Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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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.
Cancun Airport Transfer: Private Car to Hotel with Fixed PriceYou book online, confirm your flight details, and a driver meets you at Cancun airport with your name. The fixed price covers the private vehicle, certified driver, and direct route to your hotel — no hidden charges, no negotiation. Bottled water and air conditioning are standard. Groups up to eight fit in one car.Is it for me?Right for travelers landing in Cancun without a rental car or the energy to negotiate a taxi fare. The fixed price and direct route mean you skip the airport transportation puzzle entirely, which is what makes the drive from the airport feel like part of the trip instead of a problem to solve.
Uxmal & Kabah ruins tour from Merida: Cenote swim includedA guided tour from Merida to Uxmal and Kabah, two of the Puuc Route's most important archaeological sites, with a swim in Cenote Peba and a regional lunch included. The guide speaks English and Spanish, hotel pickup is arranged, and the day runs 9 to 10 hours. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?The tour runs a full morning and afternoon with walking at two large archaeological sites and climbing on uneven terrain, so pace yourself at Uxmal and Kabah—the free time at each site lets you rest between the guided portions. The cenote swim breaks up the day and the lunch is served before the return drive, so energy dips are built into the schedule.
Chichen Itza Sunrise Tour & Ik Kil Cenote from CancunBeat the heat and crowds with a private sunrise tour to Chichen Itza and Ik Kil Cenote. You’ll get quiet moments, great photos, and a flexible day that fits your pace.
Costa Maya Snorkeling Tour: 3 reef sites with guideYou’ll swim right above Costa Maya’s famous reef with a local guide showing you turtles and colorful fish, then relax on clean sand with fresh fruit and drinks. Photos are included so you can actually be in them for once—and if you want more adventure, kayaks and paddleboards are waiting nearby.
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.
Isla Mujeres: Catamaran Day Trip, Snorkeling & Beach Club LunchYou’ll sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres by catamaran, snorkel among tropical fish at Bahia Mujeres reef, unwind on Playa Norte’s soft sand, and enjoy a buffet lunch plus open bar at a local beach club. With free time to explore town or just float in warm water, this day trip feels relaxed and real—like summer should.
Cozumel: Private Cruise Transfer & Hotel PickupYou arrive at the cruise terminal and find your driver holding a sign with your name. You ride alone to your hotel or beach club in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with no stops or shared passengers. When your time in Cozumel is done, the driver returns exactly on schedule so you make your ship departure without stress. The price is fixed and includes both the ride to your destination and the guaranteed return transfer.Is it for me?Book this if your cruise stop is short and you want to skip the logistics — the driver meets you by name, takes you straight to your destination, and brings you back in time for the ship, which is what turns a tight port day into an actual afternoon instead of a scheduling puzzle.
Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Village Tour with TastingYou’ll walk ancient Mayan ruins at Chacchoben with a local guide who brings history to life, taste honey-drizzled pineapple under jungle trees, and pass through a colorful village where everyday life unfolds outside your window. Expect warm stone under your hands and real stories in your ears—a day that lingers long after you’re back at port.
Puerto Morelos Snorkel: Barrier Reef & Sea Turtles 2 HoursYou board a boat from Puerto Morelos, motor out to the barrier reef, and spend two hours snorkeling among coral formations and tropical fish, with sea turtles appearing regularly. All gear—mask, fins, vest, snorkel—is provided, and the water stays calm and clear. The trip takes two hours total, includes bottled water, and works for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike. Book if you want to see the reef without a full-day commitment or the cost of separate equipment rental.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the barrier reef without committing to a full day or renting gear separately—the two-hour window and included equipment mean you're in the water within an hour of leaving your hotel.
Tulum Cenotes: Private Underground River Swim & Cave TourYou’ll float beneath ancient stalactites in Tulum’s underground rivers, guided by locals who know every twist. Swim through sacred cenotes, spot jungle wildlife, then relax in open pools with time for photos or just drifting quietly—there’s space here to breathe and let it all sink in.
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.
Puerto Morelos Snorkeling: Biosphere Reserve & Reef LifeYou get two forty-five-minute snorkeling sessions in a protected biosphere reserve with sightings of reef fish, turtles and rays in clear water. Bottled water is provided, and public transport reaches the dock. Eco-friendly sunblock is required to protect the reef you're swimming in.Is it for me?Right for snorkelers who want to see healthy reef life without the crowds or damage — the biosphere protection is what keeps the fish and coral thriving. Plan for a half-day on the water with boat time included; if you have spinal, cardiovascular, or pregnancy concerns, check with a doctor first.
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.
Chichen Itza Private Guide: Mayan Archaeology Tour Without LinesA private guided tour of Chichen Itza pairs you with a local expert who covers the main temples, the ball court, the Tzompantli and other key structures across the North and South plazas (or North Plaza with a cenote visit, depending on your choice). The guide speaks English or Spanish, handles advance ticket purchase to skip the line at arrival, and shares Mayan history, architecture and culture as you move through the site. Admission tickets are not included and must be purchased separately.Is it for me?Local experts decode the pyramids and hidden corners of Chichen Itza, sharing Mayan history, architecture, and culture while you skip the ticket lines.
Cozumel: Convertible Buggy Tour with Tequila & Beach ClubYou’ll cruise Cozumel in an open-top buggy with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Taste real tequila where it’s made, stop for photos along wild beaches, then unwind at a beach club with pool access and changing rooms. Expect laughter, sea air, and small surprises you’ll remember long after you’ve left.
Tulum Snorkeling and Sailing Tour: Catamaran to the ReefA snorkeling and sailing tour from Tulum beach aboard a catamaran powered by wind, where you enter the water at the reef and then sail toward the Mayan ruins visible from the sea. The tour runs about 75 minutes, includes snorkel equipment and snacks, and operates with a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian. Children from age 1 are welcome; Tulum National Park entrance is separate.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to snorkel the reef and see Tulum's ruins from the water on a single wind-powered catamaran—the pace follows conditions rather than a fixed schedule, so time in the reef and drifting past the Castle depends on the breeze.
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.
