Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Chichen Itza & Yaxunah Ruins: Private Tour with Cenote & LunchYou’ll walk ancient grounds at Chichen Itza with a local guide, then explore Yaxunah’s quiet ruins where history feels close enough to touch. Cool off in a sacred cenote before sharing a homemade Mexican lunch and tequila tasting with your group—moments that linger long after you’re home.
Cancun Scuba Diving: First-Time Beginner Dives at MUSA & ReefYou get two guided dives at two of Cancun's most famous underwater sites—a statue museum and a barrier reef—with instructors who specialize in first-timers and speak English throughout. No certification required, no previous diving experience, just swimming ability and a health clearance. The small-group format means personal attention and a pace that lets you actually enjoy what you're seeing instead of rushing through it.Is it for me?Book this if you want to try scuba diving without the commitment of a certification course, and you'd rather learn from a local instructor who specializes in first-timers than join a large group operation. The small size is what makes the personalized attention possible.
Las Coloradas Pink Lake & Rio Lagartos Tour from CancunA full-day guided tour from Cancun to Las Coloradas pink lagoons and Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, with boat passage through mangroves, a traditional Mayan clay bath, lunch, and an optional crocodile farm visit. Hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and all entry fees are included; the tour runs roughly 12 hours with travel time between sites.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the pink lagoons and mangrove wildlife without renting a car or building an itinerary—the guide, transport, entry fees and meals are all arranged, so the day stays on track from pickup to drop-off.
Cancun: Romantic Dinner Cruise & Live Saxophone on Spanish GalleonYou board a Spanish Galleon at Nichupte Lagoon as the sun starts to drop, order your main course, and spend three hours watching the sky change color while a saxophonist plays and the open bar keeps moving. Dinner arrives in courses, not all at once. By the time you're back on the dock, you've had the kind of evening that feels deliberate — not rushed, not generic, the thing you came to Cancun to do with someone you wanted to impress.Is it for me?Book this if you want a structured evening that feels intentional — the kind of dinner where the setting does half the work, and you're not scrambling to find a restaurant or negotiate a table. The fixed menu and open bar mean you show up, order once, and spend three hours on the water without logistics getting in the way.
Cozumel Snorkel Day Pass: Shore Entry & Lunch at Money BarThe Money Bar Day Pass gives you guided snorkeling from the beach at Cozumel's Money Bar, positioned directly in front of the Dzul Ha and Paraíso reefs, plus a full day of beach access with lounge chairs, umbrellas and lunch included. A live guide leads the snorkel in English or Spanish; the reef sits close enough to shore that you walk in rather than boat out. Lunch is fajitas, tacos or a burger with one non-alcoholic drink; you can add alcoholic beverages at checkout.Is it for me?The 45-minute snorkel tour leaves most of your day free for the beach, so this works if you want to combine reef time with a long, unhurried lunch and lounging rather than pack multiple activities into one outing. The reef is steps from shore, which suits anyone who prefers to avoid boat rides or wants to bring small children who stay on the beach while others are in the water.
Cenote tour Riviera Maya: 3 cenotes & Mayan ceremonyYou visit three cenotes in one morning, snorkeling in each one and swimming among stalactites and mineral-rich water. A local guide leads a traditional Mayan ceremony at one of the sites, connecting you to the region's ancient culture. Transport from Playa del Carmen, snorkel gear, water and snacks are all included; the tour takes about four to five hours and operates in small groups.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see the cenotes without renting a car and who are curious about Mayan culture beyond the ruins. Expect moderate physical activity — there's walking, climbing in and out of the water, and standing for the ceremony — which is what lets you visit three different cenotes in one morning instead of just one.
Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen: Private Transfer One WayYou get picked up at arrivals with a name sign, ride in a private air-conditioned van with complimentary water and sodas, and arrive at your Playa del Carmen hotel without the shared-shuttle delays. The driver helps with luggage at both ends, parking and airport fees are included, and the whole thing takes around 45 minutes. Book this if you want to start your trip without negotiating transport or waiting for a group to fill up.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the shared-shuttle queue and arrive at your hotel without coordinating transport or waiting for other passengers — the private van and fixed pickup time mean you start your Caribbean trip on your own schedule, not someone else's.
Tulum Ruins & Akumal: Private Tour with Turtle SnorkelYou’ll wander ancient Mayan ruins above turquoise water in Tulum, then snorkel beside wild turtles in Akumal’s clear bay—with a local guide making everything easy. Expect snacks, hotel pickup, and moments you’ll replay long after your hair dries.
PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Costa Maya: First Dive on the ReefPADI Discover Scuba Diving in Costa Maya is an introductory scuba experience for divers without certification or without prior dive time. You complete theory and confined-water training, then descend along a mooring line to a coral garden reef site, diving to a maximum depth of 40 feet with a PADI instructor at your side. The full experience runs about four hours and includes all scuba equipment and bottled water; minimum age is 10 years old.Is it for me?The full session—theory, confined-water practice, and the reef dive—happens in one morning or afternoon without you arranging separate instructors, pools or boat trips. If you are staying in Costa Maya without a car, public transit gets you to the dive shop, and the rest is handled. Divers with high blood pressure, heart conditions, lung surgery, or seizure disorders need a doctor's clearance first, so check before booking.
Playa del Carmen: Two Reef Dives & Pool Training, No ExperienceYou spend the morning in a pool learning to breathe and move underwater with an instructor watching closely, then take two dives on separate reefs in the afternoon, staying within 12 meters and seeing tropical fish and corals. Equipment, training materials, and water are included; you just need to be medically cleared and moderately fit.Is it for me?Book this if you want to try scuba diving without the time and cost of a full certification course, and you're medically fit and reasonably active—the pool training is what makes the ocean dives possible in a single day.
Cozumel Electric Bike Tour & Lunch on East CoastThis is your chance to ride an electric bike along Cozumel’s wild east coast with a local guide, stopping for ocean views and stories before enjoying an authentic Mexican lunch at San Martin Beach Club. Includes pickup and all equipment—expect moments you’ll remember long after you’ve rinsed off the salt.
Costa Maya: Chacchoben Ruins & Mayan Village Cooking TourYou’ll walk ancient Chacchoben ruins with a local guide, then visit a nearby Mayan village where you’ll grind corn, shape tortillas by hand, and share lunch with your hosts. Expect laughter around the table, stories passed down through generations, and flavors you might dream about later.
Cancun Yacht Charter: Private Sea Ray 46ft to Isla MujeresYou’ll board your own private yacht in Cancun with a local crew who handles everything—just bring yourself (and maybe sunscreen). Cruise toward Isla Mujeres or drift around Cancun Bay if you’re short on time. There’s snorkeling gear ready if you want it, cold drinks waiting on ice, and space to stretch out under that huge sky. You might forget your phone for a while—and remember how good that feels.
Cancun: Certified Diver 2-Tank Reef & MUSA Dives, Private GuideYou’ll dive deep into Cancun’s Manchones Reef and glide among MUSA’s haunting underwater sculptures as a certified diver, guided by locals who know every current. Expect cool water, bright marine life, laughter between dives, plus all your gear and snacks sorted so you can just focus on breathing it all in.
Flying dress photoshoot Cancun: Cinematic beach sessionA flying dress photoshoot in Cancun pairs you with a professional photographer for a one-hour sunset beach session in a flowing gown designed to move with the wind. The photographer guides your posing and movement throughout, and you receive edited high-resolution photos within six days. One dress is included per person; the session takes place on the beach, not at your hotel.Is it for me?You'll get candid, dynamic shots of yourself in motion as the photographer guides your every move while the dress flows in the wind—no stiff poses, just natural moments captured at sunset on the beach.
Tulum Ruins Private Tour with Cenote SnorkelingA private tour from Playa del Carmen combines early-morning access to Tulum Ruins with snorkeling in one of three cenotes (Nicte Ha, Jaguar, or Taak bi Ha) and lunch at a local restaurant. Your guide holds the tickets and leads you through the site before the main crowds arrive, then drives you to your choice of cenote for swimming and snorkeling gear included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off by private minivan.Is it for me?The early pickup and pre-bought tickets mean you explore Tulum before the crowds arrive and the heat peaks — a private guide and your own minivan let you linger where you want instead of moving with a group schedule.
Playa del Carmen: Private Azimut Yacht & Snorkeling with Open BarYou board a private 58-foot Azimut yacht at Puerto Aventuras with your group and a professional crew. You snorkel vibrant reefs, float on inflatables or paddle boards, and eat fresh ceviche and guacamole prepared during your charter while the open bar runs continuously. The captain and crew handle all logistics, timing, and service, leaving you to decide how to spend each hour. Four hours total, no other groups, no schedule.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private boat with your group and don't want to arrange the crew, food, drinks, or water activities yourself — the fixed four-hour charter and all-inclusive setup is what makes a full day on the water feel effortless.
Tulum Bike Tour: Mayan Ruins, Tacos & Cenote SwimA guided bike tour of Tulum that covers Mayan ruins, local street food, and cultural landmarks on quiet roads, with an option to add a cenote swim and visit to a beekeeping foundation. The tour runs 3 hours (ruins and tacos only) or 5 hours (with cenote and Mayan Bee Foundation), led by guides fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Tulum Ruins entrance and tacos are included on both options; the longer version adds cenote entry and a stop at a local beekeeping site.Is it for me?Book the 3-hour short tour if you want the ruins and local food without the full day commitment; choose the 5-hour version if you're looking to see the beekeeping foundation and swim in the cenote, since those stops add the cultural depth and the water break that make the longer ride worth it.
Cancun Horseback Riding, Ziplining & Cenote: Jungle RushHorseback riding, ziplining and cenote swimming combined in a single four-hour activity from Cancun, with hotel pickup, lunch and tequila tasting included. The experience moves through three distinct environments: ziplines and hanging bridges in the jungle canopy, horseback trails through thick forest, and an open cenote where you can cliff-jump, zipline or descend stairs into freshwater. Playa del Carmen pickups run mornings only; the afternoon option serves Cancun and Puerto Morelos.Is it for me?The morning departure from Playa del Carmen works if you're based there; Cancun and Puerto Morelos guests have both morning and afternoon options. The four-hour window fits a half-day slot without eating the whole day, and the mix of three different activities—riding, ziplining and cenote swimming—suits travelers who want variety rather than depth in one pursuit.
Cozumel: Beginner Scuba Dive at Coral Reef with GuideYou’ll start your beginner scuba dive in Cozumel with hands-on guidance from a local instructor—first learning safety basics at the shop before practicing in shallow water. Then comes your guided boat ride out to the coral reef for your first real dive among tropical fish and colorful coral. Expect nerves at first—then pure wonder once you’re under.
