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Comments:      In August 2003 (August 8 - 15) my friends and I decided to take a trip to Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at the MELIA TURQUESA. Great hotel--all inclusive. On Sunday, August 10, we took a tour with OLYMPUS TOURS to the mayan ruin of CHICHEN-ITZA`.
      Our tour guide, BETO, was soo knowledgable, funny, out going, and very into his work. We also saw the temple of VENUS while we were at Chichen-Itza`. BETO explained Venus' rotation around the sun, and the earth; as well as the earth's rotation. This was to show when Venus can be seen by us here on earth. It is the first star to appear at night and the last star to disappear in the morning.
     BETO did a great job during this tour. He made it fun and interesting.
     I can't wait until I go back to Cancun and re-take this tour. It was AWESOME :)

Posted by Steve on 04/11/03

It was back in the early 80's when I last flew to Chichen Itza. I don't believe we went higher than a few 1000 feet. It was a small 12 passenger plane. I think the air tour is around $180 per person now.

Posted by Panchita on 04/11/03

You can also fly direct from Coz to Chichen... much preferable to bus tours as you get there early in the a.m. before all the busses, tourists and heat.  If you plan on driving, I would recommend taking your time, seeing the sights and staying at a nearby hotel (there are several, closest and most noteable is the Mayaland) - not only can you see the evening light show, but you can get up and get to the ruins early - nice for the same reasons as above.  
Chichen Itza is beautiful - enjoy your trip!

Posted by Steve on 04/11/03

Re: Driving to Chichen Itza

Take the ferry to Play del Carmen. Head South on Hwy.307 to Tulum. About 1/2 hour drive. Take the Road to Coba (you can't miss it) to old 180. Stay off the tollway. Take 180 to Chichen Itza. Total time is about 3 hours. The road to Coba has some pot holes. It's an easy drive.

Posted by cervezaleo _[:-]q on 04/04/02

I have been to Cicken Pizza several times and it is really developed compared to Coba! Coba is a little more primitive, and I find it a little bit more interesting.

If you are interested the best way is to rent a car in Playa (if you shop you can get around $25/$30 for day) and drive over(if you really schedule you can do Tulum in the same day)! If you get there early enough you can bargain with the quides as the tours have not arrived early in the morning, and they want the work(a quide is a must).

Be sure to purchase you water, film, batteries, etc. before you leave Playa as these items are quite pricey!

If you need in further info e-mail me!

Comments: We decided to take the all day tour to Chichen Itza instead of flying. We
booked a private tour through Aero Ferinco over the internet. It turned out to be $100.00 @ person. but was well worth it.  We were placed with two others, a mother and 11 year old son, who were as excited as us making the whole trip most enjoyable. We took a ferry from San Miguel to Playa del Carmen (45 minutes) with a representative from the tour company. Once in Playa del Carmen we meet our tour guide and driver. They offered us beverages and a pastry. Which we appreciated because our adventure had started at 630am with no time for breakfast. The 2 1/2 hour drive to the Mayan ruins was filled with varied sights along the way that might have been missed by flying. All this and 1 hour ahead of tour buses. At the ruins we were turned over to a guide who stayed with us for the 3 hours we had to see Chichen Itza. The guide was very knowledgable and answered all of our questions. He made it most fun by also asking us questions and made sure we knew all that we wanted to know. We were then returned to original guides who drove us to our pre-arranged luncheon in a beautifu park near the ruins. A buffet was  provided and and very much enjoyed. Then we had the opportunity of a life time too swim in a underground, fresh water Cenote for about 30-45 minutes. This experience and seeing the ruins will never be forgotten and will repeated again and with Aero Ferinco. We were back in Playa del Carmen close to 6pm. Not wanting to rush we visited Playa for about an hour and made the 7pm ferry on our own  back to the island. Our Thanks to Laura, Ricardo, our driver whos name fails me and Juliene. Also to our New Friend from Vermount Sarah and John who made the experience even more special than expected....................

Comments: I think my family found a good alternative to the bus or plane. We chartered a van and driver for 12 hours. No driving hassles, we stopped where we wanted. We learned about our driver, Mario during the course of the day. And ended up shopping at  smaller more reserved stores and stalls.  BUY A HAMMOCK! If I was to do it again I would have stopped in Valladolid longer. It was an interesting place. The cathedral was built (I think) in 1586.

Zip from Playa north to Cancun and get on the toll road to get there.
Go home by way of Coba and Tulum and north again back to Playa.
We made the 7:30 Ferry.

AND do it on the heavy cruise ship day.
Good Luck
rick

Posted by Panchita on 11/15/01

I've always made a point of climbing at Chichen - especially since I keep hearing that they're going to block it off soon.  One year, I think it was July, I went with a friend of mine who was afraid of heights - we got halfway up the outside, sweating fit to beat Jesus, and she froze up - couldn't move in either direction!  It took twenty minutes to talk her down backwards in the blazing sun - I think it's the closest I've ever been to heat stroke.  So, as if that wasn't enough - I left Sandy under a tree and went up the inside of El Castillo - for those of you who haven't done this yet, wear footgear with good traction!  The building was built over an existing pyramid, and archeologists have dug out a passageway that goes up the inside to the top of the smaller structure - there's statuary up there that still has the original paint on it.  This isn't open all the time, so I had to take advantage of the fact that they were letting people in.  The steps and walls are slippery with moss and humidity and there are no handrails.  Lightbulbs are spaced about 15 feet apart so in addition to being hot and slippery, climbing stairs steep enough to use your hands on the way up, it's kinda dark.  Once was enough for that one, but it was still really cool

Posted by Jenny on 08/20/01

Posted by Panchita on 08/16/01

If you are worried about time constraints, I highly recommend flying to Chichen Itza.  If you take the early morning flight, you arrive at the ruins at about 8:30am - well ahead of all of the tour busses, and before the weather gets too suffocatingly hot (this time of year the humidity in the jungle is amazing), and you will be back on the beach by 2pm.  If you go by ferry/tour bus, you won't be back until much later in the evening - this way you still have the whole afternoon to play (maybe snorkeling at one of the beach clubs?  Dzul Ha comes to mind as a great way to spend a few hours after climbing pyramids...).
Have a wonderful time!

Posted by Cara on 07/04/01

it only takes about 4-5 hours,  so you are back to spend the afternoon as you wish.  We went with Aeroferinco and I think you can access them online.  Not sure if they have their own website or thru some other site.  Also get there before the crowds and before it gets as hot midday.
I loved the trip, although the little 12 seat plane made me a little nauseous, but it was only 45 minutes  :)  If you don't contact them ahead, most hotels have desks where you can sign up for trips etc.

Posted by Trudy on 05/07/01

Visiting Chichen Itza overnight from Cozumel

Ferry to Playa del Carmen.

Second class bus (54 pesos) to Valladolid.

Stay at Maria de la Luz (a/c, tv, 2 beds, showers) for 246 pesos/night/two people.
(Hotel Zaci is 300 pesos for a/c).

Hire a taxi (look for Santiago taxi #17) for 200 pesos to go to Ek Balam in the afternoon (closes around 5).

Hire Santiago again for a trip to Chichen Itza.  If you use him all day it should be 400 pesos +tip.  This last time we went to Chichen Itza (paid for Santiago to go in with us), Balamkanche Caverns (again paid for Santiago), then off to Eb tun to visit Chuco's relatives, then to Dzitnup to swim in the cenote...don't miss this one, stopped for a seafood dinner at Caribe Restaurant, and then back to hotel by around 5:00.  

We didn't feel rushed with all that we did.  We stayed at Chichen Itza for the full morning.  By the time it was about 11:30, it was hot and we were tired.  We didn't get a tour guide this last time and I have yet to decide if I like it better with or without.  I think I'm glad I hired the guide the first time...but we paid $40 USD for 2 or 3 hours.  He was a wealth of information.

No need to take a formal tour.  I like the bus because I don't have to worry about driving in Mexico.  But if you don't have a problem with it, I don't think you'd get lost and the roads are fine.

Coming back I take a first class bus but sometimes the air conditioning can freeze you out.  Movies have been in Spanish or French.  

Check out my trip report if you think you'd like to try the Trudy Special! lol

Posted by cervezaleo _[:-]q on 05/07/01

Have stayed at the + Hotel Priamide Inn my last two trips to Piste. The rooms are very basic, bath, A/C, no TV, no phone and clean. If you are lucky to get there early enough to get a courtyard room that is the way to go. Last year $400/Mx for the nite (appx $40/US). Ph #011-52-985-10-115

Our plan,is to always be at Chicken Pizza when the gate goes up, cool morning but out by noon or one when the tour buses arrive and it starts getting hot. By arriving early you can get a bargain on a guide at that time because the buses have not arrived. Last year we were able to get the tour for the two hour price for four hours. We always hold our a change of clothes for when we leave, and our bathing suits. You can either go back to the Priamide, take a cool off dip in their pool and change into clean clothes for nice relaxed trip back! My suggestion though is instead go to the Club Med, instead of going back to Piste on the highway head towards Merida and take the first paved road that is an extreme acute angle to the highway (short distance from entrance to Chicken Pizza 1mile+). The have a beautiful courtyard restaurant with pool. If you have lunch they let you use pool, they also have outside showers, you can do your change there! Ph# 011-52-985-100-18.

If you need any more info drop me a line!

Leo

Posted by Laurel on 05/06/01

Posted by Brittner Family on 03/03/01

Travel Warning

We got back from Cozumel on Feb.14, 2001.  We had the best time of or lives. Unfortunately on the Sunday before our return we took the Chichen Itza tour with Turismo Aviomar.  Although our tour was very nice, we believe that we brought back more than photos and fond memories.

Although we were very careful of where and what we ate or drank, we believe that the mainland buffet restaurant served us contaminated food in the way of the fresh vegetable dishes that they offered.  We believe that they must be washing their vegetables with the local water.
Although we wrote the tourist company with our thoughts and concerns, to this date we have received no reply.  Although it is too late for myself and my wife, perhaps a word of caution for the future vacationers may be in order.

Posted by Panchita on 09/22/00

Chichen Itza - do yourself a favor and fly there.  It costs a bit more but it's worth it.  If you take the bus tour your day will look like this
Take ferry to Playa del Carmen to catch  Bus - 45 minutes
Take bus to Chichen Itza - 3-4 hours
Arrive Chichen Itza with a zillion other tour busses just as the temperature is climbing in the 'humid and uncomfortable' range
Stay at ruins for 2+ hours
3-4 hour bus ride back to Playa del Carmen
45 minute ferry back to Cozumel

Your day is shot!

If you fly, you take a 7am flight and your at the ruins by 8:15, you spend 3+ hours at the ruins before the heat gets unbearable and before the tour busses arrive, then fly back to Cozumel - you're back on the beach by 2pm.
I've tried both trips, and believe me,  flying is worth the extra $$!
Have a wonderful time.

Posted by Bobby on 06/14/00

We just went an took a six seater.  It is definitely better than the agonizing bus ride that is burned into my memory.

Planes are small turboprops... probably fly with AeroFerinco...about 20 or seats or so...

It is the only way to do chichen because if you go by ground you will have the 45 minute ferry ride each way plus over a 2 hour bus ride each way from playa to chichen.......

it may be more expensive but it is well worth the extra money to get there in 45 minutes and do your tour and get back to your hotel.....

chris vandeventer
reel entertainment travel
leavetown@hotmail.com

Posted by Chimp on April 30, 2000

My wife an I flew in to Chichen Itza in January.  We waited to book our flight until we reached the island and found a slight bit of difficulty communicating with the gentleman who took care of us.  He got everything correct but we weren't 100% sure he understood us a couple of times on things like the day of the week we wanted to go.  Next time I'll book from here just for the peace of mind.

For sure... WAIT UNTIL YOU GET TO COZUMEL...

I dont know what kind of prices they are quoting on the net but it has been my experience over the past 8 years that if the going rate is $129-$159 you can find it on sale for $89-$99 with some tour company in cozumel.

It is all supply and demand..If it is a slow week in the area then they want to fill the planes and you can get a good deal... be sure to check with a couple of different tour operators... they have tour information posted in the lobbies of most hotels...  even tho there is a representative from the tour company you are flying with offering tours dont feel obligated to buy your tours from him if you can get it cheaper somewhere else...  WARNING... the price you pay for your trip to chichen itza will not include airport taxes so expect to spend about $15 extra per person on airport taxes.....

chris vandeventer
reel entertainment travel
leavetown@hotmail.com

We just did this excursion last week and the airport tax is now $23 per person (or at least it was the day we went!)We had no problem getting the day and time we wanted but did pay top prices due to high demand. No matter what it is SO worth the time and money-this was our second visit and it was more enjoyable than the first!

Posted by Michele on March 20, 2000

Hi.  The total trip was from 7:15a to 12:30p. The trip as it is planned by the tour company would leave you with enough time and more.  But due to the plane leaving 20 minutes late and the fact that we had to stop in Play Del Carmen to first pick up and then again drop off 3 passengers, we felt like we could have used those extra 40 or so minutes.

To do what you ask?  There was THE BEST flea market right there and we only got to spend 5 minutes there.

We arrived at the site a little before 9a, which was WAY before all the tour buses, so we had the run of the place.  The airport is the ruin's airport.  We were transported the 1/2 mile (if that) by a van. So, in the actual ruins area we did have enough time -- even 45 minutes on our own. We had to meet the van in front of the site at 11:30a.

The place is massive and awesome!

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Posted by Mo on February 1, 2000

$129.00 per person for flights on Maya Air.   This included drinks (beer, water, soda) and a guide.  It did not include $40.00 in departure fees to leave Cozumel ($22) and to return ($18). Cash only please.  We booked in advance through our travel agency here in CT., and set up the actual date and time with our Tour rep that came to our hotel.  Get in touch with your rep asap, as we wanted the 6:30 am flight and had to settle for the 9:30 am flight.  The flight is about 45 minutes, followed by a quick taxi ride to the ruins, then you'll have approx. 2 1/2 hours at the site.  Bring extra water, sunscreen, a hat and bug spray.  We used Skintastic spray and it worked fine.  Return flight left at 1:30, we were snorkeling by 2:30.  Wish we could have spent more time there.  Next time we may do an overnight.  Enjoy and good luck to you!

Posted by Jim on 02/06/00

Posted by Amando Rose on November 01, 1999 

2 years ago we were on Cozumel with 4 other people. We all wanted to see Chichen Itza so we rented a car in Playa del Carmen (be sure you check it out before you drive away!). It's about a 3 to 4 hour drive but we were shown a different route than the one from Cancun -- we drove towards Coba and got on another road near there that took us to Valladolid and we got on the toll road around there to the ruins. We stayed overnight at the Dolores Alba motel (about a mile from the ruins -- not a fancy place at all but clean and the food at their restaurant hit the spot (it's also where we first saw a unique method for fly control -- a clear plastic bag filled with water suspended over the table. We don't know how it works, but I have seen this done also in a restaurant in the town of Coba). If you drive you will want to stay overnight because it is a long drive and you don't want to drive on Mexican roads at night. At night at the ruins they have a laser light show that's costs about the same as seeing the place during the daytime. We went to see it; the show was not very good and with all the wealth of information about this amazing place, there was very little creativity to the whole presentation. The only thing that made it worthwhile was just BEING there at night. It was so magical with El Castillo in front of us, the stars in the sky overhead and not a sign of city lights anywhere around the horizon.

Be aware that if you drive, you may notice some military checkpoints along the way and you may get stopped. Be nice to them, show them what they want; they are looking for drug smugglers so if you're clean you should not have any problems.

I understand that the market stalls just outside the entrance to Chichen Itza have some the best deals for souvenirs -- I did not have the chance to check that out because we spent all the time we had that day exploring the site.

Hope this helps!

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Posted by Denny on November 01, 1999

Chichen Itza is by far the best one to visit. You should plan on flying to these ruins [your hotel will have info about the tours]. You will leave early in the day and be at the ruins before the hottest part of the day and well ahead of the crowds that come by bus from Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa Del Carman. While they are touring in the hot noonday sun, you will be enjoying your lunch in the shade before your flight back to the island. You'll be back on Cozumel in the water and relaxing while they are still in a 95 degree "air conditioned" bus with a bunch of other grumpy tourists. Believe me, the extra money spent on the flight tour is well worth it. Your cost [approx. $129] will include a guide at the ruins and airport transfers.

Posted by Thorsten on October 31, 1999

fly, its expensive, but the only way. Consider that any other way you have the whole day and than some wasted saving a couple of bucks. You really need a tour guide there. The place is amazing. If I can recall the tour we took several years ago from Cancun is 50 dlrs or so.

Considering the expense per vacation day, I wouldnt waste 1/2 day for traveling and maybe, just maybe saving 50 $.

But if you are only remotely interested, DO IT. The place is astounding to say at least.

Thorsten

Posted by Chelli on October 31, 1999

I don't know about the cheapest, but the best is to fly. I think it is about $129 or 139, plus airport tax of about $16.

We didn't do it this summer because there were 5 of us and it would have been a small fortune, (we spent our wad scuba diving) but I talked to someone on our flight back home that did and she said it was great. They got there before the tour buses from Cancun and left as they were arriving, so they had the place pretty much to themselves.

I would think taking the ferry over to Playa or where ever it goes, then transfering up to Cancun, taking the bus to Chichen-Itza, touring for 3 hours and then reversing the whole process would be one LONG and tiring day.

You could probably rent a car on the mainland too, but it is a long drive and you have to consider if you want to drive that far with the Mexican drivers. I am sure the trip alone would be an experience!

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