Daily hours and last entry
The archaeological zone runs 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day of the year, including holidays. Ticket booths stop selling at 4:00 pm and staff begin clearing the site near closing, so plan at least 2 to 3 hours inside to see the pyramid, the ball court, the observatory and the sacred cenote without rushing.
Best time of day
The first 90 minutes after opening are golden: cooler air, softer light for photos of El Castillo, and the plaza nearly empty before the big tour groups arrive around mid-morning. If you cannot make the opening, late afternoon after 3:00 pm thins out again as day-trippers leave to catch their buses home.