Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Cozumel Scuba Diving at Chankanaab: Intro Dive, No ExperienceAn introductory scuba dive at Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park in Cozumel with a certified bilingual instructor, one air tank, park admission and beach access included. The dive lasts around two hours and requires no prior experience. You receive instruction on equipment use before descending to watch marine life around the reef barrier and explore underwater caves and sculptures.Is it for me?Your afternoon in port becomes an underwater adventure through ancient caves and the world's second largest reef—no diving experience required, just show up and dive.
Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone: Private Transfer 15-30 MinYou get picked up at Cancun Airport by a bilingual driver in a private minivan reserved only for your group, with bottled water and all taxes included. The 15–30 minute drive to your Hotel Zone hotel skips the shared-shuttle chaos and gets you settled faster, so you can start your vacation without the airport-transfer stress.Is it for me?Right for travelers arriving in Cancun without a rental car who want to skip the shared-shuttle lines and get to their Hotel Zone hotel directly. The 15–30 minute drive is straightforward, and the fixed price means no negotiation at the curb.
Chichen Itza, Cenote Swim & Izamal Day Trip from MeridaYou’ll start early from Mérida for quiet time at Chichen Itza before crowds arrive, then cool off with a swim in a sacred cenote (don’t forget your swimsuit). Lunch is a buffet of Yucatecan favorites before you stroll through Izamal’s golden streets and climb its ancient pyramid. Expect real stories from your guide and small surprises along the way.
Coba & Tulum Ruins from Playa del Carmen: Cenote & LunchYou visit two major Mayan archaeological sites — Tulum on the coast and Coba inland — climb a 42-meter pyramid, swim in a natural cenote, watch a cocoa demonstration, and eat a buffet lunch. The tour handles all transport, entry fees, and timing, so you move through the day without stopping to plan or negotiate.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want to see both major Mayan ruins in one day without arranging transport, entry, or timing yourself — the fixed schedule is what fits two sites, a cenote, and lunch into a single outing from Playa del Carmen.
Cozumel: Island Buggy Tour with Mayan Cooking & Tequila StopYou’ll zip around Cozumel Island in an open buggy with a local guide, hear Maya legends at ancient sites, sample artisan tequila at a lively hacienda, try your hand at Mayan cooking workshops, and soak up quiet moments on hidden beaches only locals talk about.
Kayak Bacalar Sunrise Tour: Bird Island & Black CenoteYou paddle out at sunrise on Bacalar Lagoon, float past the bird island while herons wake up, explore a ninety-meter cenote, and eat fresh fruit and coffee on the water. Your guide provides the board or kayak, lifevest, lesson, and GoPro photos. The whole experience takes a few hours and finishes before the day gets hot.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Bacalar Lagoon at its quietest and most colorful, without arranging your own equipment or timing — the early start is what keeps the water calm and the birds active.
Riviera Maya: ATV, Speed Boat or Wave Runner & Beach ClubYou’ll start with a quick intro from your guide before heading out by ATV through mangroves and rainforest trails—or out on a speed boat or wave runner along Playa Maroma’s coast. Afterward, relax at Maroma Beach Club with time to swim or just listen to the waves. The whole thing includes hotel pickup and all equipment—just bring dry clothes for after.
Tulum: Sian Ka'an Kayak Sunset & Mangrove Lagoon TourYou paddle through brackish lagoons in the Sian Ka'an reserve, learning to navigate mangrove mazes while birds return to nest at sunset. The guide keeps groups small and wildlife undisturbed, and no kayaking experience is needed—just moderate fitness and a willingness to sit in a boat for two to three hours. Bring sun protection, a dry bag, and water, and arrange your own transport from Tulum to the lagoon.Is it for me?Right for kayakers and non-kayakers alike who want to see Sian Ka'an's wildlife at the moment it's most active—the small group size and calm water are what make it possible to paddle close enough to see birds without scattering them.
Bacalar: Sunrise Paddleboard Tour with Breakfast & GoPro PhotosYou’ll start before sunrise on Bacalar’s famous lagoon, learning to paddleboard with a local guide as dawn colors spread across calm water. Swim in clear shallows among mangroves while your guide prepares fresh fruit and coffee for breakfast. GoPro photos capture those sleepy smiles and bright colors so you can relive them later—there’s something quietly joyful about starting your day this way.
Riviera Maya: Private Cenotes Tour & Yal-Kú Snorkel Early AccessYou’ll start early with hotel pickup in Riviera Maya, snorkeling Yal-Kú Lagoon before crowds arrive. Swim in open-air jungle cenotes and explore an underground river cave with your local guide on this private tour. Enjoy bottled water, flexible timing, and optional stops—plus those little moments of laughter or silence that make memories last.
Cozumel: Punta Sur Private Buggy Tour & Beach LunchYou’ll drive your own buggy along Cozumel’s coast with a local guide, climb up Celarain lighthouse at Punta Sur Park for wild views, spot crocodiles by quiet lagoons, taste real Mexican tequila (and chocolate!), then eat tacos right on the beach before heading home sandy and happy.
Bacalar Pontoon Tour: Pirates Canal, cenotes & kayaks includedA 3-hour pontoon boat tour of Bacalar's Lagoon of the 7 Colors explores Pirates Canal, three cenotes and Bird Island in a shaded boat with a bilingual guide. The tour includes 3 beers and natural fruit beverages per adult, safety equipment, healthy snacks, and beach club access afterward with complimentary kayaks to continue exploring on your own terms.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in Bacalar with a free morning and want the lagoon's main sights without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the boat, the stops and the timing are set, so you show up and spend three hours on the water instead of planning it.
Cozumel Jeep Adventure with Cenote & Snorkel: 5 hoursA 5-hour jeep tour of Cozumel that combines off-road jungle driving, cenote swimming and snorkeling at a beach club, with a tequila ranch stop and El Cedral's history along the way. Private transport, lunch and snorkeling gear are included; the guide speaks English or Spanish. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private jeep with your own guide to control the stops and pace through jungle roads, tequila distillery, and cenote swim—rather than joining a group tour with fixed timing.
Playa del Carmen: 5 Private Cenotes & Jungle Swim with MealYou swim in four crystal-clear cenotes inside a private jungle property near Playa del Carmen, with a guide in the water and all gear provided. You walk between cenotes through the forest, see the sacred fifth cenote, and finish with a full meal and drink at Lara y Luca restaurant in air conditioning. Transport from your hotel is included, and the small-group format means you're never competing with crowds for space or silence.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa del Carmen who want cenote swimming without the crowded-tour feeling or the hassle of arranging transport and gear separately. Expect a full day out — the meal and the small-group pace are what make the experience feel unhurried rather than packed.
Sunrise paddleboarding in Bacalar lagoon with breakfastA 3-hour sunrise paddleboarding activity on the Bacalar lagoon where you paddle to Bird Island and the Black Cenote, with a live guide in English or Spanish and breakfast served on the water. Children from age 10 are welcome. The route covers the lagoon's famous 7-color zones at the hour when the water changes color and the birds are loudest.Is it for me?Book this if you're an early riser who wants to paddle before 9am and prefer a small group—you'll start while the lagoon is still quiet, with time to float and have coffee on the water.
Akumal: Swim with Turtles & GoPro Photos Private TourYou’ll swim side by side with wild sea turtles in Akumal Bay on this private snorkeling tour led by a certified guide. Enjoy included GoPro photos capturing your best moments underwater, all gear provided, plus access to showers and lockers after you finish exploring. Expect laughter, new sights, and that rare feeling of being part of something quietly beautiful.
Mexican Cooking Class Cancun: Learn with Fresh IngredientsA 4-hour Mexican cooking class in Cancun where you shop the local market with a chef-guide, select fresh ingredients, then prepare a full meal using traditional tools and methods. The class covers guacamole, handmade tortillas, enchiladas, sopes, refried beans, rice with milk dessert and a margarita you make yourself, finishing with the dishes you cooked. Pickup from your hotel is included with the market-and-transport option; class-only is available without it.Is it for me?Book the class-only option if you can reach the kitchen on your own and want to focus on cooking without the market stop. Choose the market-and-transport version if you want to see how locals shop for ingredients and prefer pickup from your hotel included in the price.
Riviera Maya: Beginner Scuba Dive & Beach Club with PickupYou’ll start with a short lesson on scuba basics before heading into the shallow reef off Maroma Beach with all gear provided. Float alongside bright fish as your guide keeps things simple and calm—no swimming expertise needed. Afterward, relax at the beach club with included bottled water before your ride back. It’s a gentle introduction that might just stick with you long after.
Cozumel: KUZÁ Beach Club Day Pass & Water ActivitiesYou get a full day of beach access with lounge chairs, hammocks, nature trails, and daily entertainment included in your wristband. Water sports, food, drinks, and upgrades like the buffet or spa services are available for extra cost. You choose what to do and when, with no fixed itinerary—perfect if you want flexibility without the logistics of finding your own beach spot.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full beach day without arranging transport, finding your own spot, or committing to a fixed itinerary—the wristband gets you in, the loungers and shade are waiting, and you decide what to do next.
Yucatan Cenotes: Suytun & Oxman Private Tour with Early AccessYou’ll slip into Yucatan’s famous cenotes before most travelers arrive—swimming under beams of light at Suytun, sharing brunch in Valladolid’s historic center, and swinging into Oxman’s deep blue pool with locals cheering you on. With private transport and an easygoing guide, you can just relax into the day’s rhythm.
