Beautiful experience soaking up the history and architecture of the place…read more Get a guided tour it's worth the extra $ to get the real history of the place It was hot and humid but there are shaded areas to find some relief when needed Out tour was 1 hour guided and 1 hour free time to wander around get some pics and slides and barter with the locals selling their hand carved and other merchandise of which there is no shortage, they take pesos , USD and some take credit cards or Apple Pay ' Well worth the trip

This is a non-negotiable if you're around the area it's a must. We did hire a private car and tour…read moreguide to get around. It was the highlight of our trip and worth every penny. It was so wonderful to see and learn more about the Mayan culture. Thank you so much, we all enjoyed the tour, even our kids say it was the highlight of the trip.

Visit Jan 2021 Museum is closed…read moreCenote is closed because of COVID. Too many people visit here would be no way to manage social distancing in the cenote Within Merida city limits Go early and have the place to yourself and beat the heat Can climb the other pyramids- not the one you seen on the postcards Like others have said. Read up on what you are looking at and you don't need a guide If you've been to the big two (uxmal and chichen itza) this site is much smaller but well worth the visit

Love this place. Very interesting. A lot of walking. Will take future visitors there in the future.read more

I didn't realize Chichen Itza was one of the new seven wonders of the world! I don't remember it…read morebeing on the list, but I also didn't know the list can change based on popularity poll...SMH. I believe Chichen Itza is a one of the new seven wonders of the world because it's among the best-preserved and largest archaeological sites in the world. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I'm still glad I got the opportunity to visit Chichen Itza. So much history! The culture of the Mayans; their way of life, the ingenuity and the science are fascinating and amazing. Be prepared to experience some tropical heat. I recommend going as early as you can to avoid crowds and the heat. It gets hot under the glaring Sun. There is no shade around the main Pyramid. A good guide or a tour company also is very helpful. I found the history provided by our tour company to be very inspiring, insightful and interesting, yet sad at the same time. "As one of the most important city-states in pre-Hispanic America, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico today. Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of The World according to UNESCO, since July 7th, 2007" - https://www.chichenitza.com/ Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza "This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors' Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol." - https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/483/ I had no expectations when I came here, since I hardly knew anything about Chichen Itza. I didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy and love this trip as much as I did. I highly recommend visiting Chichen-Itza if you get the opportunity.

I finally got to visit Chichén Itzá (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World) and it was…read moredefinitely an experience worth having! As you get closer, there are parking areas that charge around 70-80 pesos. We accidentally drove into the lot and ended up paying 126 pesos. I didn't see any clear signage at first, but the guard mentioned there's a paper posted at the booth when you enter; so just be aware. Once inside, there are actually two separate entrance fees (state and federal), which together came out to about $45 USD. There is a money exchange on-site, and I was able to convert my US dollars to pesos with no fee, which was very convenient. Before entering, there are food spots and vendors. Be mindful that they are pretty strict about what you can bring inside. If you bring restricted items, you'll either have to take them back to your car or pay a small fee to leave them there. Inside, there are vendors everywhere selling beautiful handmade items. It's nice to see, but it can get overwhelming since you'll be approached frequently. Some will say items are "$1," but once you get closer, prices can be higher; so just keep that in mind. There's a LOT of walking. The day I went was hot and sunny, so definitely dress in breathable clothes and wear comfortable shoes. Even with the heat, I had a great time exploring, taking pictures, and just taking in the history. I heard there are two cenotes on-site, but I only found one. You can't swim in them, but they're still beautiful to see. There are some shaded areas and places to sit, which helped with breaks. I also overheard a guide mention that medical assistance is available near the entrance, which is good to know, especially in the heat. We had about a 2-hour drive to get there, and the road is long with very limited stops. Gas stations and bathrooms are scarce, so plan ahead; bring snacks, drinks, and make sure you're prepared before heading out. Overall, it's absolutely a must-see if you're traveling to Mexico. Just come prepared, stay hydrated, and be ready for a full day of exploring!

We chose this one over the one nearby near Cancun because if it's overstimulation of tourist…read more Very pleasant afternoon no staff or volunteers were overbearing we were basically left on our own which was perfect Stunning stone limestone carvings and quite high central pyramid upon a condor was perched as I looked over the whole Yucatán

Love love love this. I loved learning about the history of this place. Be careful climbing up the…read moresteep steps. They didn't look like much until I started getting closer and closer. They are very steep and no railings on either side. Remember, whatever goes up, must come down. Be careful!!! Beautiful area, a lot of history and information given.

I did not get what I paid for at all. I bought tickets to take a semi-private van (four families)…read morefrom my hotel in Mérida to my hotel in Cancun with a stop in Chichen Itza to see the ruins and have lunch. But they had no intention of taking us to Cancun. At Chichen Itza, the tour guide informed me they were going back to Mérida and we had find our own way to Cancun (they recommend a bus company). So they stranded me, my wife, and my special needs child half way to our destination. They lied to us and stranded us probably because they didn't have enough people booked to Cancun. They should have been honest with me so I could make proper arrangements but their greed outweighs their decency. I urge everyone reading this review to look elsewhere for a tour of the Yucatan. Estos descgraciodos quebradon mi contracto. Deberian llevar me de mi hotel en Mérida hasta mi hotel en Cancun. Estos larones me dejaron en Chichen Itza y me dijieron que nesecitaba consiguir un bus y taxi para llagar a Cancun.

This business has no ethics and won't think twice about screwing you. We booked a tour from Merida…read moreto Cancun with a stopover at Chichen Itza. Instead of taking us to Cancun as promised they dumped us at Chichen Itza and told us we had to take a public bus to Cancun. We were shocked, horrified and angry. Luckily, I paid with a credit card and I'm fighting the charges. Unscrupulous liars.

We were in Merida for a week and the best two days of our trip were the two we spent with Polo. He…read moreis from Merida and knows everyone and everywhere. He took us to Cenotes which were not super touristy but also very safe. He knows the history and geography very well and can explain so much about how things are. He speaks both English and Spanish very well. He can design your day and take you to spots you would never discover otherwise.

I have used Yucatan Excursions for private tours throughout the Yucatan peninsula. Although the…read morecompany does transport people between hotels and Airports or other transportation centers, I think the company excels in custom tours. I have used Yucatan Excursions several times in the past three years. The day trips I have taken are a great value. Not only did we visit the locations on my "to do" list, but Polo had excellent suggestions on places to visit that are off the beaten path. I saw Mayan ruins that are not publicized but are way better than Those swamped with tourists. My suggestion is for you to have an idea of what you want to see, and ask Polo for suggestions. You won't be disappointed. Polo speaks fluent English, and his a wealth of historical and cultural information. You may have heard of Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door. I see Polo as being Yucatan Off the beaten path. One thing I didn't mention in my initial review is that Yucatan Excursions is a locally owned small business. It is not part of an international hotel chain or travel company. When you use this business you are supporting a local business and the local economy. In the days of multi-national corporations I think it is very important for travelers to support the communities they are visiting. You are also getting personalized service that is tailored to your specific wants and interests, and not to a pre-determined set of criteria intended to cater to the overall assumed desires of all tourists.

Ralf, from Lawsons Original Yucatan Excursions, and I have been emailing each other on and off for…read morea couple of years, looking for the right adventure and the right timing. We finally found it. We started off our day at the Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve where we wandered along numerous jungle trails trying to locate some of the elusive spider monkeys after participating in a traditional Mayan ceremony, asking for permission and protection to enter the jungle. Our guide, Julio, finally managed to locate a few mammas and babies high in the trees having a morning siesta. Even if we hadn't seen any the hike thru the jungle was lovely. We didn't rappel into the cenote - access in and out was via a rope ladder and neither of us have that kind of upper body strength! Next up, we headed to the lagoon and a lovely cooling breeze. The plan was to canoe - we ARE Canadian after all - but both my mother and I were exhausted. However, someone was looking out for us - when we arrived, a local Mayan family were at the docs and a couple were getting baptized. It was beautiful to witness their faith and be allowed to share in their experience. A huge orange butterfly also flew around the gentleman as he was baptized. After a rest and a Coke to bump up our sugar, we headed even deeper into the jungle for an afternoon visit and lunch with a different local family. This experience... it didn't hit me until after we left and I was back at our resort alone in my room but I came very close to crying. Not with sadness but with joy. Located beside a lagoon with no electricity, no plumbing, they seemed so perfectly happy. They were genuinely pleased to share their way of life, their history, their home and their food with these random strangers. We chatted about the family (immediate and extended), day to day life, shared laughs about our differences and I think, bonded over similarities regardless of culture. Then it was lunch time! We were invited to try making our own tortillas before sitting down to probably the most enjoyable meal I can remember (pollo pabil). Kept company by their beautiful children and their adorable dog, Tobacco, this family made us feel incredibly welcome and it was our honour to meet them. As a sweet treat to end our visit, we got to see their beehives where they harvest their own honey made by the local, stinger-less (and oh so tiny) Mayan bees. FYI, its delicious. A HUGE thank you to Ralf for putting together this incredible, life changing day for us. Finally getting to meet you was like getting together with an old friend.

Our family enjoyed a tour with Lawson's Original Yucatan Excursions on May 22…read more We were picked up at our Airbnb in Chuburna by Ralf and our driver, Jose. By the end of the day, they both felt like old friends! Early in the day, we went to a market to shop for food with Inez. She then instructed us on what to do to prepare an authentic Mexican lunch, giving each of us jobs. Once the prep was done, the chicken needed to cook (underground!), so we headed to our next stop - Uxmal. We had a very knowledgeable guide at Uxmal, and we enjoyed it very much. Next, we stopped at Choco-Story, where we fed monkeys, watched a Mayan cacao ceremony, and sampled drinking chocolate. After Choco-Story, we traveled back to our foodie experience with Inez. The food was delicious, and we were ready for our next adventure - a cenote. It was a beautiful day for the cool water and the perfect way to end the day. Ralf was the ideal guide. He made stops along the way, was engaging, and full of fun stories/information. If we wanted to talk, he did if we wanted quiet, he sensed that as well. There were little touches throughout, like providing cold drinks in the cooler and making sure we tried ice cream and smoothies after the heat at Uxmal. Ralf heard us talking about the birthday of our son-in-law on the ride to meet up with Inez. She and her helpers provided a cake complete with a candle and sang 'Happy Birthday' at our beautifully set lunch table. It was a magical, memorable day, and one our family will always treasure. Thank you, Ralf! 5 stars only because there isn't an option for more