Lower your standards and stay at the Hotel Delores Alba. I say that in a good way. Your alternatives, from what I know, are the costoso, overpriced resort next to the Chichen Itza back gate, or the costoso, overpriced Ik Kil resort across the street. Or you stay 20 minutes away in Valladolid. But HDA worked fine for us.
We drove ourselves there on the deserted toll road in our rental car with our cold drinks. (But were they cold, Mexican beer, or coolaid? Hazard a guess!) Arriving in the afternoon, we ate a tasty early dinner at the reasonably-priced hotel restaurant, and took the free hotel shuttle around 6:00 p.m. to the Chichen Itza back gate for the Light and Sound Show at the big pyramid (see separate review).
Before entering the ruins we had drinks at the Chichen Itza resort. When the Light & Sound Show ended, the free HDA shuttle was waiting to take us back. After a tasty, simple breakfast here in the morning we drove ourselves the five minutes to Chichen Itza, arriving bright and early for our Mayan ruins adventure. We were hours before the masses would arrive in their tour buses from Cancun, and upon our leaving the gringo tourist cattle were amassed at the front entrance, inexplicably waiting to enter when it was already hot and crowded. For them it was bound to be hot and sucky compared to our leisurely stroll in the cool and crisp morning air.
Then we cruised back to the Ik Kil resort and experienced the mystical cenote before the crowds arrived there. Upon our leaving, feeling all cool and refreshed, the squadron of tour buses began to arrive and we left the m in our dust. Had some marinated BBQ chicken at a roadside grill in the nearby town and discovered the almost deserted Ek Balam ruins for more adventure. Then back to the coast on the deserted toll road. Proper planning for proper performance.
At Hotel Delores Alba we didn't even unpack our bags and the cost was negligible. The rooms are small and very basic and with concrete floors. There are tropical bugs outside all around, but didn't see any in the room. They have a pool. Just wait for the later reviews and people will complain about HDA. Mark my words. But if you bitch and complain 'cause a place is not perfect, maybe you yourself are the problem. read more