Getting There & Departing
By Car -- Chichén Itzá is on old Hwy. 180 between Mérida and Cancún. The fastest way to get there from either city is to take the autopista (or cuota). The toll is 78 pesos from Mérida (1 1/2 hours), 267 pesos from Cancún (2 1/2 hours). From Tulum, take the highway leading to Cobá and Chemax, which connects to Hwy. 180 a bit east of Valladolid. Exiting the autopista, turn onto the road to Pisté. In the village, you'll reach a T junction at Hwy. 180 and turn left to the ruins; the entrance is well marked. On the same highway a few kilometers beyond, you'll come to the Hotel Zone exit at Km 121 (first, you'll pass the eastern entrance to the ruins, which is usually closed).
By Bus -- First-class buses run from Mérida's CAME station nearly every hour, and some first-class buses to Cancún and Playa also stop here. Cancún and Valladolid also have first-class service. Day trips to Chichén Itzá are also widely available from Mérida, Cancún, and Playa del Carmen (and almost any destination in the Yucatán).
Area Layout
The village of Pisté, where most of the budget hotels and restaurants are located, is about 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) west of the ruins. Public buses can drop you off here. Another budget hotel, the Dolores Alba is on the old highway 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) east of the ruins. Three luxury hotels are situated right at Chichén Itzá's entrance.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
