Last checked: 25 October 2026 by Lia. Sources: INAH bulletin 436 (September 2026) and INAH site page for Chichén Itzá; Yucatán state fee as published by INAH. Hero photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Tickets and hours
Foreign visitors pay 697 MXN to enter Chichén Itzá in 2026. That is one ticket: INAH’s 105 MXN plus the Yucatán state’s 592 MXN. Free Sunday entry is for Mexican nationals and foreign residents of Mexico with proof, not for a regular tourist passport. Go at opening. The midday heat is no joke, and the tour buses arrive late morning.
| Foreign visitor ticket | 697 MXN |
| Discounts | Check INAH’s site page; concessions apply mainly to Mexican nationals and residents |
| Opening hours | 08:00 to 17:00; last entry 16:00 |
| Climbing | Not allowed on any structure |
| Distance from Cancun | About 200 km, roughly three hours by road |
Quintana Roo (Cancun) is an hour ahead of Yucatán, where Chichén Itzá is. A 08:00 opening at the site is 09:00 Cancun time.
How to get there
- Organised tour: the easiest option. Most include transport, a guide, lunch and a cenote swim; many stop in Valladolid. Check whether the entry ticket is included. See Chichén Itzá day tour.
- Car: the toll highway (cuota) is the fastest route. A car lets you arrive at opening time, before the tour buses.
- ADO bus: ADO runs from Cancun’s downtown terminal; check departures on ADO’s site.
- Tren Maya: the train stops at Chichén Itzá station near Pisté, with a shuttle to the site. Check current timetables on the official site.
When to go
Arrive at opening to avoid the heat and the tour-bus crowds that build from late morning. Around the spring and autumn equinoxes the site gets very busy; INAH ran special access arrangements for the September 2026 equinox.
What to see
El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán) is the famous pyramid. Allow time for the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, the Group of a Thousand Columns and the Sacred Cenote. Bring water, a hat and cash for parking and food.
Combine it with
- A cenote: Ik Kil, near the site, is the classic swim stop. See cenotes near Cancun.
- Valladolid: a colonial town about 45 km east of the site, with its own cenotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Chichén Itzá for foreigners in 2026?
697 MXN, sold as a single ticket.
Can you climb the pyramid at Chichén Itzá?
No. Climbing is banned on all structures.
Is Chichén Itzá worth it from Cancun?
Yes if you’re happy with a long day. It’s one of the most important Maya sites in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What time does Chichén Itzá close?
The site closes at 17:00 Yucatán time, with last entry at 16:00.
