Chichen Itza from Cozumel: Virgin Voyages Shore Thing
Chichen Itza from Cozumel
My husband recently joined me on his first cruise in over 20 years. I booked us on the Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady. While looking at shore excursions, I was excited to see Virgin offered a Shore Thing (how they refer to Shore Excursions) to Chichen Itza. My husband loves history and ruins. Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
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How to Get to Chichen Itza from Cozumel
Even though this tour was a long haul, we both agreed—it was absolutely worth it. There’s no way I would’ve booked this trip independently. Going through the cruise line gave us peace of mind: they assured us they’d wait if our tour ran late, so we didn’t have to stress about missing the ship.
Ferry Ride to Playa Del Carmen
Our day started with a 30-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. The top deck was packed, so we sat downstairs. I snagged a window seat and kept my eyes on the horizon—no motion sickness for me!
Bus Ride to Chichen Itza
Once we arrived in Playa del Carmen, we walked about 10 minutes to our air-conditioned tour bus. The drive to Chichen Itza took just over two hours.
Our guide, Nico—a proud Mayan descendant—led us through the ruins for nearly an hour, sharing fascinating insights into the history and architecture.
After the guided portion, we had 30 minutes of free time. Some people browsed the vendor stalls, but we chose to explore more of the ruins. Then it was back on the bus for the return journey.
Because of the tight schedule, the tour provided boxed lunches after our visit. We enjoyed a regional sandwich, chips, and our choice of Coke or beer—simple but satisfying after a long day..
Is Chichen Itza Worth the Long Day?
The ruins at Chichen Itza are absolutely breathtaking. This year alone, we’ve explored three incredible archaeological sites—Xunantunich in Belize back in May, Chacchoben near Costa Maya in August, and now Chichen Itza. I truly saved the best for last.
There’s so much to see at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our visit was brief and only scratched the surface—we hit the highlights, but the scale and history of the place left us in awe. If you’re a history lover like we are, this is a bucket-list experience you won’t want to miss.
Final Thoughts: Is Chichen Itza Worth It on a Cruise?
Absolutely. While it’s a long day packed with travel, history, and logistics, visiting Chichen Itza from Cozumel was one of the most rewarding cruise excursions we’ve ever done. The ruins are iconic, the tour was well-organized, and the peace of mind from booking through the cruise line made all the difference.
If you’re a history-loving traveler or a cruise guest looking to maximize your time in Mexico, this is a must-do experience. We’re so glad we made the trek—and we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
