If you're reading this, you're probably planning to tick off your bucket list this wonderful archaeological site. Chichen Itza as you already know is one of the new Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it's a truly spectacular place, a must if you find yourself around this part of the world. Most people who visit Chichen Itza will either be staying in Merida or Cancun/Tulum. I visited Chichen Itza from Merida on my own after doing a lot of online research and reading countless forums which were to be fair, quite burdensome. To save you some precious time I decided to put together this guide on how to visit Chichen Itza on your own.
This trip is also totally possible from Cancun or Tulum, however, the buses may leave at different times than the ones in Merida, so please visit the ADO website.
A DIY return trip to Chichen Itza including the entry costs will set you back close to 1000 pesos ($45 USD), a bargain! considering most tours start at 2000 pesos ($90 USD).
Visiting Chichen Itza On Your Own From Merida
Step 1
The day before your planned trip to the ruins, buy some food as you'll have to get up early and most shops may not be yet open, or alternatively you can also buy coffee and a pastry at the bus station in Merida. Food is also very expensive at the ruins so bring your own lunch (Pack some sandwiches, fruit and plenty of water). Also don't forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and to download your Chichen Itza free audio guide, which you can find on your app store (bring those earbuds).
Step 2
Decide on which bus company you're going to use to get to Chichen Itza.
There are two bus options:
- Better and more comfortable ADO buses which leave Merida at 6.30am, and take 1 hour to Chichen Itza, and cost around 200 pesos ($9 USD). The return time is 5.20pm.
- Alternatively, you can opt for the less comfortable and slower (but also cheaper) Oriente buses, which leave Merida around the same time as the ADO buses, however, they take 3 hours to reach Chichen Itza costing only 95 pesos ($4 USD). The Oriente buses run every hour to Chichen Itza and there's also one every 10min past the hour to return.
Most people will probably opt for taking the 6:30am ADO bus to Chichen Itza in order to beat the crowds and get to the archaeological site as early as possible, and then return with one of the Oriente buses which as stated above, depart hourly from the parking lot in front of the main entrance/exit to the ruins.
Although the Oriente bus takes longer, it's also cheaper and the return journey will take you through many small villages that you'd otherwise miss if you'd opt for the ADO bus.
(Tip: Return buses stop after 5pm. From Chichen Itza you can take a different bus to Valladolid and if you'd like to get a later return to Merida.)
Things Worth Considering
How to get from your accommodation to the local bus station in Merida:
Get an Uber or call the local taxi company to reach the bus terminal in Merida if your accommodation is too far.
Where to buy your bus tickets:
You can get your ADO tickets right off their website, however, to buy your Oriente bus tickets, you'll have to do so at the bus terminal in Merida (you can also buy the ADO tickets at this terminal.
It's advisable to purchase your ADO return tickets in Merida.
You can buy your Oriente bus return tickets on the spot when you decide to leave Chichen Itza.
How to navigate Merida bus station:
Merida bus station isn't far from the historical centre. There are two separate buildings, however, they are connected and you can easily access one building from the other. Once you get to the bus terminal if you feel a bit lost (the terminal is very small) you can walk up to any of the kiosks selling tickets and ask for directions.
Where will the bus drop you off:
Both ADO and Oriente buses will drop you off right in front of the main entrance/exit to the ruins, where the parking lot is.
How to get back to Merida:
The buses will depart from more or less the same location where you were dropped off. There's a huge tree to your right if you're in the parking lot and that's where the bus will pick you up from. In case you're a bit lost just ask some of the many vendors, and they'll be able to help.
How to download your Chichen Itza free audio guide:
We downloaded our free audio guide from the play store (android mobile phone), however, there are also options available on the Apple app store if you have an iPhone. These offline guides are really well-designed and will make a visit to Chichen Itza more interesting (in case you don't want to hire the services of a guide, which you can do once you get to Chichen Itza, but it will cost you).
Visiting Chichen Itza on a DIY day trip from either Merida or Cancun/Tulum is totally doable and worth it. This will surely be a far more enjoyable experience than being crammed on a tour bus, with many other tourists without having the freedom to explore the ruins at your own pace.
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