Day Trips from Cancún to Chichén Itzá and Tulum
Summary
| Trip | Getting there | Fee in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Mujeres | Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juárez, 20 to 30 minutes | about 580 MXN return |
| Chichén Itzá | about 200 km, 2.5 to 3 hours by road | 697 MXN |
| Tulum | road or train | roughly 200 to 300 MXN |
| Cobá | road or train | about 209 MXN |
| Holbox | Chiquilá ferry after a long drive | overnight is better |
| Cozumel | Playa del Carmen ferry | two-leg trip |
Isla Mujeres
Foreign adults pay about 580 MXN for the round trip, including a sanitation fee. The boat leaves from the Puerto Juárez terminal north of downtown, and passengers should be there 30 minutes ahead because tickets cannot be refunded. Fares are shown at Ultramar . On the island, a daytime golf cart rental runs about 1,300 MXN (1,200 to 1,600). Playa Norte is usually one of the cleaner beaches, and Punta Sur offers a sculpture park and an Ixchel shrine.
Chichén Itzá
One counter at the Visitor Centre has sold a single ticket since 27 March 2026, at 697 MXN for a foreign adult. The gates open 08:00 to 16:00 daily. The site shut for about 13 days until 1 June 2026 after a row with craft vendors, so check that it is open before a 200 km drive. The Tren Maya from Cancún Airport station takes about 2 hours 15 minutes and costs about 620 MXN, with the ruins transfer paid separately. Cenote Ik Kil is about 150 MXN.
Tulum and Cobá
Tulum fees were reset in January and again in July 2026. A fair planning figure for foreign adults is roughly 200 to 300 MXN, and Parque del Jaguar adds 100 MXN. The electric cart is 20 MXN for adults and 10 MXN for children. Cenote Dos Ojos is about 400 to 500 MXN. Cobá’s Nohoch Mul pyramid rises 42 m and the entry was about 209 MXN. Sunday free entry belongs to Mexican nationals and foreign residents only.
Holbox and Cozumel
Holbox lies beyond the Chiquilá ferry dock, and the crossing is short while the drive is long, so most visitors stay a night. Whale sharks swim there from 15 May to 17 September. Cozumel cannot be reached by ferry from Cancún. Travel first to Playa del Carmen, about an hour south, and then take the 40 to 45 minute Ultramar crossing.
Planning notes
- Start early: Chichén Itzá closes at 16:00 and El Meco at 16:30.
- Hurricane season runs 1 June to 30 November; check the National Hurricane Center.
- Carry pesos for tickets.
Read more: multi-day trips , sightseeing in Cancún and the 2-day itinerary . Guided options are on Viator .