How far is Chichen Itza from Cancun Airport?

About 200 km. The drive on the 180D toll motorway takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to the Chichén Itzá / Pisté exit.

Is mandatory insurance included in car rental in Mexico?

Not always in the headline price. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory in Mexico; check whether the offer includes it or whether it is charged at the desk, so you can compare the real total.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Mexico?

Tourists with a licence printed in Latin letters can usually drive with their national licence. An International Driving Permit is a good idea if your licence is in another script — check the conditions of your rental company.

Can I cancel a car rental booking?

Most car rental offers on DiscoverCars can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before pick-up. Always check the conditions of the offer you book.

Car Rental Cancun Airport | Drive to Chichen Itza & Yucatán

Most visitors see Chichen Itza on a day tour from Cancun. If you prefer to travel at your own pace, car rental at Cancun Airport is the easiest way to get there — and a rental car in Cancun is also the best start for a road trip through the Yucatán, with Valladolid, cenotes, Mérida and Uxmal.

Compare car rental at Cancun Airport

DiscoverCars compares local and international rental companies at Cancun International Airport (CUN), the busiest airport in the Caribbean region of Mexico. Most bookings come with free cancellation.

Compare Car Rental at Cancun Airport

Car rental search by DiscoverCars. Prices, insurance and rental conditions are shown on their website.

Do you need a car for Chichen Itza?

No — the most popular tours pick you up at your hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. A car makes sense if you want to reach Chichen Itza at 8 am before the tour buses, swim in cenotes away from the crowds, spend a night in Valladolid or combine Chichen Itza with Ek Balam, Izamal, Mérida or Uxmal.

Driving from Cancun Airport to Chichen Itza

Route: from the airport head towards Cancun and join the 180D toll motorway west towards Valladolid and Mérida. Leave at the Chichén Itzá / Pisté exit. The drive is about 200 km and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Tolls: the 180D is a toll road with toll booths on the way; budget several hundred pesos each way and carry cash in pesos. The free road (180 libre) is slower, with many villages and speed bumps.
Parking: there is a large paid car park at the main entrance of Chichen Itza. Arrive before 8.30 am for the quietest visit.
Fuel: fill up before you leave Cancun or in Valladolid; petrol stations are staffed, so you do not pump the fuel yourself. Check the pump is set to zero and tip a few pesos.

Insurance and documents

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory in Mexico and is often added at the rental desk if it is not in your online price — read the insurance section of the offer carefully before you book.
A valid driving licence in Latin letters is normally enough for tourists; bring your passport and a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
Drive in daylight where you can: animals, unlit roads and 'topes' (speed bumps) are the main hazards after dark.

Car rental in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Besides the airport you can pick up a car in the hotel zone or downtown Cancun. A rental car is the easiest way to combine Chichen Itza with Valladolid, Ek Balam, Mérida, Uxmal and the flamingos of Río Lagartos in one road trip.

Compare all car rental in Cancun