Getting There & Departing
By Plane -- Travel agents in the United States, Cancún, and Cozumel can arrange day trips from Cancún and Cozumel.
By Car -- Chichén Itzá is on old Highway 180 between Mérida and Cancún. The fastest way to get there from either city is to take the autopista (or cuota). The toll is $7 (£3.85) from Mérida, $22 (£12) from Cancún. Once you have exited the autopista, you will turn onto the road leading to the village of Pisté. Once in the village, you'll reach a T junction at Highway 180 and turn left to get to the ruins. The entrance to the ruins is well marked. If you stay on the highway for a few kilometers more you'll come to the exit for the hotel zone at Km 121 (before you reach the turnoff, you'll pass the eastern entrance to Mayapán, which is usually closed). Chichén is 1 1/2 hours from Mérida and 2 1/2 hours from Cancún.
By Bus -- From Mérida, there are three first-class ADO buses per day. There are also a couple of first-class buses to Cancún and Playa. Otherwise, you can buy a second-class bus ticket to Valladolid and a first-class from there. If you want to take a day trip from Mérida or Cancún, go with a tour company.
Area Layout
The village of Pisté, where most of the economical hotels and restaurants are located, is about 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) to the west of the ruins. Public buses can drop you off here. And located on the old highway 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) east from the ruins is another economical hotel, the Hotel Dolores Alba. Situated at the ruins of Chichén Itzá are three luxury hotels.
