (pornographic silver, recycled coke bottle glass pyramids, dyed alabaster chess sets,etc.) COBA,a fast one-road hour's drive inland, will give you more of a sense of Mayan culture/ruins, more Indiana Jones/Nat.Geographic feel with stellae<BR>and temples with painted murals still intact on trails through out the jungle.Staring out from the top of the first temple you can see the avenues through the jungle to temples still overgrown in the distance. <BR>Bring bottled water to either place and go as early in day as possible to avoid the heavy heat. Chichen Itza is fully excavated, amazing, but you'd be hard-pressed to do it in so little time from port.

Nothing can compare to Chichen Itza--it's spectacular. May I recommend you bring small bottles of water and a sprayer bottle with water to refresh yourself--it saved the day for us--it's really HOT! Worth the effort--its a tour so they will show you the best ruins, being so hot you probably would not want to see all of the ruins anyway. We ate at the restaurant in the area--it was very good. <BR>Try typing out Chichen Itza Mexico online and see what information you get. Also libraries can be a great source--get help on finding the right book at the library.

not from a cruise but we flew to Chichen Itza and werenot rushed but was able to see most of it including climbing to the top or going inside the pyramid before the return flight. We were back in Playa for a late lunch and some beach time. We were leaving as the hoards of bus tours were just arriving and it was hotter than hot! There is just loads of information on the web with good historys of Chichen Itza and the Mayan cullture. Try Google seach. Our guide was Mayan and US educated and a wealth of information. Tulum was smaller and wonderful too as was Coba which is still being excavated. Since it was so hot Tulum and Coba on one day was too much so we split it up.

Deb, Unless they have changed in the last few days your ports will be Key West, Belize, Cozumel and Progresso/Merida. Some other poster mentioned Tulum and Coba, stating you would have more time there. This is incorrect--normally the ships stop at Playa Del Carmen--tender those ashore who are going on the Tulum tour--you then go by bus to Tulum, spend some time, bus back to Playa, then ferry to Cozumel. I have been to both and can tell you Tulum doesn't compare to Chichen Itza. Chichen is a huge area and has a lot to see. You can not see it all in the tour but can see enough to really appreciate it.<BR>This is one tour I would recommend taking the ships tour. Happy sailing and be sure to visit Chichen!<BR>We have some friends from out of state who are coming to visit in late Sept. and we are all booked back on the Pride--yep, western route--this time I am taking the Uxmal tour. Can't wait.<BR>