Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Isla Mujeres Sunset Cruise and Tour from CancunA sunset cruise and walking tour from Cancun takes you to Isla Mujeres for an evening of history and swimming. You'll walk through the downtown to learn about local landmarks—the church, City Hall esplanade, and the waterfront malecón—then move to Playa Norte before sunset to swim in clear water while the light fades. The tour runs about four hours and includes roundtrip transport from Cancun hotels, plus a cocktail bar with beer and sodas on the boat.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Isla Mujeres in the evening when it's quieter, and if watching the sunset from the water matters more than packing a full day of sightseeing into the afternoon. The timing and the transport are locked in, so the sunset becomes the point instead of something you squeeze in.
Tulum Cenotes: Private Cave & Open Cenote Swim with LunchYou’ll swim through a shadowy cave river near Tulum, then float in Casa Cenote’s bright open waters surrounded by mangroves and fish. A local guide handles everything—from pickup to lunch—so you can just soak up those cool textures and quiet moments you won’t forget.
Cozumel Cooking Class: Mexican Recipes in Josefina's KitchenA 3-hour hands-on cooking class in Cozumel limited to 6 students, held in Josefina's home kitchen with her son Jeronimo as an alternative instructor. The class begins at El Mercado, Cozumel's local market, where you learn to select fresh traditional ingredients from vendors, then move to the kitchen to prepare handmade tortillas, sauces, guacamole and side dishes using authentic Mexican cooking tools. You'll make margaritas or agua frescas, enjoy the meal you've cooked, and leave with Josefina's e-cookbook of family recipes. The class is available in English or Spanish, and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice.Is it for me?The class involves a small amount of walking on uneven surfaces at the market and some time standing in the kitchen, so it suits someone comfortable with light activity and hands-on work. If you want to learn Mexican cooking from someone who cooks it every day, in her own kitchen, with recipes you can take home and make again, this is built for that.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Oxman from Playa del Carmen: Private TourYou're driven from your Playa del Carmen hotel to Chichen Itza, arriving early before the crowds, with time to explore the pyramid and temples at your own pace. After the ruins, you swim in the underground Cenote Oxman inside a colonial hacienda, then stop in the town of Valladolid for lunch and a walk through its pastel streets. The private vehicle and guide are included; entry fees and meals are separate. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chichen Itza without the crowded bus-tour experience and prefer a private vehicle with flexible timing — the early arrival is what makes it possible to explore the ruins before the main groups arrive.
Cancun Airport Transfer: Private Shuttle & Welcome DrinkYou get picked up at Cancun airport with a name banner, ride in a private shuttle with a welcome drink of your choice, and have your luggage handled at both the airport and your hotel. The driver confirms your return pickup time on the way, so your last day isn't spent figuring out logistics. No surprises, no negotiating at the curb.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi queue and arrive at your hotel without arranging transport yourself — the driver meets you by name, handles the bags, and settles the return pickup before you even check in.
Snorkeling in Xel-Ha from Cancun: All-inclusive park accessXel-Ha all-inclusive snorkeling from Cancun combines access to the river, cenotes and cove with hotel pickup, meals and an open bar. The park includes jungle trails, the Meliponary and Plant Nursery, plus lounge areas with hammocks and snorkel gear you keep. Children from age four are welcome, and transportation departs from centrally located Cancun hotels.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in central Cancun without a car and want snorkeling, meals and jungle exploration handled in one outing—the hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport, and the all-inclusive format means you don't stop to pay for food or drinks.
Celestún Mangroves Boat Tour: Flamingos & Bird WatchingA full-day boat tour from Merida through the Celestún mangrove reserve, with a certified bilingual guide, binoculars for bird watching, and lunch at a beachfront restaurant. The tour departs at 8 a.m., includes a 90-minute boat ride through five named stops (Bird Island, the estuary mouth, Horseshoe Ruins, flamingo viewing area, and a Mayan clay bath), then 3 hours of free beach time before returning to Merida by 5:30 p.m. Flamingo numbers peak December through March; other months show local bird species year-round. The boat holds a maximum of 8 people.Is it for me?Day trips from Merida usually split the day between driving and a single activity, leaving you rushed. This tour combines the boat, the beach and a meal into one full arc, so the morning in the mangroves and the afternoon on the sand both have room to breathe.
Tulum Ruins & Cenote Nohoch Day Trip Guided Tour with LunchA full-day guided tour from Cancun to Tulum Archaeological Site and Cenote Nohoch, where you explore the walled Maya city with a certified guide, swim in freshwater cenote waters, and eat a regional buffet lunch. Hotel pickup is included from most Cancun and Riviera Maya properties, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or French. A surcharge of $35 USD covers park fees and the cenote reserve charge, payable in cash on the day.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you're based in Costa Mujeres—it departs Monday, Wednesday, or Friday only—and want both Tulum ruins and a cenote swim in a single day with a single pickup point.
Bacalar Lagoon: Sailing Catamaran Tour with Cenote Swims & DrinksYou’ll sail across Bacalar’s famous lagoon on a catamaran with a small group and local crew, stopping for swims in cenotes like Cenote Negro and Canal de los Piratas. Enjoy fresh fruit and cold drinks as your guide shares stories about the lagoon’s history and ecosystem. Expect laughter, new friends, and moments that linger long after you leave.
Discover Scuba Diving in Cozumel: First-Time DiversDiscover Scuba Diving in Cozumel is a beginner-friendly PADI experience for first-time divers age 10 and older, conducted under direct supervision of a PADI instructor. The experience includes online learning before arrival, equipment fitting, shallow-water skill practice, and one guided shore dive from the training reef near Tikila Beach. All scuba equipment is provided; no prior diving experience or certification is required. After the dive, you can use snorkeling equipment to explore the water at your own pace.Is it for me?The instructor speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow instruction and safety briefing in whichever language you're most comfortable with. This works for families with children age 10 and up, cruise passengers with a few hours between ship time, and anyone who wants to try scuba without committing to a multi-day certification course.
Bacalar Boat Cruise with On-Board BBQ and SwimmingA private boat cruise in Bacalar where you swim at the Pirate Canal and Cenote de la Bruja, then eat a barbecue cooked on board while floating in the lagoon. The 4.5-hour activity includes six beers per adult, skewers with vegetarian options, natural fruit beverages, snorkeling gear and a bilingual guide; departure is from the DayTour Bacalar dock at Casa China Bacalar hotel.Is it for me?This is a private boat, so you set the pace and the crew cooks while you float—ideal if you want to eat and drink without returning to land or dealing with a shared schedule. The barbecue happens on board, which means no restaurant stop and no time lost to getting back ashore.
Costa Maya Snorkeling: 2 Reef Sites & Underwater PhotosYou spend three hours on the water visiting two snorkeling sites on the Great Mesoamerican Reef, with a certified guide who photographs you underwater. The tour includes all equipment, snacks, and drinks, plus free beach time afterward with kayaks and paddleboards. You don't arrange transport or worry about gear — it's all there, cleaned and ready.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel the reef without arranging your own gear or worrying about which spots are worth visiting — the guide chooses the two sites based on that morning's conditions, which is what keeps you in the water where the fish actually are instead of in a crowded tourist line.
Isla Mujeres Catamaran: Snorkeling, North Beach & Open BarYou’ll start at Playa Tortugas boarding a catamaran with local crew, snorkel over Meco reef’s coral gardens, then explore Isla Mujeres’ colorful murals and North Beach at your own pace before sailing back with an open bar—expect laughter, salty hair, and memories that linger long after you return.
Celestún Biosphere & Beach Day from Merida: Flamingos & MangrovesThis 7.5-hour tour departs from downtown Merida and takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, where you board a guided boat tour through the estuary, mangroves, and bird island to spot flamingos, crocodiles, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. After the boat tour, you drive 20 minutes to Celestún Beach for lunch (optional), beach club facilities, and free time to swim. A bilingual guide travels with you throughout; the boat fee (500 pesos cash) is paid separately at the dock, as credit cards are not accepted there.Is it for me?Depart from Mérida to explore Celestún's mangroves and estuary by boat with a bilingual guide, spotting flamingos and wildlife in their natural habitat—a bilingual guide and vehicle handle all logistics so you focus on the experience.
Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: Private Minivan, Wi-Fi & PickupYou’ll step off your flight at Tulum Airport and find your driver already waiting with your name on a sign (and a WhatsApp message). Settle into a cool minivan with Wi-Fi, bottled water, and those surprisingly refreshing facial wipes. Enjoy an easy ride straight to your hotel — no stress or confusion, just that first real breath of Yucatán air.
Cozumel: Private Jeep Tour Custom Routes & Local StopsYou’ll ride in a cool Jeep with your own local guide through Cozumel’s quieter corners—visit Mayan ruins, taste fresh tacos downtown, and wander through the bee sanctuary if you’re curious. The day is yours to shape: take it slow or pack in sights, with bottled water and entry fees included. You’ll leave feeling like you saw more than just postcards.
Diving in Cozumel: 2 certified dives in the marine parkA 2-tank scuba dive in Cozumel's National Marine Park for certified divers, departing from the Allegro Cozumel resort dive center. You need a minimum PADI Open Water certification or equivalent; the guide, tanks, weights and boat are included. Marine park fees apply and may be charged separately at checkout.Is it for me?Book this if you're diving with a small group and want to skip the usual boat commute—the dive center's location inside the marine park means you go straight from the resort to the water. Choose it if your certification is current and you've dived within the past year; if you're rusty or your card has expired, a refresher can be arranged for an extra charge.
Merida: Chichen Itza, Izamal & Cenote Ik Kil Day Trip with LunchYou’ll wander Merida’s golden Izamal streets, swim in Cenote Ik Kil’s cool waters, and explore Chichen Itza with a local guide who brings ancient stories to life. Enjoy regional lunch flavors between stops and catch quieter moments at each site—plus hotel pickup makes it all easy.
Cozumel: Private Mayan Ruins, Cenote Swim & Jungle PicnicYou’ll walk jungle paths to quiet Mayan ruins, taste smoky tequila at a family ranch, share lunch under the trees, and cool off with a swim in Cozumel’s cenote waters—all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way.
Bacalar: Private Catamaran Sailing & Bird Island SwimmingYou sail a motorless catamaran through Bacalar Lagoon with your group only, stopping to swim in cenote water near stromatolites and at Bird Island, where you watch local and migratory birds and catch the sunset. Bottled water and seasonal fruit are provided, and Captain Sara handles navigation and timing so you just show up at Bertilla Lagoon and step aboard.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Bacalar Lagoon's bird life and remote cenotes without a motor or a crowd—the private catamaran and no-engine approach are what make the quiet and the wildlife possible in a place that can feel crowded elsewhere.
