Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Soumya
How to go to Chichen Itza from Valladolid? A common question that plagues all our minds when we are in the beautiful city of Valladolid, Mexico.
The magical town of Valladolid is the best place to stay if you have Chichen Itza on your Mexico itinerary.
Valladolid is close to the Chichen Itza ruins (just an hour away) and has many wonderful things to do.
Getting to Chichen Itza from Valladolid is easy but requires some planning.
There are many ways you can go to Chichen Itza from Valladolid – by colectivo, bus, taxi, car, or guided tours.
In this detailed transport guide, you’ll find the 6 best ways to travel from Valladolid to Chichen Itza and vice versa, from Chichen Itza to Valladolid.
And, there’s a surprise at the end – the Valladolid to Chichen Itza train!!
I have analyzed all the Valladolid – Chichen Itza transport options by price, time taken, and comfort levels so you know what to expect. Read through and let me know if you have found your best fit.
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Ride the Valladolid to Chichen Itza Colectivo
A good old colectivo is the cheapest way to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid. And, to be honest, sometimes the most efficient.
If you haven’t booked a Chichen Itza tour or don’t have a car, just show up at the Valladolid colectivo stop. Board a colectivo. And get to Chichen Itza. Yes, it is that simple!
A colectivo is a mini-van that can take 12 – 14 passengers simultaneously. The driver usually waits for the van to fill up (usually takes 20-30 mins), then starts the journey.
Don’t expect colectivos to be super comfy. They are the cheapest means of transport, after all.
Sometimes, air-conditioning may not work. More often, there are no formal queues, and things are a little disorganized.
But they get the job done – getting you to Chichen Itza from Valladolid and back – and that’s important.
Honestly, colectivos make Chichen Itza an easy day trip from Valladolid without much planning.
Valladolid Chichen Itza Colectivo Hours
Colectivos frequently run between Valladolid – Chichen Itza and back.
They start as early as 7:00 am in the morning from Valladolid and run till later in the day. Chichen Itza archeological site closes at 4:00 pm (latest hours on the official website here), so plan accordingly.
The last colectivo from Chichen Itza to Valladolid leaves around 4:30 pm.
A colectivo ride takes about 45 mins – 1 hour. Earlier, colectivos used to make multiple stops to drop off locals, but nowadays, they are usually full of tourists. So, you get to Chichen Itza faster.
Where is the Chichen Itza collective stop in Valladolid?
The colectivo stop in Valladolid is on Calle 39, between C.46 and C.48.
The address is C. 39 2-215, Centro, 97784 Valladolid Yucatan. Click here to access directions to the Valladolid to Chichen Itza colectivo stop on Google Maps.
What is the Valladolid to Chichen Itza colectivo fare?
The colectivo fare to Chichen Itza from Valladolid is 40 pesos ($2 approx), one way.
You’ll need to pay the driver directly. So, have some cash on you.
For the return trip from Chichen Itza to Valladolid, you can buy your tickets from the colectivo drivers at the point where they drop you.
Take the Ado Bus from Valladolid to Chichen Itza
Taking a bus is a great way to travel between Valladolid and Chichen Itza.
I highly recommend using ADO buses when traveling in Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Two kinds of ADO buses run between Chichen Itza and Valladolid – ADO Bus and ADO Conecta Vans.
ADO buses are comfortable. They have air-conditioning, reclining seats, and usually one toilet at the back.
ADO Conecta is usually a minivan and has AC but no toilet.
Buses leave from the ADO bus stop at the corner of Calle 39 and Calle 46. The address is Calle 39 No. 221 por 46 Centro C.P. 97780 Valladolid Yucatan. Access directions to the ADO bus stop here on Google Maps.
The bus drops you right in front of the archaeological site at Chichen Itza. You can board your return bus from the same place.
ADO Bus – Pros & Cons
ADO bus is definitely more comfortable than a Valladolid colectivo but costs about 3X times or more.
For instance, a bus ticket to Chichen Itza from Valladolid and back each way costs about 170 pesos (approx. $10). The ADO Conecta fare is 155 pesos (approximately $9).
One big issue with taking an ADO bus is the frequency.
- There is just one ADO bus from Valladolid to Chichen Itza every day, which runs at 10:37 am. It arrives in Chichen Itza at 11:27 pm.
- On Sundays, Valladolid – Chichen Itza buses are more frequent – like 2-3 times. Check the schedules here.
- The ADO Conecta leaves at 10:00 am and reaches Chichen Itza at 10:40 am.
- This means you waste your precious morning and arrive in Chichen Itza only when it is full of tourists.
There is just one option for your return journey on the bus from Chichen Itza to Valladolid.
Take the ADO Conecta Van that leaves the archaeological site at 2:05 pm and arrives in Valladolid at 2:45 pm. There are two more vans before that, but it does not make sense to take them.
Honestly, if I had to choose between the Chichen Itza to Valladolid bus and the colectivo, I would take the colectivo any day.
How to book your ADO bus ticket from Valladolid to Chichen Itza?
You can book the ADO bus ticket in 3 ways.
- Get your ticket at the bus ticket counter before you travel. We have traveled extensively on ADO buses in Mexico and booked our tickets at the counter on many occasions. Remember to arrive a little early before the tickets get sold out, especially because there’s just one bus out of Valladolid bound for Chichen Itza.
- Book online on the ADO website or ADO app. You’ll be asked for your personal and payment details, after which you’ll receive the PDF version of the ticket in your inbox. If your non-Mexican credit card does not work while paying, you can pay by Paypal. I find the ADO website too painful to navigate.
- You can also use a third-party aggregator like Busbud to book your journey. This has been my preferred option lately, so I can be assured of a seat.
Get a Taxi from Valladolid to Chichen Itza
Getting a taxi is the most convenient and quickest way to travel from Valladolid to Chichen Itza and back. You’ll get to the ruins in less than 40 minutes.
However, the cost is significantly higher than riding the bus or a colectivo. Expect to pay around $30 – $40 each way.
You can connect with local taxi providers in Valladolid, Mexico, here and here.
Or you can schedule a Valladolid to Chichen Itza pick-up here.
Book a Chichen Itza Tour from Valladolid
One of the best ways to explore the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza is by joining a guided tour led by a local tour guide. I love how guides pepper their stories with local legends and myths, something you won’t find elsewhere.
With its numerous mysteries and intriguing facts, Chichen Itza deserves a guided tour.
Unfortunately, most good Chichen Itza tours start from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Valladolid only has a few.
The best choice from Valladolid is this full-day tour that includes a guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins, a dip in Cenote Yokdzonot + local lunch, and a visit to the Yellow Town of Izamal.
Guests love this tour (all 5 stars); the guide is professional and knowledgeable. Read more reviews here.
Alternatively, you can book this private tour, which includes Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, and Ek Balam ruins.
Getting a guided tour from Valladolid makes adding Chichen Itza to your Valladolid travel itinerary super easy.
Rent a Car to Get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid
Can you drive to Chichen Itza? You sure can!
Rent a car and drive to Chichen Itza. The drive takes about 40 minutes.
Parking is available near the archaeological site and costs about 80 pesos ($5).
I don’t drive, so I cannot talk about my experience renting a car in Mexico. Renting a car in Valladolid, Mexico, may not be very easy. But you can easily rent one in Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen.
Click here to check for rates and availability of car rentals from Cancun and Riviera Maya.
Having your car gives you complete flexibility over your journey.
Ride the Valladolid to Chichen Itza Train
The newest and the most exciting option to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid is by Tren Maya or the Mayan Train.
The new Tren Maya connects over 30 stops in the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas, and Tabasco. Valladolid and Chichen Itza are two of them.
They have regular and special tickets. You can check all the details on the official website here.
I haven’t ridden the Mayan Train yet, but I am excited to get on it soon. If you have already been on it, let us know your experience in the comments below.
How to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid – FAQ
How far is Chichen Itza from Valladolid?
Chichen Itza is located about 28 miles (45km) east of Valladolid, Mexico. Driving here takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
How do I get from Valladolid to Chichen Itza?
You can get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid by colectivo, bus, car, taxi, or a guided tour. The cheapest mode of transport between Valladolid and Chichen Itza is a colectivo, while the most convenient option is to drive a car.
How much is a Colectivo from Valladolid to Chichen Itza?
The cost of a colectivo ride from Valladolid to Chichen Itza (and vice versa) is 40 pesos ($2) one way. You can board the colectivo from the colectivo stand at Calle 39, between C.46 and C.48.
How long does it take to get from Chichen Itza to Valladolid?
It takes about an hour to get to Valladolid from Chichen Itza by colectivo or bus. If you are riding a taxi or driving your own car, it may take shorter, about 40 minutes.
What airport is closest to Chichen Itza?
Merida International Airport is the closest to Chichen Itza. But Cancun International Airport, which is a little further away, has more flight options.
| Experience more of Valladolid and Chichen Itza Read our posts on Valladolid | From praying in a fortress convent to watching a traditional Jarana performance, there are many wonderful things to do in Valladolid, Mexico. Chichen Itza | Grab this ultimate guide to visiting Chichen Itza. Or read some surprising facts about Chichen Itza before your trip. Chichen Itza and Ek Balam | Visit the ruins of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam from Valladolid in one day or discover some hidden Mayan ruins near Valladolid. |
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