Top Cancun Historical Tours

As if getting early access to Chichen Itza—one of the New 7 Wonders of the World—wasn’t enough, this small-group tour from Playa del Carmen also includes Ek Balam, another major Mayan archeological site, and a cooling dip in a cenote. Add to that a freshly prepared regional lunch and you’ve got the ultimate cultural day out in Mexico.

The ancient Maya city of Tulum draws travelers from around the world that want to visit this celebrated archeological site and its 13th century architecture. You can visit this must-see attraction in just a few hours on this express Tulum tour, where you explore the sights with a guide. You can uncover the history of this storied city, learn about Maya culture, and enjoy hassle-free travel from select Yucatán Peninsula hotels.

Optimize your time in the Yucatan on this full-day tour to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen. Pose for pictures in front of the Kukulcan structure, explore the Great Ball Court, and learn about the site’s history from your bilingual guide. Lunch, snacks, hotel pickup, and return transfer via air-conditioned vehicle are included, so there are no hidden extras.

Journey to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on this full-day tour and experience this incredible archeological site with a local guide. Walk along El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan and learn how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan Civilization. Midway through the day, enjoy a typical buffet lunch and a refreshing dip at a cenote. Finally, take a panoramic tour through the colonial town of Valladolid.

Spend a day aways from Cancun's beaches and bars and discover Chichen Itza, a key Mayan archaeological site, before the crowds arrive. Swim in a sacred cenote, part of the Mayan underground river system, and enjoy an included buffet meal before capping off your day with a stroll through Valladolid's colonial streets.

Get a different perspective on the Yucatan region than the beaches and bars of Cancun, with this group tour. Visit the Mayan city of Chichen Itza—one of the New7Wonders of the World—the colonial architecture of Valladolid, and cool off with a dip in a cenote. Includes a buffet lunch with an open bar.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Cancun for the day and explore some of the Yucatan's best cultural attractions. This tour takes you to the famed archaeological site of Chichén Itzá to see the impressive Temple of Kukulcán and learn about the ancient civilization that built it. You'll also visit the magical town of Valladolid, swim in a cenote in the Mayan jungle, and enjoy tequila and chocolate tasting.

Say goodbye to the Riviera Maya beaches and see a different side of the Yucatan. Instead of waiting for a taxi between destinations, this guided tour lets you explore Chichen Itza’s pyramid temples and colonial Valladolid with direct transfers from Cancun and Riviera Maya. Cool off with a swim in an ancient cenote. All options include a tequila tasting and buffet lunch so you can get a taste of local culture.

Swap the beaches and bars of Cancún for the enigmatic architecture of Chichén Itzá for the day. This guided tour takes you to explore the archaeological site's ancient Mayan pyramids and you'll also visit Santuario Tsukán for a swim in the refreshing cenote waters and explore the charming town of Valladolid, with a stop for a buffet lunch with unlimited drinks.

Swap the crowds of traditional group tours at the Mayan ruins of Tulum for a private and more personalized experience with transfers from Cancun. Explore the archaeological zone with a guide who can explain its history and significance. Enjoy free time and, if you choose, visit some of the nearby cenotes.

Explore the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá on an all-day tour from Cancun and Mayan Riviera. After a convenient hotel pickup, travel to this important pre-Columbian ceremonial center to learn about its temples, observatory, pyramid, and ball court from an informative guide. Cool off in the holy waters of cenote before grabbing lunch at its namesake restaurant (included in the tour price).

Skip the hassle of coordinating multiple adventures with this all-in-one jungle experience from Cancun. Begin with a thrilling zipline circuit, tackle a rugged ATV track, ride a well-trained horse through the Mayan forest, and refresh in a cenote before enjoying a Mexican meal. With hotel pickup and transfers included, enjoy a seamless, adrenaline-filled day of adventure and relaxation.

Visit one of Mexico's most significant Maya sites and other area gems on this all-inclusive day trip to Chichen Itza from Cancun. Learn about the history and traditions of the Maya people as you visit the UNESCO-listed structures followed by a swim in the crystal-clear Cenote Xcajum. Experience a traditional purifying ritual in a Maya village and sit down for a local buffet. End your day in the colonial town of Valladolid.

Chichen Itza, a natural cenote, and the colonial town of Valladolid sit within reach of Cancun but require transport and planning that's difficult to coordinate independently in a single day. This tour covers all three, with a guide providing historical context on the Mayan civilization at Chichen Itza, a cenote swim, and time to explore Valladolid on foot

This full-day tour from Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, or Puerto Aventuras packs a sightseeing punch—see Valladolid, a 16th-century colonial city, visit the ancient Maya metropolis of Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend leisurely time relaxing in the peaceful Cenote Noolha, where you'll have unlimited use of the zipline. With round-trip hotel transport, a buffet lunch, and a guide to explain everything, this is a hassle-free experience you don’t want to miss.

Get an in-depth introduction to one of Mexico's most unmissable attractions, without the hassle of driving. On this full-day tour to Chichen Itza from Cancun, travel comfortably in a restroom-equipped, air-conditioned vehicle. Tours include lunch, a cenote swimming stop, admission tickets, and a visit to the Spanish-built town of Valladolid.

If you want to see Maya ruins without the crowds or unwanted shopping stops, choose this small-group excursion from Cancun, which visits Chichen Itza before most other travelers arrive. After learning about the history and culture behind the archaeological site, you’ll cool off in a nearby cenote, savor a buffet lunch, and then visit another Maya archaeological site at Ek Balam. The full tour lasts about 12 to 13 hours, including transportation and visits.

Explore the only ancient Mayan civilization built alongside the ocean on this tour to the Tulum archaeological site, and finish with a dip in a cenote. While arranging transportation to the natural and cultural attractions can be a logistical challenge, with this tour, busy travelers can see both spots and learn about the sites along the way. Plus, a buffet lunch is included.

Take a trip to the top of the world at the ancient Mayan city of Coba, one of the tallest ancient archaeological structures ever discovered. Learn about the astrological and culturally important stone carvings that decorate this unique pyramid, and climb the many steps to the top for panoramic views of the rainforest canopy. Enjoy a refreshing swim in a cenote and feast on a delicious local lunch.

Explore the Yucatán Peninsula on this full-day tour from Cancun, where history, culture, and nature come together. Start at the ancient Tulum ruins, then head to Coba to climb Nohoch Mul, one of the region’s tallest pyramids. After a refreshing swim in a sacred cenote, enjoy a buffet lunch and end the day with shopping and sightseeing on Playa del Carmen's lively 5th Avenue.

Many tours of Chichen Itza from the Riviera Maya only take you to the UNESCO-listed Mayan site and back. On this full-day excursion, you’ll make the most of your time along the Mexican Caribbean with stops in the colonial-era town of Valladolid and a limestone sinkhole, known as a “cenote.” Hotel pickup and climate-controlled transfers are included for your convenience. Note that backpacks are strictly prohibited inside the archaeological site.

Parasail above Cancun's tropical coastline during this thrilling activity. Pull on a safety harness and listen to a short safety briefing, then soar above the ribbon of Cancun's white sand beach and enjoy a panoramic view of Isla Mujeres, the hotel zone, and the turquoise Nichupté Lagoon. Please note: Package excludes dock fees. Upgrade to add transfers from many Cancun hotels.

Go beyond the Cancun beaches to see more of the Riviera Maya with this day trip that takes you to the archaeological sites of Tulum and Coba, as well as a cenote and Playa del Carmen. Explore archaeological treasures and learn about Maya culture and history from your expert guide. Round-trip transport from Cancun and lunch are included.