How to Visit Chichén Itzá from Merida - Mexico

​Posted: August 21, 2021 | Updated: November 9, 2024 | Tagged: ​Mexico

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Chichén Itzá and The Temple of Kukulcán, are recognised as one of the new seven wonders of the modern world. In this post, I share my experiences of how to get from Merida to Chichén Itzá using public transport.

Chichen Itza finally ticked off the Mexico Bucket List.

​I have now visited and blogged about Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, Mitla, Palenque, Edzná and Chichén Itzá archaeological sites in Mexico.

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 600 A.D.

The Temple of the Large Tables, adorned with engravings of "Jaguars in Procession":

Plaza of the Thousand Columns:

Beautiful engravings at ​Chichén Itzá:

How much does it cost to visit Chichen Itza?

Chichén Itzá is not a cheap day out.

There is the standard entrance fee plus an aditional Government of the State of Yucatan tax to be paid. In 2021, I paid a total of 533 MXN, which was, at the time, 26 USD, similar to what I paid to visit Tikal in Guatemala

(Check out the latest prices on the official Chichen Itza website).

Chichen Itza Opening Times:

According to the official website, Chichen Itza is open Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 4 pm.

​​How to get to from Merida to Chichén Itzá with the ADO bus

I asked at the very helpful tourist information office on Calle 57A in Mérida, about how to get to Chichén Itzá.
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ADO runs a direct bus at 7:15 am from the bus station:

I booked the ticket at the station above, the day before and paid 159MXN. The journey took 1 hr 45 minutes and you are dropped off at the site entrance.
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After I had finished exploring the site, I simply waited in the parking lot and a ticket lady duly appeared and I bought my ticket just as the ORIENTE bus to Mérida turned up. Fare is 115MX and the journey took 2 hrs 20 minutes.​

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I visited Chichén Iztá as a day trip from Mérida. For other awesome day trips that you can make from Mérida check out this in depth guide over on Mexico Travel Secrets.

Where to stay in Mérida:

I stayed at the Hostal Zocalo, which, as the name suggests, is directly on the Zócalo. Prime location!

I stayed in room 21 on the ground level, a single room with a medium sized bed and overhead fan. Shared bathroom/breakfast included. I got a 10% discount by staying longer. In fact, I stayed 13 nights at the Hostal Zocalo.

They have dorm rooms and other rooms with AC which you might need. Mérida gets super hot.
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Address: Calle 63 508 primer piso, entre 60 y 62. Frente a la Plaza Grande, Mérida, Yuc., 97000, Mexico​
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