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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Snorkeling with Sea Turtles & Cenote: CancunThis five-hour snorkeling activity from Cancun combines two separate water experiences: you snorkel in a bay off the Riviera Maya to swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat, then visit a sacred cenote to explore an underground cave system filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Hotel pickup, a certified guide in your choice of five languages, snorkeling equipment, snacks and bottled water are all included; the guide leads both the snorkel and the cenote swim.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want both open-water sea turtle encounters and cenote swimming in one outing with a single guide, rather than booking separate snorkel and cave experiences.
Akumal Snorkeling with Sea Turtles & GoPro PhotosYou snorkel for ninety minutes in a protected shallow reef where green sea turtles feed and rest, guided by someone who knows where to look and what to point out. Equipment, a photo album from the guide's GoPro, and access to facilities are included; the beach bracelet and any locker rental are separate. Small groups mean you're not jostling for position, and the whole experience is built around watching the turtles without disturbing them.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see green sea turtles in their natural habitat without the logistics of a boat trip or the expense of a larger organized tour—the small group size and shallow-water format are what make close, unhurried encounters possible.
Playa del Carmen: Cenote & Sea Turtles Snorkel Half-DayYou swim in a jungle cenote cavern with an aquatic guide, then snorkel with wild sea turtles in Akumal bay — both in one half-day from Playa del Carmen. Transport, snorkel gear, water and snacks are included; guides handle the logistics so you just show up with a towel and moderate fitness.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Riviera Maya's two signature natural swims in one morning without arranging transport or equipment — the fixed itinerary and included guides mean you show up ready to swim, not to plan.
Tulum ruins, Mayan village & cenote tour with pickupA guided tour of Tulum's archaeological ruins, a traditional Mayan village in the jungle, and a cenote swim, with hotel pickup and a certified guide in multiple languages. The route moves from the coast inland and back, covering three distinct sites in a single morning. A guide leads the group through each stop; bottled water and snacks are provided throughout.Is it for me?Book this if you want three distinct stops—ruins, village, cenote—completed by early afternoon, leaving your day flexible; the guide leads in German, French, Italian, Spanish or English.
Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid: Guided Day Trip with LunchYou’ll swim in a crystal-clear cenote, walk among Chichen Itza’s ancient ruins with a local guide, enjoy regional dishes at lunch, and explore colonial Valladolid’s colorful streets. Expect small surprises—like laughter echoing off stone or sharing stories over food—that stick with you long after you’re home.
Tulum & Coba Ruins Day Trip with Cenote Swim & LunchYou’ll stand where Mayan traders watched the Caribbean at Tulum, climb through shaded jungle paths at Coba, taste local dishes for lunch, and dive into a crystal-clear cenote—all with a guide who brings history to life. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.
Snorkeling Isla Mujeres: El Meco reef with food and open barA 5-hour snorkeling tour from Cancun to Isla Mujeres includes 30 minutes in the water at El Meco reef with guide and equipment, roundtrip hotel pickup, lunch and premium open bar aboard the boat, plus 2.5 hours to explore the island on your own. Five departure times run daily; the guide speaks English and Spanish.Is it for me?Book an early departure if you want to snorkel before the afternoon crowds reach El Meco, or choose the 2:30pm slot if you prefer a slower morning — the reef and the island stay the same either way, so the timing choice is about your schedule and how crowded you want the water to be.
Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Day Trip with Cenote Swim & LunchYou’ll walk among ancient pyramids at Chichen Itza and Ek Balam with a local guide who brings Mayan stories to life, cool off in a crystal-clear cenote surrounded by jungle sounds, and share a hearty Yucatecan lunch with your group. Expect moments of awe—and maybe even silence—you’ll carry home with you.
Snorkeling and ATV riding in Tulum: Jungle trails and cenotesThis activity combines ATV riding through the Mayan jungle with snorkeling in an underground cenote near Tulum. You ride a 450cc CAN-AM ATV on jungle trails, visit the Tulum archaeological site overlooking the Caribbean, and swim in crystal-clear cenote waters. The day runs seven hours and includes hotel pickup, a professional guide, all equipment, lunch and air-conditioned transport between stops.Is it for me?Book the single-rider ATV if you want full control of the vehicle and have ATV experience or confidence on uneven terrain; choose the double-rider option if you're traveling with children 8–15, or if you prefer a passenger seat and want to experience the jungle and cenote without operating the ATV yourself.
Sian Ka'an boat tour from Riviera Maya: Snorkel the barrier reefA full-day boat tour of Sian Ka'an Reserve departing from Riviera Maya hotels, with certified guide, snorkeling at the world's second longest barrier reef, and lunch in the fishing village of Punta Allen. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with snacks, water, and wine. The tour runs 10 hours and departs early; guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see wildlife and snorkel a major reef without spending the day arranging boats, guides and meals separately—everything is organized, the boat enters the park with minimal bumps, and you eat in the village itself rather than on the water.
Tulum: Luxury Catamaran Sail & Snorkel with Chef & Open BarYou board at Puerto Aventuras, snorkel at a protected reef spot where sea turtles return seasonally, choose from a chef's menu of ceviches, tacos and seafood, drink from an unlimited bar, and use paddle boards and floaties between swims. The boat handles all the logistics — timing, equipment, food prep — so you show up and get in the water.Is it for me?Book this if you want snorkeling, food and drinks handled in one outing without arranging a separate boat, restaurant and bar — the chef and open bar are what make a four-hour sail feel like a full experience instead of just a swim.
Cenote Diving in Playa del Carmen: 2 Dives PrivateA private full-day cenote diving experience in Playa del Carmen with two dives in cenotes like Chac Mool, Taj Ma Ha, Garden of Eden, Chikin Ha or Dos Ojos, chosen by your certification level and dive history. Includes a cave-certified guide, all SCUBA equipment, tanks, weights, transportation from your hotel, entrance fees, lunch and bottled water; you need only your Open Water diver certification and a minimum age of 14.Is it for me?Seven hours means you can dive twice and still have the rest of your day free, or pair it with an evening activity without overlap. If you're newly certified or haven't dived recently, the guide adjusts the sites to your level so you're not pushed beyond your comfort.
Rio Secreto from Playa del Carmen: Underground river swimYou wade through a 1km underground river past stalactites while a guide explains the geology and Mayan history. Equipment, lunch with regional cuisine, and a Xtabentun toast are all included. If you book transport, pickup from your Playa del Carmen hotel is handled, and you're back by early afternoon or late morning depending on which option you choose.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see an underground river without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing — the fixed schedule and included guide mean you show up and the logistics are handled. Plan for at least 3.5 hours in the reserve itself, longer if you add hotel pickup, which is what makes the full experience possible without a rental car.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Hubiku: Ek Balam Small Group from Playa del CarmenYou spend more than three hours exploring Chichen Itza's pyramids and ball court with a professional guide, then swim in the crystal-clear Cenote Hubiku and climb the pyramid at Ek Balam. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and all entrance fees are included; skip-the-line entry at Chichen Itza means you avoid the ticket office queue. Small groups keep the pace manageable across all three sites.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see three major Maya sites in a single day without arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself — the small-group format and fixed itinerary mean you move through each stop at a pace that lets you absorb the details instead of rushing between them.
Chichén Itzá & 2 Cenotes from Cancun: Ik Kil & SuytunYou visit Suytun cenote for photos, receive a Maya blessing ceremony, eat a regional lunch, tour Chichén Itzá with a certified guide, swim for 45 minutes in Cenote Ik Kil with life jacket included, and spend 45 minutes in the colonial town of Valladolid before returning to your hotel. Hotel pickup is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chichén Itzá and swim in two cenotes without arranging separate transport, tickets and timing — the fixed itinerary gets all four stops done in a single day from your hotel.
Isla Mujeres Catamaran from Playa del Carmen: Snorkel & Open BarYou get picked up from your Playa del Carmen hotel, sail to Isla Mujeres on a catamaran with snorkeling stops and underwater statues, eat a buffet lunch and drink from an open bar, then return by early evening. The whole day — transport, gear, food, drinks — is included, so you show up and the rest happens.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Playa del Carmen without a car and want a full day on the water without arranging snorkeling, lunch, drinks or transport separately — the 10-hour format means you get both the island and the reef in one departure.
Chichen Itza day trip from Cancun: Pyramid, cenote, ValladolidThis guided day trip from Cancun takes you to Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, where you explore the Pyramid of Kukulcan and the Ball Game with an expert guide, then swim in a sacred cenote before heading to Valladolid's cobblestone streets. The tour runs 12 hours with roundtrip hotel pickup, a professional guide in your chosen language, and your choice of a Mexican buffet lunch and tequila tasting depending on which option you select. The Chichen Itza entrance tax (44 USD) is paid on the day of the tour unless you book the All Inclusive option.Is it for me?Choose the All Inclusive option if you want the entrance tax and life jacket included in one price; pick the VIP option if you want lunch without the tax prepaid; go Standard if you prefer to skip the meal and handle the tax separately at the gate. The 12-hour day suits travelers who want the major Mayan site, a cenote swim and a colonial town without splitting the experience across multiple days.
Tulum: Private Yacht Cruise, Gourmet Lunch & SnorkelingYou’ll cruise from Puerto Aventuras on a private yacht toward Tulum’s reefs, tasting chef-made dishes and sipping cold drinks as you go. Snorkel in clear Caribbean water or try paddle boarding if you’re up for it—the crew takes care of everything. Expect laughter, sun-warmed skin, and quiet moments that stick with you long after you’re back on land.
Cancun & Riviera Maya: Xenses Park Tickets with Hotel PickupYou’ll tumble through optical illusions at Xenses Park near Cancun—shrinking streets, pitch-dark tunnels, citrus gardens that wake up your nose, and mud slides warmer than they look. With hotel pickup included and your entry sorted before you arrive, you can just jump into every strange moment—and maybe laugh at yourself along the way.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Day Trip from Riviera Maya with LunchYou’ll ride out from Riviera Maya with a small group, guided by locals who know all the little stories behind Chichen Itza’s stones. There’s time for a real Mexican lunch buffet and a swim in a cool cenote before heading home—expect laughter, sunlight, maybe even a new favorite dish if you’re lucky.
