Playa.Info's one-of-a-kind tours!

[Pipefish]

On the Chichen Itza tour, what time is the arrival at the ruins and how much time is spent there? Is it approximately the same for the Ek Balam tour?

I have never been to either site, and I am trying to decide which tour would be best for the wife and I.
Chichen Itza seems to be the most well known ruin in the Yucatan, but Ek Balam and it's lack of crowds is a little more appealing to us. Any expert advice??

[SandraM]

Where is the meeting point in town for the pickup? Thank you.

Originally Posted by Heather

Our tours start in town and then head south toward the ruins, picking up along the way. Sandos Caracol is located north of Playa, so you would have to meet our tour van at our central pickup location (should take you around 10-15 minutes in a taxi). We cannot "double back" in the mornings because it adds too much time to our morning and our goal is to get you to the ruins before the tour bus masses start arriving. As long as our driver doesn't have a conflicting transfer service to get to at the end of the tour, he can return you to Caracol at the end of the day.

[Anna]

Originally Posted by momdoitall

We are interested in doing this tour on the 5th April. Where can I read more about it? I find the other tours (Coba, Tulum...) but not this one.

We're currently working on the Chichen Itza page and it will be up this week. If you go to the first post on this thread you'll find the information you need - itinerary, prices etc. Looking forward to your booking.
Anna

[Anna]

Originally Posted by Pipefish

On the Chichen Itza tour, what time is the arrival at the ruins and how much time is spent there? Is it approximately the same for the Ek Balam tour?

I have never been to either site, and I am trying to decide which tour would be best for the wife and I.
Chichen Itza seems to be the most well known ruin in the Yucatan, but Ek Balam and it's lack of crowds is a little more appealing to us. Any expert advice??

Chichen Itza is a magnificent site and has been on the UN World Heritage list for years now. It's one of those things you really should see in your life. Having said that, Ek Balam is amazing in its own right. It's a much smaller site, but with monumental structures and the most incredible wall of stucco you'll ever see, in the Mayan world, or in the world of ancient ruins for that matter.

On a Playa.info tour you will not be rushed. We take the time it takes to see the place we're at. We usually spend about 3 hours in Chichen Itza, and maybe 1,5 hours in Ek Balam (Chichen is just big and more spread out). The drive to either ruin is about 2,5 hours (or a bit more). Either of these two daytrips is a long day - we start at about 7.30 am and get back at around 7.30 pm - but totally worth the time. We take good care of you too, you'll have snacks and drinks all day, and we even give you a sandwich just before the ruin, for some extra energy.

[Anna]

Originally Posted by SandraM

Where is the meeting point in town for the pickup? Thank you.

Our meeting point may vary depending on where our other pick-ups are, but we usually meet at a coffee shop in town. You will receive that information together with the confirmation. We try to plan our pick-ups so we'll spend as little time as possible to get out of town. Another advantage with a Playa.info tour - you don't have to ride around town for an hour to pick people up, like you would with a big bus tour.

[oysterfiend]

we are doing the Tulum and Beyond Tour -Tueday 30 May And Coba Tour Thursday 1st June-
Really looking forward to flying out of New Zealand

[Pipefish]

Originally Posted by Anna

Chichen Itza is a magnificent site and has been on the UN World Heritage list for years now. It's one of those things you really should see in your life. Having said that, Ek Balam is amazing in its own right. It's a much smaller site, but with monumental structures and the most incredible wall of stucco you'll ever see, in the Mayan world, or in the world of ancient ruins for that matter.

On a Playa.info tour you will not be rushed. We take the time it takes to see the place we're at. We usually spend about 3 hours in Chichen Itza, and maybe 1,5 hours in Ek Balam (Chichen is just big and more spread out). The drive to either ruin is about 2,5 hours (or a bit more). Either of these two daytrips is a long day - we start at about 7.30 am and get back at around 7.30 pm - but totally worth the time. We take good care of you too, you'll have snacks and drinks all day, and we even give you a sandwich just before the ruin, for some extra energy.

Thanks for the reply. We are leaning towards the Ek Balam tour. Although Chichen Itza sounds awesome, unfortunately a Friday tour doesn't fit with our schedule. I will be making my booking soon...see you in June.

[Pipefish]

Hi Heather. Did you receive the PM I sent you the other day? Re: Special June tour. Thanks.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Pipefish

On the Chichen Itza tour, what time is the arrival at the ruins and how much time is spent there? Is it approximately the same for the Ek Balam tour?

I have never been to either site, and I am trying to decide which tour would be best for the wife and I.
Chichen Itza seems to be the most well known ruin in the Yucatan, but Ek Balam and it's lack of crowds is a little more appealing to us. Any expert advice??

Ek Balam is a way smaller site than Chichen. I enjoyed my visit to Ek Balam very much. A friend and I went there on our own last year. It took us about two hours to see the place; we did not have a tour guide.

[margaritamamma]

I just wanted to pass on our thanks to Mitch and driver Jesus for the terrific tour of Chichen Itza on Monday March 20th. It was the equinox so the tour was timed to arrive later at Chichen to observe the phenomena at the pyramid. And the sun co-operated enough so that I really ended up with some good pictures.

Pick up was timely, snacks and water appreciated. We also enjoyed a terrific lunch in the food market at Vallidolid and the town square's festival.Jesus and Mitch did a great job with the menu selection and Jesus is my hero for his consumption of habenero sauce - didn't bat an eye!! The trip to the Dzitnup (sp?) cenope was great. And the girls selling the postcards - too cute - their names still ring in my ear.

Mitch was a great guide and the Chichen guide Gabreille had lots of information to share.
Mitch's obvious interest in the Mayan culture was appreciated by us all and it was shared in a relaxed but personal manner. We could have stayed longer at the ruins. I couldn't believe I was finally there.
It is soooo much better than the best pictures can show you!!

Thanks Mitch!! and Playa.info.
I will recommend this tour to those I know coming down to the Roo!!


Thanks again

Margaritamamma
(Linda and Dale)

[Bren]

Heather or Anna
Is it possible to book a tour after we arrive. We are there for a month but the rest of the group in only for 2 weeks. We would find it easier to decide on a date after we are all there. We want to do theChichen Itza tour . Some of the family is staying in Porto Moreles,and some in Playa. Thanks for your help.

[blondyinnh]

We did a private tour last Tuesday with Mitch. The whole day was fantastic! We did Yax-Mul first then Tulum and Playa Selva lastly to relax. Everyone enjoyed it!!! Thank you for a great day, it was perfect.