Visiting the Archaeological Site of Chichen Itza (Chichén Itzá), the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, as an independent backpacker.
And the good news is that you don’t need a tour to visit. And it’s super easy. Just jump on an ADO bus from Mérida (or a collectivo from Valladolid).
I saw some 2025 post where the blogger said it was not easy to find out how to get there without taking a tour.
Dude, just go to the bus station, use Google Maps, use Rome2Rio. Hell, use NomadicBackpacker.
Details at the bottom of the post.
Chichén Itzá is recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the modern world.
Chichen Itza finally ticked off the Mexico Bucket List.
I have now visited and blogged about these archaeological sites in Mexico: Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, Mitla, Palenque, Edzná and Chichén Itzá.
The name Chichén Itzá means ‘At the mouth of the well of the Itzá’.
The Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo) dominates the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, built by the Maya people in AD 600.
The Temple of the Large Tables, adorned with engravings of “Jaguars in Procession”:
Plaza of the Thousand Columns:
Beautiful engravings at Chichén Itzá:
How to visit Chichén Itzá from Mérida:
There is no need to take an organised tour, which is great news for independent backpackers.
You can take an ADO bus/minivan from Terminal ADO in Mérida to Chichén Itzá.
According to the ADO website (2025), buses depart at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00 and 12:00.
The journey takes 2 hours and drops you right at the site entrance. How simplenis that?
This is the ADO Minivan that I took from Mérida to Chichén Itzá (2021):
How far is Chichén Itzá from Cancún, Tulum and Playa del Carmen?
Chichén Itzá is 115 km from Mérida, 200 km from Cancún, 146 km from Tulum and 180 km from Playa del Carmen
How much does it cost to visit Chichén Itzá as a foreigner in 2026?
Chichén Itzá is not a cheap day out. In 2021, I paid 553 pesos (80 + 453 pesos).
These are the details taken from the Chichén Itzá official website (February 2026):
- Standard Entrance Fee (INAH Federal Fee): 100 pesos
- Government of the State of Yucatán tax for foreigners: 571 pesos
So for foreigners, the total fee is 671 pesos.
Chichén Itzá Opening Hours
Chichen Itza is currently open from 8 am to 5 pm. Last entry 4 pm.
Getting back to Mérida
Having toured and explored the amazing Mayan ruins, I took an Oriente bus back to Mérida from the parking lot outside the entrance. I bought the ticket à la minute, and it was cheaper than the ADO bus.
If anyone has done this more recently, feel free to leave a comment below.
Do you know if residency card holders get taxed as a foreigner?
Depends on the museum/site you are visiting.
Some accept temp res, others accept only permanent.
Some neither.