Things to do in Playa del Carmen
Snorkel in Playa del Carmen36 optionsBoat Tour Playa del Carmen21 optionsWhale Shark Diving Playa del Carmen6 optionsCatamaran Playa del Carmen7 optionsCenote Tour Playa del Carmen77 optionsZiplining Playa del Carmen14 optionsATV Playa del Carmen15 optionsFood Tour Playa del Carmen10 optionsPlaya del Carmen Airport Transfer16 optionsArchaeology Tours55 optionsSailing Playa del Carmen5 optionsTurtles and Cenotes Playa del Carmen32 options
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Playa del Carmen: Two Reef Dives & Pool Training, No ExperienceYou spend the morning in a pool learning to breathe and move underwater with an instructor watching closely, then take two dives on separate reefs in the afternoon, staying within 12 meters and seeing tropical fish and corals. Equipment, training materials, and water are included; you just need to be medically cleared and moderately fit.Is it for me?Book this if you want to try scuba diving without the time and cost of a full certification course, and you're medically fit and reasonably active—the pool training is what makes the ocean dives possible in a single day.
Playa del Carmen: Private Azimut Yacht & Snorkeling with Open BarYou board a private 58-foot Azimut yacht at Puerto Aventuras with your group and a professional crew. You snorkel vibrant reefs, float on inflatables or paddle boards, and eat fresh ceviche and guacamole prepared during your charter while the open bar runs continuously. The captain and crew handle all logistics, timing, and service, leaving you to decide how to spend each hour. Four hours total, no other groups, no schedule.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private boat with your group and don't want to arrange the crew, food, drinks, or water activities yourself — the fixed four-hour charter and all-inclusive setup is what makes a full day on the water feel effortless.
Tulum Ruins Private Tour with Cenote SnorkelingA private tour from Playa del Carmen combines early-morning access to Tulum Ruins with snorkeling in one of three cenotes (Nicte Ha, Jaguar, or Taak bi Ha) and lunch at a local restaurant. Your guide holds the tickets and leads you through the site before the main crowds arrive, then drives you to your choice of cenote for swimming and snorkeling gear included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off by private minivan.Is it for me?The early pickup and pre-bought tickets mean you explore Tulum before the crowds arrive and the heat peaks — a private guide and your own minivan let you linger where you want instead of moving with a group schedule.
Private Coba Ruins Tour: Bike Through Pyramid & Cenote SwimYou climb Coba's 120-step pyramid and explore the ruins by bike or motorized cart, then cool off swimming and diving in pristine cenotes. Lunch with drinks and all entry fees are included, and your guide handles the route and timing so you don't have to piece together transport or worry about missing the best hours. A full day that covers both history and water in one trip from Playa del Carmen.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Playa del Carmen who want both archaeology and water in one day without arranging separate transport or timing the cenote stops themselves. The full day out — early start, lunch break, late return — is what makes fitting the pyramid, ruins, and cenotes into a single trip possible.
Ferry Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: Hourly departuresYou board a new ferry with your open ticket, choosing from hourly departures between Playa del Carmen (8:30am–9:30pm) and Cozumel (7:30am–8:30pm). The crossing includes air conditioning, outdoor deck access, luggage storage, WiFi, and travel insurance. Your ticket is valid for six months, and round-trip passengers get free access to Cancun's Scenic Tower.Is it for me?Right for travelers who need flexibility between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel without a fixed schedule—your open ticket lets you pick from 28 hourly departures over six months. The ferry is built for families, pet owners, and anyone with luggage or mobility needs, since storage, pet areas, and wheelchair access are all standard.
Tulum Ruins & Cenote Taak-bi-ha Private Tour from Playa del CarmenYou're picked up from your hotel and driven to Tulum's archaeological site for a guided walk and free exploration time, then to Cenote Taak-bi-ha for snorkeling in an underground cavern with provided equipment. Lunch at a local restaurant rounds out the half-day before your return. Hotel pickup and private transport mean no group waits or public schedules to coordinate around.Is it for me?Book this if you want Tulum and a cenote in one half-day without arranging separate transport, tickets, or timing — the private pickup and fixed itinerary mean you skip the logistics and spend your time actually at the sites.
Ek Balam & Cenote: Mayan Ruins, Valladolid & Lunch from Playa del CarmenYou climb the tallest temple at Ek Balam, swim in a jungle cenote, eat regional lunch, and explore the pastel-colored colonial streets of Valladolid — all in one day with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and drinks included. The fixed schedule means you don't arrange transport, tickets, or timing yourself; you just show up at your hotel at pickup time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Ek Balam's main temple and swim in a jungle cenote without arranging your own transport, entrance fees, or timing — the fixed Thursday and Sunday schedule is what fits all three stops into one day from your hotel.
Playa del Carmen: ATV Jungle & Cenote Swim with Cave ExploreYou ride an ATV through 17.5 miles of jungle terrain, walk through an underground cave system with a subterranean river, and swim in a cenote surrounded by ancient rock formations. The tour includes all gear, a guide, entry fees, transport from Playa del Carmen, and a bottle of water. You're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to move through the Riviera Maya jungle and underground caves in one morning without arranging your own transport or gear — the tour handles all of it, which is what makes a full ATV, cave, and cenote day possible in a half-day window.
Cancun Whale Shark Swim: Private Tour & Isla Mujeres LunchYou’ll start early in Cancun with breakfast at the marina before heading out by boat to swim alongside whale sharks with your guide—just two guests at a time in the water. After snorkeling rounds, enjoy sandwiches and sparkling wine as you cruise toward Isla Mujeres for ceviche lunch and beach time at Playa Norte. If you’re lucky, dolphins or turtles might show up along the way.
Chichén Itzá Early Morning Private Tour from Playa del CarmenYou drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá in the early morning, explore the Temple of the Warriors, Great Ball Court, El Caracol and other key structures with a private guide before the crowds arrive, and return by early afternoon with entry, transport and lunch handled. The timing is what makes the difference — you get the site to yourself.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa del Carmen who want to see Chichén Itzá's main temples without the midday crowds and without arranging their own transport. Plan for an early start — that's what keeps the site quiet and gets you back by afternoon.
Tulum & Cenotes: Mayan Ruins, Snorkel & Underground RiverYou visit the clifftop Tulum ruins with a guide who explains the Mayan layout and history, then snorkel in an open cenote surrounded by mangroves and fish, and finally swim in an underground cave cenote with stalactites and stalagmites. Lunch, drinks, all entry fees and private transport from Playa del Carmen are included, and the full day is paced so you're not rushed between stops.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Playa del Carmen who want Mayan ruins and two different cenote swims without arranging transport or paying separate entry fees at each stop. The day is full—three major stops with water time at two of them—so plan to be out most of the daylight hours, which is exactly what lets you see all three without feeling rushed.
Akumal Beach Swim and Snorkel with Turtles: Half-Day TourA half-day snorkel tour at Akumal Beach near Playa del Carmen pairs a guided swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat alongside two hours of unstructured beach time. Hotel or meeting point pickup is included; snorkeling gear, water and snacks are provided. A live guide leads in English or Spanish, and children from age 4 are welcome. The turtle protection program costs 15 USD per person, paid on the day of travel.Is it for me?The guided snorkel keeps you with the turtles long enough to see them feed and move, while the two hours afterward means you're not rushed back to the van the moment the tour ends—you get both the wildlife encounter and the beach itself.
Cancun Sunset Sailing Cruise: Open Bar & DinnerYou board a catamaran in Cancun with a small group and bilingual crew, sail for two to three hours as the sun sets over the Caribbean, and drink from an open bar while eating gourmet appetizers. Hotel pickup and return are included, so you only have to show up. The boat is stable, the crew is attentive, and the timing is planned around the light — not around a schedule.Is it for me?Book this if you want an evening on the water without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing — the pickup, the boat, the bar, and the return are all coordinated so you only show up and enjoy the sunset.
Coba Ruins & Cenote Swim: Private Tour with Lunch & PickupYou’ll start early exploring Coba’s ancient ruins by bike or rickshaw with your private guide, then cool off swimming in two crystal-clear cenotes near Coba village. Afterward, share an authentic Mexican lunch with your guide before heading back—expect quiet moments, laughter, and real local flavors along the way.
Sunset paddleboarding in Playa del Carmen: Guided group sessionA guided paddleboarding session on the Caribbean at sunset in Playa del Carmen, open to all levels, includes board, paddle, leash and instruction from an experienced guide; snorkel gear is available if conditions permit. The group stays small and welcoming, with shower facilities and storage afterward. Guides speak English, Spanish and Dutch, and the minimum age is 12.Is it for me?The session runs two hours at a steady, conversational pace on the water—you're paddling, not sprinting, so it suits anyone with moderate fitness who wants to move without strain. Come if you want to be on the Caribbean instead of watching it from shore, and if you'd rather learn to paddleboard than read about it.
Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres: Snorkeling & Beach Day from CancunYou board a catamaran at the Cancun marina with hotel pickup already handled, snorkel at Ixlache Reef with a guide and included gear, eat a Mayan-grilled lunch on Isla Contoy's beach, spend an hour exploring Isla Mujeres, and return on an open-bar boat with music and dancing. The whole day — transport, meals, drinks, equipment — is included, so you show up and the rest is arranged.Is it for me?Book this if you want two islands, snorkeling, and a full meal in one day without arranging transport, equipment, or timing yourself — the catamaran schedule and included pickups mean you just show up at your hotel in the morning.
Hotel Transfer Cancun to Playa del Carmen: Meet at arrivalsYou’ll step off your flight at Cancun Airport and spot your name on a sign — no searching for taxis or stressing over directions. With private transfer service to Playa del Carmen hotels, cool air-conditioning, reliable WiFi, and friendly drivers who actually track your flight times, you’ll feel looked after from start to finish.
Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: Private Limo Transfer & BarYou’ll get picked up right at your hotel in Playa del Carmen and settle into a private stretch limo with cold beers, water, WiFi, and plenty of space. The scented towels are oddly refreshing and your local driver handles everything so you can actually relax on the way to Cancun airport—maybe even laugh a little before your flight.
Snorkeling with turtles near Tulum: Three cenotesSnorkel with sea turtles in the reef facing Tulum's Mayan ruins, then visit three cenotes—two for snorkeling and one for walking through the underground chamber. The half-day trip includes a certified guide, all equipment, boat transport, snacks and hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Tulum. Marine biologists lead the experience to prioritize wildlife safety.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a marine biologist leading your cenote and turtle snorkel—the expert focus means learning about the ecosystem rather than hitting multiple stops quickly.
Turtle Snorkeling in Akumal: Local Guide & Photos IncludedTurtle snorkeling in Akumal Bay is a guided activity where you swim alongside sea turtles in their natural habitat, led by a local guide who grew up in these waters. The tour runs about an hour, includes snorkeling equipment, life jacket, photos and videos of your encounter, and takes place in small groups. Children from age 5 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to snorkel with sea turtles led by someone who grew up in Akumal—the local guides know the bay's rhythms and where the turtles feed, which is what turns a reef swim into an encounter. Small groups mean the guide can stay close and adjust for your comfort level, whether you're a first-time snorkeler or experienced in the water.
