Chichen Itza Map & Location: Coordinates, Distances, Where It Is in Mexico
Exact latitude and longitude, distance from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Merida, and where Chichen Itza sits on the map of Mexico.
Where Is Chichen Itza?
Chichen Itza is located in the state of Yucatan, southeast Mexico, on the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Its coordinates are 20.6843° N, 88.5678° W, in the municipality of Tinum near the small town of Piste. On a map of Mexico it sits inland from the Caribbean coast, about 197 km west of Cancun and 120 km east of Merida, roughly 40 km west of Valladolid. It is reachable from every major Riviera Maya resort by Autopista 180D in under 2 hours 30 minutes.
This guide is prepared by Maya Explorer Tours, a local travel team helping visitors plan Chichen Itza map, location, and coordinates around hotel pickup times, route timing, and travel style.
Chichen Itza Coordinates and Location Facts
The exact latitude and longitude of Chichen Itza, plus the state, municipality, and highway used to reach the site.
| Location detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 20.6843° N |
| Longitude | 88.5678° W |
| Decimal coordinates | 20.6843, -88.5678 |
| DMS coordinates | 20°41'03" N, 88°34'04" W |
| Country | Mexico |
| State | Yucatan |
| Municipality | Tinum |
| Nearest village | Piste (about 2.5 km west of the entrance) |
| Highway access | Federal Highway 180 / Autopista 180D (Kantunil–Cancun toll) |
| Elevation | About 30 m above sea level |
Open the site on Google Maps by searching Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, or paste the coordinates 20.6843, -88.5678 into any map app.
Chichen Itza on the Map of Mexico
On a map of Mexico, Chichen Itza sits in the far southeast, on the northern half of the Yucatan Peninsula. The peninsula is the big landmass that separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea and contains three states — Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche. Chichen Itza is inside the state of Yucatan, not Quintana Roo, so it is inland from the Cancun and Tulum coast rather than on it.
The nearest large city is Merida, the Yucatan state capital, about 120 km to the west. The nearest international airport is Cancun International (CUN), about 180 km to the east. Merida International (MID) is closer if you fly through Mexico City. The archaeological zone itself is just off Federal Highway 180 in the municipality of Tinum, between the town of Piste and the city of Valladolid.
Region on the Mexico map
Southeast Mexico, northern Yucatan Peninsula, inland from the Caribbean coast.
Direction from Cancun
About 197 km due west of the Cancun Hotel Zone via Autopista 180D.
Nearest airport
Cancun International (CUN) — about 180 km / 2 h 10 min drive.
Main road
Autopista 180D (Kantunil–Cancun toll highway) with a direct exit to the ruins.
Distance from Chichen Itza to Nearby Cities
Driving distance and typical time from the main tourist bases to the Chichen Itza entrance. All routes use paved highways.
| From | Distance | Drive time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancun (Hotel Zone) | ~197 km | ~2 h 18 min | West via 180D |
| Cancun International Airport | ~180 km | ~2 h 10 min | West via 180D |
| Playa del Carmen | ~182 km | ~2 h 09 min | Northwest via 305D + 180D |
| Tulum | ~153 km | ~2 h 03 min | Northwest via Coba road + 180 |
| Riviera Maya (Puerto Aventuras) | ~200 km | ~2 h 20 min | Via 305D + 180D |
| Valladolid | ~40 km | ~40 min | West via 180 |
| Merida | ~120 km | ~1 h 30 min | East via 180D |
| Piste village | ~2.5 km | ~5 min | East via 180 |
For interactive drive-time comparisons from your hotel city, use the Chichen Itza travel time tool.
Where is Chichen Itza located on a map?
Chichen Itza is located on the northern Yucatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico, in the state of Yucatan, municipality of Tinum. On a world map its coordinates are 20.6843° N, 88.5678° W. On a Mexico map it sits roughly 120 km east of Merida and 197 km west of Cancun, off Federal Highway 180 near the town of Piste. It is inland — not on the coast — even though most visitors reach it from Caribbean resort towns.
What are the exact coordinates of Chichen Itza?
The exact coordinates of Chichen Itza are 20.6843° N latitude and 88.5678° W longitude (decimal:20.6843, -88.5678). These coordinates point to El Castillo, the main pyramid at the center of the site. In degrees-minutes-seconds this reads as 20°41'03" N, 88°34'04" W. Elevation is roughly 30 meters above sea level.
Is Chichen Itza in Cancun?
No. Chichen Itza is not in Cancun and it is not in the state of Quintana Roo. It is about 197 km west of the Cancun Hotel Zone, in the neighboring state of Yucatan. Most visitors reach it as a full-day drive from Cancun via Autopista 180D. The ruins searched as "Cancun ruins" usually refer to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Ek Balam, or Coba — all outside the city itself.
What state is Chichen Itza in?
Chichen Itza is in the state of Yucatan, one of the three Mexican states that make up the Yucatan Peninsula. It is co-managed by the federal agency INAH and the Yucatan state agency CULTUR, which is why admission is paid in two separate parts at the gate.
Plan the Rest of Your Visit
- Chichen Itza destination guide
What to see on site: El Castillo, Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, Sacred Cenote.
- Entrance fees 2026
697 MXN foreign adults; INAH + CULTUR split explained.
- Opening hours 2026
8:00 AM–5:00 PM daily, last entry 4:00 PM.
- Cancun to Chichen Itza route
Highway 180D, drive time, and tour options from the Hotel Zone.
- Tours from Cancun
Private day trips with hotel pickup direct from operator.
- Compare all Chichen Itza tours
Private, luxury, express, cenote combo, and Ek Balam combo in one place.
If you want help matching this guide to your hotel, date, and group size, Maya Explorer Tours can help you compare private timing options on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Chichen Itza Travel Guide
Return to the full trip-planning hub for routes, timing, fees, and tour options.
Explore this pageCancun to Chichen Itza Route
Highway 180D details, drive time, and departure timing from the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Explore this pageTours from Cancun
Compare private day trips with hotel pickup after checking the map and distances.
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