Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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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.
Ziplining in Tulum: ATV, Abseiling & Cave CenoteThis activity combines ATV riding, zip lining, abseiling and cave exploration in the Tulum jungle over 5.5 hours, with a guide in English or Spanish, lunch and air-conditioned transport. You ride jungle paths on a quad bike, fly across the Evolution zip line—the longest in the Riviera Maya—rappel down a vertical wall, descend into a cave cenote to see stalactites, and witness a brief Mayan ceremony. Maximum weight on zip lines is 115 kg (230 lb); children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?You operate the ATV and zip line yourself rather than watching a guide demonstrate, so this suits anyone who wants to control the intensity and feel the adrenaline firsthand. The shared guide and transport keep the cost down compared to a private version, and the 5.5-hour span means you can fit it into a day without sacrificing the rest of your itinerary.
Puerto Aventuras: Private Yacht Snorkel & Beach Tour 4hrYou’ll feel like part of the crew as you set sail from Puerto Aventuras on your private yacht—snorkeling coral reefs or relaxing at a quiet cove, sharing laughter over fresh guacamole and cold drinks. Paddleboard or just float awhile; there’s no rush here. It’s not polished perfection—it’s sun-warmed skin, real flavors, and easy company.
Tulum Ruins & Cenote Snorkeling Tour: Private Guide with TurtlesA private guided tour of Tulum Ruins followed by cenote snorkeling and a shore snorkel in Akumal with sea turtles, departing from your Playa del Carmen hotel in the early morning. Your certified guide holds the tickets, so you skip the entrance line; you choose which cenote to visit (Jaguar for cliff jumping, Nicte Ha for calm water, or Taak bi Ha for an underground river); lunch at a local jungle restaurant is included; snorkeling gear and life vests are provided. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours and suits swimmers of any fitness level.Is it for me?Start your day at Tulum's ruins with a private guide before crowds arrive, then swim with turtles in Akumal and explore a cenote—all without the hassle of coordinating transport from Playa del Carmen.
Costa Maya snorkeling: Reef, fish and turtles with guideSnorkel the reef at Mahahual in Costa Maya with a live guide, full equipment and underwater photos included. You'll spend roughly 80 minutes in the water observing tropical fish, rays and sea turtles in their natural habitat; if turtles don't appear, you get 20 additional minutes to find them. The guide stays with you throughout, and afterward you can use the beach club (food and drinks are separate) or take public transport back to the port.Is it for me?Book this one if you want a guide actually in the water with you the whole time instead of calling directions from a boat, and if you'd rather not arrange your own gear or figure out which reef has turtles—the guide handles both.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Catamaran to El Cielo BeachSnorkel three of Cozumel's most visited reefs — El Cielo Beach with starfish on the sandy bottom, Playa el Cielito where baby rays gather, and Turtle Bay — aboard a catamaran with a guide in English or Spanish. The boat includes drinks, beer, margaritas and ceviche; after snorkeling you choose to rest on a secluded beach or stay aboard. The trip runs four hours and departs near the cruise ports.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel three top reefs in one morning and you're comfortable entering the water independently with mask and fins.
Learn Paddle Board in Progreso: Mangrove ExplorationLearn paddle boarding in Progreso's mangrove ecosystem with a live guide in English or Spanish, starting from a seated position in shallow, wave-free water. Complete equipment (board, paddle, leash) is included. The class runs about two hours and suits families, beginners and experienced paddlers alike—children from age 4 are welcome, and no swimming ability is required.Is it for me?You're hands-on with the paddle and the board the whole time—the guide teaches you to balance and move, but you're the one doing it, not watching. This suits families with kids from 4 up, first-timers who want to actually learn the skill rather than just float around, and anyone who wants to move through the mangroves under their own power instead of sitting in a tour boat.
Tulum: Photo Tour with Cenote, Sculpture & Beach LunchYou’ll wander Tulum’s most photogenic spots with a local guide and pro photographer — posing by colorful signs, surreal sculptures, and lush jungle cenotes. Cool off with snacks before lunch at an eco beach club where Caribbean waves meet fresh Mexican flavors. You might come for photos, but you’ll remember the stories shared along the way.
Cozumel: Private Jeep & ATV Tour Jade Cavern, Punta Sur, Beach LunchYou’ll ride Jeeps through Cozumel’s jungle from El Cedral to Jade Cavern for a swim under hanging vines, then tackle an ATV trail before tasting fresh tortillas and local chocolate. Climb Punta Sur lighthouse for sweeping views and relax with a Mexican lunch at Coco’s Beach Club — all with a local guide who brings every stop to life.
Isla Mujeres: Snorkel Cruise, Slides & Open Bar Day TripYou’ll board a lively three-level boat in Cancun and cruise out to Isla Mujeres with an open bar flowing from the start. Snorkel at El Meco reef or join in dance lessons on deck, then fly down slides or bounce on the trampoline before lunch is served onboard. Enjoy two hours exploring North Beach or town before dancing your way back across turquoise water—probably still smiling.
Cozumel: Mayan Chocolate Workshop & Margarita ClassYou’ll feel cacao between your fingers as you make real Mayan chocolate in Cozumel, try fresh tortillas with local sauce, and shake up a chocolate margarita with help from friendly guides. Taste, laugh, get your hands dirty—and leave with new flavors (and stories) stuck in your head.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Maya Day Trip with Valladolid StopYou’ll walk among Chichen Itza’s ancient pyramids with a local guide, swim in Cenote Maya’s cool blue water at Hacienda Oxman, enjoy a regional buffet lunch, and have free time to explore Valladolid’s colorful streets—each moment feels lived-in and real.
Cancun Airport - Hotel Zone: Private Transfer with AC & PickupYou’ll step off your flight in Cancun and spot your name right away—no confusion or timeshare pitches. Your private transfer whisks you straight from airport to Hotel Zone in cool comfort, with a local driver sharing tips along the way. It’s an easy start that sets a relaxed tone for your trip.
Private Cenote Tour Tulum: Underground river & snorkelYou visit the Tulum ruins perched on the Caribbean cliffside with a guide explaining the Mayan structures, then drive into the Yucatan rainforest to swim and snorkel through an underground cenote system surrounded by cave formations. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, snacks and a bilingual guide are included, and you return to Playa del Carmen by evening.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa del Carmen who want both Mayan history and cenote swimming without arranging transport or paying entrance fees separately. Plan for a full day out — that's what fits both sites and the drive inland into one trip.
Bacalar Lake of Seven Colors Pontoon Tour: Swim in crystal-clear watersA pontoon boat tour of Bacalar's Lake of Seven Colors visits the Pirate Channel, Island of Birds, Black Cenote, Emerald Cenote, and Cocalitos Cenote over 2.5 hours, with swimming in shallow waters, seasonal fruit, water and ice included. A guide in English or Spanish narrates the lagoon's history and points out stromatolites at two of the cenotes. The boat is wheelchair accessible and the pace is set by the operator, so you move through five stops without building an itinerary yourself.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see all five cenotes and swim at the clearest ones without spending the morning figuring out which ones are reachable by car or foot—the boat moves through them in order and the guide handles the navigation and the stories.
Sian Ka'an: Boat Tour, Snorkeling & Lagoon Lunch from TulumYou’ll slip quietly into Sian Ka’an’s lagoons by boat with a local guide from Tulum, watching for herons and maybe even manatees before snorkeling at the reef. There’s time to swim or nap under coconut trees—and lunch tastes better when you’re barefoot. If you want a day trip that feels honest and unrushed, this is it.
Playa del Carmen: 4-Hour Catamaran, Snorkel & Beach with LunchYou sail from Puerto Aventuras to Paamul Bay, snorkel in calm water where sea turtles often appear, swim to a beach for an hour or two, and optionally fish and eat your catch. Lunch, open bar, and all gear are included; the whole thing takes four hours and you're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full catamaran day — snorkeling, beach time, and a meal — without arranging transport or worrying about what's included; the four-hour window and all-in pricing mean you're not juggling separate costs or timing.
Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Day Trip with Cenote Swim & LunchYou’ll wander Chichen Itza’s ancient stones with a local guide, swim in Saamal Cenote’s cool waters, climb Ek Balam’s Acropolis for wild jungle views, and share a Yucatecan lunch with your group. Expect honest stories, small surprises, and moments that stay with you long after you’ve rinsed off the cenote water.
Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Early Access Tour with Cenote SwimYou’ll walk through Chichen Itza before crowds arrive, hear stories from a local guide, swim in Cenote Hubiku under hanging stalactites, eat regional food for lunch, and climb Ek Balam’s pyramid surrounded by jungle sounds. It’s a full day packed with history, cool water, laughter—and moments that stick with you after you leave.
Akumal & Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich: Turtle Swim & Cenote SnorkelYou swim with wild turtles at Akumal Beach, then snorkel inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a freshwater cave system sacred to the Maya. Hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen or Tulum is included, along with snorkeling equipment, a guide, water and snacks. The whole half-day takes about four to five hours, and you're back before lunch.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see wild turtles and explore a cenote in one half-day without arranging transport, gear rental, or timing yourself—the fixed schedule fits both Akumal and the cenote into a single morning or afternoon.
