Private Tour Guide for Chichen Itza and Cenotes: Is It Worth the Cost?
How did we decide to hire a private tour guide for our visit to Chichen Itza and Cenotes?
Planning a multi-family trip to Cancun is an exciting opportunity to create unforgettable memories with loved ones, but getting started can feel overwhelming. Taking the first step—such as using a trusted travel platform like Expedia—sets the foundation for a smooth, well-coordinated experience. From aligning travel dates to booking accommodations that suit everyone’s needs, early planning helps ensure that each family’s preferences are considered. With Expedia’s user-friendly tools and wide selection of flights, resorts, and activities, you can turn the idea of a dream vacation into a detailed, actionable plan—making the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself.
For our Stay, I picked the Ocean Coral & Turquesa All Inclusive Resort from June 6-14. It is a beach front, rated family friendly and has over 2400 reviews with an 8.4****/10 score. You can read my honest review "The Ocean Coral & Turquesa All Inclusive Resort - Cancun Mexico- Honest Review" where I posted pictures and videos.
OCean Coral & Turquesa All-Inclusive Resort- See Review
We also booked private shuttle transportation to and from the resort for our group of six through www.expedia.com. Simply search for travel transportation and select the private option—this way, you won’t have to share the ride with other travelers or deal with extra stops that can delay your trip. The cost difference is minimal, and the added convenience and comfort make it well worth the investment..
***please note that clicking on my links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Planning our Excursions in Cancun/Puerto Morales Mexico
Cancun sign- Family photo- multigeneration
Our private Shuttle driver, Giovanni, was ready and waiting for us upon arrival at Cancun Airport, and he basically talked to us about all the places we could visit during our stay.
He ran his own company Giovanni Tour- He offered to take us all on a private 1 day tour to see the Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza, swim in a private Cenote location, eat in a local restaurant and visit a nearby town and bring us back to our resort in the evening. This tour included a private guide, ticket entrances to locations and restaurant. The cost was $220/person.
We decided to book a full day with our Tour Guide Giovanni. His Whatsapp# +52 998 846 7245 and you can directly communicate with him. It was the best decision.
My parents, 82 and 75, are elderly and it is so much better to travel privately. My father has knee issues and has difficulty walking, and my mother just naturally walks slow.
One important payment detail was that we had to pay CASH and upfront, on the morning day he picked us for our private tour.
Because we wanted to arrive at the Pyramid on site right at opening, we asked our Tour Guide Giovanni to start the day earlier to arrive on time by 8am. Since the location was about 2 hours from Puerto Morelos, we started the day early at 5:45am.
OUR PRIVATE TOUR to see the Mayan Ruins
EL Castillo (aka the Temple of Kukulkan) at Chichen Itza
Video created by our tour guide in front of the Temple. WATCH! IT IS WAS AN ADDED BONUS!
Chitchen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In 2001, I was exactly there with Jeff on a family vacation with his parents and uncle except, I was pregnant with my first born, Nathanael.
Back then, tourists were able to climb to the top and admire the entire sacred Maya Ruins. It was an incredible feeling.
Today, in June 2025, no one is allowed to climb because people have disrespected the sacred site by leaving trash on the top or even writing on the walls.
Our driver picked us up in his private shuttle van at 5:45am. The shuttle was spacious and comfortable. He had a cooler with water and even beers.
When we arrive at the location, right before 8am, we were greeted by one of his connection- another private tour guide who put us in front of the line with tickets in hands. So, that was a big win for us, because, the line was quite long already, but we were placed 2nd in line.
The tour guide gave us the direction to start walking towards the temple so that we could take pictures before the crowd got there, and that is exactly what we did. He also explained the history and after one hour or so, we had free roaming until we were ready to head back to GioVanni our Private tour guide.
The site is vast and there are lots of merchants on site that sell various trinkets. I ended up buying a colorful locally made Mayan backpack. At least, I want to believe that it was locally made because at the end of the day, I don't really know. The merchant I bought the backpack from only had backpacks, and that was the only items he sold.
Natalie- Sunglasses
Sandra - Sunglasses
Mom- Marie-C. - Sunglasses
Family Photo
Family Photo with parents
Parents in front of Temple
Natalie June 2025
Jeremiah June 2025
Natalie & Jeremiah
Acoustic sound at the Temple
What we learned is that this sacred place have acoustic sound and if you know where to place yourself and what to do, you can literally hear the resonance of your voice or clapping. It feels magical.
The Cenotes
After our visit at the Temple- we headed towards the Cenote that our private tour guy recommended.
What are Cenotes? According to google- they are sinkholes- with an underground water system, found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Cenotes were the only source of water in the jungle of the Mayan Civilization. The cultural significance is that they are believed to be portals to the underworld and places of worship.
They are now a popular destination for tourists like us for swimming as evidenced below.
Upon arrival at the Cenote location, we were prompted to rinse off in the shower and wear a life jacket We could not bring anything down, and we had to put our belongings in a locker.
We climbed down the stairs. My dad was wondering how he was going to climb back up afterwards. He did painfully but successfully.
The water was dark green. So, the Cenotes entrance tickets were also part of our Private Tour. The reason I mention private so often is because if you book a tour with a generic bus tour, you might not have the same experience. I wanted emphasize the private experience because there was a group that came after us but they were part of a bus tour, and this group could only stay for less than 10 minutes, for they had to go back out. On the other hand, we were able to stay for a while. We swam in the Cenote hole, except my parents. My husband Jeff, along with Natalie and Jeremiah even had the opportunity to jump into the Cenote from high above! Watch the video.
So, is it worth spending extra money to hire a private tour guide?
Yes it is! I wholeheartedly would recommend it especially if you value privacy, intimacy with your family and if you care about your elderly family. Your sightseeing experience will be enhanced and adapted to your group needs and your personal tour guide will take picture for you as an added bonus.
We decided to rent a car for the rest of the week, and it allowed us to get out and check out the beaches, Cancun downtown, the local malls and return to the airport on our own. Since we had booked our shuttle round trip, we used the return shuttle to pick up a rental vehicle and it all worked out at the end.
We also planned a full day at "Las Isla Mujeres", bought our tickets to get to the island and rented a golf cart for the day.
The rest of the week was spent relaxing at the resort. The weather was sunny and hot. It was an overall relaxing vacation.
Cancun Sign- grandparents
Lizard sunbathing
Cancun Sign- grandparents & Grandkids
So, Take Action and Plan Smarter to Make Family Travel Unforgettable
Traveling as a family, especially with multiple generations, is more than just a vacation—it’s a chance to create lasting memories, strengthen bonds, and enjoy meaningful time together. Whether it’s grandparents watching their grandchildren explore new places or parents getting to unwind while connecting as a family, these shared experiences can be truly unforgettable. Planning, however, can be a challenge, especially when trying to accommodate different needs and budgets. That’s why it’s important to use trusted resources that make the process easier and more affordable. Expedia, and also Tripadvisor are one of the best platforms for families looking to find the perfect hotel, read honest reviews, and book top-rated excursions—all while comparing prices to get the best value. With the right tools, planning a smooth and memorable family trip becomes a lot simpler. When every generation can enjoy the journey together, the destination becomes even more special.
Book your next adventure today with Expedia and start making memories that go beyond the ordinary.
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