Playa del Carmen: Buggy Jungle Tour, Cenote Swim & Mayan Village

Summary

Buggy through jungle trails swim cenote meet Mayan locals Playa del Carmen

You’ll ride a buggy through Playa del Carmen’s jungle trails, swim in a crystal-clear cenote cave, and spend time with a welcoming Mayan community. Expect laughter over fresh fruit, hands-on moments with locals, and plenty of earthy scents and sounds along the way. If you’re looking for more than just beaches—this will stick with you.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Playa del Carmen smells like when you’re not on the main strip? I didn’t, until we were bouncing down some muddy trail in a buggy, goggles slipping off my nose, with Daniel (our guide) yelling something about “hold on tight!” over the engine. The air was thick—like wet earth and leaves after rain—and every so often you’d catch this burst of wildflowers or smoke from somewhere deep in the trees. I kept thinking: this is nothing like the brochures.

We stopped at this cenote—honestly, I thought it’d be just another swimming hole but it felt almost sacred. Cool stone under my feet, water so clear it looked fake. There was this moment where everyone went quiet before jumping in; even Daniel got kind of hushed. My skin still tingled from the shock of cold long after we climbed out. And then someone handed around fruit—mango maybe? Sticky fingers, laughing about who screamed loudest hitting the water.

The part that stuck with me most though was visiting the Mayan village. Kids waved at us as we rolled in (one little girl made faces through our buggy window). We met Señora Marta who showed us how she grinds corn for tortillas—she let me try but I’m pretty sure I messed it up because she laughed and shook her head. It wasn’t staged or anything; just people living their lives and letting us peek in for a bit. On the way back, dust in my hair and sunburn creeping up my arms, I caught myself smiling for no real reason except maybe feeling like I’d actually seen something real here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy tour with cenote and village visit

• Hotel pickup
• Briefing at base
• Receive bandanas, goggles, snack
• Drive buggy to jungle
• Explore jungle tracks
• Swim in underground cenote
• Visit Mayan village
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Playa del Carmen buggy tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels.

Can children join the buggy tour?

Yes, families with children can join using 6-seat buggies; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need to bring anything special for the cenote swim?

A swimsuit and towel are recommended for swimming in the cenote.

How many people per buggy?

Buggies are either 2-seaters (for two people) or 6-seaters (for families or groups).

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No full lunch is provided but water and a snack are included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes use of buggies, goggles and bandanas, water, snack, cenote entry, guide, and hotel transfers (selected hotels).

Are there any health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; pregnant travelers should avoid it too.

Is this Playa del Carmen buggy tour suitable for solo travelers?

No, singles are not allowed; minimum two people per buggy is required.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels), use of either a 2-seat or family-size 6-seat buggy with all safety gear like goggles and bandanas provided by your local guide. You’ll get water and a snack along the way plus time to swim at an underground cenote before visiting a real Mayan village—all before heading back to your hotel at the end.