We recommend this trip to everyone that comes into the shop. It’s especially nice if you have a rental car.
If you are driving, you have options on which route to take. In the past we have always recommended the toll road, which is expensive but direct and quick. You can now also take the free road, using the Ruta de Cenotes road, which begins just south of Puerto Morelos. It will take you about thirty minutes longer, as you will pass through many villages and go over many topes (speed bumps) but you will save the heavy toll. The free road is fine, but do not drive it after dark. (Traffic and unmarked topes and construction sites could make this road hazardous. If it is going to get dark before you arrive back in PoMo, take the toll road.)
If you take the toll road, drive north towards Cancun and take the Chichén Itzá /Merida/Valladolid exit to the cuota (toll) road. The toll is hefty, about $267 pesos (about $22 US, but the road is in very good shape, quiet and very fast. The highway number 180 D. The D is for dinero!) The drive will take about two hours. You will go through two toll booths and there may be an army checkpoint at Chichen Itza.
If you take the free road, drive north towards Puerto Morelos on the lateral road beside the highway you can see the Ruta de Cenotes road but you need take the return under the overpass and return for 1 km till you see again on your right side the ruta the cenotes
This good road will take you all the way to Leona Vicario, where you will join the main free highway to Valladolid/Merida/Chichen Itza. Slow down when you approach any town, there are likely many speed bumps. The drive will take about two and a half hours depending on traffic.
Drive the speed limit and watch for traffic attempting to pass on the two lane road. Note, if you take this road on the way back, there is only one sign marking the Puerto Morelos Corta (short cut). Do not miss this turn or you will end up in Cancun!
Chichen Itza El Castillo
Chichén Itzá opens at 8:00 am, try to be there before 9:00 at least. Going early allows you to see most of the area before it gets too hot (there is very little shade) and also lets you beat the majority of the huge tour buses from Cancun that spill out hundreds of noisy tourists out on the site by around noon. Take water if you can and wear a big silly hat to protect your head from the sun. As soon as you arrive at the site, head for the big pyramid (el Castillo) and climb it before the crowds do. Update: Since 2007 you can no longer climb the big pyramid at Chichen Itza. It may be a temporary ban or a permanent one. Please note you still can climb the big pyramids at Coba and Ek Balam.