The differences, side by side
| Guided tour | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per person | Per van, based on the number of passengers |
| Guide | Yes | No; the driver drives and waits |
| Includes | Transportation and, depending on the tour, lunch, entry fees, a boat or gear | Air-conditioned van, driver and traveler insurance |
| Schedule | Fixed, with the group | Agreed departure and return; your own pace at each stop |
| Who you travel with | Possibly other travelers | Only your group |
Choose the tour if…
- It's your first time and you want someone to explain the history of what you're seeing (Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Tulum).
- You don't want to think about boats, entry fees or where to eat.
- You're a couple or traveling solo, and paying for a whole van doesn't make sense.
- The destination needs coordination (Celestún, Río Lagartos, Isla Mujeres), and the tour already includes the boat.
Choose the transfer if…
- There are 4 or more of you and you want the van to yourselves.
- You're traveling with small children or older relatives who need breaks.
- You want to spend longer in one place and less in another.
- You'd rather hire a local guide at the archaeological site entrance, or you already know the site.
Mary Tours transfers cover Uxmal and Yaxcopoil, Chichén Itzá, Celestún, Izamal and Santa Bárbara, the north coast, Las Coloradas, Isla Mujeres and Holbox.
Before you book either one
Profeco, Mexico's consumer protection agency, recommends getting the total price, duration, included services, payment and deposit terms, cancellation policy and, where relevant, the minimum group size before booking any tourism service. In the catalogue on this page, every tour and transfer lists what's included and what isn't. Booking from here, both are for groups of 4 or more.
Fun facts
- Mary Tours transfers are priced by van size, based on the number of passengers.
- On a transfer, the driver waits at each stop while the group explores.
- Some tours include the boat ride, which on a transfer you book separately.
Related tours
Transfers · 10.5 h
Transfer to Chichén Itzá
Four stops, your own pace and the van waiting
from $2,650 MXN per vehicle
Archaeology · 11 h
Chichén Itzá, Izamal and Valladolid
Four stops in one day, and none of them rushed
from $1,200 MXN per person
See itinerary
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour on the road to Izamal. The guide uses the drive to set up what comes next.
- 9:00 AM San Antonio de Padua Convent — The story of the 16th-century Franciscan convent told in its atrium, then free time to walk the yellow town.
- 11:15 AM Chichén Itzá — Guided walk through the Temple of Kukulkán, the Sacred Cenote, the Ball Court, the Tzompantli and the Jaguars and Eagles platform.
- 1:45 PM Regional lunch in Kaua — Buffet of Yucatecan dishes: cochinita, relleno negro, lime soup and meat-free options.
- 3:00 PM Selva Maya cenote — The swim lands exactly when the sun is at its worst. Changing rooms and showers on site.
- 4:20 PM Valladolid — Francisco Cantón Rosado park with its original railings, the church of San Servacio and the murals in the town hall.
- 8:00 PM Back in Mérida — We drop you off where the day started.
Included: Air-conditioned transport, General culture guide, Regional buffet lunch
Not included: Chichén Itzá entrance, Cenote entrance, Drinks
Transfers · 10.5 h
Transfer to Uxmal and Yaxcopoil
The Puuc route at your own pace, with the van waiting
from $2,550 MXN per vehicle
Transfers · 10 h
Transfer to Celestún
We drive you to the estuary, wait for you and bring you back
from $2,550 MXN per vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Does a private transfer include a guide?
No. It includes an air-conditioned van, a driver and traveler insurance.
Does a transfer include entry fees?
No. Entry fees, food, drinks, boats and tips are paid separately.
Which is cheaper?
For large groups, a transfer usually works out better because it's priced per van; for two or three people, a tour.
Can I hire a guide on site?
At archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá there are usually guides at the entrance; the transfer drops you off and waits.
