After reading the posts, we are interested in finding out if you can take the public bus from Cancun (Hotel Zone) to Chichen Itza w/out a tour and taxis? Has anyone tried to do it and how long did it take and would you do it again? I hear some of the tours will drop you off and have only a short time to view the ruins. We also like the flexibility of traveling by ourselves but this may be to difficult of a trip w/out a guide. Any advice would be great!! Thank you so much!!

Not really difficult at all. First, you will need to get to the central bus station in Cancun--can be done by public bus or taxi from the hotel zone. The bus line Oriente has very nice buses
(may be other lines too) to Chichen--the time should be 2 to 3hours and the cost very reasonable(you will see the schedules posted over the ticket windows at the bus station. Don't be afraid of the buses--they are much nicer than US buses as is the new Cancun bus station!
I would always do this as being part of a group who will be taken to many shops while on this tour. If you really need a guide, you can hire one yourself at Chichen for a good (negotiable) price.
Enjoy!

Robert,
Thank you for the great advice!! Do you know if the buses to Chichen Itza run frequently from Cancun or is it only twice a day? Also, does the "Oriente" bus line have a website and do you need to reserve ahead of time? Thank you so much for your help!!

We did this in 1991 with our five year old, and it made for a very fond travel memory. The bus wasn't airconditioned and we got very sweaty, but it was SO interesting passing through the villages along the way and seeing non-touristized Mexico. I think we were the only gringos on the bus. We left very early, the fare was VERY cheap, wandered about the ruins by ourselves for several hours, then headed back. I recall the one way trip being 3 hours. I'd bet the busses are better now.

We stayed in Valladolid for a couple of nights. We went by public bus to Valladolid, and then caught a local bus the next morning to Chichen Itza. Bus was cheap, hotel was cheap, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Hope the info helps, TVL! I can't remember the frequency of the Chichen buses but is is more than 2 per day. Oriente is the 2nd Class service of ADO, which is a huge bus system. The buses have changed much since gigib rode them--now, the Oriente 2nd class buses are air conditioned (sometimes too much so!) and Mercedes buses and, you will not be the only Americans on the bus. As far as I know, their is no Oriente website and the seats cannot be reserved.
When are you traveling? I will be in the Cancun bus station on April 19 enroute to Valladolid and could check schedules for you, if thats not too late.

RobertSDF,
Thank you for the additional info. on the buses. If you have a chance to check the schedule that would be great!! We are in our final planning stages and any help would be appreciated!! I have an additional question about getting from the Hotel Zone (Cancun) to Cozumel. I know the ferry can be picked up in PDC but how does one get from the hotel zone to PDC (not including taxis or the public bus)? I read about "collectivos" but a little concerned with our luggage and people constantly getting on and off. What is your "expert" opinion? (= Thank you for all of your great advice and I hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!

Hi, just got back and no big deal! A little Spanish helps at the bus terminal. Just take route 1 into town 1.20 for two. Bus leaves about 9:00am,Returns 4:30 Pm. $24.00 round trip, 1st. class, don't do 2nd class 3hrs.(not2) on 1st..After 4hrs. in the heat, meeting strangers on 2nd class is the last thing you want .Get there early and go to Sansourns across the street(behind the station) Nice place, kinda american but very Mexican. The B-k fast buffet is GREAT everything inc. Fresh juice,coffee $8.00, if you don't speak Espanol the folks are great just point a lot.Skip the $55 trip and have a little fun. if you need adventure walk back from the park and go to town, takes 20 min. each way and buy lunch and a couple drinks for under $20.

Regarding getting to Playa from the Cancun hotel zone. If you have a lot of luggage, it will probably be best to take a taxi to the Cancun central bus station--if not, you can take the public buses to the center. Once arriving at the central station, just go to the Riviera ticket booth for Playa--the buses leave approx. every 15 minutes to Playa. Once in Playa, turn right out of the front doors of the station, walk through the central park toward the ocean and you will see the ferry pier and ticket booths.
Hope this helps.

Thank you both for all of the great information. It is always great to hear advice from people who have traveled there before. I really appreciate all of your help!! Have a safe trip!!