Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
Sort
Snorkeling with turtles near Tulum: Three cenotesSnorkel with sea turtles in the reef facing Tulum's Mayan ruins, then visit three cenotes—two for snorkeling and one for walking through the underground chamber. The half-day trip includes a certified guide, all equipment, boat transport, snacks and hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Tulum. Marine biologists lead the experience to prioritize wildlife safety.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a marine biologist leading your cenote and turtle snorkel—the expert focus means learning about the ecosystem rather than hitting multiple stops quickly.
Isla Holbox: Kitesurf lessons with local guide + transportYou’ll learn kitesurfing basics on Isla Holbox with a patient local guide, starting on calm sandbars before heading out by boat to Punta Mosquito’s wild beaches. Expect laughter, sandy feet, private transport, and moments that’ll stick with you long after you leave the island.
Snorkeling Isla Mujeres: MUSA Underwater Museum & Coral ReefsPrivate snorkeling at Isla Mujeres takes you to three reef sites — El Farito Reef (boat-access only), Sac Bajo Reef, and MUSA, the Underwater Museum of Art — with a professional guide, full equipment and four hours in the water. A guide in English or Spanish leads the whole experience; pickup runs from either Cancun hotels or Isla Mujeres. The reefs here are rated the best snorkel destination in Mexico for beginners and children, with shallow coral and abundant tropical fish.Is it for me?Book from Cancun if your hotel is there and you want the pickup included; book from Isla Mujeres if you're staying on the island and prefer to skip the transfer. Either way, the guide and boat depart from Isla Mujeres, so the boat time is the same — the choice is just where you start your morning.
Merida: Walking Tour with History, Sweets & Local StoriesYou’ll walk Merida’s historic center with a local guide who knows every corner—stepping into old mansions, hearing Mayan legends, tasting Mexican sweets as you go. Expect moments of laughter, quiet reflection inside centuries-old churches, and stories that stick with you long after you leave those white plaza chairs behind.
Full Adrenaline Day in Tulum: ATVs, Zipline, Cenote & RappelA full-day activity in Tulum combining ATV riding, zip-lining, rappelling and cenote swimming with a certified guide, lunch and round-trip transport. The day runs 5.5 hours and suits all fitness levels; children are welcome from age 6. You choose between a shared ATV or a single ATV at checkout.Is it for me?Choose the shared ATV option if you're traveling with a partner and want to keep costs down; pick the single ATV if you prefer to ride independently through the jungle or if your group has an uneven number of people. Either way, the guide and all the activity stations—zip lines, rappelling, cenote—stay the same.
Tulum Ruins & Cenote Private Tour from Tulum or Riviera MayaYou’ll walk through Tulum’s ancient ruins in morning calm with a local guide, then slip into a secluded jungle cenote for swimming and exploring limestone caves. Private transport and entry fees are included—and there’s something about that first quiet moment above the sea that’ll stick with you long after you leave.
Tacos and Marquesitas Tour Cancún: Street Food and Palapas ParkA two-hour food tour of Cancun led by a local guide in English or Spanish, starting at Palapas Park and moving through downtown taco stands, a taqueria, and a seafood restaurant. You taste six different tacos—street style, al pastor, chicken, shrimp and fish, plus vegan options—with Jamaica or horchata, and finish with marquesitas or Mexican street corn back at the park. Minimum age is 16; the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you're based in Cancun without a car—your guide navigates to Las Palapas Park and takes you directly to the taco stands, so you taste multiple regional styles in one outing rather than hunting them down separately.
Discover Scuba Diving in Isla Mujeres: MUSA StatuesDiscover Scuba Diving is a beginner's introduction to scuba at Isla Mujeres with no prior experience required. You'll complete classroom instruction, then descend to MUSA (Museo de Arte Subacuático) at 10 meters depth for your first dive among over 400 submerged statues, followed by a second dive on Manchones Reef where sea turtles, rays and eels are frequently spotted. The dive center is a 5-star PADI IDC facility; instructors speak English or Spanish and children are welcome from age 10.Is it for me?Book this if you want to try scuba without committing to a full certification course, or if you have an afternoon free and want to see what diving feels like. The shallow depth, excellent visibility and calm conditions at these sites are what make a first dive manageable and memorable rather than overwhelming.
Cancun Airport to Hotel Zone: Private Round-Trip TransferYou get picked up at Cancun Airport by a bilingual driver in a private vehicle (no shared rides), driven to your Riviera Maya hotel in roughly two hours, and returned to the airport on departure day. The price is fixed, water and insurance are included, and the vehicle is yours alone for the whole transfer.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing at Cancun Airport with luggage and want to reach your hotel without arranging a taxi or negotiating a fare — the fixed price and private vehicle mean you step out of the airport and into a seat that's already yours.
Snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal: Private guide & cenoteA private snorkeling trip in Akumal where you swim with sea turtles from the beach, then pick one of three cenotes—Jaguar, Nicte Ha, or Taak bi Ha—for a second swim before lunch at a local restaurant. The guide is certified, the snorkeling gear is provided, and hotel pickup is included; the ocean here is calm and entry is from the shore, so no boat is needed. Children from age 3 can join, and all skill levels work.Is it for me?Shore-based snorkeling with turtles in protected water, then your choice of three cenotes—pick this if you want to control the pace with a private guide and decide which cenote suits you.
Bacalar Lagoon: Private Catamaran Eco Tour with Kayaks & SnacksYou’ll float across Bacalar Lagoon on a quiet catamaran eco tour, stopping to swim in clear waters and snack on tropical fruit with local beer or juice. Kayaks are ready if you want them, and your bilingual guide shares stories as you drift past islands and cenotes. It’s slow travel at its best — peaceful moments linger long after you leave.
Tulum: 2-Tank Cenote Diving for Certified DiversYou descend into two separate cenotes near Tulum with a certified instructor, spending 40 minutes in each cavern surrounded by stalactites, stalagmites, and the rare halocline effect. All equipment, transport from the meeting point, and entrance fees are included; you bring your Open Water certification and avoid diving within 12 hours of arrival.Is it for me?Book this if you're a certified diver and want to see cenote formations most ocean divers never access — the fixed itinerary and included transport mean you don't have to arrange logistics or negotiate with multiple operators.
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks from Cancun: 10-meter giantsSnorkeling with whale sharks near Isla Mujeres is a 6.5-hour activity from Cancun and Riviera Maya where you swim alongside 10-meter creatures in their natural habitat during migration season. The experience includes round-trip hotel pickup, professional bilingual guides, full snorkeling gear, life jacket, lunch at a beachfront restaurant on Isla Mujeres, and bottled water and soda on board. Whale shark season runs June 1 through mid-September. Participants must be ages 8–60, able to swim, in good cardiovascular health, and weigh no more than 113 kg (250 lbs).Is it for me?At 6.5 hours, this activity claims most of your day, which is what makes the full snorkeling encounter and the Isla Mujeres lunch possible without rushing either one. If you're booking a single day around the whale sharks, this schedule holds the whole experience together.
Paddleboard Playa del Carmen: Morning Group Session, All LevelsA guided paddleboard session in Playa del Carmen's Caribbean waters, mixed-ability groups meeting in the morning with instruction, equipment and a guide who speaks English, Spanish or Dutch. The two-hour outing includes board, paddle, leash and snorkel gear when conditions permit; showers and storage are on-site, and you get photos from the water plus a 15% discount at either of two beach bars afterward.Is it for me?The guide speaks your language—English, Spanish or Dutch—so instruction and safety cues land clearly whether you're paddling for the first time or refining your technique. The group stays mixed-ability, which means you're not racing or waiting around; the pace holds steady for everyone learning together.
Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid: Private VW Beetle Day TripYou’ll ride in a vintage VW Beetle from Cancun or Playa del Carmen, explore Chichen Itza with a private guide who’s also your photographer, swim in a cenote you help choose, eat local food (your way), and stroll through Valladolid’s lively streets before heading home with memories—and free photos—that actually feel personal.
Isla Mujeres: Snorkeling Tour & Underwater Museum LunchYou’ll swim Isla Mujeres’ clear reefs with local guides who know every current, explore haunting underwater sculptures at MUSA, then relax at a beach club for smoky Tikinxic fish lunch. Expect salt on your skin and laughter in your ears—a day that lingers long after you’ve dried off.
Cancun Airport to Playa Mujeres: Private Transfer & AC ComfortYou’ll step straight from Cancun airport into your own private ride—no waiting for strangers or getting lost in crowds. A local driver meets you at arrivals (with your name on a sign), helps dodge timeshare pitches, and gets you comfortably to Dreams, Secrets, or Excellence Playa Mujeres in air-conditioned peace. It’s simple but honestly feels like a small relief after travel chaos.
ATV & Watercraft Combo: Caribbean Coast from CancunThis activity combines ATV riding through Riviera Maya jungle with your choice of wave runner or speedboat on the Caribbean coast, departing from Cancun or Riviera Maya hotels. A driver picks you up, takes you to the trailhead, and returns you to your hotel after the full day. The package includes round-trip transport, Mexican brunch buffet, and a national open bar at the beach club.Is it for me?Pick the ATV-only option to spend more time navigating jungle trails at your own pace, or combine both activities if you want to experience dense forest riding followed by open-water speed on the same morning.
Kayaking Tour Through Mangroves in Isla Holbox: See crocodiles and birdsA guided kayaking tour through the mangroves of Isla Holbox where you paddle a double kayak through calm channels, spotting coastal birds, crocodiles and seasonal flamingos with a professional guide who explains the flora and fauna along the way. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with your kayak, bottled water and a protein bar. The tour runs three hours and suits paddlers from age 6 with at least moderate fitness.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a guided paddle where the pace and navigation are handled for you — the calm water and double kayak mean you can focus on spotting wildlife instead of managing the route. It works well for families with children from age 6 and for paddlers who prefer company over going solo.
Playa del Carmen Nightclub Tour: Skip Line, Unlimited DrinksA VIP nightclub tour in Playa del Carmen takes you through three of the hottest bars and clubs in a single night, with skip-the-line entry, unlimited domestic drinks at each stop, and a local guide steering the route. The tour runs five hours across the venues; club schedules shift nightly, so the exact stops change. Dress code is enforced — no beach wear, flip-flops, sleeveless shirts or tank tops for men — and a photo ID is required at the door.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you speak English or Spanish comfortably and want to move through Playa del Carmen's nightlife without arranging transport or negotiating entry yourself — the guide handles both, and the five-hour pace keeps you moving through three venues in a single night.
