Transporte Colectivo (Chichen Itza Y Piste) — Local services in Valladolid

Chichen itza + Cenote Ik Kil via Colectivo

We got an early morning bus from Merida to Valladolid at 6 am which arrived ahead of schedule, around 8:15 am. We made our way to The Colectivo stand and got there at approximately 8:45 am, it cost 350 pesos (cash) per person to get the “package deal” – Colectivo to Chichen itza, colectivo from Chichen itza to Cenote Ik Kil (includes entry fee, life jacket and locker rental), and colectivo from Cenote back to Valladolid. They give you all three tickets in advance and the wristband to the cenote so make sure to hold onto it. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the first colectivo in the morning, they were trying to fill it up and a few locals jumped in at the end. We got to Chichen itza around 10:15 am and there was a short line to buy tickets there. You can pay with card, and they have two separate charges for the entrance fee. There were several Tour groups around but we didn’t feel that it was too busy given how widespread the site is. We listened to a short 1 hour podcast on the history of Chichen Itza while walking around which was informative; there are also plaques in English to read. We walked around to 5 or so main spots including the main pyramid and the sacred cenote and then came back to the colectivo pick up area (same place as drop off, next to a large tree) and only had to wait about 10 minutes for the colectivo (which already had people coming from Piste on it) The pick up location is the same as drop off and a bus comes every 30 to 40 minutes. There is also a WhatsApp number on the ticket that you could contact to check. The colectivo back to Valladolid was overfilled but only for about two minutes before a couple of people jumped off.

All colectivo drivers were very kind and the journeys were fine. We had AC on the drive to Chichen Itza; on the final bus we had the windows open.

Highly recommend bringing an umbrella to walk around Chichen Itza in addition to a hat, sunscreen...

If you’re planning on visiting Chichen Itzá from Valladolid, the colectivo service is a no-brainer.

$40MXN each way, with regular services from Valladolid starting at 7am, you can easily beat the coach trips from the coast with an early ride to the site.

Pay in cash only at the kiosk (single or return) in the parking lot and climb aboard. Once the bus is full, it leaves. There may be a few drop-offs for locals on the way, but the ride takes about 40 minutes.

When they drop you off at Chichen Itzá, the drivers show you where to wait for your return ride back to Valladolid. At the collection point at Chichen Itzá there is a dispatcher who will let you know when the next bus will arrive and if there is space on board. Be prepared to squeeze up a little but that’s just part of the experience. Both of the buses we took had A/C and as it was 37’ in the shade, it was more than welcome!

There is the option for 20 more pesos on the return ride to be dropped off at cenote Ila which 10 mins along the road from Chichen Itzá. If you bought a single ticket in Valladolid, for your return journey just pay your fare (in cash) when you get...

The colectivo runs every 30 minutes starting at 7 am and the last return is at 430 pm.

It costs 40 pesos each way and 80 pesos round trip - cash only

You will need to wait for the next colectivo if the colectivo is full

There is air conditioning on tue colectivo, but sometimes driver or passengers will open the windows instead.

There will be a tour guide who will offer to provide a 1.5 hour guided tour inside at about 1200 pesos for the whole colectivo, but most people felt pressured and said no though it was a very good deal, it would have been more effective if delivered before or during the ride.

Chichén Itze entrance fee is 643 pesos, cash or card.

There was some confusion on the return. The tour guide pointed to a tree to wait underneath, but there was another tree beyond it with benches underneath and a snack stand, and a person who will call ahead for drivers that someone was waiting for a return. We missed that somehow and the driver drove passed us and yelled out to wait for the next bus and we had to wait...