Full-Day Tour in New Seven Wonders of the World Itza and Yucatan

This full-day excursion from Mérida combines the best-known Maya site in Yucatán with a colonial town and a swimming stop. Chichén Itzá is described as the most important capital of the Maya world, and the tour visits the Castle, also called the Pyramid of Kukulcán, which became one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. Along with it you see the largest ball court area in Mesoamerica and the astronomical observatory, where the ancient Maya made astronomical calculations with great precision.

The route also includes Izamal, known as the yellow city. The source presents it as a place where Maya temples and colonial houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries stand side by side, reflecting the cultural blending of the Yucatecan people. Driving from Mérida to Izamal takes about one hour, and the town is sometimes called the City of the Three Cultures.

The swimming stop is the cenote of Yokdzonot. You descend into the cenote to see the meeting of the surface and the underground world. The drive from Chichén Itzá to Yokdzonot takes about 20 minutes, and another 20 minutes back to the restaurant. The source allows about one hour for swimming and suggests planning 30 minutes to change clothes at the start and the end. Bring a swimsuit and a towel for this part of the day.

The day includes a Yucatecan buffet at the restaurant Sac Be. There is one point to check, though: the description mentions a Mexican food buffet, while the exclusions list says lunch is not included. Confirm with the operator when you book whether the meal is part of the price. The drive from Mérida to Chichén Itzá takes around two hours each way, so this is a long day on the road.

This tour suits travelers who want to see a major archaeological site and a cenote in a single day without arranging transport. Private transportation and a certified tour guide are included, while entrance fees are not. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller and specialized infant seats are available, but the tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, and a moderate level of physical fitness is expected. The operator picks travelers up wherever they need to be collected.