A Stress-Free Guide to Visiting Chichén Itzá with little kids.

When we moved to Mexico, visiting Chichén Itzá became one of those bucket list experiences I couldn’t wait to share with the kids. But let’s be honest. Doing a UNESCO World Heritage site with a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old is very different than doing it in your backpacking twenties.

This guide is the version I wish I had when we first went. The version that respects naps, snacks, and everyone’s sanity. The version made for real families, not the ones who somehow keep white outfits clean in 100-degree weather.

Here is the exact itinerary we follow from Playa, from departure timing to the snacks that saved us.

Quick Tips Before You Go

Chichén Itzá is incredible, but it’s also huge, exposed, and busy. These tips make the entire experience smoother.

• Arrive at opening or late afternoon

Opening time is 8:00 AM. Trust me, getting there early is worth it. There isn’t much shade and the crowds get intense by late morning.

• Bring a wagon for the toddlers

  Forget the stroller. We took our foldable wagon and it was a lifesaver. The ground is uneven and the wagon handled it so much better. It also fit our snacks, water, hats, and all the random toddler things you don’t want to carry on your back. If you want the exact one we used, you can find it on our Amazon Storefront.

• Pack the essentials

Electrolyte water, fruit, crackers, hats, sunscreen, wipes, and a small towel. Chichén Itzá has bathrooms, but the lines can be long and the heat is real.

• Bring pesos

Parking, vendors, and snacks are all cash-based.

The Simple Itinerary That Actually Works with Kids

This is our real schedule. Adjust for your family’s rhythm.

• Leave Playa between 5:45 and 6:00 AM

  Yes, this is early, but this timing helps you avoid the brutal sun and the tour bus crowds. We load the kids half asleep, hand them breakfast in the car, and start the drive.

  
  

• Arrive at opening and head straight to El Castillo

This is the magic moment. The light is beautiful, the crowds are minimal, and your kids are still in decent moods. Grab your photos here before the heat takes over.

• Walk the loop at your own pace

Don’t expect to see everything. With toddlers, you choose your top three stops and call it a win. For us, that’s El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote.

• Snack and shade break by the ball court

There are a few decent patches of shade here. We take water, fruit, a bathroom break, and let the kids reset.

• Head out before the meltdown window

We usually leave by 11 AM. There is no award for staying through peak heat.

• Optional cenote stop on the way home

Cenote Ik Kil is the classic one, but it gets busy fast. There are also smaller, quieter cenotes nearby if you prefer less chaos.

If the kids fall asleep in the car, skip the stop and enjoy the peace.

Screenshot Checklist for Parents Who Don’t Want to Think

Save or screenshot this for the morning of your trip.

• Water and electrolytes

• Snacks plus one “treat”

• Hats and sunscreen

• Carrier or stroller

• Small towel

• Cash for parking and vendors

• Extra clothes if your toddler always spills something

• Full tank of gas

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Make the Trip Fun Before You Even Get There

My kids always have a better day when they know what to expect. To make Chichén Itzá exciting for them, I created a Chichén Itzá Coloring Book inspired by El Castillo, the ball courts, Mayan symbols, jungle animals, and the cenotes.

It’s perfect to print before the trip, during the car ride, or as a way to relive the experience when you get home.

👉 Download the Chichén Itzá Coloring Book here

(Insert your link: OurBuenaVida.com/coloring-chichen or your Etsy/Payhip link)