Updated November 2026
Tulum is the closest Caribbean resort to Chichen Itza — about two hours away via Coba and Valladolid. That makes the day shorter, and it opens up a great combination: two Maya cities on the same trip.
Top-rated tours from Tulum
Chichen Itza Tour from Tulum with Cenote & Valladolid
Pick-up in Tulum, a guided visit to Chichen Itza, a cenote and Valladolid — about two hours closer than from Cancun.
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Coba & Chichen Itza Tour with Cenote Swim
Two Maya cities in one day. Start at Coba in the jungle, where tall pyramids hide among the trees and you can cycle along the old Maya roads, then continue to Chichen Itza and finish with a swim in a cenote. Pick-up from Tulum and the Riviera Maya; a private option is available.
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Small-Group Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Tour from the Riviera Maya
The highest-rated Chichen Itza tour in this guide, at 4.9 stars: a small group, a guide who knows the site in depth, a cenote and Valladolid, with pick-up on the Riviera Maya. Costs more than the big-coach tours. About 11 hours.
Book This TourWhy go from Tulum?
From Tulum the road runs inland past Coba to Valladolid and on to Chichen Itza, so you spend less time in the vehicle than from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Tulum has its own Maya ruins on the cliffs above the sea, but they are small; Chichen Itza is the big one, and Coba, in the jungle, sits right on the way.
Which tour should you choose?
- Classic: Chichen Itza, a cenote and Valladolid with pick-up in Tulum.
- Two Maya cities: Coba and Chichen Itza with a cenote swim.
- Small group: the top-rated small-group tour from the Riviera Maya.
Not sure which ruins to see? Read our comparison Chichen Itza vs Tulum vs Coba.
Driving from Tulum
With a rental car the drive is around two hours via federal road 109 to Coba and Valladolid. Stay a night in Valladolid and you can be at Chichen Itza at 8 am. See driving in the Yucatán.
