Coba Private Tour from Playa del Carmen: Ruins & Cenote Swim

Two cenotes sit inside the same morning as the ruins themselves.

A private guided tour of Coba Mayan ruins from Playa del Carmen includes hotel pickup, exploration of the archaeological site by bike or rickshaw, two cenote swims with life vests, a Mexican lunch at a local restaurant, and return transport: all scheduled for early morning to avoid crowds. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours and your guide speaks English or Spanish. Drinks at lunch are your choice at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 214 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Private Van 3 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00 Guide in English or Spanish Up to 14 per booking Only you, your guide and your driver: pickup from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. We recommend a 6am pickup from Playa and a 7am pickup from Tulum to avoid crowds and heat. Pickup is included.

Private Van 2 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00 Guide in English or Spanish Up to 5 per booking Only you, your guide and your driver: pickup from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. We recommend a 6am pickup from Playa and a 7am pickup from Tulum to avoid crowds and heat. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Coba ruins and cenotes

• Private pickup from hotel
• Guided tour of Coba ruins by bike or rickshaw
• Swim in two cenotes with life vest
• Enjoy authentic Mexican lunch at local restaurant
• Return to hotel or rental

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Coba Mayan Ruins Entry included 1h 30m
2. Cenotes Tamcach-Ha & Choo-Ha Entry included 1h

What’s included

• Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off by private air-conditioned minivan.
• certified private guide in English or Spanish.
• Coba ruins entrance fees and bike rental.
• two cenote entrance fees and life vests.
• one Mexican meal a la carte at a local restaurant.
• water and sodas in the van cooler.
• all taxes and commissions.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Every day 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00

Information

Private guided tour of Coba Mayan ruins from Playa del Carmen with bike or rickshaw exploration, two cenote swims, lunch and hotel pickup.

Group Private 8 similar group tours ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (12 to 74 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Not recommended with heart problems

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

Hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen takes about 90 minutes by private air-conditioned minivan, or 45 minutes if you're staying in Tulum. Your certified private guide meets you at the ruins and the day splits into three parts: the archaeological site itself, the cenotes, and lunch. You choose how to move through Coba (by bike or in a taxi rickshaw), so the pace is yours, and the early-morning timing means you're walking among the structures before the site fills up.

The two cenotes of Coba are the reason many travelers book this tour. After exploring the ruins, you swim in both of them. Life vests are provided, and the water is the kind of clear that makes the depth hard to judge. The cenote entrance fee is included, so there's no separate transaction at the gate. Between the ruins and the water, you've covered the two things Coba is known for in a single morning.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant in Coba itself (tacos, empanadas and other Mexican specialties), and your guide eats with you, which is when most travelers ask the questions that didn't fit during the walking. Water and sodas travel with you in the van's cooler. After lunch, the drive back to your hotel or rental takes the same route you came in on.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

How far is Coba from Playa del Carmen, and how long is the drive?

Coba is approximately 90 minutes by private minivan from Playa del Carmen, or 45 minutes from Tulum. The pickup and return transport are included in the tour.

Can I choose between a bike and a rickshaw to explore the ruins?

Yes. You pick whether to bike through Coba or ride in a taxi rickshaw. Both are included. The choice is yours depending on how you want to move through the site.

What happens at the cenotes, and is swimming safe?

You swim in two cenotes after exploring the ruins. Life vests are provided for safety, and the cenote entrance fees are included in the tour price.

What's included in the lunch, and can I choose what to eat?

Lunch is at a local restaurant in Coba and features Mexican dishes like tacos and empanadas. One meal a la carte is included. Drinks at the restaurant are optional and paid separately at checkout.

What time does the tour start, and why is early morning important?

The tour is scheduled for early morning hours to beat the crowds and take advantage of the cooler part of the day while exploring the ruins. Your guide will confirm the exact pickup time when you book.

Operated by Absolute Adventure Mexico. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago