Questions about excursions in and around Cancun for a family of 4?

Question

I am looking to book some excursions around Cancun, including a tour of Chichen Itza.

Since there is 4 of us in the family I am looking for more economical ways to take the tour. Specifically I would like to know if it makes more sense to hire a taxi for the day or rent a car to Chichen Itza and just pay the admission fee, rather than spend the $250-300 fee for all of us for a public tour. Did anyone choose this way to see the ruins?

What other excursions are really not to be missed in the area of Cancun?

What are some economical ways to get to them?

Thank you all in advance

Answer 1

I have been to Chichen Itza several times and never felt as if I was missing anything by not going on a group tour. With four people you should save money doing it on your own.Also, you could stay longer or leave sooner than if you were part of a group.

From Cancun you can take a bus,there are several daily(two and a half hours each way). Going by bus you avoid the tolls you would pay both ways in a rental car.At Chichen Itza pay your own admission and bring your own daypack with water, snacks, hats and sunscreen.There is very little shade at the site and the Mayan sun can be unforgiving. Look for the ambulance when you enter, should anything happen you can get medical help there.You should be able to do it all  for under US$100.

Going back you could break up the trip back by catching a bus from Chichen Itza to the colonial city of Valladolid,about mid way between Chichen Itza and Cancun and spend a little time walking around the city.You might be the only tourists.Lots of good inexpensive places to eat.There are several old colonial churches that are worth seeing and and also some cenotes.Pass some time on a bench in the zocolo and watch the town go on around you.Be sure to see Cenote Zaci It's in the middle of the city 3 blocks east of the Zocolo on Calle 36 between calles 37 and 39. The city is laid out in a grid that makes it very easy to navigate, Great place to take some pictures of the real Mexico to show the folks back home....Yes, Valladolid is safe.

There are 20 buses a day from Valladolid back to Cancun.The bus station is just a couple of blocks from the Zocolo.Any other questions feel free to email me.Have a great time!