Sep 27, 2024
Chichenitza and Cenote tour - Our tour guide Arturo was professional and friendly, which made the drive comfortable for our 11 friends and family. Our Mayan ruins tour and cenote experience was enjoyable, safe and very insightful. It’s a perfect day trip from Cancun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 3, 2024
Fabulous day in Chichén Itzá - Absolutely fantastic company!
I booked online for the first available date for the private Chichén Itzá tour. I wanted something sooner, so I emailed and the owner Claire made arrangements for us to go sooner.
We chose a private tour because we are tired of the stops at other resorts, loud and/or possibly annoying people in the bus, and high pressure sales stops.
From the moment our guide Arturo and our sweet driver arrived, I knew the day would be peaceful and great.
Arturo’s knowledge of the Mayan civilization is phenomenal! We had such a great, informative, and peaceful tour of Chichén Itzá. Arturo is like an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, very laid back, easy to talk to, and incredibly intelligent. Well traveled!
Another reason why we chose this particular company and your was the lunch option. Instead of the mass crowd Buffet most tours offer, Arturo took us to a fantastic restaurant in Vallodid, where we ordered from the many and it was included in the price. The food was authentic and delicious, and we got to have a great conversation with Arturo.
I will absolutely recommend and continue to book only private tours with this great company, and I will always request Arturo.
Fabulous day! 5+ stars all day long.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 19, 2024
Knowledgeable and flexible tour - Great tour day, van was clean and Arturo was great with my kids and responsive to our needs. Provided water and snacks and life jackets. He also knew exactly how to avoid crowds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 30, 2024
Wonderful experience with fantastic guide - Guide Alex and chauffeur Enrique were absolutely brilliant. Perfect timing, super friendly and
Knowledgeable. Alex explained full of passion about the history of these human and nature wonders. Picked us up early so it was not too crowded at Chitzen
Itza. We enjoyed the interesting discussions along the way and on-site. Gave us a good understanding of the wonderful and amazing Mayan people and culture. The cenote was also an unforgettable experience. The lunch was in a nice local restaurant near Valladolid, we picked the food advised by Alex, it was the best food we had this holiday. Again, if you want the best possible experience with a great guide, ask for Alex, this is the place to go to!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 15, 2024
Just the best day! - Please don’t hesitate to book a private tour with the Absolute Adventures team - I can thoroughly recommend them from the amazing time we had on our trip to Chichen Itza with Alex as our guide and Enrique our driver - they were fantastic and took so much care of us, nothing too much trouble. The knowledge and passion Alex had for Mayan culture and heritage was superb and the two hour journey passed so quickly as he told us so much fascinating history to give us context for our experience. He always encouraged us ask questions, a great sign :) All the logistics were seamlessly handled and we could just relax into the day. Getting an early start meant we were at Chichen Itza before the crowds and the queues. It’s very very hot in central Yucatan and you need to be prepared for that - again, having a private tour really is a great investment if you can do it - you get to say when you’ve had enough and need to head for the shade. One of the best experiences was our swim in the cenote Samula which was cool, refreshing and quite magical. Lunch in Valladolid was delicious, in such a nice restaurant. All in all a brilliant day. Thank you so much guys, we take away so many special memories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 14, 2024
I wish I could give it six stars! - On the drive to Chichen-Itza, it was early and we were all groggy, but Alex did a fabulous job of explaining all the Mayan language and history while Enrique focused on the drive and keeping us and our belongings safe.
We stopped a couple of times for coffee and pastry, then a toilet break.
Chichen-Itza was of course spectacular, and Alex’s deep knowledge made the personal tour so rewarding, as he used a light pointer to show us the detail in the carvings.
We then went to a covered cenote in an underground cave which was an absolutely magical experience - drifting and floating with the cave swallows feeding in a shaft of sunlight from above. 100 percent safe (I swim like a rock, but we were all wearing life jackets, so it was utterly blissful).
The trip to Valladolid for lunch was an unexpected highlight. Beautiful restaurant with delicious food and the cocktails were easily the best we’ve had in the Yucatan.
Then a siesta drive back to PDC. :)
Such a wonderful day. I cannot recommend the private tour highly enough. Spend the money if you have it. You will come away with the kind of memories you’ll talk about for a long time.
Muchos gracias, Alex and Enrique. 🧡
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 13, 2024
Best private VIP tour! - My husband and I were staying in Cancun hotel zone for our honeymoon and we had in our bucket list to visit Chichen-Itza. When we saw how far it was from hotel zone and it was no brainer for us to look for a private tour. Of all the websites we came across in the internet Absolute Adventure Mexico stand-up from the rest. They had the best outline itinerary, we choose Chichen-Itza, cenote, and Valladolid. They didn't have crazy add ons like other website that ended being expensive. Their website was super user-friendly, offering a great value for the cost of the tour. Also, everyones reviews were outstanding.
Our private tour started at 6am, which we recommend everyone to do this to beat the crowds and Yucatan heat. They pick-up us at the hotel and we were greeted by Alex our tour guide and Enrique our driver (if you get this two your trip will be a blast) in a spacious mini van. Our first stop was to a convenience store, to grab coffee and croissant (included in your tour). For us this was nice touch since we couldn't have breakfast at the hotel. We had our breakfast on our way to Chichen-Itza, were Alex started to introduce us to Mayan history and language. Alex, is personable, easy to talk with, and so knowledgeable. While Alex and us were chatting, Enrique did the drive and keeping us safe at all times including our belongings. Our second stop was at a pit stop in the highway, clean restrooms with convenience shop. After that we arrive to the majestic Chichen-Itza (approx. 3 hours).
Enrique, drop us right in front of the entrance. While we went inside with Alex. Enrique went to look for parking, and keep our goods safe. Meanwhile Alex give us a very knowledgeable tour, and answering all our questions. We learn so much, and were so happy that we got there before any major crowds arrive and it was not hot at all. Alex did not only guide us but also took photos of us and great ones for social media. Once we were done with our tour, Enrique pick us up with snacks and drinks (soda/water) so refreshing after walking. While leaving the parking lot we saw the big buses arrived.
After Chichen-Itza, we went to cenote Xkenken. A what a great choice of cenote! Alex provided us with life jackets. I haven't been before in a cenote that I can see the bottom. I saw catfish too! and not crowded at all we had it pretty much for ourselves. Because we could manage our time without having to wait for other people, we could choose to cut the cenote short and leave to Valladolid for lunch and shopping. For lunch we went to Paladar rest., and the food was delicious and safe for turist stomach. We had Cochinita Pibil, rice, blue corn chicken tacos with Agua de Jamaica. After lunch, we went to main downtown Valladolid, very pretty spanish-colonial town. Took photos and shop, and return back to the hotel arriving by 5pm perfect time to get ready for dinner and entertainment.
I understand not everyone can afford to pay a private tour. But, If you can afford it please do it. You will not regretted, most of the other big tour bus companies hire lower tier guides. With Absolute Adventure Mexico, they hire license guides that went through rigorous education in history, language but most importantly CPR which is very important in case of emergency. Private tours, is away to avoid wasting your precious vacation time and having the best quality time with your love ones by really getting immerse in Mexican culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 3, 2024
Great Tour - Great tour with Arturo. Very knowledgeable. It's an early tour but it allows you to beat the crowds. By the time we were done at Chichen Itza, it was getting crowded. Same with the Cenote. Lunch in Valladolid was great. Highly recommend this tour. Thanks Arturo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 20, 2024
Great experience! Great gude! - We visited Chichen Izta 22 years ago and decided to revisit. Such a remarkable place. Our guide and driver were very professional and very knowledgeable. Joshua and Enrique took very good care of us. My wife has limited mobility and they made sure we had enough time to enjoy all our activities. We went to a cenote and then to a nice lunch at a local restaurant in Valladolid. After that we had free time to shop and look around the main plaza.
But what sold us on this particular guide service is that they are a small local business that does it right. They will customize a tour to fit whatever you want to do. We highly recommend this company. Thanks again to Joshua and Enrique.
Review provided by Viator
Jan 5, 2024
Great family experience - Joshua was so patient with our family and provided great information on all the spots we visited but especially Chichen Itza. And our driver Rodrigo got us around safely and on time! I highly recommend starting EARLY. We left Playa del Carmen at 6:15 and arrived at Chichen Itza just before the gates opened at 8am. No lines! On our way out, a couple of hours later the line of vans and buses was sooo long. And the site was very crowded. And we got back to our hotel in time to shower and get ready for our dinner reservation. I also like that we could adjust our day as we went. We opted for more time at Chichen Itza and the Cenote (also very few people and GORGEOUS) and less time at Valladolid. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator