sicamhanya Posted January 17, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Has anyone gone to chichen itza ? If so , can you describe what we can expect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted January 17, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2017 The pictures my wife took and made into slide show for her website will give you a wonderful idea of what to expect. The link below will take you directly there. Enjoy! Chichen Itza Shore Excursion Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted January 17, 2017 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Has anyone gone to chichen itza ? If so , can you describe what we can expect Not sure what aspect of the visit you are asking about. RE: the trip itself - I have no personal experience with visiting Chichen Itza as a shore excursion. But looking at the map and reading the information here and in the ports-of-call section, it seems that the trip involves tender to bus to ferry to bus for a very long ride. Returning you go through the same process in reverse. There is basically nothing to see on the way to/from, so it probably would feel even longer than it is. But is it worth it? Probably. As a teen-ager in the early 1960s a buddy and I hitchhiked through that region and spent several days within Chichen Itza. A truly magical place! I was back there with my wife a few years ago, we did a week in Cancun, rented a car and drove over to Chichen for a day. The ruins are well reconstructed and preserved, the grounds are well kept, the pathways are broad and level. Easy to get around, easy to see the major monuments. Unfortunately you won't be able to climb some of the ones I climbed 55 years ago, but then Stonehenge has been fenced off as well. Just too many people... I personally probably would not do this as a shore excursion - too much sitting on the bus. But if it is your only opportunity, you'll never have another chance, then do it. Consider renting a car and driving on your own? Another alternative is Coba. If there is an excursion offered there, I would do that. The ruins/monuments have not been as thoroughly reconstructed, the site was never as large as Chichen Itza, and so there is less to see. But there is much more a raw feeling of the passage of time as you see these ancient ruins rising from the rain forest, less of a park-like feeling that you might get in Chichen Itza. Hope this helps... Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russterus Posted January 17, 2017 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We did a shore excursion to Coba in the past. Worked well, still a bit of a ride, but had a lot of time to examine the ruins. They are still quite extensive and well worth the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare keesar Posted January 17, 2017 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Chichen Itza has been classified by some as a Wonder of the World. It is a long day but I think it is worth it. I recall it being really warm and humid there. The tour was fascinating and well worth it. There are a number of structures at the site with quite a history to speak of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordoncruickshank Posted January 17, 2017 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We did this when staying in Cancun. As others have said, it is a long bus trip with nothing to see either way. From Csncun it was probably 2 and a half hours each way which may not leave a lot of time at the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare abbydancer2003 Posted January 17, 2017 #7 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We did this when staying in Cancun. As others have said, it is a long bus trip with nothing to see either way. From Csncun it was probably 2 and a half hours each way which may not leave a lot of time at the site. We just did this at Thanksgiving from Cancun. Totally worth doing. You'll see Mayan structures, and learn about some of the unique properties of the site. There will also be lots of vendors selling Mexican chotchkies. In our case, we had a private guide because we had a family group. We stopped at a restaurant just outside the site and had some wonderful dishes that we don't even see here in California. Because of the distance, I'd seriously consider a ships tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binzer2604 Posted January 17, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We went there last year, had a fabulous time and a great gude. Well worth the effort. One of the natural wonders on world. 90 minutes to 2 hours on site is enough to see most areas. Its very hot and a lot of walking and big crowds go early is possible. You would not regret going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted January 17, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We did a trip out from Progreso and has been mentioned here, from wherever you are it's quite a long bus ride. However I found it totally worth it. A very interesting site and visually stunning in the middle of the jungle. There is also a sinkhole there which is worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRZR58 Posted January 17, 2017 #10 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Chichen Itza is wonderful, although I do miss being able to climb the pyramids like we used to be able to do. Yes, it's a long bus ride each way, but well worth it for us. Take as much bottled water as you can. It can get very hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WonderMan3 Posted January 17, 2017 #11 Share Posted January 17, 2017 If you think you may never visit this part of Mexico again then you should go. The structures are amazing. It was one of the best days I've ever had on a cruise. As others have said though it is a VERY long day. I did this as a shore excursion from Cozumel on my first cruise back in 2003. We had about a 45 minute ferry ride each way between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. Then you get on a bus for about 2.5 hours each way. We only got to spend about 90 minutes touring the site and then had an hour for lunch near the site. The ride to and from was mainly through jungle and forest with nothing really to see. So 6.5 hours of traveling for a 90 minute visit. You'll need to judge if you can endure it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzmund Posted January 17, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We have been to Chichen Itza twice during land based vacations in Cancun. It you are considering the Celebrity excursion from Cozumel, remember it starts and ends with a 45 minute ferry boat ride to/from Playa del Carmen. The two plus hour bus ride to and from Chichen Itza adds up to almost six hours of travel. With that said, it is a wonderful place to visit. If this would be your only chance to visit the site, then by all means go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruinboy Posted January 17, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We called the long travel to and from "The Chicken Pizza Death March." Bring something to eat. The site itself was well worth it. Overall, I would recommend. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegoal100 Posted January 17, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 17, 2017 So glad we did it from Cancun many years ago when you could climb the pyramids! Getting down was far more challenging than going up... It is a wonderful trip although the 2.5 hour bus ride is through jungle and the birds in the trees are probably vultures! Do it...you won't regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDawg Posted January 17, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 17, 2017 If you are docking in Cozumel you can also fly to Chichen Itza. It's only about a 45 minute flight each way. We did this in December. Well worth the extra cost to get to the site before the crowds and the heat of the day. We also got a private 2+ hour tour of the site along with lunch and a visit and swim in a cenote. We were back in Cozumel by 3pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkix Posted February 10, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 10, 2018 We're also looking at this excursion for March. I'm curious - are the buses to Chichen Itza regular tour buses, with AC and a toilet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted February 10, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Chichen Itza has been classified by some as a Wonder of the World. It is a long day but I think it is worth it. I recall it being really warm and humid there. The tour was fascinating and well worth it. There are a number of structures at the site with quite a history to speak of. Totally agree! Chichen Itza is the most famous and the one to see. LONG day! Very glad we have seen it ... but no desire to return. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Library Posted February 10, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Go! Long bus trip so if you can fly do so. Coba is nice but Chichen Itza is spectacular. It will be very hot so bring water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted February 10, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Go! Long bus trip so if you can fly do so. Coba is nice but Chichen Itza is spectacular. It will be very hot so bring water. Absolutely! Wish we'd had the option to fly. It would have been soooooooooooo worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeleryCruiser Posted February 10, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 10, 2018 We went there 2011. On Silhouette there were two options - regular coach and VIP- minbus. Normal coach driving speed on the motorway is max 90 km/ h - The VIP is for 15 pax minibus and driving speed 120 km/ h - which shortens the driving time to Chichen Itza. The price difference were approx 30USD pp compared to the regular coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Forever! Posted February 10, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Awesome awesome trip! I’d do it again. The bus ride was on nicely paved highway most of the way. The ruins are incredible. The pyramid there is still the wallpaper on my iPhone! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srdancer Posted February 10, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2018 If you feel the trip is too long, there is also Tulum. Wonderful Mayan ruins in a seaside setting. Much closer to Cozumel but still a long ride - ferry to Playa del Carmen and then bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkix Posted February 10, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Thanks for the replies! I probably should have started a new thread rather than bumping this one, because I still haven't found an answer to my question. ;) Are the buses to Chichen Itza regular tour buses, with AC and a toilet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted February 10, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Has anyone gone to chichen itza ? If so , can you describe what we can expect When are you going? I went one year in March and it was the hottest day I have ever experienced in Mexico - be sure to take a bottle of water and wear a hat. I have long hair but my scalp got so sunburned that it peeled for several days. It looked so gross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcyonce Posted February 10, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Chichen Itza is a very interesting place to visit and well worth the trip. We have visited and would definitely go back again. If you are planning to visit when your cruise ship is in port, here are some things to remember ... Its a long way from the port. About 4 hours from Cozumel (including the ferry ride). And about 3 hours or more from Cancun. If your ship is only in port for 10 hours, you don't get much time at Chichen Itza. We took the long ferry & bus ride from Cozumel once to Chichen Itza. Because of the long commute each way, we only had about 1 and 1/2 hours at the site. But still a great excursion I would do again. Flying is much, much quicker. But, small flights are notoriously delayed in Mexico. Will you be able tp make it back to the ship in time? My recommendation ... visit when vacationing in Cancun or Cozumel, not from a cruise ship. And when you do visit, fly to Chichen Itza. That said ... it's still a great place to visit and if your only opportunity is a cruise ship excursion while in port at Cancun or Cozumel. By all means DO IT ! Even if your time at the site is limited. -- Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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